It is with much regret that I inform fans of the following news: After a six year run with multiple Emmy Awards and nominations, the Washington Post has decided it is no longer interested in sponsoring what was the Washington Post High School Sports Show. Without the sponsorship of the Post and at this date, the show is pretty much dead in the water. I can't rule out a miracle, but it doesn't look promising. The Post representative didn't provide much detail, but cited trouble landing sponsors and a desire to spend money in a different direction.

For six years, our team of people that worked on the show did so with their hearts. I am very proud of the product we produced. Multiple people told me on different occassions that it was the best high school show they'd seen anywhere.

We all felt extremely good about doing positive stories in the communities of Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. We felt like we were giving back and in some small way making a difference in people's lives. There are so many people that were wonderful to work with and cover. The high school community became our extended family.

I can't tell you how nice it felt for six years to walk into a school and be greeted with smiles and excitement. I know the other folks on our team felt the same way. The fans, coaches and players gave us everything we asked for and then some. We were happy to tell the stories of people that worked so hard- especially when nobody else was really giving these stories any time. Nothing made me feel better than when people told me that they planned their Sunday mornings around the show.

One minister sercretly told me that the show started at the same time as his church service. So, he always let the choir sing a little bit longer so he could catch the highlight segment. I think that is the highest (literally and figuratively) compliment we ever received and I laugh every time I think about it.

I felt like we had established something pretty good with the show- especially if you like corny humor. And after six years, we kind of had a generation of kids that grew up on it and aspired to be on it one day. I really had kids tell me that their dream was to be on the H.S. Sports Show one day. I am very sorry that it looks like we will not have a show to put them on. I'll miss the smiling faces more than anything. I'll miss hearing people think my name is "Chick" or "High School Sports". I'll miss my co-workers. I'll miss the daily interaction with the high school communty.

To all the coaches out there- you guys and gals were always the biggest heroes to me. You make such a difference in the kids lives and you get so few thank yous. Here is a BIG ONE from all of us.

Life goes on and there are bills to pay. So, I will have to seek work somewhere else. I always knew this was the probable ending. In the end, we're all disposable.

I will still look forward to doing work here on MDVarsity.com. Admittedly, print isn't quite the same as being able to show you what actually happened, but we are doing some good things here too.

Before I close out the show, we should end appropriately- with some credits. I'd like to thank the following people for their overworked, underpaid, incredibly excellent contribution to what was a wonderful product.

Mary Mendoza- reporter and friend

Andrew Gelfman- editor and friend

Brad Paxton- editor and friend

Pete Hatzakos- editor and friend

Chris Norris- camera man, editor and friend

Mark Lindesay- camera man, editor and friend

Jim Forner- camera man and friend

Dennis Cutlip- camera man and friend

Chuck Kaster- camera man and friend

Dave Rysak- camera man and friend

Nelson Jones- camera man and friend

Chick Hernandez- host and friend

the studio crews at Comcast and Fox 5

the staff of reporters and editors at the Washington Post who helped provide us with our Spotlight Athletes each week

I probably left a name or two off the list and I will feel terrible when their names hit me. Anyone else that I may have accidentally omitted, I am very appreciative of your service.

The best way to end this is to use the phrase we always closed the show with...

"Stay in school, you'll always have class."

If you would like any further information, email Mark at MarkJThomas@hotmail.com