As a part of our 4th of July Special, we salute the troops by looking back at the Carrier Classic and the story of the Thorntons with these fabulous basketball events!

This week's episode of The Sports Life salutes the troops in a 4th of July Special! We take a look at some of the ways Big Ten schools have paid tribute to the military, including Michigan State Basketball's games in the Carrier Classic, Armed Forces Classic, and personal ties between MSU personnel and armed forces.

Neurosurgeon Anthony Avellino joins us on The Sports Life to discuss mental wellness and his own story of overcoming adversity. Avellino was a part of the Big Ten Mental Health and Wellness Cabinet when he was employed at Michigan State University, and he shares his journey of "finding his purpose" after hitting rock bottom in his life. This inspirational tale is worth your time.

Michigan State grad student Heath Baldwin joins us on The Sports Life to discuss the experience of qualifying for the Olympics. Baldwin will be representing the United States and the Big Ten in Paris!

This week's episode of The Sports Life features an Olympian. MSU grad student Heath Baldwin has won the decathlon qualifier and will be representing the USA and the Big Ten in the Olympics and he joins The Sports Life. Also, a wonderful conversation of mental well-being with neurosurgeon Anthony Avellino, detailing his own overcoming adversity and how he is "finding his purpose."

Longtime Illinois head of Athletic Communications Kent Brown joins us on The Sports Life to celebrate 100 years of Memorial Stadium and some iconic moments.

Scott Dochterman of The Athletic joins us on The Sports Life to help break down which teams made the biggest moves in the transfer portal and where teams stand with the dust starting to settle more.

Check out this week's episode of The Sports Life! We flash back to the year 2013 in Big Ten athletics with our sounds of the week. Also, Scott Dochterman of The Athletic joins us to evaluate Big Ten Football in the transfer portal. Finally, we celebrate 100 years of Memorial Stadium at Illinois with Kent Brown.

This week's episode of The Sports Life is a special encore presentation. We bring back a conversation about friendship and greatness between Carol Hutchins and Jacquie Joseph.

Sports Law Attorney and Professor at Michigan State and Wayne State Universities, Deb Schneider, joins us on The Sports Life to talk about so many of the issues that exist in college athletics. From transfer rule changes to recent settlements, we try to tackle it all and what it means.