May 5, 2025 • 30 mins
"Get all the pre-game details as we gear you up for the Big 33 Football Classic at Cumberland Valley High School in just a few weeks." www.big33.org
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Sylvia Moss, and this is Insight, a presentation
of iHeartMedia where we really do care about our local
communities and all our listeners who live here. If you're
one of those kids who grew up as a football
fan sometime over the last man, maybe seventy years, there's
a real good chance that you knew all about guys
like her Batterley, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, I remember Dan Marino,
(00:21):
Jim Kelly, and who could ever forget Joe Namath. They
were just a few of the bigger than life Gridiron
superstars who played in the super Bowl. There is one
really important thing that if you live here in Central
Pennsylvania you might not know, and that is that every
Super Bowl has always included a player that first played
in the Big thirty three Football Classic. That says a
(00:42):
lot about the Big thirty three players, but even more
about their coaches.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
One of those coaches has admitted to having his own dream.
He's been quoted.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
As saying, with each group that comes in, we look
around and say one of you, maybe to you, nah,
three of you.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Three of you may be are.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Representative in the super Bowl. And you know what, knowing
as coach as I do. I can tell you that
Gary Cathell has coached and inspired an incredible number of
high school football players over the years, and I can
certainly see his dream coming true. Gary is the executive
director of the Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association and the Big
thirty three Football Classic. Along with Gary, today is one
(01:19):
of the reasons they say that the Big thirty three
Football Classic is more than just a football game. It's
a tradition, and as we all know, traditions not only
bring us together, there's an awful lot of planning, creating,
and constantly doing that makes a year after your events
so successful. Leading that charge is the associate executive director
of the Big thirty Three, Nicole Whitmyer, and our star
(01:42):
joining us is one of this year's Big thirty three
players for the Pennsylvania team who's already a superstar from
Cumberland Valley High School. It's tied end and a cute
pie through that and I like that Nolan Bizalka and
just wait, do you hear about him? I got to
start with Gary and Nikole Geis. I love love it
when you come in. Do you know how much I
(02:03):
really enjoy seeing you guys come in. I just I
love it anyway, No, I think it's scared to warn you.
Then I'm going to ask you a couple of questions.
There's a good chance that I'm going to embarrass you.
But you know I'm a mom, I'm a grandma. I
get a pass of that, right, Okay, I say that
with his mom sitting behind me. This year, the Big
thirty three Game is going to take place on Sunday,
(02:24):
May twenty fifth at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field
with cook kickoff at seven thirty. It's a conclusion of
a Memorial Day weekend that we're going to tell you
all about in a bit. But first of all, Uncle Garret,
I have a two part question for you. The Big
thirty three has been around since the fifties, right, give
us a little bit of history about it, and tell
(02:45):
us why you think it's remained so strong over all
these years.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Well, Sylvia, thank you for having us here today. It's
always exciting for us to come in here and sometime
with you. But yes, the Big thirty three has story history.
I wish that I could say that I was around
for all the early games, but I'm exactly the same
age as Big thirty three is. So the history of
(03:12):
this game is just fantastic. It is well recognized throughout
the football world at all levels. The remarkable streak that
has gone on with the NFL and having a player
in each of the Super Bowls just adds so much credibility.
(03:32):
And it's definitely the caliber of players. In the earlier years,
we did bounce around a little bit, playing Texas, playing
all Americans, playing Maryland people Ohio, but you know, we've
settled in and now we're starting to see players from
Pennsylvania and Maryland that are in the NFL that are
(03:53):
representing us, much like what happened this past year. So
the game is going very very strong. Support for the
game has been great and fantastic. The hard working staff
that we have has really has really uh expanded the
game and and done some great things for it. So
(04:17):
we were happy and we're looking to have a really
great week coming up here shortly.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Well, you know, I'm always impressed with your honorary cheers.
This year it's Gary Gilliam and Gary's one of those
kids that had a hard time growing up, went to
Milton Hershey.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
That school.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
What he does for its students, came out, played at
penn State, I believe under Joe Paterno, ended up in
the NFL, and he came back home and he's trying
to do something for people to live around here.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Tell us a little bit about why you chose Gary.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Oh, obviously, you know you mentioned his stardom. He's he
and plus he's a local kid, right right that that
that really helps us with our draw in the area.
You know, not we haven't had great players from you know,
all over Pennsylvania and some of the other states be
our honorary chair. But Gary's a first class guy. He
(05:10):
came in last year, came to town last year and
spoke to the big thirty three team then. And I
know that when Nicole reached out to him and John,
Nicole's dad, who's on our staff as well, he was
excited about being here and being honored. And again, we
always look for that person that represents us well, and
(05:30):
Gary fits that multi tea well.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I want to switch gears a little bit to Nicole,
because when these kids come in, they don't know anybody
where they're going to today. One should tell us about
the host families, how you become one and what happens
with the relationship between the players and these host families.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
We have this really special host family program with our
Big thirty three players where everybody who comes in gets
to stay with the local family. I can tell you
from experience, because I've been hosting for this be our
seventh year, in our tenth kid that we're hosting. But
you know, we're really excited to form relationships with these players,
(06:10):
and it lasts beyond just this Big thirty three week. Personally,
we follow We followed our players through college. We still
follow our players through college. One of them is in
the Canadian League now and one of them is in
Arena Football League, So we're really excited about that. And
but it's just really the bonds that you get to
form with someone, someone that you would never you know otherwise,
(06:33):
get to know and now this this kid and his
family is part of your family.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
How do you become a host family? What do you
have to do?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
You can go to our website www dot Big thirty
three dot org and look on the host family tab.
