May 12, 2026 • 30 mins
“Future stars. Future champions. Future Super Bowl names. Find them all at The 2026 Big 33 Football Classic Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field.” www.big33.org
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Selvia Moss.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
This is inside a presentation of iHeartMedia where we really
do care about our local communities and all our listeners
who live here.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
The Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
No, I'm not losing it. I know the Super Bowls
usually played in January or February every year, but bot
did you know that more than one hundred and forty
former Big thirty three players have played in an actual
Super Bowl game. No other all star game in the
whole country can make that claim. In fact, the Big
(00:31):
thirty three Football Classic is known as the Super Bowl
of high school football, and who knows, you might even
meet one of those future Super Bowl players today. First,
we have to introduce you to a major players in
this year's Big thirty Football Classic with isir Gary Kathel.
He's a executive director of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches
(00:51):
Association and he brought along Nicole Whitmyer. Nicole is an
associated executive director of the organization and from.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Trinity High School.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Hey man, I'm playing in this year's Big thirty three
Game for the Pennsylvania team tight end Marcus Yeager. This
year best of the best high school football players in
Pennsylvania and Maryland are going to hit the grid iron
at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field. Now write this
down Sunday, May twenty fourth, with kickoff.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
At six thirty.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I love it when you guys came and they already warned.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
I understand Warren Marcus about me.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
This is gonna be well next year, but the organization
is going to be seventy years old.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Holy, don't you well you weren't even around then.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
You've been the executive director for going on ten years, right, Gary, This.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Will be my eleventh year. Eleventh year and only ten.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Games because of the COVID. This is my tenth game.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Okay, don't you ever go home?
Speaker 2 (01:56):
No?
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yeah, I do well and make sure your time go home.
But around this time of year.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Hold on a second, Patty. You know you've been in
with her forty years. But I got to ask, how's
Lane doing.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Lane is growing like a weed.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
She's my little peenie, and when I'm home, I spend
a lot of time with her.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Thank you for asking.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Of course, I think of you and she a lot
of times. I think you must be a great grandfather.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I can see happy I'm pappy.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
You know the top of the show, I mentioned that
more than one hundred and forty former Big thirty three
players have played in the game.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Like, who are we talking about in the Super Bowl?
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Well, first, thank you for the great introduction. That was
really really you mean about Lane, No, about all the
well about Lane, yes, but you know the all the
information that you gave in regard to the game. Yes,
we've We've had quite quite a few athletes come through
(02:56):
here and we have a lot of that hundred and
forty four. We have a lot of players who became
Hall of Fame.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Players as well. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Wow, I want to say that number is and again
don't quote me on it because I don't know the exacts,
but I would have to say we're close to thirty
former Big thirty three players are NFL Hall of Famers,
people you know obviously like Dan Marino and Joe Montana,
and you know future athletes like Ben Roethlisberger.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
In the list goes on and on.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, what do you think these players all have in
common that they got to the Super.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Well, you know, competitive nature, great athletes, but to go
that far and you know, compete at the level that
they've competed at, it takes a lot of work, and
I'm sure that they all had the great work ethic.
They were all smart, intelligent athletes, and you know, and
(03:57):
along the way, you have to have a little bit
of luck, you know, because they're in a business where
you can get hurt. But you know, I like to
say that a lot of those athletes came you know,
came out of PA and in you know, because of
some of our Big thirty three alumni are from the
other states, you know, Ohio and Maryland, but we're those
(04:22):
they did some great things. A lot of those athletes.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Let me ask you this, how do you get to
the point when you're in high school where you're even
considered to be a part of the Big thirty three.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Well, obviously you have to have accumulated great statistics in
terms of your what you did on the field. It's
a it's a pretty strict vetting process to have players
come into the game, because we not only want great
football players, we want great people. We're bringing them here
(04:53):
to represent you know, their families and their school, but
also we're bringing a lot of these athletes who are
staying in host families homes, and you know, when we
vet players, that's all considered and uh, you know, for
for Marcus and any of the players that are on
(05:14):
this team, you know, they had a lot of eyes
on them before they were picked to go into the game.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
So you got to have people have to notice you
for a long time, how about it? Yeah, yeah, Okay,
let's talk about I'm going to talk to Nicole in
a second, but she knows I'm dying to poke.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Okay, you're among the best of the best. So how
do you feel that.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
I'm very grateful, you know, just being a part of
a team with you know, the great like the best
athletes in the state of Pennsylvania.
Speaker 6 (05:45):
Being around to such a great group of guys.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
What happens after you graduate? You have plans to go
to college, right?
Speaker 6 (05:52):
Yeap? I leave for Richmond in late June.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
And uh, you had told me a little earlier that
you like the way things.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Are run down there as far as the way they
welcomed you, and they made you feel like that's kind
of like like playing for Gary, isn't it. Yeah, it's
a Seriously, it's a continuation of it's not used to
hearing the olden days about these coaches that.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Were nasty everything. They're not like that. Anymore. Gary's everybody's
dad right strict top am I right?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Care?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Trying to be.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
What did you learn other than you know you knew
how to play football?
Speaker 1 (06:32):
What what did you learn from the game?
Speaker 5 (06:34):
Yeah, I mean just the big thirty three is really
it's bigger than a game, you know, just going like
through the whole the Buddy program that's coming up, just
like football is, like it's a small part of your life.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
Like there's a lot of more things I go into it.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Really do tell that what you shouldn't have said that?
Speaker 6 (06:53):
Just like like what you.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Learn about yourself?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Mmmm?
Speaker 5 (07:01):
That?
Speaker 1 (07:02):
What did it train you to be?
Speaker 6 (07:06):
Just like that?
Speaker 5 (07:06):
You know you're you're always having someone watching you, just
like always you know, being on your a game, just
trying to be like the best version of yourself.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Accountability, Yeah, being accountable that your mom loves that, doesn't Yeah,
I bet she does. Who's your football here?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
When you think back over when you were a little
way growing up you were when you were a little
altar boy.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
Uh, I'd say my older brother, my grandfather, you know,
just going to all my older brother's games when I
was younger.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
I just you know, as a younger brother, you always
want to be. Yeah, idolize them.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
And then my grandfather got me into the game at
such a young age, you know, because he used to
coach and stuff. To just go into his practices and stuff.
