Big Stories

Isaiah Kaufusi’s football journey didn’t follow the storybook ending. After going undrafted and bouncing between NFL rosters, he eventually stepped away from the game in search of something bigger than football. What followed was an unexpected calling—one sparked by BYU Head Football Coach Kalani Sitake.

At Sitake’s request, Kaufusi teamed up with former BYU center Connor Pay to launch a nonprofit with a bold mission: create meaningful employment opportunities in Tonga and beyond. The result is The We Are One Foundation, an organization partnering with BYU–Pathway Worldwide to connect students across the South Pacific and Africa with remote work opportunities—and to build a first-of-its-kind employment center in Tonga.

In this episode, Isaiah shares how the idea began, what they’re building right now, and why he believes the work happening in Tonga is only the beginning of something far bigger.

Guests:

Isaiah Kaufusi – President of The We Are One Foundation

Connor Pay – BYU football analyst, Vice President of The We Are One Foundation

As the NCAA Tournament has come to an end, host Cleon Wall breaks down the latest storylines from around the conference- From Arizona falling apart in the Final Four, big-name coaches the likes of Bill Self and Tommy Lloyd sticking with their programs, West Virginia taking the Crown in Vegas, and transfer portal talk.

Later in the show, story time will feature two teams that have their moments but ultimately fell short in The Big Dance. Adam Eaton from the Sons of UCF joins us to discuss the Knights' tournament appearance and season as a whole, and the Voice of the Cyclones, John Walters, joins the show to go over Iowa State's Sweet Sixteen run as well as the future of the program.

The Kansas Jayhawks, BYU Cougars, and TCU Horned Frogs all had seasons full of highs, heartbreaks, and what-ifs — and we're breaking it all down.

Brian Hanni, the voice of the Kansas Jayhawks, talks about how Darryn Peterson's health woes created two completely different Kansas teams, the offensive inconsistencies that derailed a talented squad, and why Peterson could still be the top pick in the NBA Draft.

BYU SportsNation co-host Jarom Jordan then talks about what AJ Dybantsa's time in Provo truly meant for the program, the wave of injuries that derailed Final Four dreams, and why BYU's best days may be still ahead.

Melissa Trebwasser, host of the Frogs Insider Podcast, on TCU's remarkable turnaround — from losing their starting center in game one to finishing sixth in the Big 12 — and what it will take for Jamie Dixon's squad to finally break through in March.

Plus, the biggest storylines from the college basketball landscape, including Arizona's stunning run to the Final Four and Houston's surprising Sweet 16 exit.

When the Big Stories team hit a recording snag, we reached back into the vault for a great story from Season 1 — and with March Madness in full swing, the timing couldn't be better.

This week, we revisit our episode about Hot Rod Hundley — the Charleston, West Virginia native who became a West Virginia University basketball legend. Equal parts showman, entertainer, and flawed hero, Hot Rod dazzled crowds with behind-the-back passes, hook shots, and a personality that packed arenas long before the varsity game even tipped off.

We hear from filmmaker Dan Loman, WVU's Director of Athletic Content John Antonik, bar owner Al Bonner, and Hot Rod's own daughters — painting a portrait of a man who was larger than life on the court, complicated off of it, and beloved by an entire state.

From his hardscrabble childhood in Charleston to the retirement of his #33 jersey at WVU Coliseum, Hot Rod's hero's journey is messy, funny, and deeply human.

As the NCAA tournament rolls on, host Cleon Wall breaks down the latest storylines — from coaching hires at Arizona State and Cincinnati to the Sweet 16 performances of Arizona, Iowa State, and Houston. We also look at how Kansas and BYU fell short due to injuries, the potential top two NBA Draft picks in AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, and give credit to TCU and UCF for their tournament moments.

