ABOUT THEBIGMADONSKI

The Big Madonski (TBM) was created with a simple mission: redefine what high school and college sports coverage can look like in Michigan. Born during the pandemic in 2020, TBM started as a TikTok account run by Sal Madonna from Sterling Heights who loved sports and wanted to build something different. What began as quick creative edits quickly grew into a full-scale sports media platform, now followed by over 20,000 people across the state. TBM stands out because it’s fueled by community and a genuine love for the game. From high school football to basketball, wrestling and everything in between, TBM captures the moments, and memories that matter most to the student-athletes, their families and fans. Today, TBM is more than just sports coverage. It’s a community-driven movement a team of photographers, videographers, and storytellers dedicated to elevating the next generation of Michigan athletes and giving every kid the spotlight they deserve.

Team Madonski

Highlights. Stories. Impact

Founder

Sal Madonna

Growing up in a strong sports centric family in the Sterling Heights, I was surrounded by the game from an early age. From watching, playing and even coaching alongside athletes who go on to become the next generation of superstars. Graduated from SH Stevenson, I found myself like many others, navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 Pandemic. What started as a way to stay connected to the local sports scene during quarantine, quickly turned into something bigger than I expected. I began creating Local prep-sports graphics and sharing my personal football rankings on TikTok, as the content gained momentum, I moved my talents to Instagram that fall. Covering solely High School and sometimes College Football for the next 5 years. Building a platform centered around highlighting schools, Coaches and most importantly the student-athletes. Reaching every corner of the State. As the platform grew, so did the vision. Coverage has been expanded to Basketball, Baseball, Rugby & Volleyball. Continuing the same mission to bring more visibility to Michigan HS Sports.

Thebigmadonski@gmail.com

Team Photographer and Reporter

Chris Carpenter

With more than a decade of sports photography experience, Chris Carpenter has captured athletes at every level across southwest Michigan. His passion is rooted in documenting the intensity, emotion, and split-second action that define high school and collegiate sports. For six years, Chris served as a sports photographer for JoeInsider, covering countless games and building a reputation for dynamic, high-quality work. After the publication shut down during the COVID era, he shifted his focus to growing his own brand "Carpenter Action Shots" and expanding his reach throughout the region. Now, Chris is excited to bring his expertise and enthusiasm to TBM, continuing to deliver the kind of sideline coverage that brings every moment to life.

Cwc369@gmail.com

Reporter / Graphic Designer

Reid Rusthoven

Reid Rusthoven has been interested in Football and creating ever since his early days as a child. But it wasn’t until high school that, after being inspired by Instagram pages like the Wolverine Conference Network and the 517 Breakdown, he created the CAAC Football Network Instagram page. What started as a way to share his graphic design and football love with the world quickly developed into a page where the Greater Lansing community can come together to celebrate its athletics. Now, as he makes his way through college, Reid looks to continue his sports coverage career by joining The Big Madonski team.

Reidalanr@gmail.com

Team Photographer and Reporter

Matt MacPhee

With four years of experience in sports photography, Matt MacPhee has captured the energy of Mid-Michigan athletics, ranging from youth leagues to the collegiate level. What began as a hobby photographing a friend’s basketball game has since evolved into a professional career.

From 2022 to 2024, Matt served as the photographer, designer, and student social media manager for Coleman High School Athletics. In 2025, he launched Matt’s Visuals, LLC, providing high-quality portraits and sports media to the Mid-Michigan community. Currently completing his General Studies degree at Delta College, Matt will transfer to Northwood University in Fall 2026 to pursue a Bachelor’s in Marketing Communications. He is eager to bring his technical expertise and professional drive to the TBM team and continue delivering high-quality professional photos to high school student-athletes.

Mattmacphee12@gmail.com

Team Photographer and Reporter

Sebastien Desiderio

Heavily influenced by his parents who were photographers, Sebastien covered his first football game in the fall of 2022, where he immediately fell in love with photography and story telling. Since then, he has covered a variety of high school and collegiate sporting events across Michigan, gaining valuable experience working on the sidelines. Sebastien uses his platform to focus on capturing the stories and emotions behind every image, and to highlight the moments that are often overlooked. Known for his attention to detail and efficient workflow, he works to deliver impactful images that capture both the action and emotion of the game. Led by his passion for sports, Sebastien brings a unique perspective to sports media and is excited to elevate sports coverage around the Mitten with the TBM team.

sbeastien6de@gmail.com