Episode 45 - Barry Houser is My Guest

Episode 48 - Pat Embleton + Mailbag Part 2

What's it like to be charged with assembling the roster for Illinois football? And in a profession with high turnover, how does someone stay one place for 14 seasons and work for four different head coaches? Illinois football general manger Pat Embleton shares with Scott and Robert his life, career and current job -- one that didn't even exist just a few years ago. Then, Scott and Robert answer more mailbag questions. 00:00 Intro 02:11 What exactly does Pat Embleton do? 05:08 Staying through coaching changes 18:14 Discovering and evaluating players 35:16 A favorite commitment 39:44 Bumping chests with Robert 44:02 Mailbag Part 2

Episode 47 - STAYjakovic + Mailbag Pt. 1

Scott and Robert are back together in studio with preemptive reaction to Andrej Stojakovic's decision and other basketball updates. Then they open the mailbag from the Light the I audience. 00:00 Intro 02:58 Andre Stojakovic is going to... 18:36 Women's basketball items 21:25 Baseball season ends in the Big Ten Tourney 28:57 New traffic patters for football 33:48 Mailbag questions: the new defense, football's ceiling, and NIL rankings

Episode 46 - Big Ten Title Drought?

Scott is in Omaha for Big Ten Baseball and Robert is on Grandkid Watch so this from-the-road episode covers Illini baseball, Illini in the NBA Draft, Robert wearing Final Four gear around St. Louis, and the difficulty of winning a Big Ten title with the west coast teams now part of the conference.

Episode 45 - Barry Houser is My Guest

Barry Houser has been the Director of the Marching Illini since 2011. From bowl games to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to NCAA basketball tournaments to Dublin, he's nearly done it all with Illini bands. Then last month brought came a first - performing at the Final Four. Houser reflects on the 2025-26 year for the MI, some of the lesser known but important band traditions, and preparing for next year. Then, Scott and Robert put his Big Ten knowledge to the test. To make a contribution to the American Brain Tumor Association, please visit: https://www.abta.org/ [https://www.abta.org/] 00:00 Intro 2:28 Requiem for a Flugelhorn 5:07 MI Did Some Stuff This Year 9:33 Barry's First Final Four 16:11 Fall Planning 18:48 Amory Warm Up 21:50 Traditions Old and New 26:19 Behind the Music 29:34 Barry Houser Memorabilia  34:10 Name that Fight Song 42:45 Barry's Favorites

Episode 44 - Spring Sports Postseason + Mazie Graduating

Scott & Robert discuss the golf team's 2nd place finish in Oregon, the tennis team advancing to the Sweet 16, a coaching change in the softball dugout, and various comings and goings in Bielfeldt. Then producer Mazie gets a send-off before she graduates and heads off to the real world next week. To make a contribution to the American Brain Tumor Association, please visit: https://www.abta.org/ [https://www.abta.org/]