Billy Woods has been covering local sports at the Edwardsville Intelligencer for nearly half a decade; however, he has accepted a similar position in Laredo, Texas.

So, before he leaves in just a few days, Dave sat down with Billy to discuss his new position, his time in Edwardsville, his long-term professional goals, advice for writers, his best memories, and what he'll miss about the area.

Woods gets honest and personal as he describes his personal strengths, humble beginnings, and the support from his girlfriend Jessica and Joy the cat.

Finally, he describes the community's emotional reaction to his move, and the effect that has had on him. You won't want to miss this episode.

The last episode of 2024 begins with Navy XC and Track runner Justin Mumford. The Wesclin HS graduate is back to talk about life at Annapolis. Mumford details his daily activities, his big plans for his career and beyond, and he expresses his pride about being a student at the Naval Academy.

Next up, we talk O'Fallon THS Softball with Head Coach Jamie Corbier and Assistant Coach Ally DeFossett. The pair talk about being friends and their shared dream of coaching together, which actually began when they were both playing at OTHS! DeFossett and Corbier describe their respective roles and what it's like coaching where they went to high school.

Finally, we recognize Triad MS 7th Grade Girls Basketball, which recently finished 2nd at the IESA State Tournament as our Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month. The team is represented in the studio by Coach Tony Cameron, who is joined by players Olivia Smock, Brianna Rakers, and Lexi Cameron. Coach Cameron talks about coaching the girls and how "quickly they learned" this season. The girls talk about the fun they had ("bus rides"), the other sports they play, their athletic plans for high school, and playing for Coach Cameron.

This show begins with the MESPY winner for Female Swimmer of the Year, Alyssa Albertyn of O'Fallon THS. Albertyn, who medaled in two events at state this year, describes her life-long love of swimming, her season, and her lofty goals for her future. She is joined in the studio by her coach, Karin King. King describes coaching Ablertyn and what she has meant to the program.

Next up, we are joined by Lincoln (Edwardsville) Middle School Girls Basketball players Morgan Whitehead and Elle Willenborg and Coach Amber Gieseking. The team finished second at state last weekend and the girls talk about their fondest memories from their recently-completed season. Coach Gieseking describes how this group "kept her calm" with their maturity and love of the game.

Up next, Larry and Nancy Suhre of Oak Brook Golf Club stop by to discuss being in the golf business for 50 years. They describe building the course in the early 70's, their lifetime of support for the golf community, and their best memories during that half century. The Suhres, who will be inducted in the Edwardsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame this February, describe their emotions accepting that honor.

Lastly, Dan Brynildsen and Jenna Holder of Play It Again Sports Edwardsville stop by to talk about the great deals at the story with just one day left in the Christmas shopping season. Dave and Dan discuss the benefits of shopping locally, and Jenna shares insights into life on campus at Murray State University. Additionally, Dan offers a special deal for anyone stopping in the show tomorrow who mentions the Metro East Sports Podcast!

This episode features two of the area's top young coaches: Dylan Dudley of Alton High School Boys Basketball and Cortney Walker of Mater Dei Girls Volleyball.

Coach Dudley kicks off the show to talk about the Redbirds' hot 8-1 start, becoming a first-time dad, creating the "everyday dudes" culture, and working with "adaptive PE" and how that experience has changed his life. Dave insists that Coach Dudley looks like Ben Affleck and both suggest that everyone spend their holiday money in the Metro East.

Next up, Cortney Walker led the Mater Dei Girls Volleyball team to a state championship in her first year as Head Coach this fall. It was the 9th in program history, and Walker discusses being the first "non-Rakers" to coach at the school and what she learned from program founder, Fred Rakers. She also talks about managing a busy schedule as a nurse, mother, and coach; she gives "a lot of credit" to her husband!

This episode features 3 amazing coaches and 2 outstanding high school athletes.

First up, Coach Christian Rhoten is in the studio to accept the MESPY for Girls Swim Team of the Year. Coach Rhoten describes "the best season in the history of the program," which included a 13th place finish at state tying a program high, multiple records broken, and team-high number of medals won at state. Rhoten is joined by star swimmer Karis Chen, who was part of 3 EHS swimming records including the individual 100 m breaststroke and 2 relays. Chen talks about how she started in the sport, and she mentions what she'll miss about swimming at EHS next year after she graduates.

Next up, we visit with retired Coach Sharon Petty, who began the Edwardsville HS Field Hockey team in 1973. Petty describes the earliest days of organized team sports for women and the role she played compared to the opportunities enjoyed by women today. Petty, who will be inducted in the EHS Athletic Hall of Fame this February discusses the honor and how she looks forward to sharing the experience "with all the great girls" who played for her.

In the last segment, we recognize the Alton High School Wrestling Program as our Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month. Coach Eric Roberson is in the studio to accept the honor alongside one of his guys, Marquez Singleton. Roberson shares his thoughts on being inducted in the Illinois Coaches and Officials Wrestling Hall of Fame later this year, and he shares his thoughts on working with Singleton, who has become a "team leader" in just two years of being on the program. Singleton describes working with Roberson as "an honor," and he discusses his goals for the remainder of the season and beyond high school.

