Hilltopper Nation
194 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsThe official home of WKU Athletics exclusive digital audio content. Powered by Varsity Podcast Network.
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Episodes
Beyond the Hill Episode 31 - Rory O'Connor
October 12, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBWKU Cross Country freshman runner Rory O’Connor discusses her recruitment to WKU after not competing in the sport in high school, why she chose distance running over soccer, what ultimately sold her on attending WKU, getting used to college in a pandemic, her relationship with her teammates, her early success in Cross Country’s first events of the season – including a top-10 finish in her first college meet, and the goals for her and the team for the remainder of the season. See Pr...
Big Red Roundtable - Oct. 8, 2020
October 08, 2020 16:04 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBPresented by Don Franklin Auto | In this week's show, hosts Randy Lee, Tyler Eaton and Brett Williams recap WKU Football's rivalry win at Middle Tennessee, preview the Tops' Homecoming matchup with Marshall, talk through Men's and Women's Golf seasons and touch on WKU Cross Country's second meet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 30 - Tyrrell Pigrome
October 05, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBWKU graduate senior quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome discusses the Hilltoppers’ first win Saturday at Middle Tennessee, players stepping up on the offensive side of the ball in that victory, what he’s learned so far as part of the Hilltopper offense, being one of three quarterbacks in the country with at least six passing TDs and no interceptions, his influences in the NFL, his decision to leave Maryland and come to WKU, and the origin of his “Piggy T” nickname. See Privacy Policy at ht...
Big Red Roundtable - Oct. 1, 2020
October 01, 2020 15:51 - 28 minutes - 25.6 MBPresented by Don Franklin Auto | In this week's show, hosts Randy Lee, Tyler Eaton and Brett Williams preview WKU Football at Middle Tennessee, mention the excitement of volleyball’s season opener and talk about the new normal of stadium and arena environments on game day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 29 - Imari Hazelwood
September 28, 2020 10:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBWKU Coordinator of Football Academic Development Imari Hazelwood discusses how she transitioned from an academic role with the university to working in athletics, how working on her doctorate influences her work with student-athletes, the challenges of working with such a large program, the most rewarding parts of her job, navigating through the pandemic and changes in learning methods, how her identity as a Black female plays a role in her work, and some of her tips for student-ath...
Big Red Roundtable - Sept. 24, 2020
September 24, 2020 21:29 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBPresented by Don Franklin Auto | In this week's show, hosts Randy Lee, Tyler Eaton and Brett Williams talk WKU Football bye week adjustments, recap Lady Topper Golf’s hot start to the season as well as touching on the excitement of volleyball’s season opener and Brooks LeCompte’s impact on the cross country programs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 28 - Brooks LeCompte
September 21, 2020 20:33 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBWKU Head Cross Country/Assistant Track & Field Coach Brooks LeCompte discusses his arrival to The Hill in January, the learning curve as a first-time head coach, his first WKU recruiting class, his recruiting style, the team's training program over the summer, having the team back on campus, the excitement of the team competing in their first cross country meet of the 2020 season and the team's goals for the future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri...
Big Red Roundtable - Sept. 17, 2020
September 17, 2020 18:48 - 35 minutes - 32 MBPresented by Don Franklin Auto | In this week’s show, hosts Randy Lee, Tyler Eaton and Brett Williams recap WKU Football’s season-opening game at Louisville, look ahead to this week’s home opener vs. Liberty, discuss the latest news on the start of the college basketball season, and touch on what’s upcoming for WKU Golf and Cross Country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 27 - Teri Doss
September 14, 2020 10:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBWKU Women’s Golf redshirt senior Teri Doss discusses what made her return to her home state as a graduate transfer from Mississippi State, the relationships she had with the Lady Topper program before transferring, what it was like to transfer during a pandemic, WKU last week winning the first Division I college golf tournament in the country since COVID-19 began, her third-place individual finish in that event, head coach Adam Gary’s record-breaking victory and what has made his te...
Big Red Roundtable - Sept. 11, 2020
September 11, 2020 15:50 - 25 minutes - 23 MBPresented by Don Franklin Auto | In their inaugural show, hosts Tyler Eaton, Randy Lee and Brett Williams discuss the opening week of WKU Athletics for the 2020-21 season, including Lady Topper Golf's victory in the USA Intercollegiate, WKU Football's upcoming opener at Louisville and Hilltopper Golf's first event this weekend at Louisiana Tech. Former Hilltopper Football great Brandon Doughty joins the group in the back half to discuss the Tops. See Privacy Policy at https://art19...
