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Tradition's Finest Episode 104 - The 'On the Origin of Mascots Episode
Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!
Episode 104 - The 'On the Origin of Mascots Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:
- NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Basketball: Per ESPN's Pete Thamel & Jeff Borzello, Bruce Pearl has stepped down as the Men's Basketball Coach at Auburn and will move into an ambassador's role in the Athletic Department - as a special assistant to the Athletics Director, the school announced on Monday - - Steven Pearl, Pearl's son who has been with program as an Associate Head Coach since 2017, has received a five-year contract to become the program's new HC - - Bruce Pearl, 65, is coming off a season in which he guided the Tigers to its second-ever Final Four appearance - - Pearl, who had been the head coach at Auburn for 11 seasons, led the Tigers to six NCAA Tournament appearances and both of the program's Final Four runs, helped the Tigers earn at least a share of three SEC regular-season titles & won two SEC Conference Tournament championships - - Pearl retires with a record of 246-125 at Auburn throughout his tenure with the program - - The timeline of Pearl's announcement has come under a little scrunity, as per the NCAA, the players with the program will now have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal - but since the announcement was made so late into the offseason, the expectations are that, there will be very few transfers away from the program. . .Pearl has long been linked to a post-coaching career in politics, something he addressed in early September following monthslong rumors regarding him as a potential candidate for Tommy Tuberville's open U.S. Senate seat, but per his statement on Monday, he is not planning to run for Senate. . .Q: Do you lean more towards the direction of believing Bruce Pearl when he clarified on Monday that he will not run for U.S. Senate? While there are clearly similarities & differences between the two, is the pain Auburn fans are currently experiencing over the loss of Bruce Pearl as the Tigers' head basketball coach somewhat equivalent to how Alabama fans felt the day Nick Saban announced his retirement as the Crimson Tide's head football coach?. . .Jean Dolores Schmidt, popularly known as "Sister Jean" is retiring, as well - - The 106-year-old Cathlolic nun, a campus minister and the official chaplain of the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers men's basketball team, is stepping away from her duties due to health concerns - - Sister Jean became a viral sensation overnight by cheering on Loyola during their epic Final Four run as an 11-seed in 2018 - - Sister Jean had served in her roles at Loyola since 1991, and while she is stepping away, the Tradition's Finest crew would like to grant our "best wishes" and sincerely hope she makes it to 107. . .NCAA Division III College Football: There is a very common phrase/saying that "you learn something new every day," which basically reinforces the idea that knowledge is on a continuum - - and this is, in fact, accurate because neither of us were aware that the U.S. Coast Guard - a military branch that operates under the Department of Homeland Security, focused on maritime law enforcement, border control, port security, and search & rescue missions, using cutters, aircraft and boats to save lives & interdict illegal activities at sea - has a D-III college football program/team - - For all of you that had no clue of this either - Welcome! Allow us to introduce you to the "Coast Guard Academy Bears," who recorded one for the history books this weekend: Nichols Bison at Coast Guard Bears - - On homecoming weekend at the Coast Guard Academy, the Bears gave their proud alumni fireworks and much to cheer for with a 92-60 victory over Nichols College - - This was NOT a basketball game, this was a football game, ladies & gentlemen - - With 1:36 remaining in the game, Coast Guard and Nichols had tied for Division III history with 138 combined points - - The 92-60 final score etches this game into another niche history book as well - In the 157 years of college football across three divisions, this is the first time in NCAA history that a college football game has ended by a final score of 92-60 - - Q: Be honest, did you know that the Coast Guard Academy had a D-III college football team?. . .**Let us know via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!. . .NCAA College Football Week Four Review & Recap: In this episode's CFB Week Four review & recap segment, JD & Spencer will discuss, provide a detailed analysis, and present their individual takeaways for a few of the most intriguing college football games from this past weekend's slate of games; the following games are discussed within this episode:
"Stillwater Showdown:" Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Oklahoma State Cowboys (**and the firing of the Cowboys - and second-longest-tenured HC in college football - Mike Gundy)
- And this week's "Tradition's Finest Most Badass Celly of the Week" Award goes to. .University of North Texas Mean Green DL Keviyan Huddleston - - Huddleston pulled off an epic celebration after a fumble recovery on Saturday as the Mean Green took on the Army Black Knights at West Point - - As Army was driving, Noah Short lost a fumble that was recovered by Huddleston, and when he got to the sideline, he was then given a Mean Green-decorated WWE-style belt & took two beer can replicas, to pull off the epic "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, an alumni of North Texas, beer celebration - - and North Texas would go on to defeat Army 45-38 in OT on Saturday to improve to a record of 4-0 on the season. . .