So I'd say those two.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Let me ask you this too. We talked about you
going to the University of Richmond. What are you going
to study down there?
Speaker 6 (07:53):
Most likely finance, okay, and.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
You're gonna you're going to play football down there.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
You play a really awesome not just football at Trinity.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Tell us about the other sports.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
Uh. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
I was also part of the basketball team for four
years and we just want to stay championship this past season.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Oh, I know, I saw that. That was awesome. You
must be so full of yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Are you?
Speaker 6 (08:13):
Yeah, yud, very proud, Nicole.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I want to switch gears to you a little bit.
I didn't know now I don't. Gary play different things,
a couple different sports.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
In high school. You you were.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
A championship tennis player, You're a coach. You started out
tagging along with your daddy.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
He was involved in that. Tell us a little bit
about that.
Speaker 7 (08:38):
I was.
Speaker 8 (08:38):
Yeah, I mean tennis was always my sport in high school, college,
and then I had the opportunity to coach it afterwards,
and I still love that game. But yeah, whenever I
was young, my dad got involved with Big thirty three,
I think in nineteen eighty five, so I always have
fond memories. My brother and I would be around for
(09:00):
all the games when we were younger. We actually, back
in the day, we used to sell raffle tickets, because
you remember that. So my brother and I would be
at the games selling raffle tickets to try to, you know,
help raise funds for the Big thirty three. But just
you know, developed a love for the game from that perspective.
My brother played football and coached football, and so he
(09:22):
and my dad had that relationship.
Speaker 7 (09:24):
But the Big thirty three.
Speaker 8 (09:25):
Has always been something that you know, I could share
with my dad and with my family and my kids
and everyone else. Also I did not I actually well, actually,
funny thing, my husband actually was one of my dad's
former players.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
So it's.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Like a disease in the blood.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Man.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
In order.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
These kids are coming from out of state, so every year,
you guys got to be responsible for finding them a
place to stay. Talk to us about the hosts homes
and how you be come one and do you need
any more.
Speaker 7 (10:01):
Yeah, we do.
Speaker 8 (10:02):
We are always looking for host families, so we ask
local families who are willing to, you know, have a
new family member for the week. Our host families are
amazing people who are so giving an opening and you know,
they they house these kids, they feed these kids, which
(10:24):
for some you know, that could be a pretty big
bill for the week, but they just make them feel
comfortable and welcome and a part of their family. But
the best thing about it is that you establish these
relationships with these kids.
Speaker 7 (10:36):
That is that lasts a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
You know.
Speaker 7 (10:39):
The host families say.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
I bet they keep coming back and then and then
they probably end up at somebody's wedding.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
They do.
Speaker 8 (10:45):
Yeah, they follow them in college or you know, if
they don't go to college, whatever their career is. I mean,
it really is an extended family.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
I know, Gary lights up when I talk about the
Buddy program. So you take it, Gary, tell us what
it is and how awesome.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Well, they started Nicole in eighty five, nineteen eighty five.
It is the children and young adults who have special
needs that we pair them up with football players and
cheerleaders and they get to bond. You know, it's and
you heard me say this, year in and year out,
(11:20):
I do not know who gets more out of the experience,
the buddies or the players with their short time together.
And much like the host families, like Nicole said, there's
this connection that happens where a lot of times the
buddies will remain in their their players, their lives, in
their lives and come to family events, comes to graduation,
(11:44):
come to games, and again they are so appreciative, appreciative
of the experience, and the players are so.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Appreciative, and they're out there, they're part of the game
and part of the cheerleading squader and they tell us
what they're going to do the day of the game.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Go ahead.
Speaker 8 (12:00):
Yeah, the day of the game, the player buddies are
introduced on the field with the players and then they'll
get to cheer them on during the game. The cheer
buddies actually perform part of the halftime routine with the cheerleaders.
Speaker 7 (12:12):
So, yeah, we really try to get.
Speaker 8 (12:13):
Them as involved as possible in everything and really want
to highlight them as well in their families because they
are such a joy to be around.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Oh and how they must look forward to about it.
Oh my god. Yeah, Gary, But you have clinics going
on the week?
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Is it the week of the week prior?
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Well, actually we've already had. We've had the boys football clinic,
something that we tried new The Pennsylvania team will come
in for a weekend and get four practices, and this
year we tied the clinic to that. I think it
was very successful. And now as we start big thirty
(12:53):
three week coming up. The first day will be Saturday,
and we'll have our cheer clinic, which which is all
always been very well attended and the cheerleaders will do
a great job with the young young children coming in
so that that kicks off the clinics.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Tell me, I could hardly wait to talk about this.
The girls flag football. I remember my niece, she's true
close supportian. She played power pop football. Yeah, tell us
about that, Nicole. That is cool And what brought that in, Well.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It was just the the I want to say, the
NFL sparking interest in girls' flag and you know, our country,
along with you know, many countries throughout the world, started
to you know, get into girl's flag and it's filtered
(13:49):
down to where now here in the United States, you know,
close to thirty five forty states have girls flag football
that is so cool and it's become here in Pennsylvania
sanctioned sport.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
This was the first year of sanctioning.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Next year there will be a girls state playoffs, So
we felt that it was important to bring girl's flag
under under our umbrella.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
You know the Big three three, and they represent different
high schools.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
They represent high schools, but but for our event's sake,
they're representing an NFL team. We have a partnership with
four four of the NFL teams, the two here in
Pennsylvania and the two in Maryland, the Eagles and the
Steelers and the Commanders and the Ravens. We do a
lot of planning throughout the year with the NFL is
(14:40):
what Nicole and I call the fifth entity in this
whole thing, because you know, they they they're a whole
different type of organization, but the the the We'll have
a round robin tournament that will start on Saturday, and
we'll have theirchampionship game being played Sunday, and then Nicole
(15:03):
will go over that whole list of events and activities
that we have and that championship game will be just
prior to the Big thirty three.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Events Okay, now the date.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
What time must you be at the at the stadium
at the beginning of everything going on that day.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
If you want to see everything. On Sunday, May twenty fourth,
the first Girl's Flag Football game starts at eleven thirty.
