I met John Enrietto in 1995. Our first interaction came at a party the day before I was scheduled to interview with him for a sports writer position. I was intimidated.

Then he joked about me attending an office party before I had even interviewed for a job and let out his deep, disarming laugh. He set me at ease.

Ultimately I was offered the job. On my first day, I was nervous. John made a joke and again let out that gigantic laugh. That’s when I knew everything was going to be OK, that if I worked hard and did my best, he would support me.

For two decades I sat next to John as he pecked away at his keyboard with the index finger of his right hand, knocking out copy faster with one digit than mere mortals do with all 10. He kept jabbing away like that, pumping out story after story.

No one works harder than John. He has an unmatched work ethic. He got a kick out of seeing how many events he could cover in one day.

People throw around the word legend too often and too easily. But with John, the word fits. No one has done more for sports coverage in the area than John Enrietto.

So, here’s to you, John, on an outstanding career in journalism. You taught me so much about what it means to be a pro.

Keep on pecking.

Mike Kilroy, Butler