No.17 Texas Tech Red Raiders at No.16 Utah Utes
Arkansas Razorbacks at Memphis Tigers
Syracuse Orange at Clemson Tigers
"Bussin Bowl:" No.21 Michigan Wolverines at Nebraska Cornhuskers (**and the "Bussin' bet)
No.22 Auburn Tigers at No.11 Oklahoma Sooners (**and the use of "Hideout Tactics")
No.9 Illinois Fighting Illini at No.19 Indiana Hoosiers
"Battle for the Florida Cup:" Florida Gators at No.4 Miami Hurricanes
- College Football Week Five Preview & Predictions: In this episode's CFB Week Five preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently selected pick(s) for each of the following Week 5 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!
No.24 TCU at Arizona State (-2.5) O/U54.5
No.22 Notre Dame (-4.5) at Arkansas O/U64.5
No.21 USC (-6.5) at No.23 Illinois O/U59.5
No.1 Ohio State (-9.5) at Washington O/U52.5
No.4 LSU at No.13 Ole Miss (-1.5) O/U54.5
Auburn at No.9 Texas A&M (-6.5) O/U52.5
No.11 Indiana (-7.5) at Iowa O/U48.5
No.15 Tennessee (-7.5) at Mississippi State O/U61.5
College GameDay: No.6 Oregon at No.3 Penn State (-3.5) O/U52.5
No.17 Alabama at No.5 Georgia (-2.5) O/U52.5
- NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - On3 Sports reporter Chris Low revealed each SEC Conference team's three annual opponents on Monday for the new SEC scheduling format that will begin in 2026 - - and as expected, there have been "mixed reviews" with some fans criticizing the "loss of [a few] traditional rivalries" in the process. . .Q: What was your initial reaction to the three annual opponents that were announced for each SEC program? As unbiased as possible, do you think that they got it right?. .Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin's daughter, Landry Kiffin, revealed her romance with LSU LB Whit Weeks, by posting a photo of herself sitting on Weeks' lap in an Instagram post captioned "Happy :)" - - The irony of the post is obviously in the "timing:" the photo was posted on Monday - just days before the two SEC rivals - the Rebels & Tigers - are set to face off on the field in the Week Five matchup on Saturday - - Lane Kiffin, 50, jokingly addressed his daughter's romance on social media later that day, replying to a post on X about the relationship being "peak mind games" for Lane & his Rebels - - He confidently responded "Take the over," seemingly to suggest that football fans are in for a high-scoring affair between the two SEC rivals - - Q: Did you, in fact, "take the over" for the upcoming LSU-Ole Miss game?. . .
- NFL - Week 3 Review, Recap & Major Storylines: Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off Thursday night with the Bills fending off the Dolphins 31-21 to remain undefeated - and the early window Sunday was filled with multiple, shocking finishes & featured many ridiculous storylines such as those including: the Panthers blowing out the Falcons at gome for their first win of the season, a Vikings CB has the most impressive first half in the history of the sport, both the Rams-Eagles & Buccaneers-Jets games featured blocked FGs returned for TDs late, the Browns' stunning 4th-QTR comeback over the Packers, and an intense Monday night matchup between two Super Bowl contenders - - Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers has moved ahead of the man he took over for in Green Bay & into fourth place on the NFL's all-time passing TD list - - Rodgers threw a TD pass to Steelers WR DK Metcalf in the 2nd QTR Sunday in New England, the 509th TD pass of his career - - That TD moved him one ahead of Brett Favre, Rodgers' predecessor as the Packers' starting QB, as the No.4 all-time TD passer in NFL history - - Rodgers has a chance to pass Peyton Manning for third this year (539), and if he returns for next season, he has a chance to pass Drew Brees (571) for 2nd all-time - - Q: You just know that Brett Favre is sitting in his mansion - somewhere in Southern Mississippi - just fuming at the thought of Rodgers taking his job in Green Bay, and now, passing him on the NFL's all-time passing TDs list - what do you think?. . .In our NFL Week 3 Review segment, JD & Spencer discuss the following football games from this past weekend & many of the wild storylines surrounding the league - as those listed below:
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
Minnesota Vikings' Isaiah Rodgers & his record performance versus the Cincinnati Bengals
Monday Night Football: Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens
- NFL (cont'd) - The New York Giants are planning to bench QB Russell Wilson in favor of first-round rookie Jaxson Dart after three games, sources informed ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday afternoon - - Dart's first start will come at home on Sunday against the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium - - Dart will give the Giants' offense a different look and more options - his ability to run the ball and the zone-read had his version of the offense looking vastly different from the first team unit with Wilson throughout the summer - - Q: What are your thoughts on HC Brian Daboll's decision to make the switch at QB from Wilson to Dart after just three games into the NFL regular season?. . .