Ok we have another round three girls Flag game at
twelve forty five. The Championship Girls Flag Football game will
be at three pm. And then we have a fan
fest going on from three to six, So that'll be
(15:39):
in the field adjacent to the stadium. So we have inflatables,
food trucks, games, music, everything fun to do while you're
waiting to go to the Big thirty three Football Classic.
It's a free event, so anybody can come to it.
And then the Big thirty three Classic kicks off. It's
(16:00):
six thirty pm. But we're telling everyone you should really
come out for our pregame ceremonies. They start around five
forty five. We have a really strong military tribute and appreciation. Yeah,
so we really want to encourage everyone to come out.
And yeah, we have the US Navy leap Frogs parachute
(16:23):
team is going to be bringing in the game ball
and jumping with some other things.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Yeah, it's going to be really cool they do. I was, yes,
you took the words out of my mouth.
Speaker 8 (16:36):
I was actually gonna get that. Yeah, military and veterans
get tickets for free. We want to show our appreciation
to them. We also have a former veteran, Dave Bray,
who is coming in and singing the national anthem this
year National Recording Artists, so we're so excited to have
him as well.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
I think that's awesome. I know Dave Bray. How do
I know Dave?
Speaker 3 (16:59):
I remember that you like him?
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Yeah, one of.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
My people, favorite favorite people in the world, Julie Walker
talk to us about.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Yeah, yeah, I love this.
Speaker 8 (17:17):
We're so proud to, you know, be part of that
initiative with Julie Walker where we have heart screenings for
all of our athletes. The Pennsylvania team had their heart
screenings and the cheerleaders just a few weeks ago, I
think weeks ago now. The Maryland team also had their
heart screenings, so, you know, just protecting, protecting hearts and
(17:42):
you know, trying to see if there's any issues with
these kids. I mean, it's so important. It's the you know,
number one killer of young people. So you know, if
we can make a difference and help somebody find out
some information that will improve their lives and quality of lives.
And you know, like Julia says, you know, not have
(18:03):
any other family go through what she had to go through.
Speaker 7 (18:06):
We are we are so humbled to be a part
of that.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
The whole thing, correct me if I'm wrong.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
The whole thing is that there are kids with undetective
heart issues. Then they go out and play a sport
and then you hear about these kids football, basketball, They
drop down on the field because nobody knew they had
that issue. So Julie comes in, she does the KG,
she teaches I could still call it mouth the mouth,
(18:31):
what do you call itpr And she's really touched a
lot of She saved a lot of lives in this country,
not only student athletes, but other people because she has
depibulators all over the place. Let me ask you this,
this is a big renew by Anderson.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Oh my gosh, Linda Johnston.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
She is just they had to change it to Johnstenberg.
That company is so extremely generous, not only with funding,
but also their employees get involved. Don't they talk either
of you guys.
Speaker 7 (19:08):
Yeah, no they do.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I think she's great with all the details. I don't
want to forget anything, you will, she won't.
Speaker 7 (19:17):
Uh yeah.
Speaker 8 (19:17):
Linda and her team from Renewal. This is the third
year that they're the title sponsor of the Big thirty
three Football Classic. They have jumped in, you know, from
the beginning, and it's kind of.
Speaker 7 (19:29):
Like, how how can we help you? How can we
help this game?
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Uh?
Speaker 8 (19:33):
So, we so appreciate, you know, her, her employees who
come to help out with everything. You know, they give
back to so many people and with their Renewal Cares initiative.
You know, we're so again, we're thankful to them, have
a lot of gratitude that that they have chosen, you know,
our game to to help, you know, give this platform.
(19:56):
So yeah, we we can't say enough good things about
I totally agree with Lin.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Likes to drive into the stadium on the motorcycles. That's
one of hers.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Is that what it is.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
We're trying to convince her to jump out of the planes.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Struggle with you.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Wonderful, wonderful lady.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
She certainly is. Do you need any more sponsors at
this time?
Speaker 8 (20:19):
We are always looking for more sponsors, you know, the
things that we're able to do with adding girls flag football,
doing more buddy events, all the you know, really important
initiatives that we have would not be possible without funding
and support from everybody in the community. So we you know,
the more that people give to us, the more we
(20:41):
can give backs.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Is it because well it's for a lot of reasons, gart,
but I think it's a tradition in this area. Uh, people,
from what I understand, you get about ten thousand people
there every year.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Is that Wow, that's a heck of a draw.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Yeah, we get a good crowd. And well, years ago,
when Mickey Minnick used to run the event and they
didn't have the strict NCAA guidelines, they would get twenty
thousand people over at Hershey Stadium to watch this game.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
So we took over.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
We decided to bring it to a high school venue,
which obviously is a lot smaller, but we've been filling up,
filling it up. If you come to the game, the
majority of the stands are full, and where you see
a lot of people is field level. You know, we
have our buddies that are done on the field level,
their families, those are all included in our numbers. And
(21:35):
you know, we've been around between eight and ten thousand.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Here and it's got to mean a lot to the
economy over there, too, doesn't it It is.
Speaker 8 (21:44):
Yeah, we were again we're fortunate to have involvement from
Cumberland County.
Speaker 7 (21:50):
They've been a big supporter of ours for.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
The pastaghetti years.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
They did That's why that county is the fastest growing
county in the States.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
They know what they're doing.
Speaker 8 (22:00):
Yeah, and the impact that we bring, you know, between
hotel rooms and restaurants and just the local economy really
thrives with our events. And we were fortunate to be
recognized this year from Cumberland County and the Kadik for Yeah.
For you know, the impact that we have been able
(22:22):
to have in the county. We're really proud of that.
Speaker 7 (22:24):
But we want to you know, continue and continue to.
Speaker 8 (22:26):
Grow it and and just bring even.
Speaker 7 (22:29):
More impact to the to the county of Cumberland County.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Absolutely.
Speaker 8 (22:33):
Do you need volunteers, always need volunteers, Yes, give me.
We have so many things that we're doing on game day.
We always need people to help us sell our fan gear,
or to help us with our hospitality tent uh to
you know, run food to people, to run waters to people.
