The Bill Chaves Podcast

This week, Bill and Alex are joined by UND Track and Field’s Jim Vahrenkamp to preview this weekend’s Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships and to discuss what goes into hosting the competition (1:18). That’s followed by a look around UND Athletics, where hockey and the basketballs move ever closer to conference tournament time (19:25). On the B-Side (31:00), Bill grades the Red Sox offseason as Spring Training gets underway in Fort Myers, plus the Winter Olympics conclude, and Spurs begin the already-troubled Igor Tudor Era.

This week, Bill and Alex are joined by new Pride of the North director Josh Gillen to discuss his approach to leading the program, the story behind the infamous skating tuba player at the REA, and the impact a student band can have on events campus-wide (3:10). That’s followed by a look around UND Athletics, where the winter sports teams make the turn for home and softball begins in Hawaii (22:22). On the B-Side (37:28), Spurs and Liverpool play the hits – and not in a good way – and video review continues to keep Bill awake at night.

This week, Bill and Alex are joined by Jordan Stevens of UND Softball to discuss the art/science of pitching and non-conference schedule-making before touching on the impact Albrecht Field has already made on the Fighting Hawks’ program and the Grand Forks community (0:56). That’s followed by a look around UND Athletics, highlighted by road successes for hockey and men’s basketball and an overview of next month’s Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by UND (21:53). On the B-Side (44:56), in light of the AFC Championship game, is it special when weather impacts a sporting event – or just disappointing? Plus, Liverpool and Spurs remain in shambles domestically while soaring in Europe ahead of the final matchday of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

This week, Bill and Alex welcome UND’s Nicole Letofsky to discuss her multi-faceted role as Associate AD of Marketing & Athletic Communications before looking ahead to the fan experiences she’s helping bring to the ice and hardwood (1:11). The guys then dig into the current state of college athletics ahead of this week’s NCAA Convention, then touch on what’s happening around UND Athletics, highlighted by another series win for the NCHC-leading hockey team and a 3-1 start to Summit League play for men’s basketball (20:43). Then, on the B-Side (40:55), the magic of the FA Cup is on full display, as sixth-tier Maaclesfield FC take down defending champions Crystal Palace. Plus, Bill makes several bold predictions regarding what the next six months will look like at White Hart Lane.

This week, Bill and Alex welcome the NCAA’s Ty Halpin to discuss logistics surrounding the FCS title game for this year and the future, as well as details for the 2026 Men’s Frozen Four in Las Vegas (1:43). The guys also reflect on the successes of the UND Hockey contingent currently on international duty and share excitement around the hire of David Nguyen to lead UND Volleyball (33:35). Then, on the B-Side, there’s a status check two-thirds of the way through the EPL’s festive fixtures, a quick examination of the Red Sox offseason, and a thoughtful dissection of the Patriots’ improbable return to AFC East glory (45:11).

This week, Bill and Alex take a pre-Christmas tour of all things UND Athletics, including a deep dive on the NCHC-leading NoDak hockey team, a look ahead to the end of the non-conference season for men’s and women’s basketball, and a conversation about the current NCAA landscape (5:27). Then, the B-Side looks into the current state of affairs at Tottenham (not good) and Liverpool (getting better?) before addressing the lack of hot stove activity for the Red Sox (36:35).

This week, Bill and Alex welcome back UND Deputy Athletics Director/COO Erik Martinson to discuss his recent appointment to the NCAA DI Men’s Hockey Rules Subcommittee (1:22). Then, the conversation shifts to UND Football’s playoff berth, UND Hockey’s final three series before the holiday break, Jadyn Keeler’s All-American performance at the NCAA XC Championships, and much more (16:55). Finally, the beautiful game takes over the B-Side, as there’s sadness on Merseyside and White Hart Lane – but so, so much joy in Dublin (33:15).

This week, Bill and Alex welcome back NCHC commish Heather Weems to discuss how the league is navigating college hockey’s evolving landscape, the importance of non-conference success, and the new-look Frozen Faceoff (2:09). Then, the guys look back on a busy start to November for Fighting Hawks Athletics, highlighted by hockey’s road sweep at Omaha, football’s instant classic against NDSU, and the first week of the men’s and women’s basketball seasons (28:37).

This week, Bill and Alex welcome back Josh Fenton of The Summit League to chat about staging conference championships, the new Summit-MVFC partnership, the current NCAA landscape, and much more (3:14). Then, the conversation shifts to UND Athletics, as football remains unbeaten in Valley play, hockey prepares for this weekend’s NCHC opener, and both cross country teams set their sights on the league championships (32:21). On the B-side (49:37), Tottenham Hotspur become masters of the set piece, while Liverpool’s poor run continues.

