Rollin' with the Golds

It’s a busy and exciting time in Blugold country. In this episode of Rolling with the Golds, Dan catches up with Nick Hoven to break down everything happening across UW–Eau Claire Blugolds athletics. The show starts with the big news of longtime women’s basketball head coach Tonja Englund announcing her retirement after 26 seasons leading the Blugolds program. The guys reflect on her incredible impact on the program, the university, and the Chippewa Valley basketball community. From there, the conversation shifts to the success across multiple programs as several Blugolds teams and athletes prepare for national competition. Gymnastics is headed to the NCGA National Championships for the first time as a team in more than a decade, while indoor track and field sends a large group to nationals in Alabama. Dan and Nick also cover the latest around Blugolds hockey, wrestling’s national qualifiers, and the start of the spring sports season. Softball and baseball are getting games in early thanks to the Sonnentag Center before heading south for spring trips, while tennis and lacrosse are also ramping up their seasons. It’s a full rundown of Blugolds athletics—from major milestones to teams chasing championships. Follow and subscribe to stay up to date with everything happening in Blugold country.

It’s a great time to be a Blugold. On this episode of Rolling with the Golds, Dan and Nick break down one of the busiest and most successful stretches of the season for UW-Eau Claire Athletics. From 50 events in 18 days to conference championships, program records, and playoff races, the energy around Blugold sports is undeniable. The guys recap: Women’s and men’s hockey gearing up for WIAC tournament action Wrestling claiming its first outright WIAC regular season championship Swimming & diving making noise at the WIAC Championships Indoor track & field climbing national rankings Men’s basketball boosting attendance and building momentum Softball opening its home slate at Sonnetag Field Tennis, lacrosse, and baseball kicking off their spring campaigns Then in the second half, the spotlight shifts to gymnastics. Seniors Ava Obermoller and Rachel Hettiarachchy reflect on being part of head coach Jesse Nelson’s first recruiting class, building a culture from the ground up, handling the mental grind of collegiate gymnastics, and helping elevate the program to national relevance. From glitter and game-day routines to program-record team scores, this episode captures what Blugold tradition and excellence truly look like. It’s championship season in Eau Claire — and the Golds are rolling.

Three freshmen from the UW–Eau Claire women’s basketball team sit down to share what brought them to Eau Claire and what it’s really like stepping into one of the toughest conferences in the country. They discuss recruiting, team culture, WIAC battles, balancing school and basketball, and why family is at the core of the program—all capped off with some rapid-fire questions that show their personalities off the court.

It’s the episode before Christmas on Rollin’ with the Golds, and there’s plenty to unwrap. Nick returns just in time as the guys break down an undefeated start for Blue Gold men’s basketball, a free-admission holiday matchup at Sonnentag, women’s basketball gearing up for a Texas trip, and strong performances from men’s and women’s hockey. Plus, updates across swimming & diving, wrestling, gymnastics, and track as the calendar flips toward WIAC play. The episode wraps with some lighthearted Christmas movie talk and a look ahead to a busy new year for UW–Eau Claire athletics.

On this episode of the podcast, Dan does a quick recap of the Blugold winter sports season including the hot starts to the season from both basketball teams.  Then, new women's hockey head coach Jarrad Vroman joins the podcast.  He talks about coming back to Eau Claire, where he also played hockey, having his former coach as a mentor and his wife being a former player, taking over the program or a legendary coach, and the great start to the season for the hockey team so far!

Nick and Dan are back recapping an amazing weekend in Blugold sports that saw volleyball continue their postseason run, both basketball teams with hot starts, hockey with huge wins, wrestling and swimming and diving dominating, and cross country wrapping up their season at nationals.  Then the guys chat with assistant volleyball coach Alex Berger. She discusses her journey to Eau Claire, staying focused with a game by game mentality, and looking ahead to their Elite 8 appearance! 

