Collingwood Sports

Former Shadle Park and Eastern Washington University standout Tanner Groves -- the 2021 Big Sky Conference MVP -- is adjusting to life in Norman, Oklahoma. He discusses the wild transfer process, the band breaking up at EWU and his new life with brother Jacob in the Big 12.

Former NBA and Washington State forward looks back at his career and when he came at peace with "The Shot." Ehlo also chats about the state of WSU, Idaho, EWU and Zag hoops, growing up in Lubbock, Texas, living the Hayden Lake life and more.

John Friesz, who starred at CdA High and Idaho, played 11 NFL seasons before retiring in North Idaho. He talks about the state of Vandals, the growth of CdA, winning the Walter Payton Award and more.

Kim Aiken Jr. was a two-time All-Big Sky Conference player at Eastern Washington and the league's Defensive Player of the Year before opting to transfer to Washington State. Aiken discusses the transfer, his time at EWU and more.

Joe McHale is the rare combination of journalist and MMA fighter. Get to know the Cal State-Fullerton graduate.

Riley was promoted to head coach at EWU last month following the Eagles' first-round NCAA Tournament appearance. The former Whitworth standout talks about taking over a program in a time of mass departures, his coaching-rich family and Silver Valley roots.

Central Valley junior and standout linebacker Brandon Thomas was getting Division I interest before losing his leg to cancer. He continues to fight and plans to return to field with a prosthetic in the fall.

Gonzaga University crime prevention and education officer, former NAACP president and U.S. Air Force veteran Phil Tyler discusses his mental health initiative for student-athletes, suicide prevention and dealing with GU students burning couches amid the Bulldogs' deep tournament run.

Hoopfest director Matt Santangelo was a star point guard at Gonzaga during the Bulldogs' initial, program boosting NCAA Tournaments runs in 1999 and 2000. He talks about the evolution of the country's No. 1 program, how Hoopfest has navigated the pandemic and more.

A 2015 NBA Draft pick who was the NCAA scoring leader that year, Tyler Harvey, an EWU alum, reflects on reaching the NCAA Tournament, beating the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington and gives his thoughts on this year's EWU team that punched its ticket to March Madness.

The University of Northern Iowa has one of the most well-rounded athletic departments at the NCAA Division I level. Jerek Wolcott - an Inland Northwest native with deep local ties - is the Panthers' sports information director and assistant athletic director.

Gonzaga media contributor, ex-KXLY journalist and former Idaho Vandals standout hooper Alyssa Charlston is a rising star in hoops media.

Dehonta Hayes led Eastern Washington University in tackles in 2019, signed with the Spokane Shock in 2020 and currently has a TikTok social media following of more than 317,000.

Seattle Mariners beat writer Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times is a proud Montana boy and former NAIA baseball player who worked up the rungs of journalism and started his career at the Havre Daily News. He chats about the humble beginnings, the players he liked and didn't like and a forecast of the 2021 Mariners.

The owner of Spokane's most successful downtown boxing club, Rick discusses his proffesional career, growing up in rough-and-tough Hillyard and the value of getting your ass kicked.

KHQ/SWX sports director and Inland Northwest Hall of Fame broadcaster Dennis Patchin discusses his long career, American Falls, Idaho roots and the state of sports journalism in 2021.

Oregon State women's basketball assistant coach - named one of the top 30 assistant coaches under the age of 30 by the WBCA - starred at Lake City High School and Montana and played overseas before beginning her coaching career. The CdA Charter Academy graduate discusses her career path, North Idaho roots and the memories along the way.

Longtime Timberlake athletic director Tim Cronnelly has spend decades in coaching and administration. The Butte, Montana native talks about his career path, navigating the pandemic as Idaho sports move forward, growing up in Montana and much more.

Local MMA star and former Shadle Park and North Idaho College wrestler Terrance McKinney was invited to fight in Dana White's UFC Contender Series on ESPN in 2019. He is still working toward a UFC contract and hopes to become the next Spokane product to appear on the octagon's grandest stage.

A fourth-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2012, ex-EWU safety Matt Johnson's NFL career was derailed by a series of injuries. Johnson talks about that frustrating experience, his favorite Cowboys moments, winning a national title with twin brother and his current gig as the defensive coordinator and teacher in the Tri-Cities.

Missouri State-West Plains coach Jared Phay - formerly the head of North Idaho College of Southern Idaho - talks about how juco basketball is powering through a pandemic, his favorite, wildest moments from the NIC vs. Spokane CC rivalry games and

Former EWU All-American tight end Nate Overbay spent five years in the NFL before transitioning into law enforcement, where he is currently a deputy with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.

Saint Martin's University head women's basketball coach Christy Martin - a Ferris and EWU graduate - discusses how the pandemic has severely affected small colleges, the way she's turned around three struggling programs and growing up on Spokane's South Hill.

Spokane Shock head coach Billy Back talks about the reborn Indoor Football League adjusting to life in a pandemic, his talented roster, how he got into this brand of football and growing up in small south Ohio town where his father was the police chief.

2017 Big Sky Conference MVP, Newport product and European pro Jake Wiley speaks candidly about his time in the NBA, at EWU, Montana, overseas and growing up in a rural Eastern Washington town.

Luke Van Valin, a former pro skier from Rathdrum, has provided network commentary for the Olympic Games, Winter Olympics and X-Games.

Former New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller - a St. Maries, Idaho native - talks to Ryan about his long and successful career in NFL front offices and his North Idaho upbringing.

Before Ron Heller played eight years in the NFL, won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers and became a successful business man, he grew up in a trailer in little Clark Fork, Idaho. Heller talks about his humble roots, path to the league and drops some funny anecdotes.

Matt Troxel was a former Lake City High and Montana receiver who went on to become an offensive coordinator at Idaho State and an assistant at Oregon State and Montana. He leveraged that experience to run the offense of the AAF's San Antonio Commanders, a high-level proffesional league which oddly stopped midway through its inaugural season. Troxel talks about that experience, Idaho prep football and the Big Sky Conference.

Brandon Hanna helped bring Lake City a state title in 2006 before enjoying two Rose Bowls (2009, 2011) and a 2010 national championship appearance with the Oregon Ducks. The former linebacker talks about those experiences.

Matt Brown starred at Coeur d’Alene High and in the minor leagues before brief stints with the Anaheim Angels. Brown, a member of 2008 USA Olympic team, talks about the hard truths of the MLB, playing near drug cartels in Mexico and how he didn’t take steroids but, looking back, wonders if it would have helped keep a spot on an MLB roster.