This episode begins with the MESPY Winners for 3A XC Runners of the Year, Ellie Bush and Zach Thoman of O'Fallon THS. The pair are joined by their respective coaches, Jon Burnett and Neil James, who discuss coaching them along with a few "secrets to their success." Bush and Thoman describe their successful seasons including the "fast" state meet.

Next up, Caleb Wright, a junior at Freeburg HS, has started the Freeburg Fanzone Podcast, which covers the athletes and sports at his school. Wright shares what he's learned along with his thoughts on other schools beginning a school-focused podcast.

Then, Althoff Boys Soccer Coach Skip Birdsong just won his third state championship as a coach; he is in the studio to share his memories over this historic season, and he is joined by his two captains, his son Tyler and Luke Smith. The boys talk about their motivating fans and the team manager, who provided inspiration along the way.

Wrapping up the show, "Edgy Tim" O'Halloran has been exclusively covering IL high school football for over thirty years. In this segment he discusses the age-old debate of "public vs. private," the best athletes and teams he has covered, and his thoughts on the multiplier.

This episode features a prep hoops preview along with MESPY winners for 3A XC Teams of the Year and 1A Girls Tennis Singles and Team of the Year.

The show kicks off with Hall of Fame basketball pundit Steve Porter, who brings a half a century of basketball knowledge to the mic. Porter and Dave discuss the big and small schools to watch out for this season for the boys and girls along with the stories and events to look forward to. CM, Highland, Triad, O'Fallon, Edwardsville, Madison, Belleville East, Belleville West, Althoff, Jerseyville, and Mater Dei are just some of the schools mentioned in the preview.

Next up, Edwardsville High School dominated the 3A XC scene this fall. Coach Patrylak is back to accept the MESPYs for 3A Boys and Girls Team of the Year. Coach "P" talks about what made these teams special, and he is joined by two of his top runners: Madison Popelar and Gavin Rodgers. The two athletes discuss what they learned this season along with what they're looking forward to next season.

Finally, Devan Faulkenberg's girls tennis team dominated their 1A Sectional earning the MESPY for Team of the Year. Coach Faulkenberg shares insight into coaching with his dad and what made this season spectacular. He is joined by his top singles player, Andie Green, who shares her thoughts on playing singles, dominating the Sectional in singles, and what she'll miss about Triad next year

Three great coaches from three outstanding teams are featured in this podcast, along with two terrific athletes.

This episode kicks off with SIUe Cougar Women's Basketball Coach, Sam Smith, who talks about her squad as they are in the early stages of this, her fourth, season. Coach Sam likes the culture of the program, and she talks about her team's upcoming schedule, and why everyone needs to get out and support the Cougars this winter. The Chicago native also discusses her latest recruiting class, and you won't believe how far she traveled to see Taylor Swift!

Next up, Coach Mark Heiderscheid took his team's "rocky start," and led his team to the state tournament for the 8th time. Heiderscheid talks about when he knew his team could go that far, and he joined in studio by forward Henry Vivian and mid-fielder Owen Mahler. The boys talk about playing for Heiderscheid, and they detail how his calming influence helped the team get on track in the post-season along with sharing their top memories from the season.

Finally, Collinsville HS XC Coach Adam Blair joins the show for the first time. Blair talks about taking over the Kahok XC teams including the challenge of taking over for an iconic distance running figure. Blair reveals his vision for the future, and he talks about how he attempts to attract kids to the sport at CHS.

This episode features 3 very unique individuals: Belleville East, Athletic Director Joe Nesbit, XC photographer and enthusiast, Mike Baxter, and legendary Belleville West retired volleyball coach Charlie Rodman.

Joe Nesbit kicks off the show to talk about his first year as the Athletic Director at BE. The former BE volleyball coach talks about the challenges and the many different hats he has to wear in his position, along with the things of which he is most proud. Additionally, Nesbit discusses his primary goal, which is to observe and gradually improve all things athletic at East.

Next up, Mike Baxter is passionate about taking pictures at XC meets. He talks about how he discovered that passion, and he gives his tips on how to take a great picture, along with some regarding his favorite courses at which to take pictures and some of his best-ever shots.

Rounding out the show, Charlie Rodman led the Belleville West Maroons Girls Volleyball Team into becoming a state-wide powerhouse winning 2 state championships. In this segment he talks about what it took to get the Maroons to a point when they could compete with the Chicago powerhouses, and Rodman, who has been involved in coaching for 47, gives his "best advice for young coaches and teachers."

This episode begins with golf! Mason Lewis of Edwardsville HS is the MESPY winner for 3A Golfer of the Year. The SMU commit discusses growing up in a golf family, his season, and his top-20 finish at state.

Next up, O'Fallon Girls Golf Coach Chris Eddy to discuss leading the area's most consistent girls program, which finished 6th at state last weekend. Eddy talks about what made this team unique and the Metro East Golf Academy, which he founded in 2021, and which continues to develop local junior golfers.

Then, the brother-sister golf combo of Ally and Ryan Suhre of Metro East Lutheran HS are back in the studio to discuss their recent successful state golf tournaments. Ally shares her goals for the next two years, Ryan talks about how he's "ready for a break from golf."

Finally, we talk MELHS 8-man football with Head Coach Mike Koch and star players Zach Daly, Andrew Adams, and Abe Oberhauser. Coach and the boys are excited to share their thoughts on the season and their upcoming playoff game against Pawnee.