Big Stories

Ayoka Lee made history on January 23rd, 2022, when she scored 61 points against Oklahoma, setting the NCAA single-game scoring record. She seemed destined for a professional career, but after leading Kansas State to the Sweet 16 in her final season, she decided to walk away from basketball. Now, Ayoka has her dream job as a mental health clinician at Kansas State, helping student athletes navigate...

As the Big 12 regular season winds down, Cleon Wall kicks off a series of deep‑dive team evaluations with insights from podcasters across the conference. This episode focuses on Kansas State and Utah—two programs looking to rebuild and rise from the bottom of the standings. First, John Kurtz of the 3MAW Podcast breaks down Kansas State’s turbulent season, including the fallout from Jerome Tang’s m...

Andrew Cherico grew up in Washington Heights, New York, living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy—a condition that left him in a wheelchair by age nine. While he wasn’t able to play, his passion for sports never stopped growing. When his oldest brother, Roman, died by suicide in 2019, Andrew made a promise: to carry his brother’s name as loudly and proudly as he could. That promise led him to UCF, where...

Big Stories host Cleon Wall is joined by Seth Dowdle from the Bleav in TCU podcast and Tyler Carter from the Bleav in Iowa State podcast to break down two of the Big 12’s most intriguing teams. They dive into TCU’s roller‑coaster season, Iowa State’s resilience after tough losses, and what it all means heading into the postseason. Cleon also takes a closer look at the NCAA Tournament bubble pictur...

Host Cleon Wall will be back next week with more inspiring and uplifting tales from around the Big 12 conference. But this week, we are featuring one of BYUradio's other great podcasts. It's called Voiceover: Movies That Move Us. In this episode, host Heather Bigley is joined by Rob Taber to discuss the movie Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington and Will Patton. Rob Taber is an associate pro...

A new podcast format is here—bigger conversations, deeper insights. This week, Jeff Sharon of the Knight Shift podcast helps us navigate UCF’s struggles, while Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson sheds light on why Colorado's young guys might be on the cusp of something big, just maybe not this year. But host Cleon Wall doesn’t shy away from the biggest storylines: the fallout of Jerome Tang’s firing,...

Texas horned lizards, the spiky, blood-squirting reptiles that inspired TCU's mascot, once filled backyards across the Lone Star State. But since the 1960s, these iconic creatures have been vanishing from their native habitat. TCU is assisting Texas Parks and Wildlife and local zoos in an ambitious conservation effort to bring them back: raising baby horned lizards in captivity, studying their sur...

Who will take home Big 12 Player of the Year? Will a breakout freshman like BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa or Houston’s Kingston Flemings steal the spotlight? Or will a proven veteran—Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson or J.T. Toppin—rise above the field? Host Cleon Wall breaks down the top contenders for both Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards and is glad he doesn't have a vote. We also dive in...

Troy DeJoode's life changed forever in May 2010 when a tragic car accident took his five-month-old daughter Claire and five-year-old son Carson. Hours later, he made the agonizing decision to donate both children's organs, not knowing just how much that decision would bless the lives of others. Hundreds of miles away in Utah, five-month-old Landen Bowers was facing multiple health challenges. Born...

Join host Cleon Wall for the latest edition of Big Stories, featuring the question of whether any team can catch the Arizona Wildcats at the top of the Big 12 basketball standings. Plus, Kansas's Darryn Peterson slightly outshines BYU's AJ Dybantsa in a matchup of NBA draft picks. And we take a look at the surprise teams - BYU and UCF - in the middle of the conference pack. We also have an in-dept...

When volleyball legend Flo Hyman collapsed on the bench during a routine match in Japan in 1986, the world lost one of its greatest athletes at just 31 years old. But her story didn't end there. In this episode of Big Stories, host Cleon Wall explores the remarkable life of former Houston Cougar Flo Hyman—a six-foot-five powerhouse who helped transform USA volleyball into a world-class program, ea...

Host Cleon Wall breaks down the Top 5 storylines in the Big 12, including the race for the conference scoring title. He also spotlights the Big 12’s phenomenal freshman class—from Koa Peat and Kingston Flemings to AJ Dybantsa and more—who are already reshaping the conference title chase. Then, in this week’s Storytime, Cleon looks back at the roller‑coaster football seasons of the Houston Cougars...

