Best Nate Riggs Podcasts (2025)

1
Gary Weckwerth, Part 1 - KELO-TV days (working with legends, first Skyforce game, SDSU football show creation) 53:35

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16h ago53:35

53:35

Maybe you know him as that guy that took over for legendary Sioux Falls sportscaster Jim Burt on the KELO-TV news in the 1980's. Maybe you know him as the guy that teammed with Pat O'Brien — then, a well-established national broadcaster on CBS Sports — and Mark Ovenden for the broadcast of the first-ever Sioux Falls Skyforce game in 1989. Maybe you…

1
Gary Weckwerth, Part 2 - Canaries & Stampede launches, "Pheasants" name change, battling cancer, return to TV 55:00

17h ago55:00

55:00

Maybe you know him as that guy that took over for legendary Sioux Falls sportscaster Jim Burt on the KELO-TV news in the 1980's. Maybe you know him as the guy that teammed with Pat O'Brien — then, a well-established national broadcaster on CBS Sports — and Mark Ovenden for the broadcast of the first-ever Sioux Falls Skyforce game in 1989. Maybe you…

1
FULL CHAT - Gary Weckwerth (KELO-TV, Canaries & Stampede launches & ownership) 1:48:34

18h ago1:48:34

1:48:34

Maybe you know him as that guy that took over for legendary Sioux Falls sportscaster Jim Burt on the KELO-TV news in the 1980's. Maybe you know him as the guy that teammed with Pat O'Brien — then, a well-established national broadcaster on CBS Sports — and Mark Ovenden for the broadcast of the first-ever Sioux Falls Skyforce game in 1989. Maybe you…

1
Disabled American Veteran of the Year '23 and Iraq War vet Kim Hubers on her Super Bowl & Justin Jefferson experience 1:03:44

4d ago1:03:44

1:03:44

On this Fourth of July day (and long weekend) when we celebrate America's independence and all those who have fought for our freedom in the Armed Forces, Happy Hour found it appropriate to bring back for an encore a February conversation with a true American badass — forgive our language, but that's the best way to describe her — Staff Sgt. Kim Hub…

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Augie & SDSU legend Jim Heinitz on his unique football, business, and community life 1:06:25

5d ago1:06:25

1:06:25

There are few better examples of walking, breathing South Dakota football history than Jim Heinitz, a recent inductee into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. The southwest Minnesota native came to play for South Dakota State in 1968 and has spent nearly 60 years since making football programs better and communities stronger through his coaching,…

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FULL WEDNESDAY: Buzz at The Birdcage — Patrick Lalley on stadium future as Canaries keep hitting and winning big / Is it Caitlin Clark or bust for WNBA viewing? 1:38:06

6d ago1:38:06

1:38:06

Bad news for those who were hoping for a new downtown baseball stadium in Sioux Falls: It isn't happening. Public sentiment and political forces in the city drove the Canaries owners' movement for that away, as the city-purchased "Riverline District," for now, is set to be occupied by a new convention center (with plenty of financial and political …

1
Future of aging Birdcage and Canaries future in Sioux Falls with Patrick Lalley (Sioux Falls Live editor and political reporter) from Orion Pub 1:03:25

6d ago1:03:25

1:03:25

Bad news for those who were hoping for a new downtown baseball stadium in Sioux Falls: It isn't happening. Public sentiment and political forces in the city drove the Canaries owners' movement for that away, as the city-purchased "Riverline District," for now, is set to be occupied by a new convention center (with plenty of financial and political …

1
John-o-logue: Buzz at The Birdcage as Canaries keep crushing! No Caitlin Clark = No WNBA interest? 34:41

6d ago34:41

34:41

Perhaps you're familiar with the "Sports Illustrated jinx" from a past era, when your favorite team likely lost the next game after it appeared on the cover of the once-revered magazine. More modernly, you're likely familiar with the "Madden jinx" — dawn the cover of the video game and you'll get hurt or your team will tank shortly thereafter. But …

