Michael Beller, Patch Staff

Email: michael.beller@patch.com

Phone: (703) 268-9549

Hometown: Chicago

Birthday: September 4, 1984

I grew up a huge sports fan just north of downtown Chicago. I majored in journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for my undergraduate degree, graduating in May 2007. I moved back to Chicago and worked for STATS, LLC, a sports information company, as a football and baseball analyst. Once I realized I wasn't going to land the type of journalism job for which I was looking, I decided to go back to school. In June 2010, I graduated with a Master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

At Medill I covered general business but focused on the business of sports and gambling. I wrote stories about everything from a boxing promotions company in Chicago to the controversial Bowl Championship Series to defense contracting. I interviewed newsmakers such as Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.

As Patch's sports editor for Fairfax County, I will leave no stone unturned in looking for everything that is happening from Franconia to Centreville, Great Falls to Lorton. I played baseball and basketball through high school in an area that cared deeply about its high school sports. I appreciate how important local sports teams are to the community, and will strive to provide the best coverage anywhere in the area. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions you may have.

I love to talk all things sports, and am a die-hard fan of the Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks. I'm also an accredited fantasy sports expert, so feel free to send any lineup or trade questions my way. In addition to sports, I enjoy American history, classic rock and spending time with family and friends.