But we just really we just asked for people who
are willing to open their homes to these players. You
have to have an extra bed in your house because
you don't want them to sleeping with you. Okay, but
(07:00):
but yeah, we and then our hosts are included in
all our activities during the week. We really appreciate these
families that would.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Take the players in and I would imagine their parents
parents come up here, but they would imagine that their
parents feel good because they know there's somebody really cares
about the kid watching out for them.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
They do, I bet, yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Yeah, And it's a little nerve wracking for parents at first, like,
oh my kids go into this strange house, what are
we doing.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
It's worked out for a long time.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
It has its early special.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
You know, Gary loves the way he lights up. I mean,
he loves football, he loves his little granddaughter. I didn't
ask about the pictures we got to see her, but anyway,
he really lights up when he talks about the Buddy program.
I think that's cool. Tell us about there.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Well, I'm lighting up right now. Yes, it's a special
program that was started.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Nicole nineteen eighty five, nineteen eighty.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Five, and it has blossomed into quite an undertaking. And
as I say to you, every year, I don't know
who gets more out of it. The players and cheerleaders
or the buddies. It's just so rewarding to see this.
Many of these buddies, they look forward to this all
year long. And you know, we have also begun to
(08:17):
expand the Buddy Program, and I'd really like Nicole to
expound on that ahead. I think, tell everybody what the
Buddy program is doing right now and what has all
happened there.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Sure, so our Buddy Program, which is for individuals with
special needs of all ages, we have been able to
create this year round program. Like Gary said, so we
have our Big thirty three game, which is the main event.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
And tell us what they did that. This is really cool.
They performed at the cheerleaders, don't they They do.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
So we have cheer buddies who perform with the halftime
routine with our Big thirty three cheerleaders. And then we
have player buddies who pair up with our players like Nolan.
They'll get to be introduced on the field with the
players before the game and they're going to be sitting
in a special section in the end zone. So they're
going to be in our Buddy section just cheering on
(09:07):
everybody during the game. And then the day before the game,
we have an opportunity for the buddies to get together
with the players as well and really get to know
each other.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
And you have fundraisers throughout the year to support these programs.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Don't we do?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
We do, and we have We have four events throughout
the year. We have the game, we have Buddy Minni Golf,
Buddy Bowling, and a Buddy Dance and we are going
to have a special announcement at the game. We're creating
a new program to really be able to get back
to the buddies. So I'm not going to tease it.
I'm just going to tease it. I'm not gonna tell
you what it is. Well, it'll be bad, but we're yeah,
(09:41):
but we're really excited to be able to announce.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
This something that I think and I'm like you guys,
I think it's all about relationships, partnerships, and one of
the things is so wise, so very wise. It's the
Peyton Walker Foundation and Julie Walker. She lost her daughter
to son cardiac arrest and found out afterwards that sudden
cardiac arrest is the number one killer of kids on
(10:07):
college and high school campuses. Nobody knew that, you know,
it's a lot has a lot to do with These
kids have pre existing heart conditions and because all these
years they've never been tested for that. Every year you
hear about kids dropping on we're dead on a football
field or in basketball. Julie has worken her buns off
for the last ten years trying to get kids.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Wait, I'll let you talk about it. Go ahead, what
she's doing. I'm sorry that I love what she does.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
It's really important for us to pair up with Julie
and the Peyton Walker Foundation Huddle for Hearts to be
able to check all our athletes for any conditions they
may have. This year we were able to again check
the Pennsylvania team, the Maryland team, the cheerleaders. It's amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Inevitably every year something comes up and an athlete will
find out something maybe that they didn't know in their
history that may need to be monitored. So we are.
We're protecting hearts, saving lives doing all that with the
Peyton Walker Foundation.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
I just I can't say enough about her. We've got
to help her get the word out more and more
and more. Okay, Kato, here's the part where I'm going
to embarrass you, but I've spoken with you before we started.
And you're pretty sharp. Okay, here's a deal. I know
because I do a lot of research. I know that
you're kick gass. Not only Cumberland Valley. You hold a
lot of records, not only in football, but in basketball.
(11:34):
I mean, tell us about your accomplishments you've gotten. You've
been picked the player of the Year, the player of
the game. Talk to us about football and basketball.
Speaker 5 (11:44):
Yeah, well, I mean I'm honored for all those rewards.
But I actually started playing basketball really early. I was
probably like six or seven. When I started playing basketball.
I thought that was gonna be my main sport. That's
what I wanted to play in college and everything. But
you know, things happened, and I played football. First year
was like midgets, like eighth grade. So I came up.
(12:06):
I really liked it just you know, kept playing it freshman,
getting developed. Uh but yeah, I'm super honored to have
all those awards that uh.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Wait a minute, wait a minute, tell us about these
thousand points in basketball, all these I mean, tell us,
I want to hear this stuff all right.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Uh, Well, for basketball, we got our first district championship
in school history. Back to back midpen championship wins third
all time and scoring at the Cumber Valley leading all time,
and with rebounds and leading all the time and assists.
(12:46):
I mean, my coach that he really helps with that.
David Westpignanni a little shout out, but yeah, he's he's
really good coach.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
What's your coach's name.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
David Veignani. Yeah, he's had a lot of success over
the years here at Cummer Valley. Yeah, we've been in
state playoffs two years in a row. Those are the
first two times since like twenty nineteen when my brother played.
So it was super accomplishing and defensive player of the year,
(13:15):
all sensible player of the year.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
I love it, Mom, I'm making him do it. And
Mom's yeah, make him tell, make him tell.
Speaker 5 (13:23):
He I like to stay humble, but it's kind of hard.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
That's wonderful. That's that's a testament to you, mom.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Yeah, for football, first team offense, defense, Yeah, I mean
and football. We've been to district's district playoffs two times, uh,
back to back two so that's super accomplishing as well.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
When you found out you were going to be part
of the team, okay, you know the history of that team,
you know, I mean you're young, and some of those
guys I mentioned maybe you don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
He's okay, how does it make you feel?
Speaker 5 (13:54):
I mean, I got the my coach, he uh, he
pulled me in he I got, I got called down
to the office. I'm like, oh, I think I'm in trouble.
So yeah, I get put onto my mom's office and coaches.