There's so many different avenues that we need volunteers for
(22:56):
so we are always looking for that as well.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Marcus up, buddy, there you are. Are you going to
the Super Bowl?
Speaker 6 (23:08):
Do you repear that I said?
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Are you going to end up in the super Bowl
like the rest of these a lot of these guys?
Speaker 1 (23:13):
What do you think is that a goal for you?
Speaker 6 (23:16):
Hopefully?
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Garry, I don't think we've ever sat here with any
kids in recent years. Why no, I don't think so.
Do you know any of these guys that have been
in the Super Bowl?
Speaker 1 (23:27):
I'm sure you?
Speaker 4 (23:28):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely?
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Wow. Can you get me a phone number.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
I had the opportunity to coach several of them.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Tell me about it.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
I coached LeVar Arrington. That was my when I was
coaching in the Big thirty three game, LaVar Arrington. Brett Viach,
who's the GM now for the Kansas City Chiefs. Oh,
he was on he was on my team. I shouldn't
say my team. Part of that team? Uh koy Wire
who we had in year as a legend.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
H jeez.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
I'm trying to think who else who was on? Who
was on those James Mungro who played in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Do you know what I can never figure out Okay,
on the western parsidate.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
You got Montana, you got more Marino, you got named
What are they doing out there?
Speaker 7 (24:19):
They're growing them big out there.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yeah, that says a lot for Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is so
we're so spirited, aren't we.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
We're very well respected nationally with high school football.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Uh, you know, we're not. We're not the big dog anymore.
You really compete.
Speaker 3 (24:37):
Against Texas and in uh in California, Florida. But we're
very well respected and we have a lot of great
players that come from all over the state, you know,
and it's reflected on these rosters that have come out
through Big thirty three. I know, you know when you
(24:58):
mentioned this to people in the football world, they it's
amazing how many people actually know about the Big thirty three.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
You know.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
I had an opportunity to meet with some people who
were former head coaches in the NFL, and they actually
knew about Big thirty three.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Wow. Well that look at that. How many of the
Super Bowl the players that came out of the Super Bowl?
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Yeah? Absolutely, wow.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
What can we help you with? What do you need
at this point? In volunteers, there's always for sponsorship. What
else do you need.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
Oh yeah, before you finish that, talk to me about
that one.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
We need nice weather?
Speaker 3 (25:36):
Okay, can you do you have any pool with that?
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Let me see. I'll give Tom Russell a call.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Although he yes, I said to him one day I
wanted to talk to him about what he you know,
what is days like when he's planning, you know, doing
his preparing his weather forecast.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
And I said, people at the.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Station told me, first thing you do when you get
in there is you call the Psychic Friends Network. Oh well,
you can't really count or we're like a week or
two ahead of this so you can't.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
Again, you know, it never rains during Big thirty.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Three, so I didn't know that. Yes it does.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
We don't even talk about it.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
The only thing we do say is never going to rain.
So and we've been really, really lucky. So we have
an event coming up this weekend and the weather's going
to be nice. So we're excited about that.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
You know what I forgot to ask you? You have
a dinner prior to all this where you honor people.
Mickey Minnick is one of them, right he is, Yeah,
tell us about that.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
That's pretty cool.
Speaker 8 (26:37):
Yeah, we have a recognition ceremony of the evening before
and we are this is the third year that we
are naming Big thirty three Legends, and these are people
who have gone on to make a big impact, whether
in football or in the community, people who've gone through
the Big thirty three. And Mickey Minnick is one of
them this year.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
You know you come in here.
Speaker 8 (26:57):
Yeah, yeah, and he's he did so much for the
foundation of what the Big thirty three is now. You know,
he helped to start the Buddy program and you know,
the host Family program and a lot of the initiatives
that we still carry out today, really making this a
community event and the much more than a game.
Speaker 7 (27:16):
Uh So, yeah, we're we're proud to honor him.
Speaker 8 (27:20):
We have our honorary chairman, Lewis Riddick, who's coming in.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
You're here for the show because I would have forgot Yeah,
people don't know who he is.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
He doesn't.
Speaker 7 (27:29):
He were for ESPN, he does.
Speaker 8 (27:31):
Yeah, you would have seen him with the draft, you know,
he was big on there. Yeah, we're so excited to
have him come in. He's going to be there Saturday
and Sunday for all our events and a lot tell
about our.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Oldest legend this year.
Speaker 7 (27:50):
I will.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Yeah, so fascinated to hear that story.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
What time do you want me there?
Speaker 8 (27:59):
Well, his family will be there this one in particular,
So we have a nineteen fifty eight player. He was
a David Rodman is his name from Hanover. He went
to college and then enlisted or volunteered to serve in
the military. He was a captain in the army, went
(28:21):
to Vietnam. He actually he ended up losing his life
while saving someone else. And it's an incredible story. His
daughter actually reached out to Gary for something else a
few months ago, and we were able to connect with
the family and really understand their story. And we are
so excited to be able to tell it and to
(28:42):
remember him and honor him, especially you know, with the
Big thirty three being part of Memorial Day weekend, this
seems like such a fitting time.
Speaker 7 (28:52):
Yeah, so we're so excited.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
I think that's one last question for you over there,
kid Ole Marcus, let me ask you this. Do you
have any thing to say the folks out there about
the game this year?
Speaker 6 (29:02):
Gonna win it? Yeah, we're gonna be Maryland and we
hope say everyone.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
There, Okay, of course you will garing to Cale Marcus,
thank you so very very much. You come in here
every year, and I'm counting on it every year that
you'll be here and good look at not.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Only with the game, but at Richmond.
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
And I'm gonna tell your mom you're gonna go wa
boozing all the time.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
I know I'm not, Okay, don't forget it's a sixty
ninth an year old Big thirty three Football Classic Sunday,
May twenty fourth at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field
with a cookoff at six point thirty. And don't forget
to tell everybody you know about it, because you're just
gonna have a ball. Hurry and get your tickets to
the Big thirty three game and catch inside every week
(29:42):
on one of our ten iHeart sedations or any time
on your favorite podcast app. I'm Sylvia Moss. Thanks for
miss much for listening. See you next week.