This week, Bill and Alex bring back Ralph Englestad Arena General Manager Jody Hodgson to discuss new fan experiences at the REA, the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Austin, the CHL-to-college hockey dynamic, and much more (2:00). Then, the guys flip through a flawless weekend for the Fighting Hawks, highlighted by wins in hockey, football, soccer, volleyball, and cross country (37:24). On the B-side (51:49), soccer’s latest international break has Bill searching for answers.

This week, Bill and Alex welcome Belfast Giants General Manager and Sporting Director Steve Thornton and UND Deputy AD Erik Martinson for more details regarding UND Hockey’s inclusion at the 2027 Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland (2:12). Then, the guys look ahead to the start of hockey season and look back on conference openers for soccer and volleyball and a pair of historic performances for cross country and men’s golf (29:46). On the B-side (42:38), the Red Sox are back in the playoffs, the Steelers are leading the AFC North, and Spurs score one of many late, late goals across the Premier League at the weekend.

This week, Bill and Alex are joined by UND Letterwinners Association President Brian Westlund to discuss this weekend’s Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet and Homecoming celebrations (1:42). Then, the guys recap the week that was in UND Athletics, including football’s close call at Montana, soccer’s strong finish to the non-conference season, and cross country’s big opportunity at the Roy Griak Invite. (17:36). On the B-side (33:45), all the hits get a spin, including Spurs, Steelers, international soccer, Red Sox, and more.

This week, Bill and Alex welcome the Alerus Center’s Anna Rosburg to discuss what fans need to know before attending UND Football’s 2025 home opener this Saturday night (1:01). Then, the conversation shifts to the week that was for UND Fall sports, highlighted by NoDak’s near upset against #17 Kansas State in Eric Schmidt’s head coaching debut (10:54). On the B-side (28:15), there’s more sadness regarding instant replay and optimism in Red Sox Nation.

This week, Bill and Alex are joined by Kyle Grooms – the newly-appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Missouri Valley Football Conference – to talk about his journey to The Valley and what fans of MVFC programs should be watching for during the 2025 season (2:40). The guys then preview UND Football’s season opener at Kansas State (16:32) and discuss the perfect start for UND Women’s Soccer before flipping to the B-Side (36:10) to discuss the first weekend of the English Premier League season, highlighted by an emotional win for Liverpool and a satisfying three points for Spurs.

In the Season 8 premier, Bill and Alex recap news and notes from the summer (2:10), headlined by a debrief on what’s happening with the NCAA House Settlement. Then, the first B-Side of the new season (35:20) touches on all the changes at White Hart Lane for Bill’s beloved Tottenham Hotspur before an assessment of the ahead-of-schedule Boston Red Sox.

In the final episode of Season 7, Bill and Alex look ahead to the looming verdict on the House Settlement (2:58) before discussing all things UND Athletics, including track and field’s spotlight at the NCAA West Regional (8:32), new home kickoff times for football (11:43), and the naming of hockey’s new associate head coach (16:44). On this week’s triumphant B-Side (36:07), it’s all COYS, as Tottenham Hotspur win their first European trophy in 41 years.

In this week’s episode, Bill and Alex discuss all things NCHC, Summit League, and Missouri Valley Football Conference in the midst of end-of-season meetings around the leagues (2:26). The guys then reflect on a special season for UND Softball before previewing the conference championships for Outdoor Track and Field and breaking down how the latest UND Athletics Hall of Fame class was selected (14:22). On this week’s B-Side (28:58), Tottenham Hotspur are inexplicably a win away from a major European trophy.

In this week’s episode, Bill and Alex are joined by UND’s Erik Martinson to discuss the department’s preparations as host of the 2026 Men’s Frozen Four in Las Vegas and to reflect on Albrecht Field’s tremendous debut season (1:21). The guys then break down a busy stretch for Fighting Hawk spring sports before previewing the upcoming UND Football Spring Showcase (15:33). On this week’s B-Side (33:32), Spurs improbably reach the Europa League semifinals, the Red Sox remain enigmatic, and the Celtics start their title defense.

In this week’s episode, Bill and Alex discuss changes in leadership at UND for hockey and women’s basketball and how difficult the job of head coach has become in the modern NCAA landscape (1:46). The guys then look back over what’s been an historic stretch for Fighting Hawks softball, track and field, tennis, and golf (27:48) before flipping to the B-Side (44:43), where the Red Sox are fun AND good – but VAR remains problematic.

In this week’s episode, Bill and Alex welcome the NCHC’s Michael Weisman to preview what to expect in St. Paul at this weekend’s Frozen Faceoff (1:20). The guys then dig into UND’s prospects at the X before recapping impressive final acts for basketball and indoor track and stellar mid-season runs for softball and tennis (24:30). On the B-Side (36:05), the March Madness selection committees show little love for the mid-majors, while Liverpool fall flat on their biggest week of the season.