- WNBA - A'ja Wilson has become the WNBA's first four-time MVP after earning the top individual honor for the second straight year, the league announced on Sunday - - The Las Vegas Aces star was named MVP in what had been considered a tight battle with Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier - - Wilson ultimately received 51 first-place votes and 657 points to finish ahead of Collier in second, who received 18 first-place votes & 534 points - - The league surprised Wilson last Friday, with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert & Wilson's boyfriend - Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo - presenting the trophy to her at the end of practice. . .
- MLB - The Los Angeles Dodgers announced last Thursday that Clayton Kershaw will retire at the end of the 2025 MLB season - - The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, 2014 NL MVP, and 11-time All-Star pitcher made his final Dodger regular-season start last Friday against the San Francisco Giants, where he received a standing ovation from teammates and fans in a 6-3 Dodgers victory as they clinched a playoff spot - - Kershaw spent his entire 18-season MLB career with the "Boys in Blue," winning a World Series championship in 2020 and in 2024, and his winning percentage tops all pitchers with at least 200 victories since the year 1900 - - Earlier this year, the 37-year-old LHP became the 20th pitcher ever to record 3,000 or more career strikeouts - and he ranks 4th all-time among LHPs in that category, trailing only Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton & CC Sabathia, according to CBS Sports - - Q: Is Clayton Kershaw the "greatest' Dodger to ever play the game?. . .
Thanks for Listening!
View all episodes
By JD & SpencerWelcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!
Episode 104 - The 'On the Origin of Mascots Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:
- NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Basketball: Per ESPN's Pete Thamel & Jeff Borzello, Bruce Pearl has stepped down as the Men's Basketball Coach at Auburn and will move into an ambassador's role in the Athletic Department - as a special assistant to the Athletics Director, the school announced on Monday - - Steven Pearl, Pearl's son who has been with program as an Associate Head Coach since 2017, has received a five-year contract to become the program's new HC - - Bruce Pearl, 65, is coming off a season in which he guided the Tigers to its second-ever Final Four appearance - - Pearl, who had been the head coach at Auburn for 11 seasons, led the Tigers to six NCAA Tournament appearances and both of the program's Final Four runs, helped the Tigers earn at least a share of three SEC regular-season titles & won two SEC Conference Tournament championships - - Pearl retires with a record of 246-125 at Auburn throughout his tenure with the program - - The timeline of Pearl's announcement has come under a little scrunity, as per the NCAA, the players with the program will now have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal - but since the announcement was made so late into the offseason, the expectations are that, there will be very few transfers away from the program. . .Pearl has long been linked to a post-coaching career in politics, something he addressed in early September following monthslong rumors regarding him as a potential candidate for Tommy Tuberville's open U.S. Senate seat, but per his statement on Monday, he is not planning to run for Senate. . .Q: Do you lean more towards the direction of believing Bruce Pearl when he clarified on Monday that he will not run for U.S. Senate? While there are clearly similarities & differences between the two, is the pain Auburn fans are currently experiencing over the loss of Bruce Pearl as the Tigers' head basketball coach somewhat equivalent to how Alabama fans felt the day Nick Saban announced his retirement as the Crimson Tide's head football coach?. . .Jean Dolores Schmidt, popularly known as "Sister Jean" is retiring, as well - - The 106-year-old Cathlolic nun, a campus minister and the official chaplain of the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers men's basketball team, is stepping away from her duties due to health concerns - - Sister Jean became a viral sensation overnight by cheering on Loyola during their epic Final Four run as an 11-seed in 2018 - - Sister Jean had served in her roles at Loyola since 1991, and while she is stepping away, the Tradition's Finest crew would like to grant our "best wishes" and sincerely hope she makes it to 107. . .NCAA Division III College Football: There is a very common phrase/saying that "you learn something new every day," which basically reinforces the idea that knowledge is on a continuum - - and this is, in fact, accurate because neither of us were aware that the U.S. Coast Guard - a military branch that operates under the Department of Homeland Security, focused on maritime