1
FULL TUESDAY SHOW: Gronowski's grand stage / Canaries All-Star & Augustana legend Jordan Barth 1:29:37

7d ago1:29:37

1:29:37

Augustana's best-ever baseball slugger is now an All-Star shortstop for the Sioux Falls Canaries and one of the best players the American Association of Professional Baseball. Before that, he was one of the best racquetball players in the world. At age 16. In an hour-long chat from Gateway Lounge with Happy Hour host John Gaskins, Jordan Barth take…

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John-o-logue: Gronowski's national attention / Other SDSU news / Canaries slugger on brink of MLB call-up? 28:10

7d ago28:10

28:10

South Dakotans and Iowans aren't the football fans eager to see how Mark Gronowski's magical four years of throwing darts, running for paydirt, and winning FCS national championships will translate to the sports highest level. The senior graduate transfer may not just be a Million Dollar Man (reportedly) for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Happy Hour host John …

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Canaries All-Star & Augie national champ Jordan Barth on baseball & his past life as a racquetball superstar 1:01:27

7d ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Augustana's best-ever baseball slugger is now an All-Star shortstop for the Sioux Falls Canaries and one of the best players the American Association of Professional Baseball. Before that, he was one of the best racquetball players in the world. At age 16. In an hour-long chat from Gateway Lounge with Happy Hour host John Gaskins, Jordan Barth take…

1
FULL MONDAY SHOW: ESPN buffoonery, NDSU opts in (Mike McFeely joins), and Canaries may get $11 million boost from the city 1:19:42

8d ago1:19:42

1:19:42

At long last, our national college football nightmare is over! Well, at least this one. Monday marked the deadline for schools to decide to "opt in" to the June 6-approved NCAA-House Settlement that allows colleges to directly pay athletes for the first time in history. Monday also marked the day the FCS 800 lb. Gorilla, North Dakota State, made it…

1
John-o-logue: Latest ESPN/SD jackassery, NDSU opts in, Wolves & Twins, and Birdcage renovations? 43:25

8d ago43:25

43:25

It's Monday in late June. The sports calendar is dry, almost dead. Well, unless you're a Twins fan. Or — yeah, they're dry and almost dead, too. But Happy Hour host John Gaskins has a full sports well to drink from, thanks to ESPN's latest jackassery of attempting to know or care about anything South Dakota sports. They put who on the Mount Rushmor…

1
Mike McFeely on NDSU & All Dakota schools opting in, Bison Boredom in FCS, Sac State, 2025 football outlook 36:18

8d ago36:18

36:18

At long last, our national college football nightmare is over! Well, at least this one. Monday marked the deadline for schools to decide to "opt in" to the June 6-approved NCAA-House Settlement that allows colleges to directly pay athletes for the first time in history. Monday also marked the day the FCS 800 lb. Gorilla, North Dakota State, made it…

1
Justin Sell on the Nate White tragedy and SDSU's campus reaction 4:55

11d ago4:55

4:55

Tragedy struck South Dakota State's football program and campus on Wednesday when it was announced that running back Nate White had died at the age of 20. As of the publishing of this content, the cause of death has not been publicly determined or announced. Coaches and teammates had rushed to social media to honor White, while the Jackrabbit Forme…

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Justin Sell returns to explain why SDSU is "opting in" to pay athletes directly, why he changed course, and how it will work 49:44

11d ago49:44

49:44

At long last, we now know. South Dakota State has officially "opted in" to the NCAA-House Settlement deal that allows schools to directly pay athletes by sharing revenue the athletic department makes. The announcement comes three days before the deadline to opt in, and 10 days after rival South Dakota announced it was "in." In a 48-minute interview…

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Zim: Nate White, SDSU/USD athlete pay & Crowds, Canaries rolling 1:05:16

