Varsity Letters Podcast
Canada's only podcast dedicated solely to BC High School and University sports.
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Episode 37: March 10, 2021
03/10/2021
Episode 37: March 10, 2021
Welcome back to Varsity Letters-The Podcast! This week, as the Langley Events Centre re-plays classic B.C. boys basketball championship finals, we have a guest who has coached in one of the most finishes ever. Before he assumed the head role with SFU men's basketball in 2016-17, Steve Hanson was the co-coach of the Terry Fox Ravens, and in 2012 the Fraser Valley No. 4 seeds staged an epic run through the bracket at the LEC, setting up a classic clash for the title with Langley's Walnut Grove Gators. Hanson re-lives that championship season and that title game, one which will be streamed at 8 p.m. Saturday as the capper to the Langley Events Centre's four straight days of classic re-plays. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 36: March 3, 2021
03/03/2021
Episode 36: March 3, 2021
Welcome to the Varsity Letters podcast. This week, in honour of the B.C. senior girls basketball championships, we catch up with former Centennial head coach Steve Pettifer, who in the last 1980s, led the Centaurs to five straight provincial Final Fours, including a pair of titles. Pettifer, brought to Centennial by the legendary Rich Chambers, later coached the school’s boys team into the provincial final. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 35: February 24, 2021
02/24/2021
Episode 35: February 24, 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of the Varsity Letters podcast. Today we chat with longtime basketball referee Karn Dhillon. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 34: February 17, 2021
02/17/2021
Episode 34: February 17, 2021
Varsity Letters is back this week with one of B.C.'s most enduring basketball coaches and personalities: Larry Street. The former Burnaby South grad, who played collegiately at Simon Fraser and has, for the past generation, coached the senior boys varsity at Courtenay's G.P. Vanier Secondary, Street joins host Howard Tsumura to chat about his lifelong love affair with the sport. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 33: January 27, 2021
01/27/2021
Episode 33: January 27, 2021
The UBC football nation, just like all of the other tight-knit, tradition-laden programs across Canada, mourned the loss of 2020 university football season. Thunderbirds’ head coach Blake Nill, however, is excited and hopeful for the prospects of a 2021 campaign… that much is obvious as the three-time Vanier Cup national championship-winning coach joins host Howard Tsumura on this week’s Varsity Letters’ podcast. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 32: January 20, 2021
01/20/2021
Episode 32: January 20, 2021
From a college football career at Brigham Young University to an NFL coaching internship under Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy with the Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Rigell has travelled a varied and valued road on his journey to becoming the head coach of Simon Fraser University football. Today, Coach Rigell joins the Varsity Letters podcast ready to speak to all facets of his football life, from putting on the pads as a young grade schooler, to helping guide Simon Fraser football through the past 10 months of the coronavirus pandemic. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 31: January 13, 2021
01/13/2021
Episode 31: January 13, 2021
Happy New Year. Our first podcast of 2021 features Chris Kennedy, Superintendent of Schools for West Vancouver, and a lifelong B.C. high school basketball coach. Kennedy's popular blog Culture of Yes is now in its 11th year, and today the Richmond native stops by to engage our provincial audience with everything that the word Optimism means in his eyes as an administrator, educator and coach. Share with us not only his hope for the post-pandemic world and for the role our youth will play in it, but the example our young people are setting in real time for older generations with their spirit of resiliency in the face of adversity. Varsity Letters, Canada's only podcast dedicated solely to the realms of provincial high school and university sports, is available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have a chance through Apple Music, we'd love the opportunity to receive your highest rating, as it helps others discover our work in a crowded landscape. The podcast is produced by Gabriel Lynn, with original theme music courtesy of Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles Marching Band of Abbotsford.