law enforcement, border control, port security, and search & rescue missions, using cutters, aircraft and boats to save lives & interdict illegal activities at sea - has a D-III college football program/team - - For all of you that had no clue of this either - Welcome! Allow us to introduce you to the "Coast Guard Academy Bears," who recorded one for the history books this weekend: Nichols Bison at Coast Guard Bears - - On homecoming weekend at the Coast Guard Academy, the Bears gave their proud alumni fireworks and much to cheer for with a 92-60 victory over Nichols College - - This was NOT a basketball game, this was a football game, ladies & gentlemen - - With 1:36 remaining in the game, Coast Guard and Nichols had tied for Division III history with 138 combined points - - The 92-60 final score etches this game into another niche history book as well - In the 157 years of college football across three divisions, this is the first time in NCAA history that a college football game has ended by a final score of 92-60 - - Q: Be honest, did you know that the Coast Guard Academy had a D-III college football team?. . .**Let us know via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!. . .NCAA College Football Week Four Review & Recap: In this episode's CFB Week Four review & recap segment, JD & Spencer will discuss, provide a detailed analysis, and present their individual takeaways for a few of the most intriguing college football games from this past weekend's slate of games; the following games are discussed within this episode:
"Stillwater Showdown:" Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Oklahoma State Cowboys (**and the firing of the Cowboys - and second-longest-tenured HC in college football - Mike Gundy)
- And this week's "Tradition's Finest Most Badass Celly of the Week" Award goes to. .University of North Texas Mean Green DL Keviyan Huddleston - - Huddleston pulled off an epic celebration after a fumble recovery on Saturday as the Mean Green took on the Army Black Knights at West Point - - As Army was driving, Noah Short lost a fumble that was recovered by Huddleston, and when he got to the sideline, he was then given a Mean Green-decorated WWE-style belt & took two beer can replicas, to pull off the epic "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, an alumni of North Texas, beer celebration - - and North Texas would go on to defeat Army 45-38 in OT on Saturday to improve to a record of 4-0 on the season. . .
No.17 Texas Tech Red Raiders at No.16 Utah Utes
Arkansas Razorbacks at Memphis Tigers
Syracuse Orange at Clemson Tigers
"Bussin Bowl:" No.21 Michigan Wolverines at Nebraska Cornhuskers (**and the "Bussin' bet)
No.22 Auburn Tigers at No.11 Oklahoma Sooners (**and the use of "Hideout Tactics")
No.9 Illinois Fighting Illini at No.19 Indiana Hoosiers
"Battle for the Florida Cup:" Florida Gators at No.4 Miami Hurricanes
- College Football Week Five Preview & Predictions: In this episode's CFB Week Five preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently selected pick(s) for each of the following Week 5 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!
No.24 TCU at Arizona State (-2.5) O/U54.5
No.22 Notre Dame (-4.5) at Arkansas O/U64.5
No.21 USC (-6.5) at No.23 Illinois O/U59.5
No.1 Ohio State (-9.5) at Washington O/U52.5
No.4 LSU at No.13 Ole Miss (-1.5) O/U54.5
Auburn at No.9 Texas A&M (-6.5) O/U52.5
No.11 Indiana (-7.5) at Iowa O/U48.5
No.15 Tennessee (-7.5) at Mississippi State O/U61.5
College GameDay: No.6 Oregon at No.3 Penn State (-3.5) O/U52.5
No.17 Alabama at No.5 Georgia (-2.5) O/U52.5
- NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - On3 Sports reporter Chris Low revealed each SEC Conference team's three annual opponents on Monday for the new SEC scheduling format that will begin in 2026 - - and as expected, there have been "mixed reviews" with some fans criticizing the "loss of [a few] traditional rivalries" in the process. . .Q: What was your initial reaction to the three annual opponents that were announced for each SEC program? As unbiased as possible, do you think that they got it right?. .Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin's daughter, Landry Kiffin, revealed her romance with LSU LB Whit Weeks, by posting a photo of herself sitting on Weeks' lap in an Instagram post captioned "Happy :)" - - The irony of the post is obviously in the "timing:" the photo was posted on Monday - just days before the two SEC rivals - the Rebels & Tigers - are set to face off on the field in the Week Five matchup on Saturday - - Lane Kiffin, 50, jokingly addressed his daughter's romance on social media later that day, replying to a post on X about the relationship being "peak mind games" for Lane & his Rebels - - He confidently responded "Take the over," seemingly to suggest that football fans are in for a high-scoring affair between the two SEC rivals - - Q: Did you, in fact, "take the over" for the upcoming LSU-Ole Miss game?. . .
