We are nearing the end of the year and before the holiday season makes us all mushy, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the contributors to the Nest over the past two years. Our collection of video reporters have become a staple to area prep sports and while none of us are so called experts in broadcasting, one look at our traffic numbers each week and it is very clear we are doing something right.

Tony Serritella other wise known as "Big Tone" is a guy who knows sports, has coached several teams in the past and is always the biggest cheerleader of the schools he covers each week. While true Big Tone is a big guy, he has the heart of a lamb and is without a doubt dedicated in recording history every week at every event rain or shine. Besides all the hours of hard work Big Tone puts in around here, he has been one of the best friends a guy could have to me for more than a decade.

Brian Jones and his wife understand the difficult task of production and editing as this is what they do for a living for several area high schools. He has documented some of the greatest moments in sport over the past several years and knows the players and the game as his company does highlight films for some of the top talents in prep sports. He has been our eye in the sky so to speak.

Andy Binder has been helping out at the Nest since 2010 and is as reliable as they come. Known around the Nest as the stats man, Andy is a walking encyclopedia of high school sports and is a student of its history.

Stephanie Smith has also been with the Nest since its early days and has provided us all with her great sense of humor and her dedication to filming. She has worked hard to improve her football knowledge but she has an eye for everything surrounding the special events we cover like the band and cheerleaders who entertain huge crowds every week.

Geremy Linaweaver is our technical director and magic man when it comes to getting things fixed and working. In addition to his skillful camera work, Geremy is a leader and has been a constant contributor since the beginning.

Craig Boedecker has been a camera man for us since the beginning as well and is attending college in the field. He has been a tremendous help during the seasons and understands a camera like a mechanic a car.

Finally I want to point out Dennis Nelson from the SPC Report.com. Mr. Nelson is an award winning journalist and has contributed to the site on several occasions. His website primarily focuses on the Southwest Prairie Conference and all of the teams within and has graciously continued to send us news whenever he is available to do so. He has been covering prep sports in Will County for more than a decade and can be found in the Joliet News Herald weekly.

I felt it was important as we continue to grow to point out that while this website was launched by Robert Leach Sr. who himself has been somewhat of a media mogul himself in the Chicago market over his long career, that there are many contributors that make the Nest home to thousands of readers. I would be remiss if I did not point this fact out as we enjoy our best year ever as a company and look to the future to continue our growth all in an effort to document the athletic achievements that fall within our area and highlight the greatness and sometime failures of our athletes.

Thanks to all of our contributors, advertisers, vendors and most importantly readers for making the Sports Nest a part of your daily routines. While there are some terrific sports writers in the counties we report in, we are grateful you the reader have chosen to view our reports as well. Now I suppose...ON WITH THE SHOW!