On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex welcome longtime UND Hockey color commentator Jake Brandt to discuss the team’s success this season and to reflect on Jake’s decade-long run in the broadcast booth (1:32). The guys then look back on impressive winning streaks for both hockey and men’s basketball and set the scene for the sprint to the finish for all of North Dakota’s winter sports teams (17:27). On the B-Side (34:15), Super Bowl LVIII looms, Spurs and Liverpool stumble, and the Red Sox reunite with Theo Epstein.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex welcome UND president Dr. Andy Armacost to reflect on the conversations he and Bill took part in during this month’s NCAA Convention in Phoenix (1:51). The guys then discuss a number of strong showings from UND hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, indoor track and field, and tennis as the winter sports season rolls on (25:56). On the B-Side (43:30), there’s discussion on the NFL playoffs, the location of future NCAA hockey regionals, and a suggestion for a new college hockey overtime format that has Bill rethinking his stance on 3-on-3.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex welcome back College Hockey Inc. Director of Communications Jayson Hajdu to talk all things college hockey, including the reasons behind the growth of the college game and what College Hockey Inc. is doing to help that upward trajectory continue (2:13). The guys then look back at UND Hockey’s successful end to non-conference play and the debut of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge before previewing the big talking points at this week’s NCAA Convention (21:52). On the B-Side (44:28), there’s talk on the EPL’s festive season, the January transfer window, the NFL playoffs, and the state of the Red Sox post-Chris Sale.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex welcome Ralph Engelstad Arena’s Jody Hodgson to discuss the latest happenings inside college hockey’s grandest venue, the new NCHC tournament format, and US Hockey Hall of Fame Game plans for the future (3:17). The guys then preview what’s ahead for UND Athletics over the holidays and discuss the temporary NCAA ruling on transfer eligibility (27:24). On the B-Side (56:16), Christmas means a jam-packed week of festive fixtures in the EPL and a number of must-see NBA and NFL games as well.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex welcome The Summit League’s Ryan Powell to discuss the positive steps the conference is taking to grow its national profile before looking back on Ryan’s decade-long tenure in UND Athletics (1:18). The guys then recap a busy fortnight for hockey and hoops and dig into the potentially seismic NCAA directives from new president Charlie Baker (18:26). On the B-Side (43:46), Spurs and Liverpool continue playing a brand of soccer you can’t look away from, while Florida State suffers the kind of heartbreak only a college football subcommittee can issue.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex welcome NCHC Associate Commissioner Michael Weisman to talk about his 11-year career working in the nation’s top college hockey conference and the details that go into running the day-to-day operations of the league (1:57). The guys then discuss the Fighting Hawks’ berth in the FCS Playoffs and hockey’s turn as the top-ranked team in the country before celebrating strong finishes to the season for volleyball and cross country (18:38). On the B-Side (35:59), Michael re-joins to lament Everton’s ten-point deduction in the English Premier League, the state of overtime in hockey and soccer, and the offensive quagmire that is the AFC North.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex welcome legendary hockey color analyst Dave Starman to discuss the current landscape of the college game, the NCHC, and his broadcasting career (1:15). The guys then reflect on a busy time in UND Athletics, including an entertaining series split in Boston for the hockey team, a pair of great results at the Summit League Championships for cross country, and the impromptu start of college basketball season (22:45). On the B-Side (49:45), Spurs drop their first match of the year in memorable/controversial fashion, as VAR officially jumps the shark.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex are joined by The Summit League’s deputy commissioner, Myndee Kay Larsen, to discuss the conference’s approach to championships, the genesis of The Summit League Network, and much more (1:15). The guys then look back on another eventful week in UND Athletics and set the scene for what’s to come as October concludes (18:53). On the B-Side (43:26), Spurs are still unbeaten, the Celtics’ season begins, and the Steelers continue to win in the ugliest ways possible.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex are joined by North Dakota Football great Dale Lennon ahead of his induction this weekend into the UND Athletics Hall of Fame (0:51). The guys then discuss a massive week at UND, including the Fighting Hawks-Bison football game, the start of college hockey’s regular season, the ongoing Summit League campaigns for volleyball and soccer, and Summit League Basketball Media Day (18:08). On the B-Side (50:39), Spurs v. Liverpool gets…weird.

On this episode of the Bill Chaves Podcast, Bill and Alex are joined by NCHC Director of Officiating Mike Schmitt and newly-appointed chair of the NCAA Hockey Rules Committee Erik Martinson to discuss all things officiating in college hockey (1:33). The guys also look ahead to this Saturday’s MVFC opener for North Dakota at No. 1 SDSU and review the start of conference play for Fighting Hawks soccer and volleyball (41:12). On the B-Side (48:47), the scene is set for the Heinert-Chaves Derby in North London, while the Red Sox season ends with a whimper.