CMU's New Venture Challenge provides transformational experiences for CMU students to develop business ideas and earn start-up funds for their businesses. Amy talks with two student-athletes who won awards for their business ventures at this year's competition and alum Bob Oros, a dedicated CMU supporter and New Venture Challenge judge.
Published on 5/22/2025
Amy sits down with Andy Bronkema, Central Michigan's new men's basketball coach. They discuss his coaching journey, his Michigan roots, what he's expecting for the program and what he's most excited about as he begins his new role as a CMU Chippewa.
Published on 5/12/2025
This is the first spring football game under the new football coaching staff. To get you ready, Adam talks with all three coordinators to see how practices have been going. New offensive and defensive coordinators, Jim Chapin and Sean Cronin stop by, along with returning special teams coordinator, Keith Murphy. They get you ready for Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and also throw in some of their favorite food takes as well.
Published on 4/9/2025
As March Madness kicks off, Amy talks with CMU women's basketball head coach Kristin Haynie and former head coach Sue Guevara about their personal experiences with the NCAA Tournament and the growth of women's collegiate basketball. They also discuss CMU's history and connections with women's collegiate basketball and the NCAA.
Published on 3/12/2025
Every year, 340 CMU students are involved in career-building learning opportunities within Central Michigan Athletics. They work as employees and volunteers, in roles such as courtside reporters, videographers, gameday statistics and operations staff and marketing assistants. Amy sat down with four CMU students who are working in various roles within the department — three of which are student-athletes — to talk with them about their roles.
Published on 2/21/2025
Arielle Wilson was hired as CMU's new Head Volleyball Coach in January, becoming the 6th coach in program history. Amy sat down with Coach Wilson to talk about her impressive playing and coaching career and her Midwest roots. They also discuss her goals for the program and her commitment to student-athlete development.
Published on 2/5/2025
Adam Jaksa sits down with Director of Athletics, Amy Folan to learn about her upbringing, which included moving all over the place and then playing college soccer at UConn. They also talk about her current role at Central Michigan athletics, how she handles coaching searches and more.
Published on 1/23/2025
Dr. Neil MacKinnon took the reins of Central Michigan University as its 16th president in November 2024. CMU Director of Athletics Amy Folan sits down with Dr. MacKinnon and his wife, Leanne, as well as accomplished CMU track and field/cross country athletes Natalie Newcombe and Emily Paupore. They discuss the MacKinnons' first few months at CMU, Leanne's time as a collegiate athlete, share advice and much more.
Published on 1/16/2025
Matt Drinkall was announced as the new Central Michigan University head football coach on December 10. Amy sits down with Coach Drinkall to learn more learn more about him, his coaching journey and what he's most excited about as he gears up for his new role here at CMU.
Published on 12/19/2024
Central Michigan celebrates two important anniversaries this year — the 100th homecoming and 50 years since the football team won the university's only national championship. Amy was joined by Roy Kramer, the team's head coach, Herb Deromedi, the team's assistant coach, and former CMU Athletics Director and quarterback Mike Franckowiak. Together, they relive memories of that once-in-a-lifetime team and its historic season.
Published on 10/9/2024
Amy sat down with three class of 2024 inductees into the Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame. She asked them about their time at CMU, what it means to them to be Hall of Famers and how CMU prepared them for their lives after college.
Interviewees
- Football player Eric Fisher, who attended CMU from 2009 to 2011
- Gymnast Sarah Dame, who attended CMU from 2000 to 2003
- Baseball and basketball player Chad Pleiness, who attended CMU from 1999 to 2002
Published on 10/3/2024
The U.S. will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 and a shortage of around 17,000 veterinarians by 2032. Meet four student-athletes who graduated with their bachelor's degrees in May and have taken the next step toward future careers as health care providers.
Published on 8/20/2024
This week Adam talks women's basketball. Kristin Haynie stops by to chat about her new team. The new roster has 16 players now thanks to ten new additions. Also, former CMU assistant and Chippewa alum, Raina Harmon joins to talk about her time in Mount Pleasant, the last seven years at Iowa and the current rise of women's basketball.
Published on 6/26/2024
Happy Father's Day! On a special edition episode, Adam opens up about his dad being his inspiration for becoming a sports broadcaster. His dad, David Jaksa, passed away three years ago.
Published on 6/16/2024
Adam brings on CMU men's basketball coach Tony Barbee this week. They talk about last year's successful season and give fans an idea on what the new signing class will add to next year's team. TJ Meerman, CMU basketball alum also stops by. Meerman was the starting PG for the 2002-03 team that went to the NCAA tourney. They talk about his time in Mount Pleasant and how he currently is the varsity basketball coach at Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Published on 6/4/2024
Adam chats with Zach McKinstry, who's now in his second season with the Detroit Tigers. The two reminisce about McKinstry's time growing up in Fort Wayne, attending Central Michigan and his climb to the MLB.
Published on 5/23/2024
Adam chats with Ben Bennett after he's just been introduced as the 6th ever CMU wrestling head coach. The two talk about Ben's career as a wrestler, why he's stayed in Mount Pleasant since wrestling here, what it's been like to learn under Tom Borrelli and much more!
Published on 5/8/2024
CMU's New Venture Challenge — hosted by the CMU Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship — provides transformational experiences for CMU students to develop their business ideas and earn start-up funds for their businesses. Amy sat down with two CMU student-athletes — football player Lawai'a Brown and baseball player AJ Kostic — who participated in the 2024 New Venture Challenge, earning awards and the interest of real investors. Also joining her was Kaye Reimers, program and event manager for the CMU Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship.
Published on 5/1/2024
CMU retirees and supporters Tony and Kim Voisin made a gift to establish the Student Spirit and Traditions Endowment Fund, which provides opportunities for CMU students to be more involved in athletics. Amy talks with the Voisins about their commitment to CMU and their passion for connecting students with athletics.
Published on 4/24/2024
In this episode, Adam talks with head coach Jim McElwain. The two get into the off-season and spring ball and discuss McElwain's coaching career. Carly Sleeman also stops by to talk CMU softball. The true freshman is coming off hitting her first grand slam in Sunday's win against Miami. The two talk softball, family, school and more!
Published on 4/24/2024
Adam brings on first year head baseball coach, Jake Sabol. They talk about CMU's recent win against MSU and what's it been like for Jake coming back to his alma mater. Skye DePrado leads the Chippewas in goals and she talks about the season, along with how she got to CMU from Pittsburgh.
Published on 4/10/2024
Adam chats with long-time wrestling head coach, Tom Borrelli. Borrelli, who's led CMU for thirty-three years, announced a couple weeks ago he's retiring. The two talk about how Borrelli found his way to Mount Pleasant and what the past weekend was like at the NCAA Championships along with much more.
Published on 3/26/2024
Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, has his TV/radio basketball analyst, Matt DeVries on the podcast this week. They give you a full preview of the Chippewas' chances at the MAC men's basketball tournament later this week.
Published on 3/12/2024
This year, CMU has its largest number of international students, both undergraduate and graduate, in a decade: 1,734 students representing 70 countries. CMU Athletics is home to 27 international student-athletes, representing 15 countries. Amy sat down with two of these international student-athletes to learn about how the road led them to become CMU Chippewas and what their futures hold.
Published on 3/7/2024