B5Q Announcement: Today, I Sadly Say My Goodbyes

In January of 2009, Bucky's 5th Quarter was born. I started it on the Blogger platform and to be honest, it was really just supposed to be a place where I could keep writing. I was working at WGN Radio in Chicago and freelancing at the Big Ten Network and suddenly my writing habits had disappeared. Bucky's 5th Quarter was simply a place to keep those skills sharp.

At least that was the idea.

Just over a month later, SBNation approached me about adding B5Q to their network of blogs. They had one for nearly every Big Ten school and wanted Wisconsin to be represented. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up and suddenly, the site took off. Nearly four years later, Bucky's 5th Quarter has developed into a legitimate Badgers news source and a great hub for Badger fans to come together and discuss football, basketball and hockey. We have made great personnel upgrades in recent years and that change continues today.

I give you this history lesson because today is my last day at B5Q. Over the last year and a half, I have been working as the sports editor for CBSChicago.com where I write columns, cover Chicago sports and serve as a fill-in host on WSCR 670 The Score. Since I started the job, it has been hard for me to keep up with the daily duties of maintaining Bucky's 5th Quarter. You have probably noticed that I haven't been around as much since last football season ended. This year, I have added responsibilities covering both the Big Ten and the Chicago Bears, which will make it impossible for me to cover Badger football games every week as I have done the past three years.

As a result, I have come to the decision that B5Q deserves more attention, which is why I am handing the site over to four very capable site managers. You already know Phil Mitten, who has done an outstanding job with our basketball coverage the last two seasons. You also know Andy Johnson, although you might not realize it because he's been using the pen name Chuck Schwartz since he joined the site. No one is as connected as Andy is when it comes to Wisconsin hockey and he will continue to bring his great coverage to the site. Also joining B5Q are Andrew Rosin and Mike Fiammetta, both of whom know Badgers sports inside and out and will keep the site growing.

There will also be a few other new faces at B5Q that are yet to be determined. The bottomline is that Bucky's 5th Quarter is going to have the largest staff it has ever had, meaning it will have more coverage than ever before. I am confident that I am leaving B5Q in great hands.

Of course, the site would be nothing without our loyal readers and commenters, which is why I would like to send by sincere gratitude to you for helping making B5Q what it is today. The best part of the SBNation platform is the ability for fans to contribute to the site and that is not changing. In fact, upgrades are coming to SBNation that will make the entire network stronger, including Bucky's 5th Quarter.

I am sad to be leaving today, but I won't be too far away. As I mentioned, my duties in Chicago include covering the entire Big Ten and my role on that beat will expand this season. In fact, I am in the middle of previewing the entire conference with daily team previews and just yesterday, I previewed the Badgers. I'll be covering some of the more important Big Ten games this season, and that will likely include Wisconsin's home games against Michigan State and Ohio State. If you don't already, follow me on Twitter at @AdamHogeCBS to keep track of my Big Ten coverage.

Again, thank you for the last 3.5+ years and please don't go anywhere. Bucky's 5th Quarter's best days are still ahead.

- Adam Hoge