Editor's Note:  This is the most recent piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
I remember watching the first time John Brown touched the ball in a Pitt State Jersey.
 
I remember being on the field when Chase McCoy knocked through a last-second field goal at Arrowhead to beat Northwest Missouri.
 
I remember watching the Pitt State women celebrate after beating Emporia State at John Lance Arena to move on to the Elite Eight.
 
Sports give us some of the best moments of our lives in just a matter of seconds. Those are just a few for me. Those seconds turned into things I'll never forget. It's tough not knowing what sports would have given us over the last few months.
 
I started school at PSU in Fall 2009. I lived in Nation Hall my freshman year. #405. I came from a town of 1,100 people. I remember being able to look out and see Carnie Smith Stadium. I had been to Pitt State football games before. It felt big time to be living RIGHT THERE.
 
Seriously, the first time I was in the same room as Tim Beck, I felt like I was in the same room as the President.
 
Going to school at PSU was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved the school. Professors were great. Campus was pretty. The dining hall, man, the dining hall – I loved that place too much. You know what I mean. 
 
Also, how many people get to see their school win a football national championship? I was lucky. 
 
I got my degree from Pitt State. Communication. Broadcast emphasis. PSU helped me get a job doing what I've always wanted to do: cover sports. When I was done and got a job in broadcasting, it was an easy transition. I knew what to do (shout-out CAPS 13!).
 
I'm the Sports Director and anchor at KOAM TV. I've been covering sports in the Pittsburg/Joplin area for about six years. I feel incredibly lucky that my career is something that I love. This area is such a special place for sports. Every season provides special moments and things I won't forget. 
 
Those are reasons why the last three months have been so hard.
 
I was at a high school basketball playoff game in Webb City when this whole situation became real to me. When I showed up at that basketball game, things seemed OK. Just wash your hands and keep your distance and things were going to be fine. By the time I left that game, the NBA season had been suspended. It's been a blur since. 
 
We haven't had a sports segment on our station since mid-March. I've been working on the news side. While I've been able to tell great stories and meet some really inspiring people, it's just not the same. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to still be working. A lot of people haven't been that lucky. But I love what I do. I've always known I'm lucky to love my career. Having that taken away in what felt like a split second only makes it more evident.
 
It's an odd situation to be in. I want sports back probably more than most people. At the same time, I don't want to rush it and potentially wreck the sports schedule for even longer. Plus, we have a 4-year-old who had breathing issues when he was born. We spent weeks at Children's Mercy in Kansas City after he was born, and he came home with an oxygen machine. The thought of how this could affect him is scary to me. If you're a parent, you understand. 
 
He loves the tulips on campus by the way.
 
I miss sports. I miss the moments. Standing on the field at Carnie Smith while the marching band plays "America the Beautiful." I miss the touchdown cannon fire. I miss the people. The players, coaches and fans make me love my job. We've probably missed out on a few of those moments the last few months, but that's OK.
 
We'll get there.
 
#OAGAAG
 
Jacob Lenard
 
Jacob Lenard has been the sports director and anchor for KOAM TV for the past five years, covering local high school and college sports throughout the Four States area. The Yates Center, Kan., native is a 2012 graduate of Pitt State with a communication degree. Jacob and his wife, Rachel, live in Pittsburg with their four-year-old son, Keaton.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!
 
Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)
Vol. XV - Wendi (Rickson) Horak, PSU Alum/Softball Athlete (May 8)
Vol. XVI - Josh Lattimer, PSU Alum/Football Coach (May 11)
Vol. XVII - Brad Buckley, PSU Alum/Baseball Coach (May 13)
Vol. XVIII - Piper Misse, Cross Country/Track & Field Athlete (May 15)
Vol. XVIV - Alexa (Bordewick) Dreiling, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (May 18)
Vol. XX - Jen Gomez, Volleyball Coach (May 20)
Vol. XXI - Harlan Hess, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 22)
Vol. XXII - Kaity Kukowski, Softball Athlete (May 25)
Vol. XXIII - Eddie Lomshek, PSU Alum/Play-By-Play Broadcaster (May 27)
Vol. XXIV - Jenni (Miller) Croy, PSU Alum/Women's Basketball Athlete (May 29)
Vol. XXV - Jesse Wall, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (June 1)
Vol. XXVI - Marcus Canipe, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (June 3)
Vol. XXVII - Kim Anderson, PSU Men's Basketball Coach (June 5)
Vol. XXVIII - Tucker Horak, Football Athlete (June 8)
Vol. XXVIV - Brandon Claypool, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (June 10)