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest and greatest in Blugold sports including: the beginning of the basketball, hockey, and wrestling seasons, a long with starting to wrap-up some fall sports and their postseason runs like soccer, volleyball, and cross country.  Then Dan and Nick chat with Molly Heidorn and Ryann Wagner from the cross country team as they get set for NCAA Regionals, which is being held on their home course!

Dan and Nick are back and it's a BUSY time in Blugold sports as the guys preview and recap the latest in greatest between all the fall sports wrapping up and winter sports begining.  Then, Andre and Carter from the Blugold men's basketball team stop by to chat about their upcoming season, high expectations, their roles as senior leaders, and the excitement surrounding the team. 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports including some new sports getting ready to begin and the fall sports season heading into the postseason.  Then, Sean Redmond and Ramzi Ouro from the men's soccer team join the podcast. They chat about their soccer backgrounds, the high expectations with this team and the program, and chat about their overall season as they get set for postseason play. 

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports! Then in the second half, the guys are joined by volleyball players Mary Zettle and Amelia Herrick.  They chat about their volleyball backgrounds, the culture of Blugold Volleyball, the terrific season Team 56 is having, and so much more! 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports, post Homecoming! 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest and greatest in Blugold sports! Then Kyle Seyer, the new Director of Men's and Women's Tennis and Assistant Athletic Director joins the guys to talk about his tennis background, coming from the high school level to the college level, his role in Blugold athletics and his goals for Blugold tennis!

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports including some amazing wins and starts to the season by the football and volleyball teams! Then Nick catches up with some Blugold alums and fans from our awesome partners, Northwestern Mutual!

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports including the awesome starts for the football and volleyball teams.  Then the guys are joined by volleyball head coach Kim Wudi to chat about this years team, the hot start, a tough schedule that's coming up, a new court, and so much more!

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports! Then football coach Rob Erickson joins the podcast to recap their week 1 win, looking ahead to their trip to Ohio, goals and expectations for year 3, and competing in the toughest D3 conference in the country. 

Season 3 of the podcast is back! Nick and Dan preview the fall sports season as some teams are already underway and some are just getting ready to get started!

In the season 2 finale, Nick and Dan preview the upcoming national tournament for the Blugold softball team, track and field's national tournament prospects, and take a look back at the season overall.  Then, Director of Athletics Jason Verdugo and Associate Athletic Director Robin Baker join the podcast to wrap-up the season and a look towards the future. 

Dan and Nick are back as we start to wrap up the regular season for spring sports with an eye towards conference and postseason tournaments! Then, student body President Sam Consiglio and and Vice President Zach Jacobson join Nick on the podcast!

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest in the spring sports season as teams and athletes are starting to wrap up the regular season and getting ready for conference tournmanets! Then in the second half, former Blugold softball player and current Athletics & Corporate Sponsorship Jill Millis joins the podcast. She talks about what its like to be a former student athlete now working on campus, Giving Week, and more!

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing a BUSY spring sports season as we are in the thick of some intense conference play! Then, Samantha Fuchs and Liv Herzog  from the Blugold Women's Tennis team join the podcast to share with us their tennis background, how to prepare for different types of courts and playing indoors vs outdoors, their current season, and more!

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports! Then sisters, Alexandria and Victoria Shea from the Blugold Lacrosse team join the podcast to discuss their lacrosse background, teaming up with the Blugolds, trying out for their national team, and more!

Back from Spring Break, Nick and Dan recap and preview the latest going on in Blugold sports as we are fully into spring mode! Then the guys chat with sophomore Blake Wallen, who's coming off his second appearance at the National Championships for swimming and diving!

Dan and Nick are back recapping some winter sports that are continuing their postseason play and catching everyone up on all the spring sports that are in action! Then, former Blugold softball player and now assistant coach Abigail Place joins the podcast to discuss what's it's like to be a former Blugold player and now coach, the culture of Blugold softball, why she loves recruiting, and so much more!

