In 2013 and 2014, I photographed the renovation of Alamo stadium and in 2015, I photographed the renovation of Lehnhoff stadium. I made it my duty to visit each stadium at least once a month — it was really cool to see the transformation of these stadiums from start to finish.
I was planning to visit the new Northside ISD gymnasium again on May 2nd, but on that day, my wife gave birth to our son, Nikolai. Obviously, I didn’t go because I didn’t want to be in the doghouse!!! Even though I was off all of May for my Paternity Leave of Absence, I didn’t want to row out of Canyon Lake and head to the Dub Farris Athletic Complex. I wanted to be with my family.
Once I got back to work, I really wanted to get pictures because I knew if I didn’t do it now, it would very likely turn into a 1-time photo project (and, that is not how I work).
Yes, I did feel bad that I wasn’t coming home immediately after work to spend time with my family, but at the same time, I was excited. I did eventually make it home by about 7:45 in the evening, but once football season starts in August, I will be home around 11:00 in the evening on Thursday’s and Friday’s. Thursday’s, I am the statistician for Thursday Night Lights (live high school football broadcasted on CW35 in San Antonio and online). And, on Friday’s, I am a freelance sports writer which basically provides me with a lot of freedom. But, I have to be honest and tell you that I don’t know what I will do on Fridays this year (nothing has been set in stone).
My parents whom I dragged with me on Friday got to see my excitement first-hand as I was taking pictures with a HUGE smile on my face (it’s the little things in my life that turn me on). I never have any photography goals on site visits, I just shoot from different angles hoping that one of them is the “money shot”. I also don’t trespass but I do get as close as I possibly can.
Oh, I did email the Northside athletic staff and the Athletic Director, Stan Laing, replied and told me that as the gymnasium gets close to completion, I can get inside access. I got that with the Alamo stadium renovations and it was awesome to be so up close and personal to everything. I can’t wait for it to happen with the Northside gymnasium.
If you want to view the entire photo album from June 10th, please visit: https://thestatmanspeaks.smugmug.com/High-School-Basketball/Northside-ISD-Gymnasium-Constr/Northside-ISD-Gym-06102016
Here are a few photos from my June 10th visit:
