Here's a special BONUS podcast episode not just because you're an amazing Dragons fan who has subscribed to the podcast and shared it with all your friends…but also because today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day.  Such an important moment to celebrate, reflect, and focus our efforts for equity in the games we play.  Who better to discuss the topic than head women's basketball coach AND now Senior Woman Administrator…Karla Nelson.

We've got a long show for you today as we're joined by head football coach Steve Laqua who will not only break down this year's class of 2021 coming to the Dragon Family…but also give us some insight in how you determine needs without a season and recruit during COVID.  For a full list of recruits, highlights, and coach comments on each signee…go to MSUMDragons.com/NSD21…Now, Let's get into signing day with head coach Steve Laqua

Hello everyone and welcome to the MSUM Dragons Podcast where we believe that the student-athlete experience here at MSUM is More Than a Game…I'm your host Jon Webbie Wepking.  That's right, 2020 is almost over and that means it's time to celebrate.  Not because this horrible year with murder hornets and COVID is finally ending…but because that means we get to celebrate 17 student-athletes who will be graduating from MSUM and we will soon be seeing the Dragons returning to competitions in 2021!  Here to recap the last, tease the next, and talk lessons of leadership along the way…here's AD Doug Peters.

Sometimes sports creates unfathomable joy, and sometimes it can be downright despicable.  Sports are littered with story after story of overcoming adversities and proving people wrong…and we're going to add two today.  Both very different…one showing scars on over 30% of his body from a fire he experienced as a kid…the other, brought to tears today for how she was bullied after Anemia slowed her down.  And then COVID took away a first season and a comeback season for both…has run through their families…and they start training again throughout it all because someone at MSUM believes there is greatness in them.  Please welcome today's guests…Amelio Chio and LaKyla Yazzie.

Last week, as COVID cases in our region swelled to global comparisons…Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a new executive order for all Minnesotans with new mandates to help lower the rising hospital occupancy rates, slow the spread, and fight this deadly pandemic.  How does that impact the plan for the Dragons to safely compete in 2021, what conversations are happening in the NSIC with 5 very different states planning to play each other in just over a month, and why not brighten up the show with what we're thankful for in this insane 2020.  Here's my conversation with AD Doug Peters!

How does a familiar face help create a new home?

Coach Kopietz is gonna love this episode because two of her rock-star student-athletes from the Dragon Soccer team are our guests today.  They were connected before MSUM because they played on the same club team in Illinois, but BOTH followed coach up to MSUM to create their careers…and now their lives as they have become upperclassmen and team leaders.  BUT HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?  What made MSUM more than a game for them?  The answer…in part…was each other.  Here's today's guests…Kaylee Parsons and Lauren Phillips.

What does Dragon Volleyballer Amanda Carlson say helps her stay positive so far away from home and throughout this crazy COVID era?

Hello everyone and welcome to the MSUM dragons podcast where we believe the student-athlete experience here at MSUM is more than a game…I'm your host Jon Webbie Wepking.

Now, mental health was a top concern before all the COVID stuff came in and multiplied it by…I dunno, like…1000.  I know MSUM and the Care Team here do incredible work…we also know some of the best help when the unknown and challenging moments in life hit is the support system of people around us.  After moving across the country to play volleyball at MSUM and losing this fall to COVID.  Junior Amanda Carlson has adjusted to sub-zero temperatures, deep snow, and the uncertainties of this fall with a smile on her face.   How does she do it?  Find out how…right…now...

Have you ever sat in the stands or watched a game from home and just didn't feel connected to what was happening?

Hello everyone and welcome to the MSUM Dragons Podcast where we believe that the student-athlete experience here at MSUM is More than a Game AND WORTH INVESTING IN!  I'm your host Jon Webbie Wepking.  Sorry for yelling but TODAY is MSUM Giving Day and for one day and one day ONLY…your donations can be doubled or win big bucks for your cause through challenges today.  A big day no doubt where over $80,000 in matching funds are available for you to give a little and make a much bigger impact.  To talk about why he gives, why Giving Day is an opportunity you can't miss out on, and why he's a sore loser…here's our own #FIREDUP AD Doug Peters!

How are spring sports feeling the pain of the fall shutdown and on the bright side…what lessons can you take from the loss of not one, but two seasons?

We've paid a lot of attention lately, and understandably so, to the Fall season sports who most recently lost their entire seasons…but there's another loss we haven't discussed.  Spring season sports like Softball are losing valuable events this Fall as well from their non-championship seasons.  To share her perspective on the value of that lost segment of their season and just getting to know one of the outstanding leaders within Dragon Athletics…please welcome our guest today Dragon Softball's Captain, SAAC President, and Pre-Med major Kaiya Sundeen.

When will we know if we're playing Winter sports at MSUM this season?  And how is all this impacting current athletes and even recruiting new athletes?

If you remember the Fall…there was a lot of will we, won't we conversations…where are those same conversations at right now for getting started on a winter season?  What are we doing to prepare for any of the situations that could come out of that…and of course…how is all this affecting our current and future Dragons?!  I'm firing all of those questions to the always #FiredUp AD Doug Peters…right…now!