Warren bids farewell after three years

I guess this is farewell.

After literally three years of blood, sweat and tears, good ole' Nevada is getting rid of this sportswriter.

It's been a privilege to work in this outstanding community, with many, many spectacular people.

I've grown in many ways since I started this job in July of 2004. Personally and professionally, I've discovered who I am and who I want to be.

There are some people I want to thank, because they made my job both entertaining and easier. Many of these people I consider my friends.

First of all I thank Lynn Wade and Julie Righter for providing leadership and support as two of the best bosses I could have asked for.

Both of them allowed me the creative freedom that any employee would cherish, while also providing necessary support whenever needed. They truly love this newspaper and want to see it succeed, and that is more than you can say about many bosses in this business.

Another big thank you goes to Kelly Bradham. One of my predecessors here at the Daily Mail, Bradham has helped me countless times in many instances. Whether providing some historical context or even filling in for me at games on occasion, Kelly has never turned down an opportunity to give me a hand. We've developed a good friendship that means a lot to me and I've enjoyed our many conversations about sports and politics that always find one way or another to come back to baseball. It's the kind of friendship that I am condident will endure, even if I am going to "that cold place" to work for that "expletive" in Atchison, Kan.

Next I need to thank Kevin McKinley. As good an athletic director as there is, McKinley has always gone out of his way to help me gather information. Thanks, Kevin.

I also want to thank the many coaches I have worked with. Know that I appreciate all the help you've provided in our working relationship and the friendships we've created.

Thank you to John McNeley in particular, as good a coach as I've ever seen, and a better friend. Other coaches who I feel compelled to mention (and I apologize if I forget someone) are Dennis Pendrak, Dave Ketterman, Brent Bartlett, Kevin Huck, Brandi Thomsen and Brian Leonard. You guys have been awesome to work with.

The administration at Nevada over the years has been great to work with as well. Craig Noah, Ted Davis, Bryan Thomsen, Chance Wistrom, Tyson Beshore, Steve Beckett and Dave Adams have all been great to deal with.

And I definitely can't say goodbye without thanking the staff here at the Daily Mail. Sharyon, Sillissa, Crystal, Steve, Chris, Shirley, Lula, Debbie, the composing, print, circulation and advertising staffs, you have all been great.

Thanks also to the hundreds of athletes I've dealt with, they make the job here as satisfying as anything.

And finally to everyone with the Nevada Griffons. Thank you, I'll miss our summers together.

While Nevada may or may not choose to claim me, I definitely feel like a Nevadan and I will miss everything this town has to offer.

Finally, go Tigers, go Griffons, go Comets. As much as you try to stay unbiased in this profession, I couldn't help but become a fan and I will continue to be one from this day forward.