3-in-1 Podcast

The WCIA 3 Sports team is back to a full three-person roster, with Andy Olson joining the squad. Bret Beherns and Marlee Wierda welcome him aboard, and fill him in on all the excitement of the department. The crew talks about Andy's journey to the sports team, while revealing one of Marlee's tightly kept secrets. They also look ahead to Illinois sports, as basketball and football could see big years during unprecedented times. They also talk about the NBA boycotts this week, and the role that sports play to promote change.

On Episode 20 on the WCIA 3-in-1 Podcast, Bret Beherns and Marlee Wierda talk about Illinois Football getting back on the field for training camp this week. Also hear from head coach Lovie Smith and several players about practicing during a pandemic, and how they feel about their safety and the season moving forward. They also break down Josh Whitman's round-table discussion from Thursday, and give their thoughts on Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn coming back to the Illinois basketball program.  

On Episode 19 of the WCIA 3-in-1 Podcast, Bret Beherns and Marlee Wierda chat about the loss of a beloved Illinois icon. With the recent passing of Illinois Hall-of-Fame coach Lou Henson, they give an ode to him, and his life well-lived. The IHSA released some big news this week as well, and they recap about all the new guidelines for high school sports going forward.

On Episode 18 of the WCIA 3-in-1 podcast, Marlee Wierda is losing her mind--among all else. The clock continues to tick on high school sports, with the IHSA not yet announcing what will happen with the fall season. The future isn't looking so bright though, after the IHSA postponed another board meeting a week, and the Illinois Elementary School Association announcing they won't play junior high schools. With Bret Beherns on vacation, Marlee hosts the podcast solo, recapping the week and the timeline of IHSA events. She also spoke to Unity athletic director Scott Hamilton, and how he's managing the turn of events in Tolono. On the bright side though, baseball is back!

In episode 17 of the WCIA 3-in-1 Pod, Bret Beherns hosts solo with Marlee on vacation. Bret breaks down the last week in high school sports news, with the IHSA getting sued, handing all decision making in its Return to Play guidelines over to the IDPH, ISBE and Governor's office, plus a change in policy after allowing coaches to remove masks outside. Bret also discusses the Illinois athletics briefing with athletic director Josh Whitman, Chancellor Robert Jones and Director of Sports Medicine Randy Ballard. They update the status of their testing and plans to play all fall sports. Finally, CI Living Co-Host and Illinois/Pacers public address announcer Tim Sinclair joins from his quarantine in Orlando, as he gets set to work for the NBA in its return.

Watching the House of 'Paign compete in the The Basketball Tournament was a much-needed morale boost after a tumultuous week in sports. On Thursday, the IHSA amended their Phase 4 guidelines, while the Big Ten moves to a conference-only schedule. With the fall season still in question, Bret Beherns and Marlee Wierda discuss the future of high school and college sports, and recap the House of 'Paign's run at TBT. 

CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) -- In episode 15 of the WCIA 3-in-1 Pod, Bret Beherns and Marlee Wierda break down the new IHSA approved protocols that allow competitions to return. They also hear from Illinois linebacker Milo Eifler on his comments this week both on social media and talking with the media, concerned about college football returning. An Illini baseball player gets an invite to training camp as Major League Baseball starts practicing once again and the Illinois golf teams get a big time gift and a new home course.

In episode 14 of the WCIA 3-in-1 podcast, Bret Beherns hosts with special guest Craig Choate in studio. The former WCIA 3 weekend sports anchor fills in for Marlee Wierda, who is on vacation. Bret and Craig chat about the state moving into Phase 4 and what that means for pro, college and high school sports. They also about Craig buying season tickets for Illinois football and how he feels about attending games this fall. Also, hear from new Illini basketball signee Brandon Lieb, who talked with Bret 1-on-1 over FaceTime after committing on Thursday. 

In episode 13 of the WCIA 3-in-1 Pod, Bret Beherns and Marlee Wierda recap a busy week including the University of Illinois' plan to bring back students on campus this fall, the IHSA approving State Farm Center as the host site for the boys' basketball state tournament and the outlook for high school and college football this fall. We hear from Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman on his outlook for sports now that students will be on campus, IHSA executive director Craig Anderson on sports returning to high schools across the state, as well as Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood sharing his thoughts on the state tourney coming to Champaign.

In episode 12 of the WCIA 3-in-1 podcast, Bret Beherns and Marlee Wierda discuss high school sports returning to come capacity, as the IHSA allows teams to get together for workouts. Also hear from high school head coaches, and their take on football coming back in the fall. Illinois football and basketball players also return to campus, while Marlee and Bret also weigh in on the IHSA Boy's Basketball tournament possibly coming back to  Champaign.