12d ago1:05:16

1:05:16

What is there to say about South Dakota State running back Nate White's death, just over 24 hours after it was reported on Wednesday? The tragedy — with details yet public — rightfully hovers a cloud over the program, the FCS, and the regional sports scene, trivializing normal day-to-day events and hot sports topics. But "Nobody's Listening Anyway"…

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FULL INTERVIEW with USD A.D. Jon Schemmel (Paying athletes, NIL future, FCS vs FBS, game attendance, Travis Johansen so far) 1:13:29

13d ago1:13:29

1:13:29

So, the South Dakota Coyotes will now get to pay athletes directly starting July 1, thanks to USD athletic director Jon Schemmel's June 17 decision to "opt in" to the NCAA-House Settlement allowing revenue sharing to athletes for the first time. How does it all work? How much money will there be to share with athletes this year? Which athletes get …

1
USD A.D. Jon Schemmel, part 2 - FCS vs FBS ("JV" vs "varsity), how to boost Yotes' attendance, Travis Johansen so far 34:33

13d ago34:33

34:33

It was the X (Twitter) shot heard 'round the FCS world last week. South Dakota athletic director Jon Schemmel fired back at Sacramento State president Kevin Wood, who had publicly called FCS football — where the Hornets reside — "JV" football. When the FBS oversight committee recommended the NCAA to deny SCSU's entry into the FBS ("varsity") Schemm…

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USD A.D. Jon Schemmel, Part 1 - Paying athletes directly: Why Yotes "opted in," how it works, who gets it, how it affects NIL & transfer portal for USD 38:56

13d ago38:56

38:56

So, the South Dakota Coyotes will now get to pay athletes directly starting July 1, thanks to USD athletic director Jon Schemmel's June 17 decision to "opt in" to the NCAA-House Settlement allowing revenue sharing to athletes for the first time. Why? How does it all work? How much money will there be to share with athletes this year? Which athletes…

1
FULL TUESDAY SHOW: Bergen Reilly (O'Gorman / Huskers VB star) / Big Deal or No Big Deal — Gophers beat Alabama for top Minnesota prospect & Aaron Rodgers says this is probably his last season 1:14:53

14d ago1:14:53

1:14:53

There aren't too many athletes that have come out of Sioux Falls with more national and international acclaim and achievement than O'Gorman alumnus Bergen Reilly. And she just turned 20 last month. A two-time All-American on two NCAA Final Four teams at four-time national champion Nebraska, Reilly is the first player in Big Ten volleyball history t…

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John-o-logue: Gophers beat Alabama!!!... for Minnesota's No. 1 prospect. Big Deal or No Big Deal? / Mason McCormick "probably" gets one shot to block for Aaron Rodgers 30:31

14d ago30:31

30:31

Yes, it's a BIG deal. How big? Well... Minnesota's top-rated high school football player in the Class of 2026 and the No. 12-rated "athlete" nationally announced he will be a Golden Gopher. That's enough to bring some pandemonium to Dinkytown and "Gopher Nation." But the fact Jackson County Central's Roman Voss chose Minnesota over Alabama? Throw a…

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Jacksonville Market Shakedown June 2025 27:59

14d ago27:59

27:59

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the current state of the housing market, focusing on buyer sentiment, interest rates, and local market dynamics in Jacksonville, Florida. They emphasize the importance of understanding personal needs when making real estate decisions and provide insights into negotiating strategies for both buyers and sellers…

1
Bergen Reilly on Husker VB mania, being a celebrity, NIL, bond with sister Raegan 44:23

14d ago44:23

44:23

There aren't too many athletes that have come out of Sioux Falls with more national and international acclaim and achievement than O'Gorman alumnus Bergen Reilly. And she just turned 20 last month. A two-time All-American on two NCAA Final Four teams at four-time national champion Nebraska, Reilly is the first player in Big Ten volleyball history t…

1
FULL SHOW: SDSU's big decision / Twins & Canaries going oppo directions / Chris Johnson (USF coach) on NBA Finals, Wolves' to-do to reach them 1:12:42

