Meet Jackson Fuller, the Times Record's new Arkansas Razorbacks beat reporter

In an 11-second span on Sept. 6, 2003, college football changed from interest to addiction for a 10-year-old kid from Miami.

The arch-rival Florida Gators were coming to town to face ‘The U’, and it was the first game as season-ticket holders for me and my dad. It was also my first night game inside the Orange Bowl, and the pregame hype at the stadium brought a seduction that turned into a lifelong lust.

The energy hit a crescendo when true freshman Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. It took Hester 11 seconds to break a couple of tackles and sprint 97 yards straight into Miami Hurricane lore. The proverbial roof came off the building, and to this day, it’s the loudest environment I’ve ever experienced for a sporting event.

What I remember most is hugging my dad, and then hugging and high-fiving the strangers next to us. There was no filter to our elation, only a desire to relish the rapid-fire ecstasy with those people also living through a future memory. Eventually, those strangers became good friends we couldn’t wait to see every Saturday when my dad and I made the drive to Little Havana.

Ever since that night, college sports have been a fabric of my identity.

I can’t wait to add an extra layer to my identity here in Fayetteville, covering the University of Arkansas for the Southwest Times Record.

My name is Jackson Fuller. I was born in Miami but spent most of my life in North Carolina. I went to college at UNC-Wilmington, where I stayed and covered high school sports with the local paper for nearly five years.

I just finished a year abroad, getting an international sports journalism master’s degree in London. While there, I would stay up till the latest hours on Saturday nights watching college football. Pubs closed at midnight, and I’d race home to watch the week’s marquee game on a sketchy stream, one giant ocean away.

I’m excited for this new challenge, covering a college program exclusively for the first time, but I’ve also got a lot to learn!

I’ve spent most of my life in North Carolina, the heart of ACC Country. This will be my first time rigorously following the SEC. I don’t know the origin story of Woo Pig Sooey and I’ve never seen a Hog Call in person. I thought a Razorback was a fictional animal until I accepted this job.

I hope you’ll bear with me as I get accustomed to this new gig and to an unfamiliar sports ecosystem. If you see me around Fayetteville or at the University of Arkansas, feel free to say hello. Point me in the direction of the best golf courses and food your town has to offer. If there’s a great bar to watch European soccer games, I’m all ears. Any Chelsea FC or Miami Heat fans out there?

In the meantime, I promise to pour my all into this job.

As I type this column, I’m eagerly awaiting a trip to Dodger Stadium with my dad. Hester’s return against the Gators started a life-long search for two stadium seats, together. My dad just got done fighting, and beating, cancer. Who knows how many more times we will be able to share a celebratory hug at a ballgame?

I’m sure many of you readers have similar memories like I do with my dad. College sports can provide unbreakable bonds, and I hope to share content and stories that just might make those bonds you already have a little sweeter.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Meet Jackson Fuller, the Times Record's new Arkansas Razorbacks beat reporter