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Episode 30: December 17, 2020
12/17/2020
Episode 30: December 17, 2020
He was the leading man on a high school basketball dynasty which ushered in a new era of mainstream popularity for B.C. boys high school basketball. Former Richmond Colts star Ron Putzi stops by to join host Howard Tsumura on this week’s Varsity Letters’ podcast. Tsumura covered Putzi’s high school exploits just as his own career as a journalist was beginning and the two have kept in touch over the years. In this week’s episode, the pair have a delightful time dissecting Putzi’s rather unique multi-sport background, and also discuss the five seasons he spent stateside with the NCAA Div. 1 New Mexico State Aggies. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 29: December 10, 2020
12/10/2020
Episode 29: December 10, 2020
The Varsity Letters time machine spins the knobs and dials and heads back to the year 1971 to celebrate (a wee bit early) a very special 50th anniversary BC high school moment! Our guest? Basketball B.C. president Stu Graham has worn so many hats, and he brings the entire wrack to the for as he chats hoops and life with host (and fellow North Delta Huskies grad) Howard Tsumura. Over the course of 50 minutes, we talk about Stan Stewardson, the Silver Moon Store, hairstyle of the 70s and so much more. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. We hope you're a subscriber, and if you've got time, we'd love to get a review! If you please, don't hold back on those stars! It will help others more easily find us each week! Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 28: December 3, 2020
12/03/2020
Episode 28: December 3, 2020
TSN’s Farhan Lalji, a 31-year high school football coach in the province of B.C., stops by to chat with host Howard Tsumura about a whole host of topics. This coming Saturday at B.C. Place Stadium would have been the 2020 Subway Bowl provincial championship finals, so we chat about everything in and around the high school and university football scene, and how COVID-19 has cut a swath straight through its heart. In an episode taped just as Wednesday’s Pittsburgh-Baltimore game was set to kick off, Lalji and Tsumura also talk about the silver lining in a tough season: The mergence of Abbotsford Panthers grad Chase Claypool over his rookie season with the Steeler. The pair also examine the re-emergence of the ‘big’ receiver in the NFL through a discussion of the impact both Claypool and Seattle’s DK Metclaf are having despite being drafted outside of the opening round the past two drafts. Lalji also reflects on his time at Simon Fraser University in the early 1990s when he served as the school’s sports information director. He also talks about three special mentors in Alex Reid, Allison McNeill and Wally Buono. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you’re listening to us on Apple Music, please take the time time to give us a rating. The more stars (five) the better, and it helps potential listeners find our weekly podcast! It would be hugely appreciated! Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 27: November 25, 2020
11/25/2020
Episode 27: November 25, 2020
This week, the Varsity Letters podcast welcomes a giant in Canadian basketball circles. Allison McNeill has touched the stars at every level at which she has played and coached, and today we cover some of the facets of her basketball life that don’t get as much attention! But first, we will talk with Coach McNeill about the struggles the B.C. basketball community is going through as a new high school season, set to dawn across the province next week, remains shuttered. High school, university, NCAA Div. 1, international competition including the Olympics! Allison McNeill has been a part of it all over her life in basketball. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 26: November 18, 2020
11/18/2020
Episode 26: November 18, 2020
It’s Wednesday and time to wrap up our two-part series of Shrum Bowl memories by chatting with Simon Fraser University running back Bo Palmer. A man of many talents, Palmer not only left his mark on the NCAA-era of football at SFU, he enjoyed a little-known career as a child actor. Originally a quarterback, it took him more than a few seasons before he eventually morphed into a running back, and once his feet hit the ground in that new position, he was off and running. Today, Palmer takes us on an incredible football and life journey, looking back on a career filled with SFU records and looking ahead to the unifying force a post-pandemic Shrum Bowl celebration could mean for B.C.’s tight-knit football community. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the exclusive community of provincial high school and university sports. We’re produced by Gabriel Lynn and you can find us right here each week, or at Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to podcasts. Varsity Letters-The Podcast marches to the beat of its exclusive theme music ‘Generation Next’, written and performed by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles Marching Band.
