A brief announcement from B5Q

Hello Wisconsin Badgers fans and those part of the Bucky’s 5th Quarter (B5Q) community,

We wanted to let you all know about a change in leadership, and some of you likely already saw the announcement of the open site manager position posted earlier today.

Mike Fiammetta—who ran our amazing site for nearly seven years after graduating from UW (and holding the reins as sports editor of The Badger Herald in his time as a student ... cannot forget that)—has decided to step away from B5Q.

I can speak for many of the writers that still provide content for this site, that we would not be here without Mike. B5Q also would not be where it is right now in terms of its quality of content during his tenure if not for his leadership, guidance and mentorship. We have continued being credentialed to cover Wisconsin football, basketball, and hockey (sometimes expanding into volleyball here and there when available). Various writers have covered Big Ten Championship games, Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament contests under his watch.

From personal experience—I know without Mike and I talking about bringing a podcast to B5Q back in the early summer months of 2013, I would not have started covering practices, written a long form on the walk-on tradition (which then transitioned into Walk-On This Way a couple years later), and been able to cover the program as I do now nearly six years later.

For some reason, he trusted me. For that, I’m extremely grateful. I owe so much to him for when he edited my features and articles. I always appreciated our discussions about the direction of the site, and really, him just dealing with me and my crazy pitches for years and years (hint: LOTS OF WRESTLING).

We are extremely excited for what’s next for him in his professional career, and simply put:

Thank you, Mike!

For the time being, I am taking over as interim manager until SB Nation hires the next site manager. I encourage those of you who feel they could take the reins of the site and continue the excellence we have established as precedent—a blend of consistent beat coverage combined with a unique voice that makes SB Nation a great destination for fans to visit—go for it!

So for those wondering what changes now? Honestly, nothing really.

As those who frequent the site often have already seen, we continued our spring practice recaps and features, looked ahead to the 2019-20 men’s basketball season, and started our NFL Draft scouting profiles.

This weekend, we will continue the draft coverage you expect from us with more news on where your favorite Badgers are selected, and by whom. And you bet we’ll unveil that good ol’ undrafted free agent tracker and more.

Plus with spring ball closing up shop on Friday, I will also begin our analysis of what stood out in those eight of 15 practices the media has been able to watch. That will most certainly come early next week.

The standard has been set since the beginning of the site itself—and from our “godfather” Adam Hoge to Mike to me to whomever takes over next in leading Bucky’s 5th Quarter—that will not waver.

Thank you all for reading, and as always, Roll Damn Stave,
Jake