He takes me down in there and he I had
no idea what I had to say. Probably returned my
stuff because I haven't returned my stuff for like two
years now for that. But yeah, he announced that I
(14:19):
was in the Big thirty three, and I was just
kind of starstrucked.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
I was just like, okn I bet yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
I was just saying to my mom. She was sitting
there too, she was like, oh my gosh, like her
mouth was wide open, like she couldn't imagine either. But yeah,
I'm I'm super.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
You do not I do not pick you.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
I mean, you're so accomplished, and you know it burns
me up. Is I did this? This a big deal
what you've accomplished in two sports and I don't see
that much about it. You know, well, people are gonna
know now this kid is amazing. You know, here's a
funny thing. You're too young to remember a lot of
these players. You probably read about a history book. Back
in nineteen sixty nine. It was the Jets New York
(15:00):
just against Baltimore Cults, and everybody's think Jets aren't gonna win. Well,
Joan Amith, who was known as Broadway Joan Amath Joe Namath,
said he guarantees a win.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
You want to go out on a limb. What do
you think? Yeah, but what about can you guarantee a win? Oh?
Speaker 5 (15:17):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Oh my gosh, oh my god, say say I guarantee guarantee.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Okay, Now here's another thing I think it's important to
talk about. It's not only in sports. You're really focused. Uh,
you've gotten offers from different colleges. You chose East Strasburg.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
What are you going to study?
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Business management?
Speaker 2 (15:40):
How come? Uh?
Speaker 5 (15:41):
I always kind of fell in love with the whole
business side, like economic stuff. I still started taking business
class like my freshman year, and that's where really when
I started getting interested in it.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Here's something that I would like to ask you to do.
And I think I don't think parents get enough credit
for the way they're showing. It's like my dad said,
you think you know you're born and you just grew
up on your own. Parents are the number one influencing
kids' lives. She's sitting behind me. Tell me about your
dad and your mom.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
I mean, I don't know where to start. They really, uh,
they really propelled me. They I really wouldn't be who
I am today without them. Both my parents huge sports players.
They both played sports at college, so they already yeah,
they already kind of had that mindset to, uh to
push me, push all all my siblings. But yeah, they
(16:30):
definitely my number one supporters. They I asked for some
that I had. It just like that. They provided me
with all I needed. And I really can't give all
the thanks back. I mean, Mother's Day is coming up.
I can probably say a little bit.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yeah you can, and I'll remind you too.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Yeah, they're they're definitely definitely would not be who I
am today without their like, their support and absolutely just
a yeah, all they've.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Done for me.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Here's the question, Gary and Nicole. I'm going to ask
it the day of the game. There's a lot of
stuff going on now. I guess it opens at seven
thirty in the morning. Can you give a little bit
of a rundown the day if you're going to the game,
you got to go to the day's activities to tell
us what's going on.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Lots of activities, a full day of football. So Girls Flag,
this is our second year with our Girls Flag Tournament.
We will have around three games at twelve thirty and
one thirty.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
How old are these girls?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
They're seniors also seniors who are graduating. Yeah, from Pennsylvania
and Maryland. So those games are at twelve thirty one thirty.
The Girls Flag Championship game is at four o'clock PM.
Our fan fest goes from three to six thirty PMS.
That is, it's going to be right in the field
across from the stadium. We'll have Gosh dj inflatables, food trucks,
(17:51):
all the fun things for your kids, for your family.
So come on out there before the game and then
kick off for the sixty eighth Big thirty three Football
Classic as at seven thirty PM. Pregame will start probably
about six forty five, so you're gonna want to be.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
There for it.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
One organ I don't say organization when group of people
that you never forget are the vets.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
We don't. Tickets are free for our military and veterans.
We have a really nice we have a really nice
pregame ceremony to really honor and recognize military and veterans.
We have Nashville recording artists Jillian Smith coming in to
do the national anthem that day. Yeah, we're excited to
have her. She's the Cumberland Valley graduate as well.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Know that is yes, and we have.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
A special military tribute video that we will show at
the game prior to the start. We have we have
a really fun way that the ball is coming in
this year, and I'm just gonna tease it because we're
still working on We're still working on that, but you
may need to look up to find the ball coming
in for the game. But yeah, we with it being
(19:03):
Memorial Day weekend, it's the perfect time to really show
appreciation and recognize though those who have served, those who
have given the ultimate sacrifice, and those who are currently serving.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And they get in for free.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Nicole, you might want to mention how the tickets are
going to carry over this year from back to event.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
Sure Sunday for all the games on Sunday, you only
need one ticket, so a ticket for the Big thirty
three game will get you into all the girls' flag games.
Gates open at eleven thirty and they'll be open all
day long.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
I want to ask you, my dear, of course, you
know you absolutely support women in sports. I mean, look
at your mom, right, what would you say to somebody
who's a girl shouldn't be there? You know, that's too
tough for girls.
Speaker 5 (19:44):
I mean, that's a ludicrous thing to say. I mean,
I believe everyone should have an equal opportunity to play
what sport they want to play. So I think the
whole flag football thing is a great thing for women's sports,
especially football, because I know we see like girls kickers
here in there, but I mean who knows the game's evolving,
So yeah, it's yeah, I think it's great.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
I would like to talk about your sponsors. I mean,
I know you have a lot of them. We're gonna
miss some of them, but the one who is always
stuck by you is Linda Johnston, reneald By Anderson. Talk
about what they've done. I think it's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Yeah, I mean, Renewal has this is the second year
that they're the title sponsor for the Big thirty three
Football classic Linda and her team. I mean they always
jump to the plate to be involved, to be helpful,
to give back to our programs. So we're really we're excited.
