Wednesday was a Christmas Day of sorts for Jackrabbit and Coyote football fans. They got to unwrap an anticipated present — well, stocking stuffer, at least — the FCS preseason Top 25 football poll, voted on by four respected FCS analysts at HERO Sports. Was it a present or a Pandora's box? Or a can of worms? Based off what many who follow the FCS …

Wednesday was a Christmas Day of sorts for Jackrabbit and Coyote football fans. They got to unwrap an anticipated present — well, stocking stuffer, at least — the FCS preseason Top 25 football poll, voted on by four respected FCS analysts at HERO Sports. Was it a present or a Pandora's box? Or a can of worms? Based off what many who follow the FCS …

If you are looking to be more informed about the present and future of FCS football and how the Jackrabbits and Coyotese fit in it — this season and beyond — this is a deep dive that should leave you satisfied. Remarkably, the power brokers from the SEC just might give "the little guys" in the FCS an enormous boost in a seismic college football rul…

Why should Sioux Falls be captivated and impressed by Canaries slugger Jabari Henry tying and eventually breaking the American Association independent league's career home run record, and what makes his story and career intriguing? How disappointing, if at all, should we consider the Minnesota Timberwolves' postseason run considering it will likely…

This week Erik and Aidan have a bunch of topics to cover as Roland Garros kicks off. In a historic achievement last week, Novak Djokovic became only the third man to win 100 or more titles in his career, collecting his first championship of the season at the Geneva Open. Meanwhile, Richard Gasquet brings his illustrious career to a close this week …

He rewrote South Dakota State and Missouri Valley Football Conference record books as part of a juggernaut offense that vaulted the Jackrabbits into FCS national championship contention for the first time. Then, he had brief brushes with NFL royalty — Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Mike Tomlin — before coming back to start his new life…

What's there to say about another infuriating, deflating Minnesota Timberwolves spanking from the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 on Thursday night? Plenty! It's another group therapy session after Minnesota again waited until the third quarter to get mauled — by SAG's flops, by the OKC mob, by its own self-inflicted wounds and self-doubt. If we ca…

He rewrote South Dakota State and Missouri Valley Football Conference record books as part of a juggernaut offense that vaulted the Jackrabbits into FCS national championship contention for the first time. Then, he had brief brushes with NFL royalty — Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Mike Tomlin — before coming back to start his new life…

With the release of the Roland Garros Draw, Erik and Aidan hop on the pod for a quick discussion covering what they are seeing from the matchups and what excites them looking forward into the tournament. Some players seem to have an easier draw than others, and certain top seeds may be ousted early. The guys discuss whether Sinner or Alcaraz will h…

Michael Jordan. LeBron James. Kobe Bryant. Allen Iverson. Gary Payton. There aren't too many humans on the planet that can say they guarded all of those Hall of Famers in the NBA, but Erick Strickland is one of them. The University of Nebraska Basketball Hall of Famer has loads of awesome stories to tell about his nine-year career in the league (19…

The Jackrabbits aren't just a juggernaut in football and basketball. South Dakota State captured the Summit League Commissioner's Cup, a season-long all-sports tabulation, for the 10th time in 15 years. That SDSU continues to win or at least compete for league titles in almost every sport, every year is both amazing and obvious to Happy Hour host J…

Michael Jordan. LeBron James. Kobe Bryant. Allen Iverson. Gary Payton. There aren't too many humans on the planet that can say they guarded all of those Hall of Famers in the NBA, but Erick Strickland is one of them. The University of Nebraska Basketball Hall of Famer has loads of awesome stories to tell about his nine-year career in the league (19…

Capturing Victor Page weilding a broomstick during the middle of the sold out Christmas Night Skyforce game. Challenging synchronized swimmers, pickle ballers, and Stu Whitney to on-air athletic competitions. Calling local small town bars to get the high school football or basketball scores. Then, there's the incredible events, personalities, and h…

Capturing Victor Page weilding a broomstick during the middle of the sold out Christmas Night Skyforce game. Challenging synchronized swimmers, pickle ballers, and Stu Whitney to on-air athletic competitions. Calling local small town bars to get the high school football or basketball scores. Then, there's the incredible events, personalities, and h…

A turnover carnival. ANT and Julius disappearing. SGA flopping his way to the foul line. It all added up to an Thunder thumping of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. As has become tradition on Happy Hour, our Sioux Falls Live Twin Cities Native & Die Hard Wolves Fan Analyst Chris Johnson — who happens to be the 1…

For almost 30 years, Steve Thomson has lived his childhood dream of being a host on Minnesota's most prestigious radio station, WCCO in Minneapolis. Before he was opining and interviewing big-name guests about the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, Wild, and other local teams, Thomson was the Voice of the University of Sioux Falls athletics for…

For almost 30 years, Steve Thomson has lived his childhood dream of being a radio announcer on Minnesota's most prestigious station, WCCO in Minneapolis. Before he hosted shows opining and interviewing with big-name guests about the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, Wild, and more in one of the nation's largest markets, Thomson was the Voice o…

