UCF's Spirit Squad wouldn't be where it is right now without coach Linda Gooch. And Linda wouldn't be where she is today without her husband, Alan. In this podcast episode, discover how Linda Gooch went from a standout high school athlete to a trailblazing cheer coach, leading the UCF Knights to multiple national championships and earning her place in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame—the first ever for cheerleading. Alongside her husband Alan, a former UCF football coach and sports foundation CEO, Linda shares stories of perseverance, building traditions from the ground up, and the challenges and triumphs of coaching at the collegiate level. Tune in for an inspiring journey through four decades of UCF spirit, sports, and the enduring partnership of Mr. and Mrs. UCF.

Guests:

Linda Gooch - UCF Spirit Squad Head Coach

Alan Gooch - Orlando Sports Foundation CEO

This week on Big Stories:

We spotlight backup quarterbacks who stepped up and delivered when their teams needed them most. Plus, we break down a shocking upset that no one saw coming! On the hardwood, get in-depth basketball analysis from Cincinnati, BYU, and Utah. And to cap it off, we challenge a few podcasters to make the case for why their team deserves a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Guests:

Alex Markham - UteNation Podcast

Russ Heltman - Bearcat Blitz Podcast

Jarom Jordan - BYU SportsNation

Join host Cleon Wall as he reconnects with Conrad Hawley, Iowa State Basketball's former Chief Energy Officer, for an inspiring update on his journey from walk-on basketball player to motivational leader. Discover how Conrad’s resilience helped him overcome a devastating injury and led him to embrace new roles as a public speaker and private coach. Drawing on insights from his father, Adam, this episode delves into what it means to lead with energy, character, and heart—on the court, in the locker room, and beyond.

Guests:

Conrad Hawley - Motivational Speaker and former Iowa State Basketball Player

Adam Hawley - Conrad's father and Certified Financial Planner

The Big 12 title race is heating up as Texas Tech secures a commanding victory, reclaiming its position at the top of the conference. What can the other teams do to stay in contention? Is it possible for the conference to receive three bids in the College Football Playoff? Additionally, we’ll provide an insider look at the basketball teams of TCU and Arizona. Cleon Wall and producer Chase Davidson cover all this and more on the latest episode of the Big Stories podcast.

Guests include:

- Melissa Triebwasser from the Frog Insider Podcast

- Damon Fairall from the PHNX Wildcats Podcast

Step onto the Folsom Field as the Big Stories team charges into the heart of one of college football’s most beloved traditions: Ralphie, the live buffalo mascot of the University of Colorado. Host Cleon Wall takes you behind the scenes with Ralphie program manager Taylor Stratton, student handlers, and the newest buffalo herself, Ralphie VII. Discover what it takes to train a young bison for the spotlight, the intense preparation of the student crew, and the emotional journey that connects generations of Buffs fans to their iconic mascot. From the history of the Ralphie program to the life-changing impact on those who run alongside her, this episode is a celebration of tradition, teamwork, and the powerful bond between people and animals. Whether you’re a die-hard college football fan or love a great story, you won’t want to miss this episode. (Photo Courtesy of University of Colorado Athletics)

Guests:

Taylor Stratton - Ralphie Live Mascot Program Director

Olivia Drobnich - Ralphie Handler

Matthew Winston - Ralphie Handler

Get ready for another action-packed episode of Big Stories! Host Cleon Wall and producer Chase Davidson go head-to-head as they reveal their top five teams in the conference. Then, Cleon dives into the hottest storylines dominating the Big 12—including the marquee matchup in West Texas: BYU vs. Texas Tech with BYU SportsNation's Spencer Linton. What’s at stake, and what’s the best possible outcome for the conference?

Big Stories Host Cleon Wall had to take some time off for a family matter. So, the Big Stories team is bringing you an episode from Big Stories season one.

Jack Trice Stadium is home to the Iowa State football team. But who is Jack Trice? We dive into the life and death of the Cyclone's first African-American player and how the stadium came to be named after him. And how former Iowa State softball player Lea Nelson's social media post led to the fan bases of two teams coming together to support the "Cycloneers."

Guests:

George Trice - Jack Trice's Cousin

Tom Emmerson - Former Iowa State University Journalism Professor

Darien Porter - Iowa State Football Player

Rebecca Wells - Iowa State University Student Life Archivist

Lea Nelson - Former Iowa State Softball Player

Randy Mazey - West Virginia Baseball Coach

From “Where do we go from here?” to “Spoiler warning,” we’re breaking down the biggest stories going on right now in the Big 12: West Virginia's Struggles, BYU’s rise, Houston’s surprise — and everything in between.

GUESTS:

Mike Casezza - EerSports at 247.com and the Country Roads Confidential Podcast

John Walters - Voice of the Cyclones and host of the "CyCast" Podcast

BYU's Cougar Tail is a staple for football fans who attend games at LaVell Edwards Stadium. But what are the origins of the large maple bar? And why would BYU make a donut its signature food item at sporting events? Well, Cleon Wall and the Big Stories team found a guy who was there from the inception of the sweet treat and can fill us in on the maple-ee details.

Guests:

Russ Robertson - Former BYU Donut Guru

John McDonald - Executive Chef, BYU Dining Services

Job Rodriguez - Support Services Director, BYU Dining Services

Jared Wilkey - Current BYU Donut Guru

It’s a wild ride in the Big 12 as more than half the conference still has a shot at making the championship game. In this week’s episode, we break down the pivotal “must-win” matchups for contenders like Utah and Iowa State, dive into the Sunflower Showdown, and tackle the toughest question of all: who’s truly the best team in the Big 12 right now? Spoiler alert—it’s not as simple as looking at the standings.

GUESTS:

Brian Howell - Buffzone

Tim Fitzgerald - GoPOWERCAT.com