BirdFans4Ever Podcast

[Redbird222]

Episode 45 features Chad Mazanowski and Jason Higdon from Empower the Nest are our guests and they discuss how the collective was established and how it supports athletes. They also talk about Empower the Nest branded beer - how it came to be and where to find it. They also announce some upcoming events, talk about MBB Center Court Club, and how can fans participate?

Chad was our guest on episode #6 as a former player if you would like to see his episode.

As always we hope you enjoy and appreciate your feedback.

 

[Redbird222]

Does anybody know where I can find Protect The Nest beer in the Peoria area? They get pictures I went to one of the stores that sells their beer in Eureka but they didn't have that particular one.

I asked Jason (see episode 45) and they are working on distribution of that particular beer outside of the Bloomington Normal area

 

[Redbird222]

It was mentioned on the latest Episode but just in case you missed it

Come join Jon Pemberton and Chad Mazanowski at Keg Grove Wednesday evening for some stories and to try the delicious Empower the Nest beer. They will be there at 6:00 pm. Stop by, say hello and grab a draft and a four pack with the Butchers of the Paint.

 

[Redbird222]

In Episdode 46, Jon Pemberton flies solo at CindyGate where BirdFans4Ever linterviews several fans tailgating before the Homecoming game against ISU Blue.

 

[Redbird222]

We just posted Episode 47 and our guest is Dr Jill Hutchison. Our former coach of women's basketball for 28 years discusses the transition of women's basketball from Title IX to AIWA to NCAA, how the Gateway Conference came about, recruiting changes/challenges '70-'90s, and the best basketball ERA for ISU.

We hope you enjoy and as always any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Redbird222]

We just posted Episode 48 and our guest is Beth Landes-Ehresman an Academic All-American in basketball while also lettering in softball. She talks about scoring the second most points in a women's game, being "kidnapped" her senior year, and playing with 2 Olympians. She went on the be an academic advisor for 10 years for several ISU athletic teams and talks about that position. We hope you enjoy and always we appreciate your support and feedback.

 

[Redbird222]

Our latest Episode features Paige Robinson the reigning Jackie Stiles player of the year. What a great story going from D2 to being drafted in the WNBA. Paige tells us what she is currently doing and future plans. Hope you enjoy!!

 

[Baltimore Bird]

Thank you for doing the Podcast with Beth Landes. That was very good. Beth and I grew up in the same hometown of Morton and lived about 4 blocks apart. I was a year ahead of her in HS. A group of us played hoops in the church parking lot all of the time. Beth's father would often bring her down to play. I remember she held her own with the neighborhood guys who in many cases were 3+ years older than us. They definitely toughened all of us up. Her podcast brought back some great memories.

 

[Redbird222]

Thank you for doing the Podcast with Beth Landes. That was very good. Beth and I grew up in the same hometown of Morton and lived about 4 blocks apart. I was a year ahead of her in HS. A group of us played hoops in the church parking lot all of the time. Beth's father would often bring her down to play. I remember she held her own with the neighborhood guys who in many cases were 3+ years older than us. They definitely toughened all of us up. Her podcast brought back some great memories.

She was a great basketball player, Academic all-American, Bone Scholar, and great academic advisor according to Big Pemp.

I am glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing your story.

 

[Redbird222]

Well we made it to the big 50. Episode #50 features former men's basketball player and Percy Hall of Famer, Derrick Sanders. Derrick played on 2 NCAA teams and 1 NIT team for ISU in the 80s under Bob Donewald. Derrick talks about those teams and his journey to Austrailia where he currently resides.

Hope you enjoy and thanks for all.of the support. We never thought we have 50 episodes!!

 

[Adunk33]

Tom is an excellent person and it was a great episode. He impacts so many people, he couldn't possibly keep track of all of them.

After I graduated from the School of Communication, I did what most new grads do...take the first job you're offered with no consideration to anything other than "what does it pay." I was thrilled to be done with school. After about 6 months, I knew it wasn't for me. I dreaded going into work everyday and knew something had to change. New grad, 6 months on the job, opportunities were limited. Sure, I could apply for other jobs but how could I avoid finding myself in the exact same spot 6 months down the road?

In a round about way, I got connected with Tom. I had met him a handful of times during school. He met with me and convinced me that to be qualified for the types of jobs I was interested in, Grad school was the way to go. Obviously, I scoffed. I had JUST gotten out of school where I took 4-5 classes each semester, at least 1 over the summer and was working two jobs a combined 65+ hours per week depending on which sports were in-season. I was excited to be down to one "normal" 40/hr per week job and no school. I wanted to focus on making enough to start paying down student loans and the thought of taking on more debt was tough. Tom explained it to me in a way my 22 year old brain wouldn't have come up with on its own.

He said, "Yeah, the cost is something that needs to be considered. But we also need to stop looking at it like that. Stop thinking about it as a "cost" and start thinking of it as an investment in yourself." He went on to provide examples of how much grad school costs and what doors having a Master's degree opens. It opened my eyes to a completely new option I had ever considered. That conversation took place in October. I applied for grad school a few weeks with a letter of recommendation from Tom, and was enrolled the following January.

A lot of folks have been have had an incredible impact on my life but I owe this one to him. I'll never be able to thank him enough for his time, generosity, and advice.

 

[Redbird222]

A+ to the university for recognizing him!!

 

[Redbird222]

Hear directly Tom on Episode

 

[isuquinndog]

A+ to the university for recognizing him!!

It's the MVC Hall of Fame. I guess I don't know who decides that, but I assume it's not ISU only.

 

[Redbird222]

Our latest episode is posted and our guest is former men's basketball player and Percy Hall of Famer, Gene Jontry. He played in the 50s, is in the 1000 point club, and held the FT season shooting % record at 94% until Mal Poindexter broke it last year. Simply said, Gene is an incredible person and was an outstanding guest with a wealth of knowledge that he shared with us. He was teammates with 3 other 1,000 point scorers and he shared some great stories and information about them. I highly recommend this episode to learn about a great Redbird and also a slice of ISU men's basketball history!!

 

[Redbird222]

Our latest podcast was posted and our guests are Jenny Fuente (Kabbes) and Emily Kauten (Kabbes) who both played volleyball at ISU. They are also the only sisters to play in the same game for ISU. Listen to their stories about playing Stanford at ISU, Misty May at LBSU, and Jenny's recent induction into the Weisbecker Family Hall of Fame. We hope you enjoy our first guests from Volleyball.