Dennis Clayton is retiring after 18 years of covering sports in the New Albany area -

Dennis Clayton is retiring after eighteen years of covering local sports in New Albany and Union County.

Although Clayton is officially retiring from the New Albany Gazette, he had other employers during those years. In 2006 the New Albany News-Exchange was formed; at the time, it was Mississippi’s first online local news site. The News-Exchange was purchased by the Tupelo Journal in 2008, and in 2009 Clayton joined the News-Exchange staff, working in advertising eventually working full time covering sporting events. In 2014, having recently purchased the New Albany Gazette, the Tupelo Journal merged the News-Exchange with the New Albany Gazette. This put Clayton was on his way to covering sports full time for the remainder of his career, as well as becoming the Gazette’s Sports Editor.

Over the years, Clayton became a fixture in the world of local sports, a friend and respected colleague to co-workers, athletes, coaches, media representatives, sports fans, etc. across the area. His shoes will require a lot of “filling.” Clayton says that flag is being passed to Ben Garrett and he wished Ben the best “as he covers the best sports beat in Mississippi.”

Dennis and his wife Vicki are retiring at the same time, with plans to work for themselves, rather than “punching the clock” as they have for so many years. They are looking forward to being able to watch many games with family members.