Host Cleon Wall wraps up the Big 12 football season for a couple of Big 12 teams. One that lost its coach and the other that lost its way. First, the Baylor Bears - a team with a defensive-minded head coach who couldn't stop anyone. Locked on Baylor host Cameron Stewart breaks down why the Bears' defense collapsed. Plus, a tribute to quarterback Sawyer Robertson's stellar career and a look ahead t...

Darryn and Arryn Chenault share a bond that goes far beyond football. Darryn introduced his nephew to the game, sparking a passion that led Arryn to play defensive back for the University of Cincinnati. Over the years, they’ve coached together—and even against each other—at high schools across Cincinnati. But their connection deepened in an extraordinary way when Arryn saved his uncle’s life by do...

Host Cleon Wall breaks down the Big 12 basketball landscape—from the teams struggling at the bottom to the crowded middle and the elite contenders at the top. PHNX podcast host Damon Fairall joins to explain why Arizona sits at No. 1 in the nation, dominating opponents with size, athleticism, and relentless rebounding. Plus, Chatterbox Bearcats host Charlie Walter sheds light on Cincinnati’s chall...

At 66, Judith Johnson did something extraordinary—she joined the Texas Tech marching band. But for Judith, maybe it wasn’t so unexpected. In this episode of Big Stories, Judith opens up about the heartbreak of being told she couldn’t major in music, the rebellious path that followed, and how—thanks to the Texas Senior Academy Program and her husband, Jerry—she is finally studying music and is the...

This week, we break down the top five headlines in Big 12 basketball and football, including in-depth conversations with Jamie Plunkett of Horned Frog Blitz and Tyler Carter from the BELEAV in Iowa State Podcast. Discover why TCU basketball is turning heads, how Iowa State is making waves in the rankings, and what’s next for both programs as they navigate the challenges of the season. We also cove...

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year—Big 12 basketball season! Host Cleon Wall previews his favorite matchups heading into the first weekend of the conference basketball season. Then, we chat with podcasters covering Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, and Colorado to discuss how their hoops squads have performed during the non-conference slate and what we can expect when those teams begin...

In this week's show, we focus on the big storylines surrounding UCF and West Virginia's football and basketball teams. Host Cleon Wall talks to Andrew Cherico of the Sons of UCF podcast and Knights 24/7 to find out why the Knights basketball team is succeeding even though coach Johnny Dawkins replaced his entire roster. The duo then dives into Scott Frost's first season back in Orlando as head foo...

Step inside the world of “Big Stories,” where hosts Cleon Wall and Brandon Crow take you behind the scenes of BYUtv and BYU Radio’s most inspiring and uplifting stories. In this episode, Cleon and Brandon reflect on the origins and evolution of the Big Stories brand, sharing their favorite moments and the powerful journeys they’ve witnessed across three seasons. From heartwarming tales of resilien...

This week, we dive into the five biggest storylines in Big 12 sports, from basketball upsets and powerhouse teams to the drama of bowl season and the future of college football. Hear exclusive insights from Oklahoma State podcast host Cody Stovall as he discusses the Cowboys’ rebuilding journey, recruiting wins, and the impact of NIL on team culture. We also break down why Kansas State and Iowa St...

University of Arizona goalkeeper Olivia Ramey dreams of becoming a sports psychologist—a passion born from witnessing her sister Rachel’s struggles as a competitive swimmer. In this heartfelt episode, the Ramey sisters open up about anxiety, depression, and the power of vulnerability. Through candid conversations, they share how faith and unwavering support helped them navigate life’s toughest mom...

It's finally here - the Big 12 Conference Championship happens this Saturday between BYU and Texas Tech. BYU SportsNation's Jason Shepherd and Locked on Texas podcast host Chris Level join the show to preview the title tilt. The show also covers big-time performances from the Big 12's best basketball teams. Host Cleon Wall also discusses the elephant in the room. Hint: It's about BYU head football...

The Big12 football season is coming to a close. Who had succesful seasons? Some unexpected solid teams came out of the word work in Arizona and Houston. Is the Big12 the best basketball conference in America? What teams accross the conference are doing to prove that. Much more on Big Stories!

UCF's Spirit Squad wouldn't be where it is right now without coach Linda Gooch. And Linda wouldn't be where she is today without her husband, Alan. In this podcast episode, discover how Linda Gooch went from a standout high school athlete to a trailblazing cheer coach, leading the UCF Knights to multiple national championships and earning her place in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame—the first ever...