Once again, the Minnesota Timberwolves are picked by both Vegas and many national pundits to lose their playoff series, this time to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. While OKC won 68 games in the regular season to earn the No. 1 seed, Happy Hour host John Gaskins rattles off several reasons why the Wolves are the better t…

This week Erik and Aidan recap the second week in Rome at this Italian Masters. The first week of the tournament set up some exciting matchups down the stretch, as most of the top seeds made it to the later rounds. Some standout performances included Sinner's who returned from his 3 month hiatus as though he had never left, storming to the final wi…

Monday's "John-o-logue" with Happy Host John Gaskins gives a nod to the hot hitting Sioux Falls Canaries, who averaged over 10 runs per game in their six-game homestand at The Birdcage that wrapped up on Sunday. The highlight of the week came on Friday, when Augustana alumnus Jordan Barth hit two grand slams and USF alumnus Josh Rehwaldt hit for th…

Before he landed a dream job coaching and thriving Iowa State — where he has earned a reputation as one of the best big-league coaches in the country — T.J. Otzelberger was a struggling rookie head coach at South Dakota State, starting 1-5 in Summit League play. Otzelberger was an "outsider" coming over from Iowa State's staff. He had never worked …

Before he landed a dream job coaching and thriving Iowa State — where he has earned a reputation as one of the best big-league coaches in the country — T.J. Otzelberger was a struggling rookie head coach at South Dakota State, starting 1-5 in Summit League play. Otzelberger was an "outsider" coming over from Iowa State's staff. He had never worked …

So, what's Nick Saban really like to deal with when you're his successor? How do you deal with the scolding hot pressure of being an outsider who is inside the boiling cauldron of a stark-raving fan base and a first season, post-Saban, that becomes the losingest season in Alabama in 17 years and the losingest of your own remarkably successful 10-ye…

So, what's Nick Saban really like to deal with when you're his successor? How do you deal with the scolding hot pressure of being an outsider who is inside the boiling cauldron of a stark-raving fan base and a first season, post-Saban, that becomes the losingest season in Alabama in 17 years and the losingest of your own remarkably successful 10-ye…

Death. Taxes. And Augustana softball winning NSIC titles and making fierce May runs through the NCAA Tournament. It's happening again. The Vikings, who have won 24 consecutive games, are two wins away from reaching their fifth NCAA D2 Softball Championships (in other words, the D2 World Series) as they start a best-of-three super regional at Centra…

Death. Taxes. And Augustana softball winning NSIC titles and making fierce May runs through the NCAA Tournament. It's happening again. The Vikings, who have won 24 consecutive games, are two wins away from reaching their fifth NCAA D2 Softball Championships (in other words, the D2 World Series) as they start a best-of-three super regional at Centra…

Is Diet Coke the "worst-tasting thing in the world?" Is it acceptable to wear pajamas in public, let alone sweatpants? Is our "Dead Guy of the Week" — a B-list Twins legend — someone that passes Matt Zimmer's fame test? As they do every week at Gateway Lounge, John Gaskins and Zim solve all the world's problems and mysteries in this Mid-May version…

To make your dreams come true, sometimes you have to jump through hoops. Or, in Kris Atteberry's case, you have to call play-by-play of an elderly maniac's slalom through a flaming hoop while he catches on fire and sets the Sioux Falls Canaries' field ablaze. After all, that caused a delay in the game, and Atteberry also had to fill the time as the…

Just win, baby? Or do the Timberwolves need to show more in this NBA Playoff series against the wounded Warriors? It's another Wolves Pow Wow with John Gaskins and , the day after the Game 4 win to go up 3-1 with a chance of a close-out at home on Wednesday. USF men's basketball Chris Johnson, a Twin Cities native and die-hard Wolves fan, joins the…

To make your dreams come true, sometimes you have to jump through hoops. Or, in Kris Atteberry's case, you have to call a maniac's slalom through a flaming hoop while he catches on fire and sets the Sioux Falls Canaries' field ablaze. After all, that caused a delay in the game, and Atteberry also had to fill the time as the Birds' play-by-play man …

This week Erik and Aidan discuss the first week of the Italian Open taking place in Rome. Coming into this tournament, the major headline was the return of Jannik Sinner, and he has not disappointed thus far. In terms of upsets, the biggest disappointment has likely been the Americans, with every seeded player outside of Tommy Paul finding an early…

Why not dream big? The Timberwolves can win the NBA championship this season, and Happy Hour host John Gaskins and his happy hour cocktail buddy Jon Oppold, a die-hard T-wolves fan, explain why and how over a beer at Oppold's bar and downtown Wolves games hangout, The Orion Pub. Like the Wolves, the Sioux Falls Canaries have gone from punchline to …

If you've been to The Birdcage to see Canaries games the last few years, you've noticed some dramatic changes — in improvements to the facility, the fan experience, and the team's results. These aren't the same lovable losers playing in the same old dump. Not since new owners Brian Slipka and Anthony Albanese from Slipka's True North Family Compani…