Beyond the Hill Episode 26 - Matt Morrison
September 07, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBWKU Associate Athletic Director Matt Morrison discusses the planning and approval process that went into Hilltopper Football’s 20 percent capacity for Houchens-Smith Stadium, what that capacity means for fans and students, the gameday changes expected in and around the stadium, how the reseating process will work for season ticket holders, the financial implications of lower capacity and attendance, how fans can support WKU Athletics during this time, and a brief look at what’s expe...
Beyond the Hill Episode 25 - Tyler Witt
August 31, 2020 11:00 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBWKU Football redshirt senior offensive lineman Tyler Witt discusses how the Hilltoppers adapted to the new safety measures in place upon their return to campus because of COVID-19, adjusting to not being around his teammates during the pandemic, the personalities of WKU’s offensive line group, how that unit has benefited from years of experience together, the upside of going against WKU’s stout defensive line, the outlook for the 2020 offense as a whole, being a part of the program’...
Beyond the Hill Episode 24 - Adam Gary
August 24, 2020 11:00 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBWKU Women's Golf head coach Adam Gary discusses how COVID-19 has impacted his program, what it was like to have the spring 2020 season canceled while at WKU's own event in Florida, having senior Mary Joiner return for another year of eligibility with a NCAA waiver, what to expect from his newcomers and the rest of the squad, what's ahead for the program as one of the few sport programs that can compete this fall, how the Lady Toppers have improved during his time as coach, the dedic...
Beyond the Hill Episode 23 - Rick Stansbury
August 17, 2020 11:00 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBWKU Hilltopper Basketball head coach Rick Stansbury discusses what quarantine was like for him, why he’s not rushing his players’ return to activity on campus, how having an experienced team helps him trust them to do the right things in a pandemic, why he believes this year’s team is his most experienced and complete since arriving on The Hill, how Charles Bassey’s work ethic has put him ahead of schedule in his rehab, his reflections on his first four years at WKU, and what’s in s...
Beyond the Hill Episode 22 - Larissa Franklin
August 10, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 20.1 MBWKU Softball alum and Team Canada member Larissa Franklin discusses her training for the sport's return to the Olympics and the postponement of the Tokyo Games to 2021, how she's handled the COVID-19 pandemic, her tongue-in-cheek Twitter quarantine "training" videos, why she chose to transfer to WKU for her final season, her memories from WKU's 2015 championship run, and what it would mean to be the first Olympian from the Hilltopper program. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...
Beyond the Hill Episode 21 - Joey Case
August 03, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBWKU Athletics Sports Psychologist Joey Case discusses what led him to his role with WKU, his work as TOPCARE Coordinator and the implementation of the program, how mental health is being addressed in WKU Athletics through TOPCARE, how he’s worked with student-athletes through quarantine, the process of providing resources to student-athletes who receive a positive COVID-19 test, working with coaches to promote mental health through the pandemic, and his advice for all listeners abou...
Beyond the Hill Episode 20 - Kayland Jackson
July 27, 2020 11:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBWKU Volleyball rising senior Kayland Jackson discusses how she and her teammates have navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic, why the coaching staff stressed communication throughout quarantine, how the team has prepared despite losing its spring training, battling back from injuries in her college career, what the return to campus has been like, why she chose WKU, the team getting to host the NCAA Tournament last year, the conversations around the program about the social justice ...
Beyond the Hill Episode 19 - Dr. Chaitu Malempati
July 20, 2020 17:42 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBWKU Medical Director and Head Team Physician Dr. Chaitu Malempati discusses his background in medicine, how he balances being an orthopedic surgeon for the Medical Center at Bowling Green with his work with the Hilltoppers, how he's handled being a surgeon during the COVID-19 pandemic, his role in WKU Athletics' COVID-19 response, and some of his favorite things about working with WKU. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...
Beyond the Hill Episode 18 - Anderson Miller
July 13, 2020 11:00 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBWKU Baseball alum and current professional player Anderson Miller discusses the impact of the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season, how he's handled the pandemic, his intention to finish his degree at WKU, why he chose the Hilltoppers out of high school, how WKU prepared him for pro baseball, his experience of getting drafted, what it was like to play for the Lexington Legends in his hometown, and his thoughts on America's movement for social justice as a biracial pro at...
Beyond the Hill Episode 17 - Clayton White
July 06, 2020 10:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBWKU Football Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Clayton White joins the podcast to discuss life in quarantine with his family, the conversations the team has had on social injustice and what he hopes to see come out of the Black Lives Matter movement, the value of the returning experience and coaching continuity on defense for the Hilltoppers, and how two elite basketball players – Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant – have impacted him and WKU’s defensive unit. See Privacy Policy ...
Beyond the Hill Episode 16 - Hong Tran
June 29, 2020 18:25 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBWKU Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning Hong Tran discusses keeping student-athletes in shape through a pandemic, the ins and outs of her job and responsibilities, the importance to her of coaching with high energy, working as a female in a male-dominated profession, the difference in working with men’s and women’s sports, and the challenges/rewards that come with being a go-to presence for the players. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...
