Sampson Independent content writer Anthony Goodman has been promoted to the role of sports editor.
Goodman, who has been with the paper since March covering a wide range of community and news stories, will now lead coverage of athletics across Sampson County.
A native of Sampson County, Goodman was raised in the Midway area and has spent most of his life rooted in the community, with time also spent living in Illinois and California. A graduate of Northern Vance High School, he grew up deeply connected to sports — playing basketball, football, and track, as well as wrestling in middle school while in Illinois.
Before joining The Sampson Independent, Goodman devoted years to mentoring young athletes as a coach. He has coached basketball, football, and track at Hobbton High School, served a year at Hobbton Middle School, and also coached through the Sampson County Parks and Recreation Department.
“I’ve always had a love for sports and for helping young people grow, both on and off the field,” Goodman said. “Anyone who knows me knows I’m truly unbiased and have a love for all of our local teams. I treat all students like they’re my own.”
At 35, Goodman is a husband and father of five. He and his wife, Angela, are proud parents to Dai’vian, who attends Averett University; De’Angelo, a student at Hobbton High; Di’Jour, who attends Hobbton Middle; and Tyler and Avella, who both attend Hargrove Elementary.
“My kids are a huge motivation to me. They keep me centered and make me strive for more, hence I wanted to embrace this endeavor. I know there’s going to be some long nights, even some when I might not be able to tuck my baby girl Avella in, but she will be able to look at her dad with pride one day knowing that I was chasing a passion to try to build a better life for her and her siblings.”
Independent publisher Sherry Matthews said promoting Goodman was a double-edged sword, but one that was good for the newspaper overall.
“I’m really going to miss Anthony on the news side of things. In his short time here, he has proven himself to be a skilled writer and a good journalist. Editor Abby Cavenaugh and the news team will miss him on that side of things, just as I will. Having said that, though, I’m equally excited about the opportunities we have in sports by moving Anthony to that position.
Matthews said since the departure of former sports editor Brandt Young, Goodman has slowly taken over many aspects of the sports coverage, along with the stringer team of David Johnson, Daron Barefoot and Mike Carter, and has proven himself very adept in those areas.
“Brandt set the pace when he was editor, ramping up our coverage and doing a great job. I believe Anthony will take that ball and run with it, providing the coverage that all of our local teams and young athletes deserve. He has been in the sports trenches as a coach and knows the value of good local newspaper coverage, the kind that bolsters teams and give praise to young people, the things any good local newspaper should do,” Matthews said.
“I have every confidence in Anthony’s ability. He has worked hard to earn this promotion and I believe he will give this job, and every school, everything he has to offer.”
Goodman always had an affinity for writing, but even more so with sports. Having a sibling rivalry with his brother James “J.D.” Davis Jr. pushed him in more ways than one. He stated that he was the one, though Goodman was the bigger brother, that kept making him strive to get better no matter what sport they played. “We didn’t just play backyard basketball. Our grandmother bought us both tennis rackets from Hibbett Sports and would take us to Royal Lane Park so we can learn how to play. We weren’t wealthy enough to afford lessons, which just keep learning from practical application. That’s what led us into loving way more sports than just the traditional football and basketball.”
Goodman credits his grandparents for his wide-range of knowledge. “We only watched what they watched for the most part. If Grandpa was feeling like watching golf, we’re watching golf, and we would make it interesting, acting as commentators,” he recalled. “My grandmother actually liked watching hockey, especially when the Hurricanes first came around, and then we started learning about that sport the same way. Just because we didn’t have the means to partake in those sports didn’t prevent us from learning the game and how it goes.”
As he steps into his new role, Goodman says his focus will be on celebrating the hard work and talent of student-athletes across the county. “There’s so much greatness right here in Sampson County,” he said. “I’m looking forward to highlighting our local athletes and sharing their stories with the community.” Goodman concluded, “I am extremely humbled, and thankful for this opportunity.”