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Episode 25: November 16, 2020
11/16/2020
Episode 25: November 16, 2020
Welcome back to Varsity Letters - The Podcast. Earlier this week, we let you — our loyal listening audience — know all about our themed, two-part discussion with a pair of past B.C. football greats, who each happened to have played in the last contested Shrum Bowl… way back in 2010! My, how a decade flies by! Today, we start the mini-series by inviting former UBC Thunderbirds’ quarterback Billy Greene to the VL-Pod. Yes, we talk plenty of Shrum Bowl memories, but we also talk about the quarterback’s high school career, his 2011 award-winning campaign with the ‘Birds. There’s also time to talk about his new career and the mentors who have played such a huge role in his life. On Wednesday, we’ll be right back, this time with Simon Fraser University running back Bo Palmer. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the exclusive community of provincial high school and university sports. We’re produced by Gabriel Lynn and you can find us right here each week, or at Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to podcasts. Varsity Letters-The Podcast marches to the beat of its exclusive theme music ‘Generation Next’, written and performed by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles Marching Band.
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Episode 24: November 4, 2020
11/04/2020
Episode 24: November 4, 2020
What were the days of B.C. boys high school basketball like in the late 1980s and early 1990s, especially outside of the largest tier of competition? Terry Fox Ravens’ senior boys basketball co-coach Mark Prinster joins host Howard Tsumura on this week’s Varsity Letters podcast to reflect on what now looks like a golden age! Prinster and Tsumura were each 23 years old when they met during the 1986-87 season, Prinster as the head coach of Burnaby’s Cariboo Hill Chargers, and Tsumura less than a year into his tenure as the sports editor at The Burnaby NOW newspaper. The pair chat about the Chargers’ B.C. Single-A championship behind Grade 11 MVP Brian Clements, who later played under Jay Triano at Simon Fraser, then reference such players as Derek Christiansen, Spencer McKay, Chris Brinnen, Brendan Graves, Eric Hinrichsen and Randy Nohr. Prinster also talks about life these days at Terry Fox with all manner of programs shuttered due to the pandemic, and Tsumura finds out which teachers played an influential role in Prinster's development as a father, coach and educator. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 23: October 28, 2020
10/28/2020
Episode 23: October 28, 2020
Welcome to the Varsity Letters podcast for Wednesday, Oct. 28. Our guest this week might be the only person to have led a B.C. senior boys basketball team to a provincial title as a head coach, while also having played in a B.C. senior boys hoops varsity final, a CCAA national final, and a U Sports Final 8 national final. All that said, St. Thomas More Knights head coach Aaron Mitchell, a proud Terry Fox, Capilano, Langara and Brandon alum, is also a fine broadcaster in his own right, launching A Hoops Journey this past May, a podcast which gets inside the basketball lives of so many who have left an imprint on the game in B.C. Mitchell joins host Howard Tsumura to chat about all things basketball, education and life. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial high school and university sports, is back on the air. You can find us at Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Episode 22: October 21, 2020
10/21/2020
Episode 22: October 21, 2020
Trinity Western Spartans’ women’s basketball coach Cheryl Jean-Paul checks in with host Howard Tsumura this week to chat about her school’s 2020 Leadership Super Conference, a remote event set to stream this Friday. The focus this year, in this time of global pandemic, has shifted even more squarely on the holistic side of student-athlete well-being. As well, Jean-Paul speaks to the importance of the Diversity Panel she will chair as part of Friday’s conference, and in the strides taken by the newly-formed Black Canadian Coaches Association. There’s also plenty of time to talk Canada West women’s basketball as Jean-Paul speaks to the efforts her young Spartans are making as they continue to build team culture through these tough and demanding times. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the coverage of provincial high school and university sports. We’re produced by Gabriel Lynn, with original theme music written and performed exclusively by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band. You can catch us Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also keep up to date with our in-depth feature writing at
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Episode 21: October 15, 2020
10/15/2020
Episode 21: October 15, 2020
Welcome back to another edition of the Varsity Letters podcast! This week we welcome Abbotsford Secondary head football coach Jay Fujimura to chat about the record-setting weekend enjoyed by former Panthers’ great Chase Claypool. The four touchdowns Claypool scored for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their win over the Philadelphia Eagles represented a landmark moment for the B.C. football community. As well, you can read all about the incredible 2015 senior season Claypool enjoyed with Abby Sr. before embarking on his collegiate football journey at Notre Dame Four high school coaches who faced Claypool talk about first noticing the traits he so now confidently relies on to find success at the game’s highest level. VarsityLetters-The Podcast is available at Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our original theme music — Generation Next — is written, performed and recorded especially for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles Band. Our thanks as always to producer Gabe Lynn for getting us on the air!