We're thrilled to have her back for another year. Renewal
(20:40):
by Anderson of Central PA. We do have a huge
support from Cumberland County, so we you know, we'd be
remiss if we didn't talk about them this year. We
have a Pennsylvania team sponsor coming in Titanium Fabrications. Gosh,
we have you know, our heart screening spotponsors. Renewal helps
(21:01):
with our heart screenings, the Marriachoice Federal Credit Union. I
think your PMC is our buddy sponsor and they help
with the screenings. They're also our medical team sponsor. Community
Aid is another big one.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
What's tremendous and I mean to cut you off. The
goal is our in kind sponsors. I want to say
that list is fifty sixty.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
Wow, have so many organizations.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Yes, well, some people might not understand what that means.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
Tell them what in kind means?
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Well, it's just sharing. You know. Obviously we always need finances,
but we also need product in the exchange for in
kind is basically whatever the company is involved in that exchange,
and a lot of it is food. So many of
(21:56):
our sponsors will will come up with a dinner for
for the coaches, or many of them will come at
dinner for the cheerleaders, or just we can't tell you
how those acts of kindness. Just for them to be
part of Big thirty three and have their logo associated
(22:19):
with Big thirty three means so much to both games.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
I can't see how it wouldn't, Garrett. I mean, my god,
and I tell companies this, I don't know how how
I can't get through sometimes that it's not only brings
attention to your product, you're doing so much for the
community and impacting people's lives, and for goodness sake, it's
a freaking ride off to do that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
That's a no brainer. Right.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
Well, we're a national brand as much as this is
a Pennsylvania versus Maryland game. The game will be stream
live all over the world basically, but people recognize it.
I honestly, as I mentioned earlier, I said on the
national board, you know, one of the gentlemen from Oregon says, Gary,
how's the game going this year? You know? And they've
(23:07):
watched it. I've had friends who were in Texas call
me up and this was maybe two or three months
after the game was over. They were watching tape reruns
on TV in a hotel in Dallas, Texas. So and
you talk to many of the you know, older coaches
that are in the NFL, they'll say, hey, I've had
(23:30):
players coach for me, play for me that played in
the Big thirty three. I know all about it, and
it's just like, wow, this is this is something bigger
than we could have ever imagined. We truly truly appreciate
all of those sponsors that help us out. You know,
we've even had a nice sponsorship and state support the
(23:50):
last last year. And that's big. And it's not cheap
to run this game. It costs a lot of money
and and particularly a lot of time by not a
large group of people. So we're always looking for volunteers.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
That was my next question.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
Yes, we're always looking for volunteers. We're always looking for
more companies. We're always looking for people who are interested
in want to be part of the Big thirty three family.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
I think it's fantastic. You know, one thing we haven't mentioned,
and I know this happens at the farm show every year.
Is you get how many about ten thousand people come
to the game and what that brings to the local
iconic hotels and places to eat. There's so many things
that feeds into that. Cumblan County in a pot really right.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
Yes, we've had, you know, in a lot of the
grant writing that has occurred a lot of those statistical
things come up when you're trying to win a grant,
and you know, we have been over the last several years.
I'm just kind of being generic, but have had millions
(25:01):
of people benefit from it in the nearby communities, not
just here in Cumberland County, but all through Dolphin County
as we were there before and and right around the area.
So uh yeah, the the outreach is fantastic and uh
you know, having having the county and the state and
(25:22):
everybody be involved is great. It's great for everybody. Business
is good as long as the weather's nice.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
Well, you know what Gary says, it never rains, never
rains on Big thirty three day.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
He says it every year. Though better knock on wood,
it's not going to seem to be lucky that, he says,
it's never gonna right.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
I can tell you this. The first game that we
ran as the Coaches Association was at c D East
that the time of the game, the day of the game,
it rained everywhere within twenty five miles of our stadium.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Storms.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
It did not put one drop on the stadium.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
And you know what, so what if it rains.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Gary knows that I grew up in the Cole Regent
Thanksgiving Day it was always schmoking a Mount Carmel and
it would be snowing and these kids still played football.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Absolutely, what happens if it does? Ring do the kids
still play football?
Speaker 4 (26:22):
Well?
Speaker 3 (26:22):
You know right now, you're you're at the mercy of lightning.
That's that's the biggest thing. The biggest thing is lightning.
And we have a contingency plan now that we play
the game on Sunday. Uh, we don't like to talk
about it too much, but there is a contingency plan
for the next day. So uh, you know, with with
that being said, we won't need it because it's going
(26:44):
to be a nice day.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Where do you think, my Lord Yarry, Oh yeah, you're wonderful.
Well that's okay. I got to ask you Nicole too.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
If you want to be a volunteer, if you want
to get tickets, if you want to find out. I
mean your website has everything.
Speaker 4 (27:09):
Where is it everything? Yes, Big thirty three dot org.
You can see we have all all the different tabs
at the top. So if you want to volunteer, there's
a place to go. If you want to get tickets,
there's a place to click on. Anything that you need
is on that website.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
I love it. I love it, love it, love it.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Okay, kids are rapping this up from the Big thirty
three Football organization. My guests, I've been Garret Kthell and
Nicole Whitmeier and representing the Pennsylvania team for this year's
Big thirty three game as well as a standout tight
end at Cumberlan Valley High School superstar mister Lowland Bizolka.
It's the sixty eight Big thirty three Football Class I
at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field. It's on Sunday,
(27:48):
May twenty fifth, kickoff at seven thirty. So go grab
those tickets, right Nicole, that's right, Okay. I'm Sylvia Moss
reminding you to catch inside on one of our ten
Ihearts stations. Every Sunday or any any time on your
favorite podcast Stapp.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
I'm so jam again. This has been Insight. Thanks so
much for listening. See you next week.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Hi, this is iHeart. Public affairs director and host of Insight,
Sylvia Moss. Each week on Insight, we address and try
to provide the best local resources for issues that you
tell me are the most important to you, the ones
that have the biggest impact on your everyday lives.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Insights also a place.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Where we can let you know about exciting community events
and introduce you to many of the incredible people who
work hard every single day just to make all of
our lives better. If you're not able to listen to
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Hi, I'm Sylvia Moss, and this is Insight, a presentation
of iHeartMedia where we really do care about our local
communities and all our listeners who live here. If you're
one of those kids who grew up as a football
fan sometime over the last man, maybe seventy years, there's
a real good chance that you knew all about guys
like her Batterley, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, I remember Dan Marino,
(00:21):
Jim Kelly, and who could ever forget Joe Namath. They
were just a few of the bigger than life Gridiron
superstars who played in the super Bowl. There is one
really important thing that if you live here in Central
Pennsylvania you might not know, and that is that every
Super Bowl has always included a player that first played
in the Big thirty three Football Classic. That says a
(00:42):
lot about the Big thirty three players, but even more
about their coaches.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
One of those coaches has admitted to having his own dream.