Hi, I'm Selvia Moss.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
This is inside a presentation of iHeartMedia where we really
do care about our local communities and all our listeners
who live here.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
The Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
No, I'm not losing it. I know the Super Bowls
usually played in January or February every year, but bot
did you know that more than one hundred and forty
former Big thirty three players have played in an actual
Super Bowl game. No other all star game in the
whole country can make that claim. In fact, the Big
(00:31):
thirty three Football Classic is known as the Super Bowl
of high school football, and who knows, you might even
meet one of those future Super Bowl players today. First,
we have to introduce you to a major players in
this year's Big thirty Football Classic with isir Gary Kathel.
He's a executive director of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches
(00:51):
Association and he brought along Nicole Whitmyer. Nicole is an
associated executive director of the organization and from.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Trinity High School.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Hey man, I'm playing in this year's Big thirty three
Game for the Pennsylvania team tight end Marcus Yeager. This
year best of the best high school football players in
Pennsylvania and Maryland are going to hit the grid iron
at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field. Now write this
down Sunday, May twenty fourth, with kickoff.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
At six thirty.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I love it when you guys came and they already warned.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
I understand Warren Marcus about me.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
This is gonna be well next year, but the organization
is going to be seventy years old.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Holy, don't you well you weren't even around then.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
You've been the executive director for going on ten years, right, Gary, This.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Will be my eleventh year. Eleventh year and only ten.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Games because of the COVID. This is my tenth game.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Okay, don't you ever go home?
Speaker 2 (01:56):
No?
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yeah, I do well and make sure your time go home.
But around this time of year.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Hold on a second, Patty. You know you've been in
with her forty years. But I got to ask, how's
Lane doing.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Lane is growing like a weed.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
She's my little peenie, and when I'm home, I spend
a lot of time with her.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Thank you for asking.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Of course, I think of you and she a lot
of times. I think you must be a great grandfather.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I can see happy I'm pappy.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
You know the top of the show, I mentioned that
more than one hundred and forty former Big thirty three
players have played in the game.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Like, who are we talking about in the Super Bowl?
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Well, first, thank you for the great introduction. That was
really really you mean about Lane, No, about all the
well about Lane, yes, but you know the all the
information that you gave in regard to the game. Yes,
we've We've had quite quite a few athletes come through
(02:56):
here and we have a lot of that hundred and
forty four. We have a lot of players who became
Hall of Fame.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Players as well. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Wow, I want to say that number is and again
don't quote me on it because I don't know the exacts,
but I would have to say we're close to thirty
former Big thirty three players are NFL Hall of Famers,
people you know obviously like Dan Marino and Joe Montana,
and you know future athletes like Ben Roethlisberger.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
In the list goes on and on.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, what do you think these players all have in
common that they got to the Super.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Well, you know, competitive nature, great athletes, but to go
that far and you know, compete at the level that
they've competed at, it takes a lot of work, and
I'm sure that they all had the great work ethic.
They were all smart, intelligent athletes, and you know, and
(03:57):
along the way, you have to have a little bit
of luck, you know, because they're in a business where
you can get hurt. But you know, I like to
say that a lot of those athletes came you know,
came out of PA and in you know, because of
some of our Big thirty three alumni are from the
other states, you know, Ohio and Maryland, but we're those
(04:22):
they did some great things. A lot of those athletes.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Let me ask you this, how do you get to
the point when you're in high school where you're even
considered to be a part of the Big thirty three.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Well, obviously you have to have accumulated great statistics in
terms of your what you did on the field. It's
a it's a pretty strict vetting process to have players
come into the game, because we not only want great
football players, we want great people. We're bringing them here
(04:53):
to represent you know, their families and their school, but
also we're bringing a lot of these athletes who are
staying in host families homes, and you know, when we
vet players, that's all considered and uh, you know, for
for Marcus and any of the players that are on
(05:14):
this team, you know, they had a lot of eyes
on them before they were picked to go into the game.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
So you got to have people have to notice you
for a long time, how about it? Yeah, yeah, Okay,
let's talk about I'm going to talk to Nicole in
a second, but she knows I'm dying to poke.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Okay, you're among the best of the best. So how
do you feel that.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
I'm very grateful, you know, just being a part of
a team with you know, the great like the best
athletes in the state of Pennsylvania.
Speaker 6 (05:45):
Being around to such a great group of guys.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
What happens after you graduate? You have plans to go
to college, right?
Speaker 6 (05:52):
Yeap? I leave for Richmond in late June.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
And uh, you had told me a little earlier that
you like the way things.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Are run down there as far as the way they
welcomed you, and they made you feel like that's kind
of like like playing for Gary, isn't it. Yeah, it's
a Seriously, it's a continuation of it's not used to
hearing the olden days about these coaches that.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Were nasty everything. They're not like that. Anymore. Gary's everybody's
dad right strict top am I right?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Care?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Trying to be.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
What did you learn other than you know you knew
how to play football?
Speaker 1 (06:32):
What what did you learn from the game?
Speaker 5 (06:34):
Yeah, I mean just the big thirty three is really
it's bigger than a game, you know, just going like
through the whole the Buddy program that's coming up, just
like football is, like it's a small part of your life.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
Like there's a lot of more things I go into it.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Really do tell that what you shouldn't have said that?
Speaker 6 (06:53):
Just like like what you.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Learn about yourself?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Mmmm?
Speaker 5 (07:01):
That?
Speaker 1 (07:02):
What did it train you to be?
Speaker 6 (07:06):
Just like that?
Speaker 5 (07:06):
You know you're you're always having someone watching you, just
like always you know, being on your a game, just
trying to be like the best version of yourself.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Accountability, Yeah, being accountable that your mom loves that, doesn't Yeah,
I bet she does. Who's your football here?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
When you think back over when you were a little
way growing up you were when you were a little
altar boy.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
Uh, I'd say my older brother, my grandfather, you know,
just going to all my older brother's games when I
was younger.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
I just you know, as a younger brother, you always
want to be. Yeah, idolize them.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
And then my grandfather got me into the game at
such a young age, you know, because he used to
coach and stuff. To just go into his practices and stuff.