Beyond the Hill Episode 15 - Dartez Hamlin
June 22, 2020 11:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBWKU rising senior sprinter Dartez Hamlin discusses how the Track and Field team has been staying in touch and training during quarantine, his win in the 200-meter dash at the Conference USA Indoor Championships and his disappointment at the cancellation of the outdoor season, how junior college prepared him for Division I, what sold him on WKU, his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement, and his personal and team goals for his senior season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19...
Beyond the Hill Episode 14 - Joel Iyiegbuniwe
June 15, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBFormer WKU Football star and current Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe discusses his perspective on the COVID-19 crisis as a pre-med student with two parents in the medical world, his desire to be a pediatrician after football, his journey from South Warren High School in Bowling Green to WKU to the NFL, how he’s preparing for next season during the pandemic, how the Bears have supported their organization in the Black Lives Matter movement, and what he hopes society will ul...
Beyond the Hill Episode 13 - Mike Gaddie
June 08, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBMike Gaddie, WKU’s Associate Athletic Director of Sports Medicine and Athletic Training, discusses the medical side of WKU Athletics’ campus restart plan. Gaddie discusses the local, regional and national collaboration that went into crafting the plan, the importance of adapting as information changes, the crucial piece of educating student-athlete and staff before their return, why it’s so key to get things right in June, how the soft return for staff has gone so far, and why menta...
Beyond the Hill Episode 12 - Todd Stewart
June 01, 2020 11:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBWKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart discusses the COVID-19 pandemic, the athletic department’s planned restart on campus this summer, WKU’s current budget situation, a successful 2019-20 season that was cut short, his chance meeting with Michael Jordan as a graduate assistant, why being WKU’s AD is the best job he’s ever had, and what to expect in the year ahead. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sel...
WKU Radio Rewind: Hilltopper Football vs. South Florida (2015 Miami Beach Bowl)
May 31, 2020 11:00 - 3 hours - 201 MBIn the eighth and final installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds to 2015 as WKU Football takes on South Florida in the Miami Beach Bowl. After falling behind 10-0, the 25th-ranked Hilltoppers score 24 straight, put up more than 600 yards and cap perhaps the most successful season in program history with their 12th win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. ...
Beyond the Hill Episode 11 - Billy Tom Sargent
May 26, 2020 11:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBFormer WKU Hilltopper Golf standout Billy Tom Sargent discusses the one-year anniversary of his run to the NCAA Championships, transitioning to professional golf, his passion for promoting the WKU brand, the dedication of the Phillip Hatchett Golf Facility, what he sees for the future of Hilltopper Golf, and why a potential prospect should choose WKU. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
WKU Radio Rewind: Hilltopper Basketball vs. #15 Wisconsin (2018)
May 24, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 94 MBIn the seventh installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds to 2018 as WKU Hilltopper Basketball welcomes #15 Wisconsin to Diddle Arena. Looking for payback for a controversial loss the year before and playing in front of the fourth-largest crowd in the arena since its renovation, the Hilltoppers use a dominant second half to beat their highest-ranked opponent at home since 1973. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No...
Beyond the Hill Episode 10 - Kaylyn Bryant
May 18, 2020 11:00 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBWKU Lady Topper Soccer senior Kaylyn Bryant discusses how she’s handled the COVID-19 pandemic during the end of her final year of college, being named Ms. Hilltopper in the recent TOPSY Awards, her involvement in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, her efforts with Conference USA’s mental health initiative, completing a degree in biology, her career with the soccer program and her advice for incoming freshmen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priva...
WKU Radio Rewind: Hilltopper Football at Kentucky (2012)
May 17, 2020 11:00 - 2 hours - 164 MBIn the sixth installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds to 2012 as WKU Football travels to Kentucky for one of the benchmark games of the Hilltoppers’ FBS era. The matchup came down to a trick play out of the pocket of WKU head coach Willie Taggart in overtime, and it resulted in the program’s first-ever win over a SEC opponent. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-i...
Beyond the Hill Episode 9 - George Fant
May 11, 2020 11:00 - 16 minutes - 15 MBWKU Football/Basketball alum and current NFL offensive lineman George Fant discusses how he, his wife (Lady Topper Basketball great Chastity Gooch Fant) and their three children are handling the pandemic, his new contract with the New York Jets, how and why he transitioned from basketball to football, his thoughts on both WKU Football and WKU Basketball, and the impact he and Chastity have tried to make in the region as southcentral Kentucky natives. See Privacy Policy at https://a...