He's been quoted.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
As saying, with each group that comes in, we look
around and say one of you, maybe to you, nah,
three of you.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Three of you may be are.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Representative in the super Bowl. And you know what, knowing
as coach as I do. I can tell you that
Gary Cathell has coached and inspired an incredible number of
high school football players over the years, and I can
certainly see his dream coming true. Gary is the executive
director of the Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association and the Big
thirty three Football Classic. Along with Gary, today is one
(01:19):
of the reasons they say that the Big thirty three
Football Classic is more than just a football game. It's
a tradition, and as we all know, traditions not only
bring us together, there's an awful lot of planning, creating,
and constantly doing that makes a year after your events
so successful. Leading that charge is the associate executive director
of the Big thirty Three, Nicole Whitmyer, and our star
(01:42):
joining us is one of this year's Big thirty three
players for the Pennsylvania team who's already a superstar from
Cumberland Valley High School. It's tied end and a cute
pie through that and I like that Nolan Bizalka and
just wait, do you hear about him? I got to
start with Gary and Nikole Geis. I love love it
when you come in. Do you know how much I
(02:03):
really enjoy seeing you guys come in. I just I
love it anyway, No, I think it's scared to warn you.
Then I'm going to ask you a couple of questions.
There's a good chance that I'm going to embarrass you.
But you know I'm a mom, I'm a grandma. I
get a pass of that, right, Okay, I say that
with his mom sitting behind me. This year, the Big
thirty three Game is going to take place on Sunday,
(02:24):
May twenty fifth at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field
with cook kickoff at seven thirty. It's a conclusion of
a Memorial Day weekend that we're going to tell you
all about in a bit. But first of all, Uncle Garret,
I have a two part question for you. The Big
thirty three has been around since the fifties, right, give
us a little bit of history about it, and tell
(02:45):
us why you think it's remained so strong over all
these years.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Well, Sylvia, thank you for having us here today. It's
always exciting for us to come in here and sometime
with you. But yes, the Big thirty three has story history.
I wish that I could say that I was around
for all the early games, but I'm exactly the same
age as Big thirty three is. So the history of
(03:12):
this game is just fantastic. It is well recognized throughout
the football world at all levels. The remarkable streak that
has gone on with the NFL and having a player
in each of the Super Bowls just adds so much credibility.
(03:32):
And it's definitely the caliber of players. In the earlier years,
we did bounce around a little bit, playing Texas, playing
all Americans, playing Maryland people Ohio, but you know, we've
settled in and now we're starting to see players from
Pennsylvania and Maryland that are in the NFL that are
(03:53):
representing us, much like what happened this past year. So
the game is going very very strong. Support for the
game has been great and fantastic. The hard working staff
that we have has really has really uh expanded the
game and and done some great things for it. So
(04:17):
we were happy and we're looking to have a really
great week coming up here shortly.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Well, you know, I'm always impressed with your honorary cheers.
This year it's Gary Gilliam and Gary's one of those
kids that had a hard time growing up, went to
Milton Hershey.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
That school.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
What he does for its students, came out, played at
penn State, I believe under Joe Paterno, ended up in
the NFL, and he came back home and he's trying
to do something for people to live around here.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Tell us a little bit about why you chose Gary.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Oh, obviously, you know you mentioned his stardom. He's he
and plus he's a local kid, right right that that
that really helps us with our draw in the area.
You know, not we haven't had great players from you know,
all over Pennsylvania and some of the other states be
our honorary chair. But Gary's a first class guy. He
(05:10):
came in last year, came to town last year and
spoke to the big thirty three team then. And I
know that when Nicole reached out to him and John,
Nicole's dad, who's on our staff as well, he was
excited about being here and being honored. And again, we
always look for that person that represents us well, and
(05:30):
Gary fits that multi tea well.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I want to switch gears a little bit to Nicole,
because when these kids come in, they don't know anybody
where they're going to today. One should tell us about
the host families, how you become one and what happens
with the relationship between the players and these host families.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
We have this really special host family program with our
Big thirty three players where everybody who comes in gets
to stay with the local family. I can tell you
from experience, because I've been hosting for this be our
seventh year, in our tenth kid that we're hosting. But
you know, we're really excited to form relationships with these players,
(06:10):
and it lasts beyond just this Big thirty three week. Personally,
we follow We followed our players through college. We still
follow our players through college. One of them is in
the Canadian League now and one of them is in
Arena Football League, So we're really excited about that. And
but it's just really the bonds that you get to
form with someone, someone that you would never you know otherwise,
(06:33):
get to know and now this this kid and his
family is part of your family.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
How do you become a host family? What do you
have to do?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
You can go to our website www dot Big thirty
three dot org and look on the host family tab.
But we just really we just asked for people who
are willing to open their homes to these players. You
have to have an extra bed in your house because
you don't want them to sleeping with you. Okay, but
(07:00):
but yeah, we and then our hosts are included in
all our activities during the week. We really appreciate these
families that would.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Take the players in and I would imagine their parents
parents come up here, but they would imagine that their
parents feel good because they know there's somebody really cares
about the kid watching out for them.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
They do, I bet, yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Yeah, And it's a little nerve wracking for parents at first, like,
oh my kids go into this strange house, what are
we doing.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
It's worked out for a long time.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
It has its early special.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
You know, Gary loves the way he lights up. I mean,
he loves football, he loves his little granddaughter. I didn't
ask about the pictures we got to see her, but anyway,
he really lights up when he talks about the Buddy program.