- NFL - Week 3 Review, Recap & Major Storylines: Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off Thursday night with the Bills fending off the Dolphins 31-21 to remain undefeated - and the early window Sunday was filled with multiple, shocking finishes & featured many ridiculous storylines such as those including: the Panthers blowing out the Falcons at gome for their first win of the season, a Vikings CB has the most impressive first half in the history of the sport, both the Rams-Eagles & Buccaneers-Jets games featured blocked FGs returned for TDs late, the Browns' stunning 4th-QTR comeback over the Packers, and an intense Monday night matchup between two Super Bowl contenders - - Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers has moved ahead of the man he took over for in Green Bay & into fourth place on the NFL's all-time passing TD list - - Rodgers threw a TD pass to Steelers WR DK Metcalf in the 2nd QTR Sunday in New England, the 509th TD pass of his career - - That TD moved him one ahead of Brett Favre, Rodgers' predecessor as the Packers' starting QB, as the No.4 all-time TD passer in NFL history - - Rodgers has a chance to pass Peyton Manning for third this year (539), and if he returns for next season, he has a chance to pass Drew Brees (571) for 2nd all-time - - Q: You just know that Brett Favre is sitting in his mansion - somewhere in Southern Mississippi - just fuming at the thought of Rodgers taking his job in Green Bay, and now, passing him on the NFL's all-time passing TDs list - what do you think?. . .In our NFL Week 3 Review segment, JD & Spencer discuss the following football games from this past weekend & many of the wild storylines surrounding the league - as those listed below:
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
Minnesota Vikings' Isaiah Rodgers & his record performance versus the Cincinnati Bengals
Monday Night Football: Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens
- NFL (cont'd) - The New York Giants are planning to bench QB Russell Wilson in favor of first-round rookie Jaxson Dart after three games, sources informed ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday afternoon - - Dart's first start will come at home on Sunday against the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium - - Dart will give the Giants' offense a different look and more options - his ability to run the ball and the zone-read had his version of the offense looking vastly different from the first team unit with Wilson throughout the summer - - Q: What are your thoughts on HC Brian Daboll's decision to make the switch at QB from Wilson to Dart after just three games into the NFL regular season?. . .
- WNBA - A'ja Wilson has become the WNBA's first four-time MVP after earning the top individual honor for the second straight year, the league announced on Sunday - - The Las Vegas Aces star was named MVP in what had been considered a tight battle with Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier - - Wilson ultimately received 51 first-place votes and 657 points to finish ahead of Collier in second, who received 18 first-place votes & 534 points - - The league surprised Wilson last Friday, with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert & Wilson's boyfriend - Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo - presenting the trophy to her at the end of practice. . .
- MLB - The Los Angeles Dodgers announced last Thursday that Clayton Kershaw will retire at the end of the 2025 MLB season - - The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, 2014 NL MVP, and 11-time All-Star pitcher made his final Dodger regular-season start last Friday against the San Francisco Giants, where he received a standing ovation from teammates and fans in a 6-3 Dodgers victory as they clinched a playoff spot - - Kershaw spent his entire 18-season MLB career with the "Boys in Blue," winning a World Series championship in 2020 and in 2024, and his winning percentage tops all pitchers with at least 200 victories since the year 1900 - - Earlier this year, the 37-year-old LHP became the 20th pitcher ever to record 3,000 or more career strikeouts - and he ranks 4th all-time among LHPs in that category, trailing only Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton & CC Sabathia, according to CBS Sports - - Q: Is Clayton Kershaw the "greatest' Dodger to ever play the game?. . .
Thanks for Listening!