Carlin Bids Farewell To Viewers

John Carlin
Published: November 28, 2008

I can’t believe it. This is the final sign off.

After 21 years at WSLS and 28 as a professional broadcaster, I’m signing –off for the last time tonight.

The decision, several months ago to leave the business was difficult.  But with that decision made, I thought this part would be a breeze.

Wrong.

This has been a tough day.  We have family in for Thanksgiving, and it’s been a welcome distraction.  But when I pulled into the parking lot today, it really hit me that I would be leaving my keys with the news director and that I would no longer be a daily part of the activity in this building.

I’ve appreciated the tributes produced by the staff, the going-away luncheon and Mayor Bowers’ declaration of “John Carlin Day.”

Looking back, I’d like you to know that getting this job was akin to making the major leagues in baseball.  It’s something I only dreamed might someday happen. 

As I told countless young eager would-be journalists during my teaching days at Virginia Tech, you have to be able to “hit the curveball,” if you want to do this job. You can practice your entire life, but if you can’t figure out the curve, you can’t play baseball.

In TV, you need to be able to connect through the lens of a camera.  People have told me it’s one of the better parts of my game.  I’d like to think it’s the writing, or researching or community involvement – but I realize to a certain extent – that “connect thing” is the curveball.

I want you to know how blessed I believe I have been to be able to use that ability to build a career.  I started the job at WSLS when I was 26.  Since then I’ve had a front row seat for everything from the 1999 Hokie Championship season, to Ground Zero, to the Virginia Tech tragedy and countless community events.

Three different companies have owned this television station during my tenure.  There have been six station managers, and at least as many news directors.  But when you work in news – the constant is you, the viewers.  The people watching the broadcast are the reason we all do what we do.  To you WSLS has always been WSLS, and to me you have always been the audience.  That’s the reason we do what we do, and the true motivation behind the job.

Serving you has been a privilege and a pleasure, and I’ll certainly miss it.

So to you I say, “Thanks.”