I think that's cool. Tell us about there.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Well, I'm lighting up right now. Yes, it's a special
program that was started.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Nicole nineteen eighty five, nineteen eighty.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Five, and it has blossomed into quite an undertaking. And
as I say to you, every year, I don't know
who gets more out of it. The players and cheerleaders
or the buddies. It's just so rewarding to see this.
Many of these buddies, they look forward to this all
year long. And you know, we have also begun to
(08:17):
expand the Buddy Program, and I'd really like Nicole to
expound on that ahead. I think, tell everybody what the
Buddy program is doing right now and what has all
happened there.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Sure, so our Buddy Program, which is for individuals with
special needs of all ages, we have been able to
create this year round program. Like Gary said, so we
have our Big thirty three game, which is the main event.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
And tell us what they did that. This is really cool.
They performed at the cheerleaders, don't they They do.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
So we have cheer buddies who perform with the halftime
routine with our Big thirty three cheerleaders. And then we
have player buddies who pair up with our players like Nolan.
They'll get to be introduced on the field with the
players before the game and they're going to be sitting
in a special section in the end zone. So they're
going to be in our Buddy section just cheering on
(09:07):
everybody during the game. And then the day before the game,
we have an opportunity for the buddies to get together
with the players as well and really get to know
each other.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
And you have fundraisers throughout the year to support these programs.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Don't we do?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
We do, and we have We have four events throughout
the year. We have the game, we have Buddy Minni Golf,
Buddy Bowling, and a Buddy Dance and we are going
to have a special announcement at the game. We're creating
a new program to really be able to get back
to the buddies. So I'm not going to tease it.
I'm just going to tease it. I'm not gonna tell
you what it is. Well, it'll be bad, but we're yeah,
(09:41):
but we're really excited to be able to announce.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
This something that I think and I'm like you guys,
I think it's all about relationships, partnerships, and one of
the things is so wise, so very wise. It's the
Peyton Walker Foundation and Julie Walker. She lost her daughter
to son cardiac arrest and found out afterwards that sudden
cardiac arrest is the number one killer of kids on
(10:07):
college and high school campuses. Nobody knew that, you know,
it's a lot has a lot to do with These
kids have pre existing heart conditions and because all these
years they've never been tested for that. Every year you
hear about kids dropping on we're dead on a football
field or in basketball. Julie has worken her buns off
for the last ten years trying to get kids.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Wait, I'll let you talk about it. Go ahead, what
she's doing. I'm sorry that I love what she does.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
It's really important for us to pair up with Julie
and the Peyton Walker Foundation Huddle for Hearts to be
able to check all our athletes for any conditions they
may have. This year we were able to again check
the Pennsylvania team, the Maryland team, the cheerleaders. It's amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Inevitably every year something comes up and an athlete will
find out something maybe that they didn't know in their
history that may need to be monitored. So we are.
We're protecting hearts, saving lives doing all that with the
Peyton Walker Foundation.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
I just I can't say enough about her. We've got
to help her get the word out more and more
and more. Okay, Kato, here's the part where I'm going
to embarrass you, but I've spoken with you before we started.
And you're pretty sharp. Okay, here's a deal. I know
because I do a lot of research. I know that
you're kick gass. Not only Cumberland Valley. You hold a
lot of records, not only in football, but in basketball.
(11:34):
I mean, tell us about your accomplishments you've gotten. You've
been picked the player of the Year, the player of
the game. Talk to us about football and basketball.
Speaker 5 (11:44):
Yeah, well, I mean I'm honored for all those rewards.
But I actually started playing basketball really early. I was
probably like six or seven. When I started playing basketball.
I thought that was gonna be my main sport. That's
what I wanted to play in college and everything. But
you know, things happened, and I played football. First year
was like midgets, like eighth grade. So I came up.
(12:06):
I really liked it just you know, kept playing it freshman,
getting developed. Uh but yeah, I'm super honored to have
all those awards that uh.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Wait a minute, wait a minute, tell us about these
thousand points in basketball, all these I mean, tell us,
I want to hear this stuff all right.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Uh, Well, for basketball, we got our first district championship
in school history. Back to back midpen championship wins third
all time and scoring at the Cumber Valley leading all time,
and with rebounds and leading all the time and assists.
(12:46):
I mean, my coach that he really helps with that.
David Westpignanni a little shout out, but yeah, he's he's
really good coach.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
What's your coach's name.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
David Veignani. Yeah, he's had a lot of success over
the years here at Cummer Valley. Yeah, we've been in
state playoffs two years in a row. Those are the
first two times since like twenty nineteen when my brother played.
So it was super accomplishing and defensive player of the year,
(13:15):
all sensible player of the year.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
I love it, Mom, I'm making him do it. And
Mom's yeah, make him tell, make him tell.
Speaker 5 (13:23):
He I like to stay humble, but it's kind of hard.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
That's wonderful. That's that's a testament to you, mom.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Yeah, for football, first team offense, defense, Yeah, I mean
and football. We've been to district's district playoffs two times, uh,
back to back two so that's super accomplishing as well.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
When you found out you were going to be part
of the team, okay, you know the history of that team,
you know, I mean you're young, and some of those
guys I mentioned maybe you don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
He's okay, how does it make you feel?
Speaker 5 (13:54):
I mean, I got the my coach, he uh, he
pulled me in he I got, I got called down
to the office. I'm like, oh, I think I'm in trouble.
So yeah, I get put onto my mom's office and coaches.