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Episode 20: October 7, 2020
10/07/2020
Episode 20: October 7, 2020
Welcome to another episode of Varsity Letters—The Podcast. Today we open the show with a short tribute to the late Karin Khuong from Mike Carkner, one of her basketball coaches at Terry Fox Secondary in PoCo. Khuong, 16, lost a two-year battle with cancer on Sunday. The theme of the show this week? In honour of World Teacher Day 2020, we welcome a pair of longtime B.C. teacher coaches. Paul Eberhardt, a West Vancouver School District VP, and a longtime college and high school basketball coach, revisits with many of his past mentors, then chats about his Lanagara men’s team and on the performance of South Kam’s Kelly Olynyk in these 2020 NBA playoffs. As well, Carson Graham Secondary head football coach Brian Brady stops by to chat about some of his most influential teachers, in addition to bringing us all up top date on the state of high school football practices at his North Vancouver school. To wind things up, your podcast host talks about the teachers who have played a major role over the years, especially as it pertains to their positive encouragement on my path to becoming a sportswriter. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the coverage of provincial high school and university sports. We’re produced by Gabriel Lynn, with original theme music written and performed exclusively by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band. You can catch us Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also keep up to date with our in-depth feature writing at
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Episode 19: September 30, 2020
09/30/2020
Episode 19: September 30, 2020
Varsity Letters — The Podcast is back on the air. Looking back isn’t our usual habit, but with the pandemic shutting down what would normally be a frenetic fall season of high school and university sports, we’re going to be heavy on history this week. UBC’s manager of Sports Information Wilson Wong joins us off the top to talk about UBC track star and former Prime Minister John Turner’s time on the Point Grey campus, the 1929-30 UBC women’s basketball world champions (they triumphed in the title game over France at the Women's World Games, not the Women’s Olympiade as Wong states in the podcast but later corrects!), and 1972 Olympic high jumper John Hawkins, who was also a member of UBC’s 1970 CIAU championship men’s basketball team. Also joining us is Guy MacPherson, the former radio voice of the Victoria Vikes men's basketball team. MacPherson, who has hosted the Vancouver-based What’s So Funny comedy show on Co-Op Radio since 2004, also reflects on his six seasons covering the Vancouver Grizzlies for a number of different media outlets, as well as his chance meeting with Prime Minister Turner in the mid-1980s. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the coverage of provincial high school and university sports. We’re produced by Gabriel Lynn, with original theme written and performed exclusively by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band. You can catch us Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also keep up to date with our in-depth feature writing at
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Episode 18: June 10, 2020
06/10/2020
Episode 18: June 10, 2020
Welcome back to Varsity Letters - The Podcast for June 9, 2020. Big news this week in the world of Canadian university sports means we’ll welcome three guests to the pod this week! Joining us will be UBC Director of Athletics Kavie Toor, longtime Trinity Wester University head women’s soccer coach Graham Roxburgh, and Football Canada president Jim Mullin. All three guests will shed their perspective on the Canada West's cancellation of its fall season Monday, touching on the uncertain future which lies ahead for student-athletes, as well as the financial realities which have begun to emerge three months into the Covid-19 pandemic. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 17: June 4, 2020
06/04/2020
Episode 17: June 4, 2020
Welcome to the Varsity Letters podcast for Thursday, June 4. Today we welcome UBC Thunderbirds head track and field coach Laurier Primeau back to the podcast to chat about the state of the sport and the loss of the spring season following his program’s dual win at the 2019 NAIA national championships. Laurier also reflects on B.C.’s graduating Class of 2020 high school seniors, a special two-sport recruit headed to his program, and the influence of his late high school coach Dave Nichols. But before any of that, we address the world’s pressing story, discussing last week’s killing of George Floyd and the power of sport to address our most serious issues, including racism. As well, I introduce the podcast by speaking about the powerful video released Wednesday featuring UNBC basketball player and Prince George Secondary grad Tyrell Laing. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial high school and university sports. We’re here each week at VarsityLetters.ca and also wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Music and Spotify.