So I'd say those two.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Let me ask you this too. We talked about you
going to the University of Richmond. What are you going
to study down there?
Speaker 6 (07:53):
Most likely finance, okay, and.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
You're gonna you're going to play football down there.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
You play a really awesome not just football at Trinity.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Tell us about the other sports.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
Uh. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
I was also part of the basketball team for four
years and we just want to stay championship this past season.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Oh, I know, I saw that. That was awesome. You
must be so full of yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Are you?
Speaker 6 (08:13):
Yeah, yud, very proud, Nicole.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
I want to switch gears to you a little bit.
I didn't know now I don't. Gary play different things,
a couple different sports.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
In high school. You you were.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
A championship tennis player, You're a coach. You started out
tagging along with your daddy.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
He was involved in that. Tell us a little bit
about that.
Speaker 7 (08:38):
I was.
Speaker 8 (08:38):
Yeah, I mean tennis was always my sport in high school, college,
and then I had the opportunity to coach it afterwards,
and I still love that game. But yeah, whenever I
was young, my dad got involved with Big thirty three,
I think in nineteen eighty five, so I always have
fond memories. My brother and I would be around for
(09:00):
all the games when we were younger. We actually, back
in the day, we used to sell raffle tickets, because
you remember that. So my brother and I would be
at the games selling raffle tickets to try to, you know,
help raise funds for the Big thirty three. But just
you know, developed a love for the game from that perspective.
My brother played football and coached football, and so he
(09:22):
and my dad had that relationship.
Speaker 7 (09:24):
But the Big thirty three.
Speaker 8 (09:25):
Has always been something that you know, I could share
with my dad and with my family and my kids
and everyone else. Also I did not I actually well, actually,
funny thing, my husband actually was one of my dad's
former players.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
So it's.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Like a disease in the blood.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Man.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
In order.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
These kids are coming from out of state, so every year,
you guys got to be responsible for finding them a
place to stay. Talk to us about the hosts homes
and how you be come one and do you need
any more.
Speaker 7 (10:01):
Yeah, we do.
Speaker 8 (10:02):
We are always looking for host families, so we ask
local families who are willing to, you know, have a
new family member for the week. Our host families are
amazing people who are so giving an opening and you know,
they they house these kids, they feed these kids, which
(10:24):
for some you know, that could be a pretty big
bill for the week, but they just make them feel
comfortable and welcome and a part of their family. But
the best thing about it is that you establish these
relationships with these kids.
Speaker 7 (10:36):
That is that lasts a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
You know.
Speaker 7 (10:39):
The host families say.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
I bet they keep coming back and then and then
they probably end up at somebody's wedding.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
They do.
Speaker 8 (10:45):
Yeah, they follow them in college or you know, if
they don't go to college, whatever their career is. I mean,
it really is an extended family.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
I know, Gary lights up when I talk about the
Buddy program. So you take it, Gary, tell us what
it is and how awesome.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Well, they started Nicole in eighty five, nineteen eighty five.
It is the children and young adults who have special
needs that we pair them up with football players and
cheerleaders and they get to bond. You know, it's and
you heard me say this, year in and year out,
(11:20):
I do not know who gets more out of the experience,
the buddies or the players with their short time together.
And much like the host families, like Nicole said, there's
this connection that happens where a lot of times the
buddies will remain in their their players, their lives, in
their lives and come to family events, comes to graduation,
(11:44):
come to games, and again they are so appreciative, appreciative
of the experience, and the players are so.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Appreciative, and they're out there, they're part of the game
and part of the cheerleading squader and they tell us
what they're going to do the day of the game.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Go ahead.
Speaker 8 (12:00):
Yeah, the day of the game, the player buddies are
introduced on the field with the players and then they'll
get to cheer them on during the game. The cheer
buddies actually perform part of the halftime routine with the cheerleaders.
Speaker 7 (12:12):
So, yeah, we really try to get.
Speaker 8 (12:13):
Them as involved as possible in everything and really want
to highlight them as well in their families because they
are such a joy to be around.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Oh and how they must look forward to about it.
Oh my god. Yeah, Gary, But you have clinics going
on the week?
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Is it the week of the week prior?
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Well, actually we've already had. We've had the boys football clinic,
something that we tried new The Pennsylvania team will come
in for a weekend and get four practices, and this
year we tied the clinic to that. I think it
was very successful. And now as we start big thirty
(12:53):
three week coming up. The first day will be Saturday,
and we'll have our cheer clinic, which which is all
always been very well attended and the cheerleaders will do
a great job with the young young children coming in
so that that kicks off the clinics.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Tell me, I could hardly wait to talk about this.
The girls flag football. I remember my niece, she's true
close supportian. She played power pop football. Yeah, tell us
about that, Nicole. That is cool And what brought that in, Well.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It was just the the I want to say, the
NFL sparking interest in girls' flag and you know, our country,
along with you know, many countries throughout the world, started
to you know, get into girl's flag and it's filtered
(13:49):
down to where now here in the United States, you know,
close to thirty five forty states have girls flag football
that is so cool and it's become here in Pennsylvania
sanctioned sport.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
This was the first year of sanctioning.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Next year there will be a girls state playoffs, So
we felt that it was important to bring girl's flag
under under our umbrella.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
You know the Big three three, and they represent different
high schools.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
They represent high schools, but but for our event's sake,
they're representing an NFL team. We have a partnership with
four four of the NFL teams, the two here in
Pennsylvania and the two in Maryland, the Eagles and the
Steelers and the Commanders and the Ravens. We do a
lot of planning throughout the year with the NFL is
(14:40):
what Nicole and I call the fifth entity in this
whole thing, because you know, they they they're a whole
different type of organization, but the the the We'll have
a round robin tournament that will start on Saturday, and
we'll have theirchampionship game being played Sunday, and then Nicole
(15:03):
will go over that whole list of events and activities
that we have and that championship game will be just
prior to the Big thirty three.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Events Okay, now the date.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
What time must you be at the at the stadium
at the beginning of everything going on that day.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
If you want to see everything. On Sunday, May twenty fourth,
the first Girl's Flag Football game starts at eleven thirty.