It isn't quite the minor league version of the movie Major League. Still, the Sioux Falls Canaries — who open their 50-game home slate with a six-game homestand starting Tuesday — have flipped the script from cellar dwellers to contenders in the last few years, and it has all happened under the guidance of a manager could be the star of a movie cal…

Why not start thinking NBA title for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season?! Ludicrous? Absurd? Maybe. But Happy Hour host John Gaskins and his die-hard Wolves fan happy hour buddy Jon Oppold pow over the possibility as they look back at the Game 3 win and look ahead to Monday's Game 4 against the Warriors. They dare think and talk big from the Or…

He surprised some by deciding to come back for a sixth year of eligibility and sling the rock for a South Dakota squad that had its best season in the Div. I era last year. Then, after a productive and spiritied spring practice stretch — and at times, during it — some of quarterback Aidan Bouman's linemen left the Coyotes for NIL deals elsewhere. A…

What a banger of a game to be there — even if it was the nosebleeds. Even if the Timberwolves did the bare minimum and beat the Warriors without Steph Curry to tie the playoff series at 1-1. Even if Minnesota turned in a B- performance. Even if Anthony Edwards was B- at best. Even if ANT made every Wolves fan's heart plummet into their guts after n…

He surprised some by deciding to come back for a sixth year of eligibility and sling the rock for a South Dakota squad that had its best season in the Div. I era last year. Then, after a productive and spiritied spring practice stretch — and at times, during it — some of quarterback Aidan Bouman's linemen left the Coyotes for NIL deals elsewhere. A…

He may be retired. He may no longer be in charge of the FCS football powerhouse he built. But former South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier has certainly not vanished from the Dykhouse complex. In his first Happy Hour interview since reacting to successor Jimmy Rogers leaving and taking his whole staff and over a dozen SDSU players with hi…

It's May, which brings with it May baskets, May flowers, and memorable Augustana baseball postseason runs. (Augie softball for that matter, too.) The Vikings begin their quest for a fifth NSIC tournament title and ninth NCAA Div. II Tournament berth, and second national championship on Tim Huber's watch at The Birdcage on Wednesday evening. Six pla…

It's May, which brings with it May baskets, May flowers, and memorable Augustana baseball postseason runs. (Augie softball for that matter, too.) The Vikings begin their quest for a fifth NSIC tournament title and ninth NCAA Div. II Tournament berth, and second national championship on Tim Huber's watch at The Birdcage on Wednesday evening. Six pla…

How can you not have Minnesota Timberwolves fever, especially on the precipice of a showdown full of stars, storylines, and bad blood between the Wolves and Golden State Warriors? Jimmy Butler — whose belligerence and self-engineered exit eventually sunk the squad into the abyss — returns to face unruly Target Center fans, not to mention the supers…

This week Erik and Aidan discuss last week's Madrid Open, a tournament full of excitement despite the fact that both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were absent from the event. Novak Djokovic and last year's finalist Felix Auger Aliassime went out early, while another canadian Gabriel Diallo made a shock deep run. In the end, we saw Draper make a …

Twin Cities sports fans are waaaaaaay luckier than they think they are — at least, for what they get to see right now. In fact, this week, next door to each other, will be two of the most electric Minnesota pro sports athletes of all time. Not two of the best, but two of the best at being drop-your-jaw, take-your-breath-away electrifying. Anthony E…

There are so many awesome athletes, coaches, and sporting events happening in the Sioux Falls area that it is tough to keep track. But, Sioux Falls Live reporter Trent Singer always finds away to mine for gold and find it with his storytelling. So, Trent was a perfect guest on a Monday following the 100th edition of the prestigious Howard Wood Dako…

You will want to run through a brick wall after you've heard the conversation with Friday's Happy Hour guest. No, seriously. While "run through a brick wall" is an overused sports cliche, if anyone can make you feel it, it's Augustana football coach Jerry Olszewski, more commonly known as "Coach O.J." How can a human Energizer bunny be so animated,…

You will want to run through a brick wall after you've heard this conversation. No, seriously! Yes, "run through a brick wall" is an overused sports cliche, but if anyone can make you feel it, it's Augustana football coach Jerry Olszewski, more commonly known as "Coach OJ." How can a human Energizer bunny be so animated, so positive, such a compell…

Things certainly feel different in South Dakota State's football program — at least the personality of the head coach and staff and therefore the atmosphere of spring football. Happy Hour host John Gaskins and Sioux Falls Live SDSU reporter Matt Zimmer compare notes of their recent interviews with quarterback Chase Mason and offensive lineman Quint…

Meet The Conquistadors of the South Dakota State football program, and how they conquistadored. When head coach Jimmy Rogers, his entire staff, and over a dozen players left South Dakota State for Washington State in late December, two SDSU players who refused to become "Washington State Jackrabbits" turned into recruiting generals to salvage the r…

Meet The Conquistadors of the South Dakota State football program, and how they conquistadored. When head coach Jimmy Rogers, his entire staff, and over a dozen players left South Dakota State for Washington State in late December, two SDSU players who refused to become "Washington State Jackrabbits" turned into recruiting machines to salvage the r…