Mike Koolbeck and I thought we had a chance to be successful when we launched the Metro Sports Report on Jan. 3, 2011.

We thought we'd write a few stories, have some fun, get more involved in the community and maybe make a few bucks.

Little did we know.

Our little project reached a major milestone Wednesday when we reached 1,000,000 pageviews in exactly 15 months. I don't know about you, but that seems like a lot of pageviews for a website that's devoted to eight high schools in Cedar Rapids and Marion.

On behalf of my partner, we'd simply like to say thanks. Thanks for making us a part of your life and thanks for embracing our product.

Koolbeck and I are partners in this venture, 50-50. He's the guy who pushes all the buttons and makes the website magically appear every day. I have no idea how he does it, but he does.

I'm the guy who writes a lot of stories and works closely with our talented staff of writers, photographers and advertising sales managers. Quite honestly, it's the most talented staff I've ever worked with, and that covers 38 years in the business with four different newspapers and a private company.

The Metro Sports Report is "our baby" - we changed the diapers, fed it, bathed it, burped it - but we feel like the MSR belongs to everybody who takes a few minutes to check us out. We hope we've kept you informed and entertained.

We'd also like to thank our sponsors and all the local businesses that have supported the MSR with their ads. Quite honestly, we couldn't survive without you.

The best part of the job? That's easy. It's been getting to know so many of the talented kids who are doing great things at our local high schools and getting to know their coaches, administrators and families.

We don't have to worry about the future with these kids coming along. Their hard work, dedication and determination are a daily inspiration.

The feedback we've received from the community has been extremely gratifying. "Hey, aren't you the guy from the Metro Sports Report?," someone will ask at a sports event. "I love your website. Nice job. Keep it up. Thank-you."

We had a chance to interview Morgan Allee the other day when her Iowa Central Community College softball team played at Kirkwood. We didn't have the Metro Sports Report when Morgan was a senior at Jefferson, so I began to explain who we are and what we do.

"I read you guys all the time!" she said with a big smile. "It's how I keep up with what's happening at Jefferson."

Attagirl, Morgan. Music to our ears.

Thanks very, very much to one and all.

(Mike Koolbeck approves this message)