Ok we have another round three girls Flag game at
twelve forty five. The Championship Girls Flag Football game will
be at three pm. And then we have a fan
fest going on from three to six, So that'll be
(15:39):
in the field adjacent to the stadium. So we have inflatables,
food trucks, games, music, everything fun to do while you're
waiting to go to the Big thirty three Football Classic.
It's a free event, so anybody can come to it.
And then the Big thirty three Classic kicks off. It's
(16:00):
six thirty pm. But we're telling everyone you should really
come out for our pregame ceremonies. They start around five
forty five. We have a really strong military tribute and appreciation. Yeah,
so we really want to encourage everyone to come out.
And yeah, we have the US Navy leap Frogs parachute
(16:23):
team is going to be bringing in the game ball
and jumping with some other things.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Yeah, it's going to be really cool they do. I was, yes,
you took the words out of my mouth.
Speaker 8 (16:36):
I was actually gonna get that. Yeah, military and veterans
get tickets for free. We want to show our appreciation
to them. We also have a former veteran, Dave Bray,
who is coming in and singing the national anthem this
year National Recording Artists, so we're so excited to have
him as well.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
I think that's awesome. I know Dave Bray. How do
I know Dave?
Speaker 3 (16:59):
I remember that you like him?
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Yeah, one of.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
My people, favorite favorite people in the world, Julie Walker
talk to us about.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Yeah, yeah, I love this.
Speaker 8 (17:17):
We're so proud to, you know, be part of that
initiative with Julie Walker where we have heart screenings for
all of our athletes. The Pennsylvania team had their heart
screenings and the cheerleaders just a few weeks ago, I
think weeks ago now. The Maryland team also had their
heart screenings, so, you know, just protecting, protecting hearts and
(17:42):
you know, trying to see if there's any issues with
these kids. I mean, it's so important. It's the you know,
number one killer of young people. So you know, if
we can make a difference and help somebody find out
some information that will improve their lives and quality of lives.
And you know, like Julia says, you know, not have
(18:03):
any other family go through what she had to go through.
Speaker 7 (18:06):
We are we are so humbled to be a part
of that.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
The whole thing, correct me if I'm wrong.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
The whole thing is that there are kids with undetective
heart issues. Then they go out and play a sport
and then you hear about these kids football, basketball, They
drop down on the field because nobody knew they had
that issue. So Julie comes in, she does the KG,
she teaches I could still call it mouth the mouth,
(18:31):
what do you call itpr And she's really touched a
lot of She saved a lot of lives in this country,
not only student athletes, but other people because she has
depibulators all over the place. Let me ask you this,
this is a big renew by Anderson.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Oh my gosh, Linda Johnston.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
She is just they had to change it to Johnstenberg.
That company is so extremely generous, not only with funding,
but also their employees get involved. Don't they talk either
of you guys.
Speaker 7 (19:08):
Yeah, no they do.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I think she's great with all the details. I don't
want to forget anything, you will, she won't.
Speaker 7 (19:17):
Uh yeah.
Speaker 8 (19:17):
Linda and her team from Renewal. This is the third
year that they're the title sponsor of the Big thirty
three Football Classic. They have jumped in, you know, from
the beginning, and it's kind of.
Speaker 7 (19:29):
Like, how how can we help you? How can we
help this game?
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Uh?
Speaker 8 (19:33):
So, we so appreciate, you know, her, her employees who
come to help out with everything. You know, they give
back to so many people and with their Renewal Cares initiative.
You know, we're so again, we're thankful to them, have
a lot of gratitude that that they have chosen, you know,
our game to to help, you know, give this platform.
(19:56):
So yeah, we we can't say enough good things about
I totally agree with Lin.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Likes to drive into the stadium on the motorcycles. That's
one of hers.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Is that what it is.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
We're trying to convince her to jump out of the planes.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Struggle with you.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Wonderful, wonderful lady.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
She certainly is. Do you need any more sponsors at
this time?
Speaker 8 (20:19):
We are always looking for more sponsors, you know, the
things that we're able to do with adding girls flag football,
doing more buddy events, all the you know, really important
initiatives that we have would not be possible without funding
and support from everybody in the community. So we you know,
the more that people give to us, the more we
(20:41):
can give backs.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Is it because well it's for a lot of reasons, gart,
but I think it's a tradition in this area. Uh, people,
from what I understand, you get about ten thousand people
there every year.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Is that Wow, that's a heck of a draw.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Yeah, we get a good crowd. And well, years ago,
when Mickey Minnick used to run the event and they
didn't have the strict NCAA guidelines, they would get twenty
thousand people over at Hershey Stadium to watch this game.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
So we took over.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
We decided to bring it to a high school venue,
which obviously is a lot smaller, but we've been filling up,
filling it up. If you come to the game, the
majority of the stands are full, and where you see
a lot of people is field level. You know, we
have our buddies that are done on the field level,
their families, those are all included in our numbers. And
(21:35):
you know, we've been around between eight and ten thousand.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Here and it's got to mean a lot to the
economy over there, too, doesn't it It is.
Speaker 8 (21:44):
Yeah, we were again we're fortunate to have involvement from
Cumberland County.
Speaker 7 (21:50):
They've been a big supporter of ours for.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
The pastaghetti years.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
They did That's why that county is the fastest growing
county in the States.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
They know what they're doing.
Speaker 8 (22:00):
Yeah, and the impact that we bring, you know, between
hotel rooms and restaurants and just the local economy really
thrives with our events. And we were fortunate to be
recognized this year from Cumberland County and the Kadik for Yeah.
For you know, the impact that we have been able
(22:22):
to have in the county. We're really proud of that.
Speaker 7 (22:24):
But we want to you know, continue and continue to.
Speaker 8 (22:26):
Grow it and and just bring even.
Speaker 7 (22:29):
More impact to the to the county of Cumberland County.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
Absolutely.
Speaker 8 (22:33):
Do you need volunteers, always need volunteers, Yes, give me.
We have so many things that we're doing on game day.
We always need people to help us sell our fan gear,
or to help us with our hospitality tent uh to
you know, run food to people, to run waters to people.