In this episode, Nick and Dan are breaking down, recapping and previewing all the Blugold sports that are wrapping up, just wrapped up, and beginning their seasons! The winter sports season is wrapping up, but spring sports is just beginning! 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing a busy week in Blugold sports with some teams starting to wrap up their regular seasons and getting set for the postseason, while some sports are just starting up! Then, members of the Blugold women's hockey team join the podcast to talk about their hockey background, how they got to Eau Claire, the culture of the team, and more!

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports as we near the postseason for some sports, while some spring sports are already getting underway! Then, Blugold men's basketball players Carter Huschka and Cade Hall join the podcast to talk about their season, proving the doubters wrong, and what it's been like playing under year one of a new coaching staff. 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports from basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, swimming and diving, tennis, hockey, and track and field!  Then, Dan and Nick chat with swimming and diving assistant coach Sam Ryf, who is also a former Blugold swimmer. They chat about what it was like to transition from an athlete to a coach, Sam's swimming background, and more!

Nick and Dan are back recapping the latest in Blugold sports while also looking ahead to what's next on the schedule. Can you believe we only have a month or less for conference play in some sports?! Then the boys are joined by a couple members of the Blugold men's tennis team as they get set to start their season back up at the beginning of February! 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports as we get set for students to get back on campus! Then, Blugold football coach Rob Erickson joins the podcast. We discuss the past two seasons, what he envisions for year 3, some players moving on to play professionally, "The Climb", and more! 

Nick and Dan are back from the holidays recapping and previewing a busy schedule for Blugold athletics.  Then Blugold Women's Hockey head coach Erik Strand joins the podcast! We dive into his Blugold playing career, starting out as a Blugold men's assistant coach, to being the head coach of the women's team and how he's built such a great program!   

Dan and Nick are back with another episode before the holidays! They're recapping and previewing the latest in the winter sports season for the Blugolds.  Then, Blugold women's basketball team captains Anna Koth and Lucia Hauge join the podcast to discuss their Blugold careers, this seasons team, Holiday tournaments, and the culture of Blugold basketball!

Dan and Nick are back from Thanksgiving break to wrap up the fall sports season and recapping and previewing the winter sports season! Then, two members of the Blugold volleyball team stop by the podcast to discuss their season, the Blugold volleyball culture, pranks, and a whole lot more! 

Nick and Dan are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports, including men's soccer staying alive in the national tournament, volleyball is back into the national tournament, and more! Then, former runner and now current assistant coach Connor Dolan joins the podcast to talk about his days as an athlete for the Blugolds then transitioning to a coaching job, plus helping us preview nationals!

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports. And Dan gives his review of watching a basketball game at the new Sonnentag Center! Then, soccer players Spencer Banks and Jacob Sampson join the podcast to discuss being a part of the first recruiting class for the soccer program, the success they have had throughout their collegiate career, this special season including winning the WIAC championship, and looking ahead to the national tournament. 

Dan and Nick are back recapping the latest in Blugold sports, including some WIAC tournaments beginning and the winter sports season starting up! Then joining the podcast are two Blugold interns. The first Blugold athletic interns.  They tell us what is like interning for Blugold athletics, the different types of content and marketing involved with Blugold athletics, and their future goals, and 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports as some teams are preparing, or have already, played in their conference tournaments! And speaking of postseason play, Nick breaks down how the Blugolds and other Division III teams get ranked. 

Dan and Nick are back recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports, with some teams already getting set for postseason conference play! Then Amanda Hopkins, Assistant Athletic Director - Compliance Director/Event Management, joins the podcast to give us a behind the scenes look in the athletic department. What all goes into setting up for sports and events and all the different ways teams and coaches have to be in compliance with the NCAA. 

