MSUM Dragons Podcasts

Hello everyone and welcome to part one of a special MSUM Dragons Podcast double-feature of our 2019-20 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR which were announced yesterday…I don’t even need to tell you that we believe that the student-athlete experience here at MSUM is more than a game, you’ll be able to experience it right here in this series with our two award winners. First up, the MALE athlete of the year, Nadir Yusuf. Hear his reaction to this impressive honor, what it took to get there, and we even share some of our personal story to showcase why he is an Ambassador for MSUM in many many ways. He’s was an All-American in cross country including the fastest 10K time in school history. He won two meets and was third in the NSIC Championships…He also won two track championships, and two runner-up finishes as well. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2019-20 MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR…Nadir Yusuf…

Hello everyone and welcome to part TWO of a special MSUM Dragons Podcast double-feature of our 2019-20 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR which were announced yesterday afternoon. This episode features our FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR…Julia Geske and how she is making history by putting Tennis on the map of power programs for MSUM. This year, the team was undefeated until COVID ended her season…we’ll talk a little about that, and a lot about the season in which she earned her athlete of the year honors last spring. She went 13-5 overall, 9-2 in conference play in singles as well as being nationally ranked in doubles with partner Olivia Keelin ring 15-4 overall and 9-2 in conference matches. The team went 16-4 overall, 10-1 in the NSIC and advanced to the NSIC tournament championship match. Ladies and gentlemen…your 2019-20 MSUM FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR…Julia Geske.

Tomorrow was supposed to be the second annual MSUM Giving Day to support scholarships…but when the world moves in a different direction…you have to move with it or get left behind. What we did last year is not just a bad practice…it’s not even possible. This is a hard time for all of us. Our MSUM Alumni Foundation is moving the day MSUM Giving Day, but the world is moving to another global campaign on the event’s originally schedule day called #givingtuesdaynow…and MSUM Is joining the cause. But why with all the campaigns out there right now, would someone want to give to MSUM scholarships…If you have the ability to give right now, how can you get the most for your donation? And how can YOU transform someone’s life this week? Today’s guest will tackle those question as she head’s up the #givingtuesdaynow and Giving Day efforts for MSUM…Please welcome to the show, Director of the Annual Fund for the MSUM Foundation…Cindy Bailey.

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 GUEST Jon Webbie Wepking. Why would I jump to the other side of the interview…and who could possibly fill the massive void my incredible hosting skills would leave behind? Well…there’s a huge campaign happening right now on all of our Dragons Digital Network and our GO! TEAM is behind the scenes and not only deserves the praise for doing a great job…but it’s also interesting how COVID changed the banquet to what it is now and why we’re doing it the way we are. And as far as HOSTING…you’ll just have to live with AD Doug Peters asking the questions and not talking so much…hey, that actually sounds like pretty good deal! Let’s jump in with our host for today, Athletics Director Doug Peters and special guest…Jon Webbie Wepking!

What’s it like to be a coach in the COVID era of college athletics? Well…our guest today is not only a coach, she’s a professor and a mom adjusting to a new way of doing all of it at once. Something I think we can all relate to right now. I’m FIREDUP to welcome our guest today, head soccer coach Christie Kopeitz.

What does the FY22 budget mean for Dragon Athletics?

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. Today’s episode is about the B-word….not the one made popular by Meredith Brooks back in 1997...I’m talking about the one commanding the attention of the entire MSUM community…BUDGET…yeah I said it. It’s the topic of our episode today as MSUM announced proposed budget reductions for fiscal year 2022 to steer a $6M deficit back on track. Specifically we will talk about how the budget is impacting Dragon Athletics, a look inside how the process unfolded, and what still lies ahead in a COVID uncertain future. Let’s get started and welcome our socially distant guest today, AD Doug Peters.

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. My apologies for the week off last week, got hit hard by a the flu and strep throat and could barely talk all week. BUT, feeling great today and ready to tackle topics like how our athletes are growing at home, what are some of the biggest challenges their facing to continue to train, and what are some possible long-term concerns about when we do get back to game days once again? I’m definitely FiredUp for our guest whose team is supporting our student-athletes physically and mentally during our new socially distant normal….here’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach…Travis Anderson.

Hello everyone and welcome to the MSUMDragons Podcast where we believe that the student-athlete experience here at MSUM Is more than a game. I’m your host and guest this week…it’s just Me, Jon Webbie Wepking. Sitting here at home in the makeshift basement office with my desk in the closet because the backdrop for zoom meetings is better. Hopefully it sounds okay to you since it’s like talking in an elevator right now. BUT…do not mistake my location for inactivity. There is much to do during the COVID quarantine in Dragonland and today I’d like to talk about some of things people are doing around the world and within athletics to create, engage, and stay in touch with humanity. As our episode with Doug last week was titled, this Pandemic is More than a game…we need to take it seriously, no doubt…but how can we also make the best of it? Because that’s all we can do…make lemonade, chicken salad, or whatever food I have to mention so I don’t swear on-air.

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. The past week has those words, MORE THAN A GAME in the forefront of our minds. We sat down at this time last week to celebrate #DragonsMarchOn and the next day everything was cancelled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here we are today, no march madness, no NBA, no championships, no spring season…the loss is painful doubt. Why is it important to shut everything down, how do you keep up when things are changing every day, how do you lead during a crisis, and what does the future of Dragon athletic look like at the end of this process? Let’s get the answers to those questions now with our own AD Doug Peters.

Hello everyone and welcome to the MSUM Dragons podcast where we believe that THE MONTH OF MARCH is more than a game…which is what we’re talking about today, I’m your host Jon Webbie Wepking and please adjust your volume once again for my most frequent guest AD Doug Peters as we discuss the genesis of our DRAGONS MARCH ON CAMPAIGN back in 2015, why we do it, and why it’s helped us deliver our more than a game promise. So let’s tee it up for Mr. Fired Up…and all of our great things about DRAGONS MARCH ON!