Then, story time turns to two teams that didn't quite make the NCAA Tournament. Scott Wright of The Oklahoman joins to discuss Oklahoma State's progress under second-year coach Steve Lutz, and Blue and Gold Nation's Ryan Decker breaks down West Virginia's first season under Ross Hodge — a team built on defense that now heads to the College Basketball Crown to face Stanford.

In 2019, Roman Rozell captured national attention as a 35-year-old retired Green Beret and father of seven who walked onto the ASU wrestling team and earned a WWE tryout. But shortly after his viral moment, Roman's marriage ended, the WWE halted operations during COVID, and the pro wrestling career he'd chased dissolved. Soon enough, he found himself living in a camper, dealing with debt, and struggling with mental health. So, how did Roman rebound and start a business called Walk-On Warriors to help others like himself? Find out from the Walk-On Warrior himself.

Guests:

Roman Rozell - Former ASU Wrestler and Walk-On Warriors Founder

Scott French - DDPY Instructor and Roman's friend and mentor

The NCAA Tournament is here, and the Big 12 has plenty of storylines heading into the big dance. Host Cleon Wall also offers a public apology to

During storytime, Cleon talks about two teams that didn't make the NCAA Tourney and are now looking for new head coaches. He speaks with Michelle Gardner of the Arizona Republic about Bobby Hurley's tenure, the state of the ASU program, and the challenge of attracting coaching talent to Tempe.

Then, Nick Niehouse of the Chatterbox Bearcats podcast joins to break down Cincinnati's gut-wrenching overtime loss to UCF, what Wes Miller's dismissal means for the program, and what the Bearcats roster could look like next season.

Growing up in Finland with only one hand never slowed down Tanja Kari. If anything, it fueled her. She tore up the cross‑country ski trails with such determination that she eventually became a Paralympic legend—winning an incredible 12 gold medals across four Games.

But ask Tanja today about her proudest accomplishment, and she might point to the work she’s doing long after her competitive career ended.

Now at the University of Utah’s Craig H. Nielsen Rehabilitation Hospital, Tanja leads the TRAILS program—short for Technology, Recreation, Access, Independence, Lifestyle, and Sports. And what she’s building there is nothing short of transformative.

Through TRAILS, people with complex disabilities aren’t just getting therapy. They’re rediscovering independence and adventure. Much of that comes from innovations like the TetraSki—a groundbreaking piece of adaptive equipment engineered by university students and brought to life in the hospital’s own mechanical shop. Thanks to tools like these, individuals who once watched from the sidelines are now skiing down mountains, wake surfing, and even finishing marathons.

Guests:

Tanja Kari - Program Director at TRAILS Adaptive

Kimberly Kolstad - Social worker at Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital and adaptive sports athlete

Join host Cleon Wall as he breaks down the conclusion of the Big 12 men's basketball regular season. In this episode, we cover the conference awards announcements, including a surprising Player of the Year selection, and dive into the five biggest storylines heading into tournament play.

In our featured interview, Ashley Hodge from Sic'Em 365 joins us to discuss Baylor's disappointing season. We explore what went wrong for the Bears despite having two dynamic NBA-level guards in Cameron Carr and Tounde Yessoufou, the impact of losing their point guard late in the transfer portal, and what Scott Drew needs to do to get the program back to competing for Big 12 championships.

Ayoka Lee made history on January 23rd, 2022, when she scored 61 points against Oklahoma, setting the NCAA single-game scoring record. She seemed destined for a professional career, but after leading Kansas State to the Sweet 16 in her final season, she decided to walk away from basketball.

Now, Ayoka has her dream job as a mental health clinician at Kansas State, helping student athletes navigate the same pressures and challenges she once faced. From injuries and setbacks to the weight of expectations, she now uses her experience to support Wildcats through their own struggles—finding purpose and joy in serving the athletic department that gave her so much.

Guests:

Ayoka Lee - Mental Health Clinician for Kansas State Athletics

Sydney Goodson Samson - Former Kansas State Women's Basketball Player