15d ago1:12:42

1:12:42

Judging by a strong engagement from Thursday's 90-minute Happy Hour interview with South Dakota State athletic director Justin Sell, there is high interest from both Jackrabbit fans and all FCS and mid-major enthusiasts in SDSU's decision to "opt in" or not opt in to the House Settlement that allows colleges to pay student athlets directly. What we…

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John-o-logue: SDSU's In-or-Out & then what? / Twins are trash, Buxton is bashing, Sioux Falls smashing & sweeping 32:30

15d ago32:30

32:30

Judging by a strong engagement from Thursday's 90-minute Happy Hour interview with South Dakota State athletic director Justin Sell, there is high interest from both Jackrabbit fans and all FCS and mid-major enthusiasts in SDSU's decision to "opt in" or not opt in to the House Settlement that allows colleges to pay student athlets directly. What we…

1
Chris Johnson (USF) on how Wolves become champs next season, Durant to Rockets, specialization, AAU vs HS ball 40:12

15d ago40:12

40:12

What is the absolute first thing the Minnesota Timberwolves need to narrow the gap between themselves and both Oklahoma City and Indianapolis now that we've seen what it took for the Thunder to win? (Of course, the excruiciating achilles injury to Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton helped OKC take the deciding Game 7, but would they have still won?) On…

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Kim Nelson on 50 years in football, new HS job, offensive philosophy, his all-time great teams & players 1:25:59

18d ago1:25:59

1:25:59

He just can't shake the coaching bug. It has been in his blood since he played for his father — a legendary head high school coach in Minnesota — and "every night" he still thinks about the game and how he can draw up plays to make it fun for the next crop of young talent. South Dakota's all-time high school wins leader Kim Nelson "retired" from 45…

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FULL Justin Sell interview — Future of SDSU in CFB (FCS or FBS) & "Opt in" decision to pay athletes directly 1:30:39

19d ago1:30:39

1:30:39

Do you want to know exactly where South Dakota State athletic director Justin Sell sits on the heaviest and most important issues facing college athletic departments all over the country, particularly in the Jackrabbits' sandbox of FCS football and mid-major basketball? There's so much to cover — particularly the prospect of SDSU moving "up" to FBS…

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Justin Sell, part 2 — Paying athletes & to "opt in" or to "not opt in" to House Settlement (and more on how athletes get compensated) 52:04

19d ago52:04

52:04

Opt in or opt out? To some, the hottest and most fascinating college athletics topic around. To others, a brain-frying maze of gobblygook to ignore for the sheer depth and legal confusion of it all. But undeniably, it is a major decision for each Division I program not in the Power Four Conferences (they have to "opt in"): Will you take the option …

1
Justin Sell, part 1 - Future of college football and where the Jacks fit (FCS vs move up to FBS?) 38:29

19d ago38:29

38:29

The only constant in college athletics — particularly college football — is change. Blink and a new conference is formed, or a team has left one conference for another, or yet another team has left the FCS level for the FBS, hoping to get in on that "College Football Playoff" and bowl game action (money!). In recent years, several FCS programs have…

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FULL WED. SHOW - Matt Mooney (USD hoops stud 2016-18) / SDSU's turtle vs Sac State's hare in race to FBS 1:23:08

20d ago1:23:08

1:23:08

He had a jump shot out of a cannon that sparked the University of South Dakota's best two years in Division I hoops (2016-18), then Texas Tech's historic run into overtime of the national championship game (2019). Matt Mooney was a cold-blooded sharpshooting machine in those three years, and he is just as to-the-point and entertaining when he tells…

1
John-o-logue: SDSU's turtle vs Sac State's hare in race to FBS / Twins tanking & Canaries crushing 21:04

20d ago21:04

21:04

It's a story of the Jackrabbits actually playing the turtle and not the hare in a race — this one from the FCS to the FBS. John weighs in on the eggs Sacramento State is smearing off of its face in its brash and brazen bid to make that move as quickly and aggressively as possible, which has most recently backfired with the FCS Oversight Committee's…

