Big Stories

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SPORTS NEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Big Stories is a show dedicated to telling the incredible and inspiring tales from the Big 12 and beyond. Cleon Wall hosts the Big Stories podcast.

1D AGO

Buffalo Tracks: Inside Colorado's Iconic Mascot Program

Step onto the Folsom Field as the Big Stories team charges into the heart of one of college football’s most beloved traditions: Ralphie, the live buffalo mascot of the University of Colorado. Host Cleon Wall takes you behind the scenes with Ralphie program manager Taylor Stratton, student handlers, and the newest buffalo herself, Ralphie VII. Discover what it takes to train a young bison for the spotlight, the intense preparation of the student crew, and the emotional journey that connects generations of Buffs fans to their iconic mascot. From the history of the Ralphie program to the life-changing impact on those who run alongside her, this episode is a celebration of tradition, teamwork, and the powerful bond between people and animals. Whether you’re a die-hard college football fan or love a great story, you won’t want to miss this episode. (Photo Courtesy of University of Colorado Athletics) Guests: Taylor Stratton - Ralphie Live Mascot Program Director Olivia Drobnich - Ralphie Handler Matthew Winston - Ralphie Handler

17 min
3D AGO

Big Game in West Texas

Get ready for another action-packed episode of Big Stories! Host Cleon Wall and producer Chase Davidson go head-to-head as they reveal their top five teams in the conference. Then, Cleon dives into the hottest storylines dominating the Big 12—including the marquee matchup in West Texas: BYU vs. Texas Tech with BYU SportsNation's Spencer Linton. What’s at stake, and what’s the best possible outcome for the conference?

30 min
OCT 30

Big Stories Archive: Iowa State - The Spirit of Jack Trice and The Cycloneers

Big Stories Host Cleon Wall had to take some time off for a family matter. So, the Big Stories team is bringing you an episode from Big Stories season one. Jack Trice Stadium is home to the Iowa State football team. But who is Jack Trice? We dive into the life and death of the Cyclone's first African-American player and how the stadium came to be named after him. And how former Iowa State softball player Lea Nelson's social media post led to the fan bases of two teams coming together to support the "Cycloneers." Guests: George Trice - Jack Trice's Cousin Tom Emmerson - Former Iowa State University Journalism Professor Darien Porter - Iowa State Football Player Rebecca Wells - Iowa State University Student Life Archivist Lea Nelson - Former Iowa State Softball Player Randy Mazey - West Virginia Baseball Coach

29 min
OCT 28

The Big 12: Who’s Up, Who’s Down, & Who’s Dangerous?

From “Where do we go from here?” to “Spoiler warning,” we’re breaking down the biggest stories going on right now in the Big 12: West Virginia's Struggles, BYU’s rise, Houston’s surprise — and everything in between. GUESTS: Mike Casezza - EerSports at 247.com and the Country Roads Confidential Podcast John Walters - Voice of the Cyclones and host of the "CyCast" Podcast

33 min
OCT 23

The Tale of BYU's Cougar Tail

BYU's Cougar Tail is a staple for football fans who attend games at LaVell Edwards Stadium. But what are the origins of the large maple bar? And why would BYU make a donut its signature food item at sporting events? Well, Cleon Wall and the Big Stories team found a guy who was there from the inception of the sweet treat and can fill us in on the maple-ee details. Guests: Russ Robertson - Former BYU Donut Guru John McDonald - Executive Chef, BYU Dining Services Job Rodriguez - Support Services Director, BYU Dining Services Jared Wilkey - Current BYU Donut Guru

15 min
OCT 21

Big 12 Chaos: Who’s Really on Top?

It’s a wild ride in the Big 12 as more than half the conference still has a shot at making the championship game. In this week’s episode, we break down the pivotal “must-win” matchups for contenders like Utah and Iowa State, dive into the Sunflower Showdown, and tackle the toughest question of all: who’s truly the best team in the Big 12 right now? Spoiler alert—it’s not as simple as looking at the standings. GUESTS: Brian Howell - Buffzone Tim Fitzgerald - GoPOWERCAT.com

30 min
OCT 16

No Leg, No Limits: OSU Podcaster Cody Stovall’s Rise

Cody Stovall’s path to hosting Locked On Oklahoma State is anything but typical. In this episode of Big Stories, Cleon Wall dives into Cody’s lifelong Cowboys fandom, his days as a college athlete, and the life-altering health battle that led to the loss of his leg. Discover how grit, passion, and a love for Oklahoma State carried Cody from the oil fields to the podcast mic. Subscribe to Big Stories for more powerful journeys from across the Big 12, and hear the heart behind the headlines. Guests: Cody Stovall - Locked On Oklahoma State Podcast Host Logan Osborn-Stovall - Cody's Stepson

16 min
OCT 14

Preparing For Some Big Rivalries

In this episode of Big Stories, it’s all about in-state showdowns and gridiron bragging rights. Host Cleon Wall dives into the fierce rivalries between BYU and Utah, TCU and Baylor, and Texas Tech’s surprising dominance across the Lone Star State. Plus, Cleon breaks down which teams desperately need a bye week—and why Cincinnati is back on his “Are You For Real?” list. GUESTS: Chris Level - Locked On Texas Tech Podcast Josh Furlong - KSL.com and the Utah Checkdown Podcast Jason Shepherd - BYU SportsNation Zach Smith - Waco Tribune

35 min

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Get Ready for More Big Stories

We hope you've enjoyed the Big Stories podcast. We will have more great stories featuring some of BYU's Big 12 basketball foes in January 2024. They will include tales from UCF, Kansas, Texas Tech, Texas, and Iowa State.

S1

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2 min
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Get Ready for BYUradio's Big Stories

Big Stories is a show dedicated to the incredible tales surrounding the opponents of the BYU Cougars. You'll hear from people associated with Sam Houston, Arkansas, and the Big 12 teams BYU will play this season. Big stories is hosted by Cleon Wall.

08/24/2023

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1 min