Etcetera With The Woodards

In this episode, Angie talks about her experience winning a AAA Girls State Basketball Championship for Mercyhurst Prep, perfecting her game at the collegiate level at Penn State University, and making history as the first player from Erie, PA, to play in the WNBA.

In this episode Michael takes us for a journey and talks about his experience playing football in high school, at Thiel and being a pioneer in Erie Media all the way to BET and now ABC.

In this episode, Steffanie takes us back to the late 80s and talks about her time running track for Academy High School, competing on the collegiate level at Georgetown University, and her experience participating in the Olympics.

In this episode, Gary and Asia talk about the importance of this business trip to a few historic locations down south and why students should want to attend. They were getting ready to take a bus tour down south for Juneteenth. Gary has been involved in organizing since the 90s, and his daughter Asia has now taken the lead.

In this episode Kyra explains what Erie's Black Wall Street is, how it began and what services they offer the Erie community.

Long before Levonne Rowan reached the professional football ranks, Erie already knew there was something special about him.

A standout at Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Rowan established himself as one of Pennsylvania’s premier defensive backs, earning three All-State selections and finishing his high-school career with an incredible 21 interceptions. And football wasn’t his only arena—his speed made him a dominant track athlete as well, capturing four Pennsylvania state championships in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

That talent earned Rowan a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, where he became a key member of the Badgers’ secondary and special teams before pursuing his professional football dream with organizations including the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, along with stops in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.

In 2026, his accomplishments came full circle when Rowan was inducted into the Erie Metro Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, Levonne Rowan reflects on the journey—from Mercyhurst Prep to Big Ten football, the professional ranks and ultimately the Hall of Fame.

It’s a conversation about talent, discipline, opportunity, perseverance and what it means to carry Erie with you when your dreams take you far beyond home.

Etcetera with the Woodards presents: “From Erie to the Pros: Levonne Rowan’s Journey from Mercyhurst Prep to Football’s Biggest Stage.”

Who wears the badge matters.

For Detective William “Putney” Bailey of the Erie Police Department, the conversation about diversity in law enforcement goes far beyond numbers. It’s about trust, visibility, relationships—and making sure young Black men and women can see a place for themselves in a profession that has an enormous impact on their communities.

On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, Detective Bailey sits down for an important conversation about the need for greater Black representation in policing, what it means to serve a community that knows you, and why recruiting officers from different backgrounds can strengthen the relationship between police departments and the people they are sworn to protect.

The discussion also explores what may keep young Black people from considering careers in law enforcement, the importance of mentorship and exposure, and what departments and communities can do to begin closing that gap.

It’s a conversation that doesn’t ignore the complicated history between Black communities and law enforcement—but asks an important question about the future: If we want policing to better reflect and understand our communities, who will answer the call to serve?

Etcetera with the Woodards presents: “Behind the Badge: Detective ‘Putney’ Bailey on Why Representation Matters.”

History has a way of making certain moments feel bigger than an election.

When Daria Devlin became mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania, she became only the second woman in the city’s history to hold its highest elected office—following the trail first blazed by former Mayor Joyce Savocchio more than three decades ago.

But Devlin’s story is about much more than making history.

A lifelong Erie resident with years of experience in community development, education, nonprofit leadership and public service, Devlin now carries the responsibility of leading a city confronting questions about economic opportunity, neighborhoods, young people, public services and what Erie wants to become next.

On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, Mayor Daria Devlin sits down for a conversation about the road that brought her to City Hall, the significance of becoming only Erie’s second woman mayor, the responsibility that comes with leadership, and her vision for the community she now leads.

It’s a conversation about public service, representation, leadership and the future of Erie—from a woman who now has the opportunity to help shape that future from the mayor’s office.

Etcetera with the Woodards presents: “Her Turn to Lead: Mayor Daria Devlin and Erie’s Next Chapter.”

Wrestling greatness runs in the Crosby family.

In 1988, Melvin Crosby captured a PIAA state championship for Erie Academy. More than three decades later, his son Dorian Crosby added his own name to Pennsylvania wrestling history, winning a PIAA Class 3A state championship for Cathedral Prep and making the Crosbys the first father-son PIAA championship duo in Erie County history.

But Dorian’s story didn’t stop there.

On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, Dorian Crosby joins the conversation after completing a remarkable undefeated season at Gannon University and capturing the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship at 285 pounds—finishing his collegiate career as the nation’s No. 1 heavyweight.

Dorian talks about growing up with a state-champion father, carrying the weight of expectations, the lessons learned through victories and setbacks, and what it took to reach the very top of collegiate wrestling.

It’s a conversation about legacy, discipline, family, perseverance, and what happens when the son takes a wrestling tradition and writes a championship chapter of his own.

Etcetera with the Woodards presents: “Built on Legacy: Dorian Crosby’s Journey to the Top of College Wrestling.”

Long before David A. Armstrong, J.D., led a university, he was helping to lead the way at Mercyhurst.

A three-year starter on the offensive line for the Lakers, Armstrong distinguished himself both on the football field and in the classroom, earning All-District honors and recognition as a GTE Academic All-American. His accomplishments ultimately earned him a place among Mercyhurst’s athletic greats as a charter member of the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

But football was only the beginning.

Armstrong went on to earn his law degree, work as an attorney, coach football, serve in athletic and enrollment administration, and eventually rise to the highest levels of leadership in higher education. Today, he serves as the 10th president of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, where his tenure has been marked by dramatic enrollment growth, campus expansion, new academic opportunities, and an increasingly ambitious athletic program.

On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, President David Armstrong reflects on the experiences that shaped him—from his days at Mercyhurst to the responsibilities of leading a modern university.

It’s a conversation about education, athletics, ambition, leadership, and the lessons learned when the discipline of the playing field follows you all the way into the president’s office.

Etcetera with the Woodards presents: “From the Gridiron to the President’s Office: The Remarkable Journey of David Armstrong.”