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Matt Mooney on his two dynamite years at USD, Final Four run at Texas Tech, NIL, & 6 years of world-traveling pro hoops 1:02:05

20d ago1:02:05

1:02:05

He had a jump shot out of a cannon that sparked the University of South Dakota's best two years in Division I hoops (2016-18), then Texas Tech's run into overtime of the national championship game (2019). Matt Mooney was a cold-blooded sharpshooting machine in those three years, and he is just as to-the-point and entertaining telling stories about …

1
Austin Sumner on his gun-slinging, record-smashing QB careers at SDSU (2011-14) and Brandon Valley 1:26:24

21d ago1:26:24

1:26:24

Balling with future NFL running back Zach Zenner. Rooming with currnent South Dakota State tight ends coach Vince Benedetto. Getting chewed out by Brandon Valley coaching legends. These are stories that can only be told by Austin Sumner, a gun-slinging quarterback who smashed passing records and elevated football programs at both BVHS and SDSU from…

1
Kurtiss Riggs takes us inside NIL, top HS prospects, SDSU local freshmen, "opt-in" pros/cons, SF Storm's future 43:38

22d ago43:38

43:38

It's a Monday and Mid-June, over two months before actual football games start, and you're starving for new deep-diving local college and prep football content. We have the freshest insight from the ultimate "insider" ready for you! Enjoy a smorgasbord of meaty information and educated opinions on the hottest topics from Kurtiss Riggs, our Happy Ho…

1
SDSU All-America center Ryan McKnight (2007-10) on JFPA, Rogers, Jackson, building a powerhouse, what it means to be a Jackrabbit 1:06:48

25d ago1:06:48

1:06:48

It doesn't get any more Jackrabbit Football than Ryan McKnight. An All-America center his senior year of 2010, McKnight was part of the first SDSU football team to reach the FCS playoffs in 2009, laying a foundation for the Jacks to rise to national prominence. Now the president of the Jackrabbit Former Players Association (JFPA), McKnight was a te…

1
Matt Zimmer on Brian Wilson, Sly Stone, pickup trucks, sports logos, SDSU likely "not opting in," SF Storm future after Fields resigns 50:00

26d ago50:00

50:00

Beer-logo'd golf bags. Old school MTV veejays. The Dead Guys of the Week — Brian Wilson and Sly Stone — and their place in music and pop culture history. Matt Zimmer and John Gaskins tried their best to kick around fun and breezy topics to avoid that dreaded summer buzz kill — The NCAA-House Settlement and where schools like SDSU and USD fit into i…

1
FULL WEDNESDAY SHOW: Andre Fields / Latest on if Dakotas schools will "opt in" to revenue share / USF coach Chris Johnson on Sittig, NBA, new replay rules 1:20:18

27d ago1:20:18

1:20:18

One of the all-time legends of the all-time most successful minor league sports franchise in South Dakota history is walking away from that operation. After 22 years with the Sioux Falls Storm — the last one as head coach — Andre Fields resigned on Tuesday. A day later, he joined Happy Hour host John Gaskins to explain why. The Storm are dormant in…

1
Andre Fields on why he resigned as head coach of the Sioux Falls Storm 30:35

27d ago30:35

30:35

One of the all-time legends of the all-time most successful minor league sports franchise in South Dakota history is walking away from that operation. After 22 years with the Sioux Falls Storm — the last one as head coach — Andre Fields resigned on Tuesday. A day later, he joined Happy Hour host John Gaskins to explain why. The Storm are dormant in…

1
Shifting of tides in "opting in" to revenue sharing at SDSU, USD, NDSU, UND? 17:22

27d ago17:22

17:22

We thought none of them were going to do it. A couple months ago, it appeared none of the Div. I schools from South Dakota and North Dakota were leaning toward "optin in" to the recently approved NCAA-House Settlement that will allow schools to pay athletes directly via revenue sharing. Now, one of them — UND — has its athletic director on the reco…

