Interesting, lesser-known sports stories told by graduate students from Northwestern's Medill School.
Here is a pilot recorded in late 2021 for a series called "In the Shadows of Titans" about athletes and teams that had what it took to win a title but ran into someone just a bit better. The 1999 Jacksonville Jaguars were the best team in franchise history. Including the playoffs, they lost only 3 games - all of which came against their division rival, the Tennesee Titans.
Connor goes back more than 100 years to one of the most miraculous comebacks in MLB history. The 1914 Boston Braves overcame more than a decade of consecutive losing seasons, a 12-28 start, and a loss to a minor league team to complete the first-ever World Series sweep. A miracle indeed.
Connor tells three different stories related to expansion teams in their first season: 1) Johnny Kerr becomes the only NBA coach to win Coach of the Year despite his team having a losing record. 2) The 1974-75 Washington Capitals and 1992-93 Ottawa Senators nearly go winless on the road. 3) Fran Tarkenton leads the Minnesota Vikings to perhaps the best debut game in expansion team history.
Few players in NBA history have combined offensive production and efficiency like Adrian Dantley. During his time with the Utah Jazz, Dantley was the most talented scorer in the league. But despite his individual success, Dantley was traded from each of his five NBA teams and never won a championship. Here's a look at one of the most unique superstars in league history.
In the last of a three-part series on pitchers, Connor takes you through the life and MLB career of Ed Walsh, who has the lowest career ERA in MLB history. It's wild that you've never heard of him, right?
Connor is joined by the 4th and Four podcast's Ashton Pollard to discuss Jim Devlin, who threw every pitch for the 1877 Louisville Grays before receiving a lifetime ban from the National League, and the inaugural Bahamas Bowl, one of the craziest college football games ever played.
Nolan Ryan is one of the great pitchers in MLB history. In this episode, Connor focuses on the Ryan Express's accomplishments after he turned 40, where he not only maintained his level of performance but arguably pitched better.
In this episode, Connor discusses the time an NBA player went 1-18 from the foul line in a game, the greatest professional basketball player from the charity stripe, and Ted St. Martin, who made...a lot of free throws in a row.
In this episode, Connor dives into five college football games during a six-week stretch in 2007 that set scoring records across the FBS, FCS, Division II, and Division III. Featuring guest appearances from Colin Kaepernick, Nathan Peterman, Danny Woodhead, and Bernard Scott.
In this episode, Connor discusses the 1999 March Madness first-round matchup between 5-seed Wisconsin and 12-seed Southwest Missouri State. The underdogs scored just 43 points...and won by double digits.
In this episode, Connor is joined by Jake Bramande to discuss Philip Anschutz, a man who very possibly saved Major League Soccer, and Charlie Hennigan, a star wide receiver for the Houston Oilers in the 1960s that previously held the all-time records for receptions and receiving yards in a season.
APRIL FOOLS! In this special episode, hear Brandon Schaff discuss the 2016 NBA Western Conference Finals, host Connor Groel relive Super Bowl XLII, Mike Tyrrell talk about the 2006 Rose Bowl, Carter Byrd detail the Kick Six, and Brandon Rudy teach about Zion Williamson.
Connor is joined by his dad, Bill Groel, to discuss the three-point shooter that took over the ABA in the late 60s and early 70s. But why did it take so long for another shooter to match Louie Dampier's volume, and why did he suddenly start taking fewer and fewer threes?
Connor presents an audiobook version of "An Overindulgence of Madness", his favorite story he's written. Set in 2047, the story revolves around a new March Madness tournament involving every D-I school that takes place entirely within 24 hours. Given that this tournament is held in one location under a strict quarantine with no fans, it seems pretty timely... Â
In this episode, hear about how placekicker Mark Moseley became the unlikeliest player to ever win the NFL MVP award in the strike-shortened 1982 season.
In this episode, listen to three stories that all involve the San Antonio Spurs. Hear Brandon Schaff talk about DeJuan Blair, Mike Tyrrell remember the 2011 Spurs-Grizzlies playoff matchup, and Connor Groel go deep into the Warriors' record-tying 72nd win of the 2015-16 season.
In this episode, hear about Joe Nuxhall, the youngest player in MLB history, the 1977 Evansville men's basketball team's plane crash, and Tyler Herro decommitting from Wisconsin and going to Kentucky. Featuring Connor Groel, Rachel Gaylor, and Jonathan Mills.
In this episode, hear about Villanova basketball star Shelly Pennefather's decision to retire from her professional career and join the Poor Clares, and soccer teams whose goal tallies didn't reflect the ultimate result of their seasons. Featuring Hannah Lichtenstein (host of the Run Along Podcast) and Connor Groel, with additional commentary from Mike Tyrrell.Links to the Pennefather story:https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/27297631/happened-villanova-basketball-star-shelly-pennefather-made-deal-godhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGuOx5ob13c
In this episode, hear about MLS expansion and the upcoming opportunities to grow soccer in the U.S., the rapid rise and fall of running back Jonas Gray, and the absurd 2006 college football game between North Texas and Florida International. Featuring Jake Bramande, Mike Tyrrell and Connor Groel.
In part two of this week's session, hear about marathon overtime football games played by the Arkansas Razorbacks, Darren McFadden's attempt to invest millions in Bitcoin, how Duke Basketball should've won more championships, and how the Orlando Magic nearly assembled a devastating Big 3 in the summer of 2000. Featuring Connor Groel, Brandon Rudy, Mike Tyrrell, and Brevin Fleischer.
In the first part of this week's session, Shaaz Peerani talks about the Indian Premier League, Mack Liederman dives into the predecessor to the Travis Scott meal, and Brandon Schaff reviews the underrated career of Shaun Alexander. Part two coming Thursday.
Episode 1 of Slept On Sports! Tune in to learn about the 1977 Falcons, 1998 Vikings, Bernard King's 1984-85 season, and Kevin Durant's partnership with Rich Kleiman. Featuring Connor Groel, Mike Tyrrell, Brevin Fleischer, and Brandon Schaff.