The Sidelines

To continue the RMAC's pre-championship volleyball coverage, The Sidelines: Episode 17 features Kiley Metzger, a graduate student for South Dakota Mines volleyball. A native of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Kiley has created a legacy for herself in South Dakota, serving as Vice President of her campus SAAC and earning her place in the South Dakota Mines Leadership Hall of Fame. Kiley has made a clear impact on her program, and looks forward to applying her electrical engineering degree to her journey after college.

The 2024 RMAC Volleyball Tournament is just one week out! To celebrate, The Sidelines: Episode 16 catches up with Bella Adams, junior middle blocker for Chadron State. Tune in to hear how Bella balances student-athlete life, on top of working a part-time job, and learn about her inspiring piece of advice to younger athletes.

The 2024 RMAC Men's Soccer Tournament is here! #3 Fort Lewis, led by senior forward, Gabriel Legendre, is set to host #6 MSU Denver in Durango, Colorado on Sunday, November 10. The Sidelines: Episode 15 features Gabriel's soccer journey, as he enters his final RMAC tournament for the Skyhawks. Tune in to help the RMAC celebrate Gabriel's incredible collegiate career, and kick off a highly anticipated 2024 RMAC Men's Soccer Tournament!

This week's episode marks one week out from the first round of the RMAC Women's Soccer Tournament. To celebrate, The Sidelines: Episode 14 highlights Karly Morkunas, junior defender from Western Colorado. Karly shares some of her initial struggles as an out-of-state student-athlete, and explains her path to overcoming these challenges and growing as a leader in mental health advocacy.

In celebration of the 2024 RMAC Cross Country Championship this Saturday, October 26, The Sidelines: Episode 13 features Maggie McCleskey, a junior runner for Adams State University. In Episode 13, Maggie provides her perspective as a student-athlete in one of the most successful cross country programs in the country, and shares her personal and team goals moving into this weekend, and beyond.

Entering week 8 of the RMAC football season, The Sidelines highlights its third matchup mashup episode with No. 8 Western Colorado and No. 10 Colorado School of Mines. Tune in to hear from the Mountaineer squad of quarterback Drew Nash, defensive back, Bryce Lucas and Coach Jas Bains, along with the Oredigger pair of wide receiver, Max McLeod and linebacker, Adrian Moreno.

RMAC Championship Soccer is just three weeks out, and to celebrate, The Sidelines: Episode 11 features Head Women's Soccer Coach, J.B. Belzer, of UCCS. Tune in to hear about Coach Belzer's coaching experience in the RMAC, his passion for traveling, and his drive to positively shape the lives of his student-athletes.

The Sidelines: Episode 10 features Yahir Chairez-Salazar, junior wrestler at Colorado School of Mines. After experiencing a life-altering accident, Yahir shares his unique perspective on not only athletics and his future career as an electrical engineer, but on living life with purpose and passion. Tune in to hear how Yahir will continue to proudly represent his family and Hispanic heritage on the wrestling mat this year.

The Sidelines: Episode 9 celebrates a very important holiday, World Mental Health Day, with Dr. Jess Kirby of UCCS. Dr. Kirby is an Assistant Health Science Professor and Health Promotions graduate program coordinator at UCCS, as well as the program advisor for Mountain Lion Strong. Tune in to learn about Mountain Lion Strong's success in the student-athlete wellness landscape, and to gain a few tangible tips in advocating for mental health in your communities.

To celebrate the oldest NCAA Division II football rivalry, The Black Hills Brawl, The Sidelines: Episode 8 features Henry Dryden, Hunter Newsom and Coach Charlie Flohr of South Dakota School of Mines, along with Aaron Thiele, Cameron Reiman and Coach Josh Breske from Black Hills State. Celebrate the 129th Black Hills Brawl with The Sidelines!