Most young athletes dream of playing college and professional sports, and Wayne Simien was no exception. He not only played basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks but also achieved the pinnacle of success by winning an NBA championship with the Miami Heat. However, Wayne chose to leave it all behind. In this podcast episode, he shares his journey of faith in Jesus Christ and explains why he decided to give up basketball to spread his beliefs on college campuses across Kansas.

Guests:

Wayne Simien - KU Associate Athletic Director, former KU and NBA basketball player

Ryan Hickman - Pastor at Community Church in Topeka, Kansas

John McDermott - Senior Pastor at Morningstar Church in Lawrence, Kansas

AJ Steward - UCLA Football Coach, former KU running back

When Bill Snyder arrived at Kansas State, the Wildcats were the worst team in college football—winless in 27 straight games. But, through his relentless dedication and a culture built on caring for his players, he led one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history. Along the way, Snyder touched the lives of many K-State Football fans through personalized notes. In this podcast episode, Snyder reflects on the Cats revival and hears from fans who received his letters.

Guests:

Bill Snyder - Former KSU Football Head Coach

Ross Snyder - Bill’s son

Wyatt Thompson - Senior Director of Sportscasting, Voice of the Wildcats

After an impressive career at the University of Kansas and in the NFL, Darrell Stuckey faced a career-ending injury that forced him to step away from the game he loved. Instead of dwelling on what was lost, he found a new purpose—using his faith, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom to guide the next generation. Now back at KU as a coach, Stuckey is helping young athletes navigate adversity and strive for success, just as he once did.

Guests:

Darrell Stuckey - KU Director of Football Relations, former KU and NFL Football player

Chris Hughes - KU Assistant Director of Inclusive Excellence, former KU football player

Scott Ward - Director of Peak Performance for Kansas Athletics

Sam Burt- Former KU football player

Fred Snowden, a.k.a. "The Fox," made history as the first African American head basketball coach at a major university, taking the helm at the University of Arizona in 1972. Facing racism, death threats, and countless challenges, Snowden persevered and turned Tucson into a basketball town. His groundbreaking leadership paved the way for future generations of African American coaches, leaving a lasting legacy on and off the court. This podcast episode tells the story of a trailblazer who overcame the odds to change the game forever.

Guests:

Stacey Snowden- Fred's daughter

Bob Elliott- former University of Arizona basketball player

Beverley Elliott- Executive Director, African American Museum of Southern Arizona and Bob's wife

Joe Nehls- former University of Arizona basketball player

2024 was a remarkable year for Kyle and Landon Bono. The father-son duo led their baseball team to victory, clinching the Little League World Series trophy after defeating Chinese Taipei. The Bono name is synonymous with baseball. From Mike and Sheila Bono’s early days as a “baseball couple” to their twin sons, Kyle and Ryan, playing for the UCF Knights, baseball has shaped every aspect of their lives. For some, it’s just a game. For the Bono family, it’s a way of life.

Guests:

Kyle Bono- Former UCF and professional baseball player

Ryan Bono- Former UCF baseball player

Sarah Bono- Kyle's wife

Landon Bono- Kyle and Sarah's son

Mike Bono- Dad

Sheila Bono- Mom

Kim Bono Kintner- Sister and daughter

Mickey Bono- Brother and son

Rich Wallace- UCF Baseball Head Coach

Payton Washington, a standout member of Baylor University's Acrobatics and Tumbling squad, is known for her breathtaking performances and fierce competitive spirit. Her journey is nothing short of miraculous. Just months before moving to Waco, Payton survived a life-threatening shooting that left her with severe injuries. Despite the odds, she made a remarkable recovery, leading her team to a national championship and becoming a beacon of inspiration.

Guests:

Payton Washington: Member of Baylor’s Acrobatics and Tumbling Team

Felicia Mulkey: Baylor Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach

Keyona Huebel: Payton’s best friend and former teammate

Oscar Robertson was the consummate, all-around basketball player, but he was much more than a guy known as Mr. Triple-Double. In this episode of the Big Stories podcast, Robertson and others share the lessons Oscar learned in childhood, including receiving his first basketball from his mother and how "The Big O" was a changemaker even though he was quiet and shy.

Guests:

Oscar Robertson - Former Cincinnati and NBA Basketball player

Mari Robertson - Oscar's daughter

Julian Gibson - Robertson family friend, part of team Oscar Robertson

Tay Baker - Former Cincinnati Assistant Basketball coach.

Carl Bouldin - Former Cincinnati Basketball player

Assane Diop compares his journey to play basketball at the University of Colorado as a seed growing in foreign soil. It all started with his father pushing him to play basketball as a pre-teen. So how did this Senegalese seed end up in the Rocky Mountains? In this Big Stories podcast episode, Diop recounts how Greg and Denise Willis made him an offer he could not refuse and how he excelled in the classroom and the basketball court to end up with the Buffaloes Basketball team.

Guests:

Assane Diop - University of Colorado Basketball player

Greg and Denise Willis - Assane's U.S. Legal Guardians

Tad Boyle - University of Colorado head basketball coach

Steve Englehart - University of Colorado strength coach

Grady Whitt - University of Colorado basketball player

According to University of Utah president Taylor Randall, the university is built on three pillars: inspire, innovate, and serve. In this episode, we share the journeys of two individuals who embody these values. Adrian Portillo overcame bone cancer as a freshman and, with no family history of higher education, pursued his dream of becoming a doctor. Abe Bakhsheshy, an immigrant from Iran who lost both parents to violence, dedicated his life to teaching ethics and leading with integrity.

Guests:

Taylor Randall - President, University of Utah

Abe Bakhsheshy - Ethics Professor, David Eccles School of Business

Adrian Portillo - Medical Student, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine

Taylor Roe is one of the most decorated athletes in Oklahoma State Track & Field's history. A fierce competitor on the track, Taylor’s journey was shaped by overcoming self-doubt, anxieties, and emotional hurdles leading up to race day. From pre-race tears to triumphant finishes, Taylor’s story is a compelling look at elite athletes' mental and emotional challenges.

Guests:

Taylor Roe - Former Oklahoma State University Track and Field athlete

Jennifer Roe - Taylor's mom

T Roe- Taylor's dad

Dave Smith - Oklahoma State Track and Field and Cross Country Head Coach