By John Hampton | Sports Editor

Four years ago, MHS alumnus Andy Rossback was removed from his position as ASB President. Later that year, he took over as Editor-in-Chief for The Marshfield Times. It was this opportunity that gave him the ability to be where he is today: standing as the next leader to the University of Oregon’s student newspaper, The Daily Emerald.

“I went to a party and was removed from my position,” Rossback said. “Then an amazing opportunity came up.”

Just a few weeks later, The Marshfield Times editor resigned, Rossback was thrust into the position to fill the empty void and never looked back. For Rossback, it gave him something to focus on after losing his role as ASB President, but more importantly, it led him to his passion: journalism.

“Without that opportunity, I don’t know what I would have done with my life,” Rossback said.

As editor, Rossback focused on strengthening the newspaper’s design. He led the staff to earn seventh place at the spring 2009 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention for Best of Show, 9-12 pages.

At MHS, one of Rossback’s fellow newspaper staff members was 2011 graduate Jake Crump. Rossback helped recruit Crump to join the staff because he heard Crump had an interest in photography and design. The two began working on The Marshfield Times together, became friends and Rossback continued to help Crump after he graduated and became the Editor-in-Chief himself in the fall of 2010.

“I consider him my mentor,” Crump said. “He taught me how to get reader’s interest.”

Rossback’s role as editor while at MHS was seemingly just the start of his journalism career. His skills earned him a job as a reporter for The World in 2009, another opportunity that further confirmed his interest in journalism.

“My internship with The World compelled me to stay in journalism,” Rossback said.

In the fall of 2009 Rossback moved to Eugene to begin his college education at Lane Community College. He immediately became involved with the student newspaper, The Torch, where he worked as both a reporter and designer during his freshman year.

After two years at Lane, Rossback spent the summer in Alabama working for The Huntsville Times last summer before transferring to the University of Oregon this year. Since high school, Rossback has envied The Virginian-Pilot newspaper for its superior design and encouraged editors such as Crump to look to it for the latest trends in news page design.

“We were always super inspired by The Virginian-Pilot,” Crump said.

This made it all the more exciting for Rossback to learn he was selected for a paid internship at the very newspaper that has inspired him for years. He will travel to Norfolk, Va. in June to begin his summer internship.

“The ‘Pilot’ has always been my favorite paper in the country,” Rossback said.

Rossback believes he was chosen for the internship due to his experience in newspaper design and the work he has done at the four newspapers he has worked with so far.

“They’ve given me the context that I need,” Rossback said.

Rossback’s internship with The Virginian-Pilot will help give him more experience before he takes on the biggest challenge of his career thus far: the top job at The Daily Emerald as the 2012-13 Editor-in-Chief. Rossback believes his journey in journalism has led him the right way.

“Something really beautiful came out of it all,” Rossback said.

Rossback has a new vision for The Daily Emerald and will bring his creativity and experience to enhance the paper.

“I have a lot of ideas, and there are a lot of things I would like to change,” Rossback said.

Rossback has even inspired old friends to join him on the next part of his journey. Crump, who is attending Oregon State University, intends to transfer to the University of Oregon in hopes of working on a newspaper with his friend once again. Crump believes in Rossback’s creativity.

“He was always pressuring me to think outside of the box,” Crump said. “He pushed me to not follow typical newspaper design.”

Rossback wishes to follow up the national success and recognition he once helped The Marshfield Times obtain.

“It is our vision to make it [The Daily Emerald] the best college paper in the country,” Rossback said.

Rossback is aware of the present challenges, however. He believes the online aspect of The Daily Emerald must also improve.

“We have to meet the needs of young people on the go,” Rossback said.

Rossback believes both his past challenges and success will help him in the future.

“I regret a lot of things that I did in high school, but it has been a real learning experience,” Rossback said. “It’s incredible that it could all happen to me.”