Daily Universe Sports

BYU softball player Taryn Lennon knows what it’s like to be a part of an athletic family. But what happens when that community goes away? What happens when families leave behind the only thing they knew that brought them together? They bring the journey together full circle to discover there’s more than just being an athlete. Music is courtesy of Pyrosion. Songs used, including the theme "Dre...

Kenzie Koerber-Dahle knew the day would come. But it came in a way she never imagined. She, along with the cast of athletes and coaches, share how hard it was to give up the life they knew – and how they all reconciled their new lives going forward. Music in this episode is courtesy of Pyrosion. Songs used, including the theme "Dreamer" , include: Distancia Sun Rise Frames The View The C...

Pitchers, like BYU graduate Cooper McKeehan, are always under pressure. He discusses how battling the yips, getting cut in sixth grade, and more, made him the man who he is today. The group also joins in to discuss the grind of being an athlete – and a coach – in a high-stress environment. Music by Pyrosion is used in this episode. Songs used, including the theme "Dreamer" , are: The Cro...

The unasked question about sports is “What happens when the game you love is gone?” Alex Tumalip and Kyle Remund, multimedia journalists for The Universe and colleagues at BYU Broadcasting, begin this new journey into the afterlife of student-athletes in the opening episode of season three of the award-winning podcast, External Discussions . All music used in the episode is courtesy of Pyrosion. S...

Carolyn Billings is the head athletic trainer for the BYU women’s soccer team and director of sports medicine for the university. Amid all of her personal accomplishments, Billings has had multiple setbacks in her life, including five cancer diagnoses. In this episode BYU player Laveni Vaka interviews Billings about her story on and off the pitch.

Former BYU defensive back Keenan Ellis details his experience of transitioning from the thrilling world of college football to the rigorous grind of attending law school.

No matter how you cut it, excellence is difficult to define. Alex concludes this four-part journey recapping true excellence and what athletes should really be aiming for in their performance.

So we know how excellence is defined, and what it is defined by. What happens when someone falls short – especially our superhuman athletes? Alex sits down with BYU student athletes Lauren Gustin, Zac Jones and Cole Gambill to discuss how they’ve rebounded through adversity when their best wasn’t enough. 

Our heroes are caught between the biggest rock and the hardest place. We define success in sports by many things, both achievements and improvements. Alex sits down with BYU golfer Zac Jones and BYU director of golf Todd Miller to discuss which of these – or if something else – should be of greater concern to athletes. 

The award-winning Universe podcast External Discussions returns for a second season. Join Alex Tumalip on a new four-part journey to define how athletes really pursue and perceive excellence. Alex opens this new season by talking to BYU baseball stars Cutter Clawson and Cole Gambill as well as women’s basketball coach Amber Whiting to find out what they think excellence is and how they pursue it.

Recent BYU women's soccer transfer portal addition Lynette Hernaez discusses her conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and subsequent decision to put her collegiate soccer career on hold to serve a full-time mission.

With BYU men's hoops headed for its final WCC tournament, Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) is here alongside BYU basketball insider Steve Pierce (@PostJimmer) to recap the regular season, preview the tournament slate and look ahead to BYU's Big 12 future on the hardwood. Available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Alex and others share how we can get involved in advocating for mental health. Hear stories of hope as athletes, coaches, and counselors share great insights and tips of how we can all be advocates at any age–and any athletic ability.

Everyone needs an escape from the hardships of life, whether it’s sports or just time with a friend or parent figure. The question is, how do we accomplish that? Mickey Strauss, Trey Stewart, coaches Mark Pope and Heather Olmstead, along with BYU CAPS’ Dr. Tom Golightly, discuss how fostering an environment of safety for every student athlete on any college campus to talk about their mental health...

Following Thursday's heartbreaking loss to Gonzaga, Jackson (@jackson5payne) breaks down what happened with Grant from campus (@GrantNielson2) and first time guest Softball Danny (@popshotty). BYU's late game miscues, the names "paper and scissors" and how the Cougars can use the loss as fuel going forward are all discussed. Available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) and special guest Grant from campus (@GrantNielson2) preview Thursday night's showdown between BYU and No. 8 Gonzaga, the final Marriott Center meeting for the Cougars and Zags as WCC rivals. Jackson and Grant discuss the magnitude of the matchup, what BYU could do to somehow steal a victory and what each season's Gonzaga game means to the campus community. Avai...

The landscape of mental health has changed dramatically, even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it’s not just the pandemic that is on the top of athletes’ minds. Alex dives into the demanding life of a student-athlete with help from BYU diver Mickey Strauss, BYU men’s basketball guard Trey Stewart, and BYU sports psychologist Dr. Tom Golightly.

External Discussions returns to provide insight to what should matter most to any student-athlete–their mental health. Alex Tumalip of Daily Universe Sports and KSL Sports Rewind begins this four-part journey by delving into what the NCAA describes as a “growing area of concern” and what has been done to combat it so far.

Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) is joined by Notre Dame Observer sports editor Aidan Thomas (@aidan_thomas23) to preview Saturday’s "Bible Brawl in Sin City" between BYU and Notre Dame. Available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) is joined by Baylor Lariat Sports Editor Michael Haag (@michaelhaag_) to preview Saturday's BYU/Baylor showdown. Could this be the best game in the country this week? Will BYU get revenge for last year's meeting in Waco? How will Baylor fare against the high altitude, late night kickoff and rowdy BYU faithful? Available wherever you get your podcasts.

New BYU women's basketball head coach Amber Whiting joins the show to talk hoops, Top Gun and recruiting her daughter Amari to Provo. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @dailyunivsports 

Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) shares the latest from BYU football fall camp after two weeks of practices, discussing BYU's receivers, running backs, preseason rankings, rest days for veterans and some real promise from the defensive backs. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @dailyunivsports.

Universe Sports Talk is BACK for the start of BYU football fall camp, where Jackson Payne goes over his observations from Thursday's opening practice along with a few other current storylines. 

It was an eventful, bittersweet weekend for BYU, as the women's team lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and the men advanced to the NIT quarterfinals, getting one more game at home. Also, predictions for BYU Football Pro Day. 

As the weather gets warmer, Caleb and Jackson head outside to the practice field where BYU football spring ball is in full swing. How are Chris Brooks and other new additions looking? And what is the biggest position battle during spring ball? Also, BYU men's basketball is on to the second round of the NIT.