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.
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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.
The Big Stories Podcast is back on September 3. In this season preview, host Cleon Wall discusses the podcast's exciting partnership with BYUtv and teases some of the incredible stories featured in season four.
Big Stories will have more great tales from the Big 12 coming up on January 6th. We will chronicle the Arizona State women's volleyball coach who left the high world of finance to coach his favorite game, the University of Arizona basketball coach who became the first African-American coach at a major university, the former Kansas basketball player who quit professional basketball to bring people to God, and so many more great tales.
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.
In our final installment of the summer BYUTV Big Stories rewind series, host Cleon Wall recaps two more of BYUTV's big stories from season 3. First, former UFC champion Rich Franklin shares how he traded fame and championship belts for something more meaningful — faith and community. Then, NFL veteran Latavius Murray opens up about losing his best friend and how he's turning tragedy into a lasting legacy for kids in his hometown. Two stories about finding purpose beyond the spotlight. Check out the full stories at BYUSN.com
In this episode, host Cleon Wall takes you through two more inspiring stories from Big Stories Season 3 on BYUtv. First, meet Graham Harrell — Texas Tech legend and Ring of Honor inductee. Beyond his record-breaking passing career, Graham's story is one of faith, family, and resilience, from his father's battle with multiple sclerosis to navigating the highs and lows of a coaching career that eventually led him right where he was meant to be. Then, we turn to TCU's James Cash — a trailblazer who became the first Black athlete at TCU and the first Black basketball scholarship athlete in the Sou
The Big Stories team is excited to check in again and feature two more stories from BYUTV's Big Stories last fall. From small-town Fruitland, Idaho, Jordan Gross went on to play offensive line at the University of Utah, was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2003, and had a successful NFL career. After retiring, he returned home to coach football at his high school, becoming a beloved mentor to his players. He has since come full circle and was hired as the University of Utah's newest offensive line coach. Next, meet David Carr, who is carrying on the legendary wrestling legacy of his father,
Welcome back to another bi-weekly feature of BYUTV's Big Stories episodes from last fall. First, meet Kevin Pittsnogle, a former Mountaineer basketball star known for his sharpshooting on the court. After stepping away from the game, he earned a master's degree in special education and became a middle school principal, transforming a struggling school and proving that the labels placed on us don't have to define who we become. Then, hear from Amanda Beard, who won three Olympic medals — but the pressure and spotlight that came with early fame took a serious toll. She battled eating disorders,
Welcome back to another bi-weekly check-in as we prepare to join forces with BYUtv's Big Stories this fall. In the meantime, enjoy an update from a couple of their episodes from last fall. First, meet Lex Gillette — a Paralympic long jump champion who lost his sight at age eight and went on to become one of the most decorated blind athletes in the world. Today, he dedicates his life to helping others see possibilities they never thought were within reach. Then, meet Peggy Coppom — the 100-year-old University of Colorado superfan who spent decades cheering on the Buffs long before anyone knew h
As host Cleon Wall and the Big Stories podcast team readies for a new season, they kick off a new biweekly check-in series as the podcast joins forces with BYUtv's Big Stories franchise this fall. And during these check-ins, they will also share some of the episodes BYUtv shared last fall. First, meet Julius Thomas — a Portland State basketball player who walked past the football field every day, decided to try the sport at age 22, and went on to become an NFL Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos. But his most impressive achievement came after football: Julius earned a doctoral degree in clinica
From faith-filled miracles to moments of unexpected kindness, this season brought some truly incredible stories from real people living extraordinary lives. Thank you to every guest who opened up and shared a piece of their journey, and to every listener who tuned in. As we close out Season 3, host Cleon Wall reflects on where the show has been — and where it's headed. Season 4 brings Big Stories back to its roots: uplifting, inspiring tales from the Big 12 and beyond, produced in partnership with BYUtv. Expect familiar faces checking back in, brand-new stories from across the Big 12 conferenc
Just like that, we have come to the end of another season of the Big Stories Podcast. Join producer/host Cleon Wall and assistant producer Brandon Thorpe as they discuss their favorite moments from season 3. Next week, join us as we reveal what we have planned for season 4. We can't wait to bring you more amazing and inspiring tales from around the Big 12 conference!
Kaitlyn Amos was a competitive soccer player for Baylor University — but an unexpected diagnosis during her freshman year changed everything. What followed was nearly a decade of navigating a serious heart condition, making difficult medical decisions, and figuring out who she was without the sport that had defined her. Along the way, she encountered a series of setbacks and unlikely turning points that ultimately led her to a new career as a cardiovascular genetic counselor, where she now sits on the other side of the table — helping patients face the kind of news she once received herself. G
Scott Springer of the Cincinnati Enquirer joins to assess the state of the Bearcats now that Brendan Sorsby has transferred to Texas Tech — gambling allegations and all. We look at who steps in at quarterback, and whether head coach Scott Satterfield is on the hot seat after two late-season collapses. Then, we continue our series on new Big 12 quarterbacks. Scott Wright of The Oklahoman breaks down how Drew Mestemaker followed head coach Eric Morris from North Texas to Oklahoma State — and why that partnership could be special. Then, Tyler Carter of the Believe in Iowa State podcast introduces
Taylor Talbot grew up competing in track and field while losing her sight to a degenerative eye condition. After competing in the Paralympics, her path took an unexpected turn during her unique mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, eventually leading her away from the track and into the world of paratriathlon. Now based in Tucson, she’s training with Wesley Johnson, the head coach of the University of Arizona’s women’s triathlon program. In this episode, Taylor and Coach Wes talk about the road that brought them both here and the goals and aspirations they’re working tow
Collin Klein has come home. The former Kansas State QB and offensive coordinator is now the head coach of the Wildcats. In this podcast, host Cleon Wall talks with 3 Maw Podcast and Open for Business Podcast host John Kurtz about whether there is pressure on Klein in his first season. Then we take a look at another school involved in the quarterback carousel with the West Virginia Mountaineers. Ryan Decker from the Blue and Gold Nation weighs in on the unknown in Morgantown.