WKU Radio Rewind: Hilltopper Football vs. Louisiana Tech (2016 C-USA Championship)
May 10, 2020 11:00 - 3 hours - 194 MBIn the fifth installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds to 2016 as WKU Football hosts Louisiana Tech in the Conference USA Championship game. The Hilltoppers fall behind in the second half, only to dominate the final minutes of the game and claim their second straight conference title on their home field. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 8 - Ryan Martin O'Connor
May 04, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBNew WKU Cheerleading Coach and Spirit Program Coordinator Ryan Martin O’Connor discusses coming from Ole Miss back to her home state of Kentucky, holding virtual team tryouts during COVID-19, how she and her family have handled the pandemic, growing up with a legendary cheerleading coach as her mother, the yearly grind for a college cheerleader and her overall vision for the WKU program. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19....
WKU Radio Rewind: Hilltopper Basketball vs. Arkansas (2019)
May 03, 2020 11:00 - 2 hours - 114 MBIn the fourth installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds just a few months to 2019 as WKU Hilltopper Basketball hosts previously unbeaten Arkansas in E.A. Diddle Arena. The Hilltoppers face plenty of adversity, including the loss of Charles Bassey to injury, but rally to force overtime and complete an all-time classic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 7 - Dee Givens
April 27, 2020 11:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBWKU Lady Topper Basketball redshirt senior Dee Givens discusses having her college career ended abruptly by the COVID-19 pandemic, her aspirations for a pro career, what being a two-time WKU graduate means to her and her family, her hobby of researching bulletin-board material, her relationship with WKU head coach Greg Collins, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
WKU Radio Rewind: Lady Topper Basketball vs. UAB (2018 C-USA Championship)
April 26, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 92.5 MBIn the third installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds to 2018 as WKU Lady Topper Basketball meets top-seeded UAB in the Conference USA Championship. With Tashia Brown’s 25 points leading four Lady Toppers in double figures, WKU earns its third C-USA Tournament title in four seasons in the league. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 6 - Travis Hudson
April 20, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBWKU Volleyball head coach Travis Hudson discusses the impact of COVID-19 on his family and his program, the team's adjustments in training for the spring, one of the greatest seasons in program history in 2019, helping his student-athletes find the positives in trying times, the two-year anniversary of his "widow-maker" heart attack, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
WKU Radio Rewind: Hilltopper Football at #19 Marshall (2014)
April 19, 2020 11:00 - 3 hours - 203 MBIn the second installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds to 2014 as WKU Football visits #19 Marshall in the regular-season finale. Ultimately 133 points are scored, Brandon Doughty throws eight touchdown passes, and it all comes down to a two-point conversion try. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 5 - Courtney Lee
April 13, 2020 11:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBFormer WKU Basketball star and NBA veteran Courtney Lee discusses how he and his family have coped with the COVID-19 pandemic, the night the league halted its games and changed the national discourse, having to quarantine for 14 days in Dallas, how WKU prepared him for the NBA, and what it’s been like to carry the NBA banner for the Hilltoppers with more than a decade in the league. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p...
WKU Radio Rewind: Hilltopper Basketball at Oklahoma State (2018)
April 12, 2020 11:00 - 2 hours - 117 MBIn the first installment of the WKU Radio Rewind presented by Meijer, the clock rewinds to 2018 as WKU Hilltopper Basketball picks up a massive road win at Oklahoma State in the NIT Quarterfinals – with a trip to New York City for the NIT Final Four on the line. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 4 - John Pawlowski
April 07, 2020 11:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBWKU Baseball head coach John Pawlowski discusses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on him, his family and his team, the bus ride to Birmingham where the Hilltoppers’ season was ultimately halted, what lies ahead for the program with the NCAA eligibility waiver for seniors and uncertainty around the MLB Draft, as well as his team’s hot start to the 2020 season before it was cut short. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.c...
Beyond the Hill Episode 3 - Kelsey Aikey
April 03, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBWKU Softball senior pitcher Kelsey Aikey discusses the NCAA granting an eligibility waiver this week for spring-sport athletes, her intention to return for an additional year at WKU next season, the team’s experience in Dallas when the 2020 season was halted, and how she and her family have handled the COVID-19 pandemic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 2 - Justin Johnson
March 30, 2020 09:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBFormer WKU Basketball star Justin Johnson discusses playing professionally in Italy and being quarantined in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to the United States with his pregnant wife, WKU’s NIT Final Four run in his senior year, the current Hilltoppers and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Beyond the Hill Episode 1 - Tyson Helton
March 25, 2020 02:07 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBHost Tyler Eaton and WKU Football Head Coach Tyson Helton discuss how he and his family are handling the COVID-19 pandemic, how the Hilltoppers are adjusting and continuing to grow despite the cancellation of spring football, and what to expect from the 2020 roster and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.