Dan and Nick recap a busy and fun Homecoming weekend for the Blugolds including a dominating football win at Carson Park! Speaking of football, the boys are joined by three wide receivers from the football team: Franko Williams, Yaach Chuol, and Isaac Garside for an absolutely fantastic conversation. Each player tells us their football background, how they got to be a Blugold, the family love of the team, and so much more in this captivating conversation! 

Dan and Nick are back recapping the latest in Blugolds sports and previewing what's on the schedule for Homecoming Week! Then the guys catch up with Director of Men's and Women's Golf Darrin Skinner makes his debut on the podcast talking about his golf background, his passion for the game, his golf philosophy, and who's his dream foursome! 

Nick and Dan are back breaking down the latest week in Blugold sports and looking ahead to what's coming up, including a lot of teams beginning conference play!  Then in the second half, the boys chat with new assistant men's hockey coach Mike Janda.  They discuss what drew Coach Janda to Eau Claire, his wide hockey background, what he wants to bring to the Blugold hockey family, and more!

In this episode, Nick and Dan recap the latest and greatest in Blugold sports! Then, longtime assistant football coach Mike McHugh joins the podcast to chat about his football background, why he has remained in Eau Claire, working with multiple staffs, recruiting, and so much more!

Nick and Dan are back to recap the latest happenings in Blugold sports as we are well underway for this fall sports season! Then, new assistant coach for men's basketball Adam Smith makes his debut on the podcast! He talks about his basketball upbringing, what it was like to be a part of the Wisconsin Badgers staff, what drew him to Eau Claire, his immediate connection with head coach Zach Malvik, and the vison of this program. 

Nick and Dan recap a busy week in Blugold athletics and look ahead to another action packed week ahead! Then they catch up with a couple of senior cross country runners and discuss their goals for the season, why in the world they like to run, and the close friendship the teams shares. 

Season 2 is here! Nick and Dan preview the beginning of the Blugold fall sports season with everyone either in action or about to be in action.  Then the guys chat with a couple of seniors from the Blugold women's soccer team, who have their sights set on some high expectations for this season!

In the season one finale of Rollin' with the Golds, Nick and Dan recap track and field nationals, looking back at this past season and looking ahead to exciting things to come in 2024-25! Then, Blugold athletic director Jason Verdugo joins the podcast to look back at this season, (his first as a Blugold) with an eye to the future! Thank you all for listening to Season 1! See you in Season 2!

Dan and Nick are back previewing the upcoming National meet for the Blugold track and field teams, plus highlighting all of the camps the Blugolds will have this summer! Then, Blugold Women's Basketball Coach Tonja Englund joins the podcast to talk about her playing career, replacing and being mentored by coaching legends, how her program is like a family and how family life has been a big influence in how she runs her program!

Spring sports is wrapping up for the Blugolds, but the track and field teams have their eyes on Nationals. Dan and Nick break it down.  Then, two unsung heroes in the athletic department make their appearance on the podcast. We welcome a couple of athletic trainers to the podcast to hear about what their typical schedule looks like, their future plans, and what it's like to work with student athletes and helping them get prepared for their games. 

Dan and Nick are back to recap and preview the latest in Blugold sports for the spring season, plus preview some upcoming sports camps for the kids! Then, Nick Amtmann and Carson Brock from the Blugold Men's Golf team join the podcast to discuss their great season, the mental side of playing a sport like golf, and how they shoot so many dang low scores!

Nick and Dan open up the podcast by recapping and previewing the latest in Blugold sports as we start to look ahead to the WIAC championships and postseason play! Then in the second half, men's hockey coach Matt Loen joins the podcast to discuss his vast hockey background as both a player and a coach. He takes us back to winning the National Championship in Lake Placid, how hockey has changed at different levels, being a former Blugold player and now head coach, and so much more!

Dan and Nick recap and preview the latest in Blugold sports as we start to look ahead to the end of the spring season already.  Then, two members of the Blugold women's golf team join the podcast! Olivia McSorley and Bri Novak join the podcast to talk about their golf background, how much the sport has changed (or hasn't), and more!