There's so many different avenues that we need volunteers for
(22:56):
so we are always looking for that as well.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Marcus up, buddy, there you are. Are you going to
the Super Bowl?
Speaker 6 (23:08):
Do you repear that I said?
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Are you going to end up in the super Bowl
like the rest of these a lot of these guys?
Speaker 1 (23:13):
What do you think is that a goal for you?
Speaker 6 (23:16):
Hopefully?
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Garry, I don't think we've ever sat here with any
kids in recent years. Why no, I don't think so.
Do you know any of these guys that have been
in the Super Bowl?
Speaker 1 (23:27):
I'm sure you?
Speaker 4 (23:28):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely?
Speaker 1 (23:30):
Wow. Can you get me a phone number.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
I had the opportunity to coach several of them.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Tell me about it.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
I coached LeVar Arrington. That was my when I was
coaching in the Big thirty three game, LaVar Arrington. Brett Viach,
who's the GM now for the Kansas City Chiefs. Oh,
he was on he was on my team. I shouldn't
say my team. Part of that team? Uh koy Wire
who we had in year as a legend.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
H jeez.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
I'm trying to think who else who was on? Who
was on those James Mungro who played in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Do you know what I can never figure out Okay,
on the western parsidate.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
You got Montana, you got more Marino, you got named
What are they doing out there?
Speaker 7 (24:19):
They're growing them big out there.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yeah, that says a lot for Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is so
we're so spirited, aren't we.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
We're very well respected nationally with high school football.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Uh, you know, we're not. We're not the big dog anymore.
You really compete.
Speaker 3 (24:37):
Against Texas and in uh in California, Florida. But we're
very well respected and we have a lot of great
players that come from all over the state, you know,
and it's reflected on these rosters that have come out
through Big thirty three. I know, you know when you
(24:58):
mentioned this to people in the football world, they it's
amazing how many people actually know about the Big thirty three.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
You know.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
I had an opportunity to meet with some people who
were former head coaches in the NFL, and they actually
knew about Big thirty three.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Wow. Well that look at that. How many of the
Super Bowl the players that came out of the Super Bowl?
Speaker 4 (25:23):
Yeah? Absolutely, wow.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
What can we help you with? What do you need
at this point? In volunteers, there's always for sponsorship. What
else do you need.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
Oh yeah, before you finish that, talk to me about
that one.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
We need nice weather?
Speaker 3 (25:36):
Okay, can you do you have any pool with that?
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Let me see. I'll give Tom Russell a call.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
Although he yes, I said to him one day I
wanted to talk to him about what he you know,
what is days like when he's planning, you know, doing
his preparing his weather forecast.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
And I said, people at the.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Station told me, first thing you do when you get
in there is you call the Psychic Friends Network. Oh well,
you can't really count or we're like a week or
two ahead of this so you can't.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
Again, you know, it never rains during Big thirty.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Three, so I didn't know that. Yes it does.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
We don't even talk about it.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
The only thing we do say is never going to rain.
So and we've been really, really lucky. So we have
an event coming up this weekend and the weather's going
to be nice. So we're excited about that.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
You know what I forgot to ask you? You have
a dinner prior to all this where you honor people.
Mickey Minnick is one of them, right he is, Yeah,
tell us about that.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
That's pretty cool.
Speaker 8 (26:37):
Yeah, we have a recognition ceremony of the evening before
and we are this is the third year that we
are naming Big thirty three Legends, and these are people
who have gone on to make a big impact, whether
in football or in the community, people who've gone through
the Big thirty three. And Mickey Minnick is one of
them this year.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
You know you come in here.
Speaker 8 (26:57):
Yeah, yeah, and he's he did so much for the
foundation of what the Big thirty three is now. You know,
he helped to start the Buddy program and you know,
the host Family program and a lot of the initiatives
that we still carry out today, really making this a
community event and the much more than a game.
Speaker 7 (27:16):
Uh So, yeah, we're we're proud to honor him.
Speaker 8 (27:20):
We have our honorary chairman, Lewis Riddick, who's coming in.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
You're here for the show because I would have forgot Yeah,
people don't know who he is.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
He doesn't.
Speaker 7 (27:29):
He were for ESPN, he does.
Speaker 8 (27:31):
Yeah, you would have seen him with the draft, you know,
he was big on there. Yeah, we're so excited to
have him come in. He's going to be there Saturday
and Sunday for all our events and a lot tell
about our.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Oldest legend this year.
Speaker 7 (27:50):
I will.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Yeah, so fascinated to hear that story.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
What time do you want me there?
Speaker 8 (27:59):
Well, his family will be there this one in particular,
So we have a nineteen fifty eight player. He was
a David Rodman is his name from Hanover. He went
to college and then enlisted or volunteered to serve in
the military. He was a captain in the army, went
(28:21):
to Vietnam. He actually he ended up losing his life
while saving someone else. And it's an incredible story. His
daughter actually reached out to Gary for something else a
few months ago, and we were able to connect with
the family and really understand their story. And we are
so excited to be able to tell it and to
(28:42):
remember him and honor him, especially you know, with the
Big thirty three being part of Memorial Day weekend, this
seems like such a fitting time.
Speaker 7 (28:52):
Yeah, so we're so excited.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
I think that's one last question for you over there,
kid Ole Marcus, let me ask you this. Do you
have any thing to say the folks out there about
the game this year?
Speaker 6 (29:02):
Gonna win it? Yeah, we're gonna be Maryland and we
hope say everyone.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
There, Okay, of course you will garing to Cale Marcus,
thank you so very very much. You come in here
every year, and I'm counting on it every year that
you'll be here and good look at not.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Only with the game, but at Richmond.
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
And I'm gonna tell your mom you're gonna go wa
boozing all the time.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
I know I'm not, Okay, don't forget it's a sixty
ninth an year old Big thirty three Football Classic Sunday,
May twenty fourth at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field
with a cookoff at six point thirty. And don't forget
to tell everybody you know about it, because you're just
gonna have a ball. Hurry and get your tickets to
the Big thirty three game and catch inside every week
(29:42):
on one of our ten iHeart sedations or any time
on your favorite podcast app. I'm Sylvia Moss. Thanks for
miss much for listening. See you next week.
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