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Episode 16: May 27, 2020
05/27/2020
Episode 16: May 27, 2020
Welcome back to Varsity Letters - The Podcast! This week, B.C. Secondary School Football Association president Travis Bell joins host Howard Tsumura to discuss what lies ahead for high school football in B.C. ahead of what is hoped to be an on-schedule September kick-off. Of course, it’s a fluid situation, and Abbotsford’s Bell — a former head coach at W.J. Mouat and current vice-principal at Robert Bateman Secondary — addresses the challenges in these unprecedented times. Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available on Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
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Episode 15: May 21, 2020
05/21/2020
Episode 15: May 21, 2020
Welcome to another edition of Varsity Letters-The Podcast. This week, we speak with Walter Van Halst, the commissioner of the B.C. Secondary Schools Rugby Union on the future of the sport within the provincial high school ranks. B.C. high school rugby was coming off one of its most successful seasons ever in 2019 with a newly-established championship playoff structure lending opportunity for four tiers of title contention. Van Halst speaks to the fluid situation facing all of the province’s individual sports commissions during this challenging time of COVID-19. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the world of B.C. provincial and university sports. You can listen to us on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Varsity Letters is produced weekly in the Greater Vancouver area by Gabriel Lynn. Our theme music is written and performed exclusively for the podcast by the MEI Screaming Eagles Band.
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Episode 14: May 13, 2020
05/13/2020
Episode 14: May 13, 2020
Welcome back to another episode of Varsity Letters - The Podcast! On this week’s show, we chat with newly-named Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball coach Joe Enevoldson, the former coach of New Westminster’s Douglas College Royals. Coach Enevoldson addresses his move to the U Sports level, talks about a pair of ‘big’ recruits, and speaks to the fraternity of Canada West coaches he is set to join, a group which includes the like of established B.C. coaches like Kevin Hanson, Craig Beaucamp and Scott Clark. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the world of B.C. provincial and university sports. You can listen to us on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Varsity Letters - The Podcast is produced by Gabriel Lynn with original theme music ‘Generation Next’ written and produced by the MEI Screaming Eagles Band maestro Chad Joiner.
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Episode 13: May 6, 2020
05/06/2020
Episode 13: May 6, 2020
Varsity Letters — The Podcast is back. Apologies for our extended absence. Today, we are joined by Jesse Hundal, the teacher/boys basketball coach at North Delta Secondary School. Jesse chats openly and positively about the challenges facing both teachers and students these days as the 2019-20 academic year comes to a close amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course we also touch on the special nature of high school sports, the re-birth of Huskies basketball, and we take time to honour a special student-athlete— Brandon Bassi — who helped bring a unique level of character and caring to the hallways of his school before his passing in May of 2019 at the tender age of 19. Varsity Letters — The Podcast is available right here at VarsityLetters.ca, or streamed via Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Episode 12: November 27, 2019
11/27/2019
Episode 12: November 27, 2019
Varsity Letters — The Podcast is celebrating basketball and football as the calendar gets set to take us into December. Joining us first is Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Howard Kelsey, who brings us up to date on the Greater Victoria Invitational NCAA women’s basketball tournament, as well as all the big news on tap with the Canadian men’s national team and its bid to qualify for the Olympics. Hint: Our NBA players may participate en masse. As well, we’re joined by Simon Fraser football’s Rysen John, the 6-foot-7 receiver who speaks not only to the next challenge in his gridiron career, but on his high school days spent playing for Vancouver College. He’ll be cheering on the Fighting Irish when they face Lord Tweedsmuir in Saturday’s Subway Bowl AAA final at B.C. Place. Varsity Letters is Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the coverage of provincial high school and university sports. You can find us here each Wednesday, or at Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Episode 11: November 20, 2019
11/20/2019
Episode 11: November 20, 2019
The Varsity Letters’ podcast is back, and ready to not only chat about football and basketball, but about the home for so many of our province’s top high school invitational and championship tournaments. First, in the spirit of this Saturday’s Subway Bowl Final Four weekend at B.C. Place Stadium, Vernon Panthers’ head coach Sean Smith chats about the Okanagan powerhouse which faces Parksville’s Ballenas Whalers in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle of undefeated teams. Al Tuchscherer, the head coach of the Abbotsford’s Fraser Valley Cascades women’s basketball team stops by to set up his team’s challenging weekend two-game homestand against the Canada West-leading Lethbridge Pronghorns Friday and Saturday at Envision Financial Athletic Centre. The 2019-20 Cascades are filled with an intrguing blend of youth and experience. And finally, we had to the Langley Events Centre to speak with longtime former newspaperman Gary Ahuja, the LEC’s manager of communications and media. Reminiscing about his near-15-years with the Langley Times paper, and speaking to the passion he feels in his new posting, Ahuja and the rest of the LEC staff are preparing to host the B.C. senior boys (AA and AAA) and girls (AAA, AAAAA) volleyball championships, plus the boys and girls Tsumura Basketball Invitationals, all over the next month. Varsity Letters — The Podcast, is Canada’s only weekly podcast dedicated solely to the coverage of provincial university and high school sports. You can find us at VarsityLetters.ca every Wednesday, or wherever you find your podcasts (Spotify, Apple Music (formerly iTunes) and Google Play Music.