1
Chris Johnson (USF hoops) on NBA Finals, Jake Sittig firing & new college basketball replay rule 32:22

27d ago32:22

32:22

So many people are not watching the Pacers battle the Thunder in NBA Finals, according to ratings... but should we? Yes, says a Midwestern Div. II head coach, Chris Johnson, who leads the University of Sioux Falls men and is a die-hard Minnesota Timberwolves fan. Why does he think the "watchability" factor is high, and what should be the first coup…

1
TUESDAY SHOW: Michael Rand (Star Tribune columnist) / Storm coach resigns, local HS coach mysteriously fired 1:03:05

28d ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Which team — Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, or Wild — is closest to ending to a 34-year (and ticking) major pro men's league championship drought in Minnesota? It's a provocative topic to spring forth discussion on the hottest topics surrounding all of these teams, which Happy Hour John Gaskins does with 25-year Minnesota Star Tribune columnnist vet…

1
John-o-logue: Storm coach resigns, local HS hoops coach mysteriously (?) fired 21:06

28d ago21:06

21:06

Happy Hour host John Gaskins addresses a couple of recent local coaching moves — one shocking and the other not. Shocking: West Central's school board not renewing the contract of head boys basketball coach Jacob Sittig after he led the Trojans to a 21-4 record and their first state tournament appearance in 24 years. Not shocking: One of the all-ti…

1
Star Tribune columnist Michael Rand (Vikings, Twins, Wolves, Wild, Gophers hot topics) 41:30

28d ago41:30

41:30

Which team — Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, or Wild — is closest to ending to a 34-year (and ticking) major pro men's league championship drought in Minnesota? The answer my have never been more unclear, nor has there ever been a time when all four are actually all "winning" teams at the same time like this. It's a provocative topic to spring forth …

1
FULL MONDAY SHOW: Ed Whiting / Will SDSU & USD "opt in" for paying athletes directly? 1:22:40

29d ago1:22:40

1:22:40

The topic may make your eyes bleed if you read an article about it. You may tune it out if you hear about it. But listen up and make a stiff drink if you have to, because it does matter, significantly, to fans of every college athletics program, including ours in South Dakota. The NCAA vs U.S. House settlement was finally approved by a California f…

1
NCAA-House Settlement 101: What it means for SDSU, USD, other mid-majors 29:27

29d ago29:27

29:27

The topic may make your eyes bleed if you read an article about it. You may tune it out if you hear about it. But listen up and make a stiff drink if you have to, because it does matter, significantly, to fans of every college athletics program, including ours in South Dakota. The NCAA vs U.S. House settlement was finally approved by a California f…

1
Ed Whiting on JHS state softball title, Big-Ten bound son, coaching defense under legends 53:13

29d ago53:13

53:13

Those who know of Ed Whiting in South Dakota high school football circles — and most do — are not the least bit surprised he led Sioux Falls Jefferson to the Class AA state softball title on Sunday. A veteran defensive coordinator who has worked under state championship offensive minds like Steve Kueter (O'Gorman), Kim Nelson (Roosevelt), and Vince…

1
NLA: Beer, Rodgers to Steelers, Chase Mason, Twins (Pablo!), CFB bleep show, Dead Guy & Gal of the Week 1:05:02

1M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

The breaking news of one of the biggest sports stories of the entire summer interrupted an entertaining storytelling session about beer and how picky people are about their beer. Aaron Rodgers reportedly plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will he be any good? Will they be any good. We could ask the same thing about Chase Mason as a first-t…

1
Stu Whitney: 35 years of touching nerves in Sioux Falls 1:28:18

1M ago1:28:18

1:28:18

Stu Whitney's high school football team celebrated a big win by gleefully ripping to shreds a newspaper column he wrote claiming they weren't worthy of the playoffs. He ended up being right. The head football coach at Michigan State invited Stu into his office to berate him at the top of his lungs and call him every nasty name you could imagine aft…