He takes me down in there and he I had
no idea what I had to say. Probably returned my
stuff because I haven't returned my stuff for like two
years now for that. But yeah, he announced that I
(14:19):
was in the Big thirty three, and I was just
kind of starstrucked.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
I was just like, okn I bet yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
I was just saying to my mom. She was sitting
there too, she was like, oh my gosh, like her
mouth was wide open, like she couldn't imagine either. But yeah,
I'm I'm super.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
You do not I do not pick you.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
I mean, you're so accomplished, and you know it burns
me up. Is I did this? This a big deal
what you've accomplished in two sports and I don't see
that much about it. You know, well, people are gonna
know now this kid is amazing. You know, here's a
funny thing. You're too young to remember a lot of
these players. You probably read about a history book. Back
in nineteen sixty nine. It was the Jets New York
(15:00):
just against Baltimore Cults, and everybody's think Jets aren't gonna win. Well,
Joan Amith, who was known as Broadway Joan Amath Joe Namath,
said he guarantees a win.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
You want to go out on a limb. What do
you think? Yeah, but what about can you guarantee a win? Oh?
Speaker 5 (15:17):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
Oh my gosh, oh my god, say say I guarantee guarantee.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Okay, Now here's another thing I think it's important to
talk about. It's not only in sports. You're really focused. Uh,
you've gotten offers from different colleges. You chose East Strasburg.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
What are you going to study?
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Business management?
Speaker 2 (15:40):
How come? Uh?
Speaker 5 (15:41):
I always kind of fell in love with the whole
business side, like economic stuff. I still started taking business
class like my freshman year, and that's where really when
I started getting interested in it.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Here's something that I would like to ask you to do.
And I think I don't think parents get enough credit
for the way they're showing. It's like my dad said,
you think you know you're born and you just grew
up on your own. Parents are the number one influencing
kids' lives. She's sitting behind me. Tell me about your
dad and your mom.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
I mean, I don't know where to start. They really, uh,
they really propelled me. They I really wouldn't be who
I am today without them. Both my parents huge sports players.
They both played sports at college, so they already yeah,
they already kind of had that mindset to, uh to
push me, push all all my siblings. But yeah, they
(16:30):
definitely my number one supporters. They I asked for some
that I had. It just like that. They provided me
with all I needed. And I really can't give all
the thanks back. I mean, Mother's Day is coming up.
I can probably say a little bit.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yeah you can, and I'll remind you too.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Yeah, they're they're definitely definitely would not be who I
am today without their like, their support and absolutely just
a yeah, all they've.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Done for me.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Here's the question, Gary and Nicole. I'm going to ask
it the day of the game. There's a lot of
stuff going on now. I guess it opens at seven
thirty in the morning. Can you give a little bit
of a rundown the day if you're going to the game,
you got to go to the day's activities to tell
us what's going on.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Lots of activities, a full day of football. So Girls Flag,
this is our second year with our Girls Flag Tournament.
We will have around three games at twelve thirty and
one thirty.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
How old are these girls?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
They're seniors also seniors who are graduating. Yeah, from Pennsylvania
and Maryland. So those games are at twelve thirty one thirty.
The Girls Flag Championship game is at four o'clock PM.
Our fan fest goes from three to six thirty PMS.
That is, it's going to be right in the field
across from the stadium. We'll have Gosh dj inflatables, food trucks,
(17:51):
all the fun things for your kids, for your family.
So come on out there before the game and then
kick off for the sixty eighth Big thirty three Football
Classic as at seven thirty PM. Pregame will start probably
about six forty five, so you're gonna want to be.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
There for it.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
One organ I don't say organization when group of people
that you never forget are the vets.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
We don't. Tickets are free for our military and veterans.
We have a really nice we have a really nice
pregame ceremony to really honor and recognize military and veterans.
We have Nashville recording artists Jillian Smith coming in to
do the national anthem that day. Yeah, we're excited to
have her. She's the Cumberland Valley graduate as well.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Know that is yes, and we have.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
A special military tribute video that we will show at
the game prior to the start. We have we have
a really fun way that the ball is coming in
this year, and I'm just gonna tease it because we're
still working on We're still working on that, but you
may need to look up to find the ball coming
in for the game. But yeah, we with it being
(19:03):
Memorial Day weekend, it's the perfect time to really show
appreciation and recognize though those who have served, those who
have given the ultimate sacrifice, and those who are currently serving.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
And they get in for free.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Nicole, you might want to mention how the tickets are
going to carry over this year from back to event.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
Sure Sunday for all the games on Sunday, you only
need one ticket, so a ticket for the Big thirty
three game will get you into all the girls' flag games.
Gates open at eleven thirty and they'll be open all
day long.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
I want to ask you, my dear, of course, you
know you absolutely support women in sports. I mean, look
at your mom, right, what would you say to somebody
who's a girl shouldn't be there? You know, that's too
tough for girls.
Speaker 5 (19:44):
I mean, that's a ludicrous thing to say. I mean,
I believe everyone should have an equal opportunity to play
what sport they want to play. So I think the
whole flag football thing is a great thing for women's sports,
especially football, because I know we see like girls kickers
here in there, but I mean who knows the game's evolving,
So yeah, it's yeah, I think it's great.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
I would like to talk about your sponsors. I mean,
I know you have a lot of them. We're gonna
miss some of them, but the one who is always
stuck by you is Linda Johnston, reneald By Anderson. Talk
about what they've done. I think it's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Yeah, I mean, Renewal has this is the second year
that they're the title sponsor for the Big thirty three
Football classic Linda and her team. I mean they always
jump to the plate to be involved, to be helpful,
to give back to our programs. So we're really we're excited.