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Episode 10: November 14, 2019
11/13/2019
Episode 10: November 14, 2019
We’re one day late due to the Remembrance Day long weekend, so thanks for your patience and your loyalty to Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage. Joining us on the show today: *Kelowna Owls head coach Chris Cartwright explores all of the great things that happen over the journey of building a high school football program as the Owls prepare to face the Vancouver College Fighting Irish on Saturday (2:30 p.m.) at B.C. Place Stadium. *Former Canadian senior women’s national team head coach Allison McNeill stops by to talk about the Semiahmoo Totems, the high school team she coached to the B.C. AAA girls title last season. We also touch on her past, including her days playing and coaching at the University of Oregon. *And finally, Ryan Clark of the Vancouver Whitecaps and gamechangersports.ca comes aboard to talk about the NCAA’s early signing day, which took place on Wednesday. Clark reflects on the joys of his job, helping high school athletes take that next step in their lives as collegiate athletes. You can listen to Varsity Letters — The Podcast each week right here on the website, or at places like Apple Music and Spotify.
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Episode 9: November 6, 2019
11/06/2019
Episode 9: November 6, 2019
Welcome to November! The 11th month means playoff football and the start of the basketball season, and our line-up of guests reflects just that. Vancouver College Fighting Irish head coach Todd Bernett stops by to break down his team’s incredible defensive play this season ahead of its Subway Bowl opener Saturday at home to Rutland. We’re also joined by Douglas College head men’s basketball coach Joe Enevoldson as the Royals prep for a big CCAA PacWest home opener Saturday against the Langara Falcons. And we close out the show with Jeff Gourley, the veteran head coach of East Vancouver’s Sir Charles Tupper Tigers senior boys basketball team. The Tigers will take part in the 2019 Tsumura Basketball Invitational set to run 4-7 at the Langley Events Centre. Varsity Letters - The Podcast is Canada’s only weekly podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports. You can listen to us each Wednesday on Apple Music (formerly iTunes), Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Episode 8: October 30, 2019
10/30/2019
Episode 8: October 30, 2019
It’s Wednesday, and as we reach midweek, it means the launch of another episode of Varsity Letters — The Podcast. Today we focus on football and basketball. Joining us to begin the program is St. Thomas More Knights football coach Steve De Lazzari, who talks about all the little things which have added up to a six-game win streak for his team heading into Friday’s regular season finale: A battle for the Eastern Conference title against Surrey’s Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers. We’ll also be joined by a pair of basketball coaches. Deb Huband will lead her UBC Thunderbirds into the opening week of the Canada West season as they hit the road to face the Regina Cougars for games Friday and Saturday. As well, longtime coach Bobby Braich stops by to chat about the prospects for the Yale Lions’ senior girls basketball team, a squad which could be one of the nice surprises at the top level of the game this season. Yale will take part in the annual Tsumura Basketball Invitational Dec. 11-14 at the Langley Events Centre. Varsity Letters — The Podcast is available online each Wednesday at VarsityLetters.ca, or at Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to the provincial-wide coverage of high school and university sports.
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