Big Stories host Cleon Wall had to take some time off for the funeral of a family member, so we decided to replay one of our favorite stories from Season 1. Former Texas Tech tennis coach Tim Siegel's son Luke suffered severe brain damage from a golf cart accident, but Tim's strength and faith in God carried him through years of caring for Luke. He also started Team Luke Hope for Minds — a foundation dedicated to supporting families through the devastating journey of traumatic childhood brain injuries. Guests: Tim Siegel - Team Luke Hope For Minds Executive Director
The Big 12 makes history as the first major college athletics conference to approve a private equity deal — but is it really a game-changer? We break down the partnership and what it could mean for the conference's next TV rights negotiation, with John Kurtz from the Open for Business Podcast. Then, we shift to the quarterback carousel spinning across the Big 12 this spring. Mark Van Sickle (Jayhawker Talker Podcast) previews the three-man QB battle in Lawrence, Kansas, while Richie Bradshaw (Devil's Advocate Podcast) sizes up Cutter Boley as Arizona State's new signal caller under Kenny Dilli
While watching her son’s basketball practice, Stacy McDaniel noticed several kids sitting on the sidelines—not because they didn’t want to play, but because they lacked the proper equipment. What began as a personal response to a problem she couldn’t ignore grew into one of the most impactful youth sports nonprofits in the state: Cleats for Kids. In this episode, Stacy shares powerful moments from helping kids find their place on the court and field, the challenges of building an organization from the ground up, and why she believes access to sports can be life‑changing for a child’s future. G
New coaches, big questions, and conference milestones — it's all happening in the Big 12. We break down the five biggest storylines, including Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's NCAA gambling investigation. Then, we dive into our query of the week: how will new coaches fare in new places? Locked On Oklahoma State's Cody Stovall previews the Eric Morris era in Stillwater, and Ben Hutchins of the Quad City Times looks at what Jimmy Rogers is building in Ames after Matt Campbell's departure to Penn State. Finally, we head to Boulder for a spring football check-in with the Colorado Buffaloes.
Kim Dobbs has been a Bearcat longer than she can remember — and after 30 years as an elementary school teacher, she found a new way to invest in the next generation. She now funds multiple scholarships for UC student athletes, walking alongside them as a mentor, attending their games, and hosting them for dinners. In this episode, Kim reflects on her deep roots at Cincinnati, the legacy she's building in honor of her late husband, and why giving back and investing in the University of Cincinnati is what it means to be "Boldly Bearcat." Guests: Kim Dobbs - Philanthropist and Cincinnati Graduate
Spring sports are dominating the Big 12, but Big Stories is locked in on spring football. Host Cleon Wall debuts a new format that brings together short, insightful clips from podcasters and reporters across the conference, breaking down the biggest storylines shaping the football landscape. In storylines, we discuss two schools with brand-new head coaches: Utah and Kansas State. Alex Markham from the Ute Nation Podcast explains why it was the right time for Morgan Scalley to take over at Utah, and Drew Galloway of K-State Online talks about why Colin Klein wants to get back to the basics. The
When Anthony Weatherspoon suited up for the Colorado Buffaloes, he wasn't just a fullback — he was the kind of teammate people never forgot. So when leukemia threatened his life, his former brothers in black and gold refused to stand on the sidelines. What started as a rallying cry for one of their own became something much bigger: Buffs4Life, a foundation built on the belief that being a Colorado Buffalo doesn't end when your playing days do. In this episode, we explore how that spirit of loyalty has carried families through illness, loss, financial hardship, and grief — and why, more than 20
College basketball's offseason is officially here, and it's chaotic — but is that a bad thing? Host Cleon Wall breaks down the biggest storylines of the week, starting with the transfer portal frenzy reshaping rosters across the Big 12. Then, the NBA Draft picture comes into focus as ESPN finally reshuffles their top 100 — and BYU's AJ Dybantsa edges out Kansas' Darren Peterson for the top spot. What does that mean for both players heading into their professional careers? Plus, All Sports Tucson's Steve Rivera joins to wrap up Arizona's remarkable season — a record-setting run that fell just s
Isaiah Kaufusi’s football journey didn’t follow the storybook ending. After going undrafted and bouncing between NFL rosters, he eventually stepped away from the game in search of something bigger than football. What followed was an unexpected calling—one sparked by BYU Head Football Coach Kalani Sitake. At Sitake’s request, Kaufusi teamed up with former BYU center Connor Pay to launch a nonprofit with a bold mission: create meaningful employment opportunities in Tonga and beyond. The result is The We Are One Foundation, an organization partnering with BYU–Pathway Worldwide to connect students