We're thrilled to have her back for another year. Renewal
(20:40):
by Anderson of Central PA. We do have a huge
support from Cumberland County, so we you know, we'd be
remiss if we didn't talk about them this year. We
have a Pennsylvania team sponsor coming in Titanium Fabrications. Gosh,
we have you know, our heart screening spotponsors. Renewal helps
(21:01):
with our heart screenings, the Marriachoice Federal Credit Union. I
think your PMC is our buddy sponsor and they help
with the screenings. They're also our medical team sponsor. Community
Aid is another big one.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
What's tremendous and I mean to cut you off. The
goal is our in kind sponsors. I want to say
that list is fifty sixty.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
Wow, have so many organizations.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Yes, well, some people might not understand what that means.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
Tell them what in kind means?
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Well, it's just sharing. You know. Obviously we always need finances,
but we also need product in the exchange for in
kind is basically whatever the company is involved in that exchange,
and a lot of it is food. So many of
(21:56):
our sponsors will will come up with a dinner for
for the coaches, or many of them will come at
dinner for the cheerleaders, or just we can't tell you
how those acts of kindness. Just for them to be
part of Big thirty three and have their logo associated
(22:19):
with Big thirty three means so much to both games.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
I can't see how it wouldn't, Garrett. I mean, my god,
and I tell companies this, I don't know how how
I can't get through sometimes that it's not only brings
attention to your product, you're doing so much for the
community and impacting people's lives, and for goodness sake, it's
a freaking ride off to do that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
That's a no brainer. Right.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
Well, we're a national brand as much as this is
a Pennsylvania versus Maryland game. The game will be stream
live all over the world basically, but people recognize it.
I honestly, as I mentioned earlier, I said on the
national board, you know, one of the gentlemen from Oregon says, Gary,
how's the game going this year? You know? And they've
(23:07):
watched it. I've had friends who were in Texas call
me up and this was maybe two or three months
after the game was over. They were watching tape reruns
on TV in a hotel in Dallas, Texas. So and
you talk to many of the you know, older coaches
that are in the NFL, they'll say, hey, I've had
(23:30):
players coach for me, play for me that played in
the Big thirty three. I know all about it, and
it's just like, wow, this is this is something bigger
than we could have ever imagined. We truly truly appreciate
all of those sponsors that help us out. You know,
we've even had a nice sponsorship and state support the
(23:50):
last last year. And that's big. And it's not cheap
to run this game. It costs a lot of money
and and particularly a lot of time by not a
large group of people. So we're always looking for volunteers.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
That was my next question.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
Yes, we're always looking for volunteers. We're always looking for
more companies. We're always looking for people who are interested
in want to be part of the Big thirty three family.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
I think it's fantastic. You know, one thing we haven't mentioned,
and I know this happens at the farm show every year.
Is you get how many about ten thousand people come
to the game and what that brings to the local
iconic hotels and places to eat. There's so many things
that feeds into that. Cumblan County in a pot really right.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
Yes, we've had, you know, in a lot of the
grant writing that has occurred a lot of those statistical
things come up when you're trying to win a grant,
and you know, we have been over the last several years.
I'm just kind of being generic, but have had millions
(25:01):
of people benefit from it in the nearby communities, not
just here in Cumberland County, but all through Dolphin County
as we were there before and and right around the area.
So uh yeah, the the outreach is fantastic and uh
you know, having having the county and the state and
(25:22):
everybody be involved is great. It's great for everybody. Business
is good as long as the weather's nice.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
Well, you know what Gary says, it never rains, never
rains on Big thirty three day.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
He says it every year. Though better knock on wood,
it's not going to seem to be lucky that, he says,
it's never gonna right.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
I can tell you this. The first game that we
ran as the Coaches Association was at c D East
that the time of the game, the day of the game,
it rained everywhere within twenty five miles of our stadium.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
Storms.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
It did not put one drop on the stadium.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
And you know what, so what if it rains.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Gary knows that I grew up in the Cole Regent
Thanksgiving Day it was always schmoking a Mount Carmel and
it would be snowing and these kids still played football.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Absolutely, what happens if it does? Ring do the kids
still play football?
Speaker 4 (26:22):
Well?
Speaker 3 (26:22):
You know right now, you're you're at the mercy of lightning.
That's that's the biggest thing. The biggest thing is lightning.
And we have a contingency plan now that we play
the game on Sunday. Uh, we don't like to talk
about it too much, but there is a contingency plan
for the next day. So uh, you know, with with
that being said, we won't need it because it's going
(26:44):
to be a nice day.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Where do you think, my Lord Yarry, Oh yeah, you're wonderful.
Well that's okay. I got to ask you Nicole too.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
If you want to be a volunteer, if you want
to get tickets, if you want to find out. I
mean your website has everything.
Speaker 4 (27:09):
Where is it everything? Yes, Big thirty three dot org.
You can see we have all all the different tabs
at the top. So if you want to volunteer, there's
a place to go. If you want to get tickets,
there's a place to click on. Anything that you need
is on that website.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
I love it. I love it, love it, love it.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
Okay, kids are rapping this up from the Big thirty
three Football organization. My guests, I've been Garret Kthell and
Nicole Whitmeier and representing the Pennsylvania team for this year's
Big thirty three game as well as a standout tight
end at Cumberlan Valley High School superstar mister Lowland Bizolka.
It's the sixty eight Big thirty three Football Class I
at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field. It's on Sunday,
(27:48):
May twenty fifth, kickoff at seven thirty. So go grab
those tickets, right Nicole, that's right, Okay. I'm Sylvia Moss
reminding you to catch inside on one of our ten
Ihearts stations. Every Sunday or any any time on your
favorite podcast Stapp.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
I'm so jam again. This has been Insight. Thanks so
much for listening. See you next week.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Hi, this is iHeart. Public affairs director and host of Insight,
Sylvia Moss. Each week on Insight, we address and try
to provide the best local resources for issues that you
tell me are the most important to you, the ones
that have the biggest impact on your everyday lives.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Insights also a place.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Where we can let you know about exciting community events
and introduce you to many of the incredible people who
work hard every single day just to make all of
our lives better. If you're not able to listen to
Insight when it airs on this station each week, then
catch it on your favorite podcast Stapp.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Thank you for listening.
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