Indiana football is national champion, and Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish are still trying to process it.

In this emotional, joyful, and unfiltered episode of Sideline Stories, Tricia and Sydney look back on the moments that defined Indiana’s historic championship run — from the game-sealing interception, to Fernando Mendoza’s fearless fourth-down call, to the scenes on Kirkwood and inside Hard Rock Stadium.

They share personal stories from the stands, the aftermath in Miami, broken phones, tears, disbelief, and what this title means for Bloomington, IU fans everywhere, and everyone who stayed through the hard years. They also reflect on the leadership of Curt Cignetti, the toughness of Fernando Mendoza, and the long-arc vision of Scott Dolson.

This episode isn’t analysis — it’s memory-making.
And it’s one every Hoosier will want to revisit.

Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish are joined by Mark Cuban for a special tailgate interview ahead of Indiana football’s College Football Playoff semifinal in Atlanta.

Fresh off IU’s Peach Bowl win and on the way to the national championship, Cuban shares why this Hoosiers run feels different, what separates Curt Cignetti from other elite coaches, and why he continues to invest time, money, and passion into Indiana University.

Recorded live at the Upland Brewery tailgate with only minutes before kickoff, this conversation captures Cuban’s unfiltered excitement, his thoughts on building winning teams, and what it truly means to be a Hoosier — even decades after graduating.

This is a must-watch episode for IU fans and anyone interested in leadership, culture, and elite program turnarounds.

🎙 About Sideline Stories
Hosted by Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish, Sideline Stories brings you candid, behind-the-scenes conversations with the athletes, leaders, and icons shaping sports culture — on campus and far beyond.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share with a Hoosier who still can’t believe this season is real.

Coming off one of the most program-defining moments in Indiana football history, Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish sit down with Jeremy Gray, Indiana University’s Associate Athletic Director, for a behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together.

Jeremy reflects on the Rose Bowl win over Alabama, the culture shift under Curt Cignetti, the viral bison mascot reveal, and why this season has united the entire IU community in a way he’s never seen before. He also shares incredible insight into Cignetti’s obsessive preparation, Fernando Mendoza’s toughness and leadership, and how Athletic Director Scott Dolson empowered staff to take bold risks.

If you want to understand why Indiana football reached this level — and what makes this moment sustainable — this is a must-watch episode.

🎙 About Sideline StoriesHosted by Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish, Sideline Stories delivers candid, behind-the-scenes conversations with the people shaping sports culture — from athletes and administrators to broadcasters and storytellers.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share with a Hoosier who still can’t believe this season is real.

Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish welcome Mike Katic, former Indiana football offensive lineman and current Barstool personality, for one of the most entertaining Sideline Stories episodes yet.

Mike dives into Indiana football’s historic Big Ten Championship run, Fernando Mendoza’s emotional Heisman Trophy win, and why this season felt different inside the locker room. He also opens up about life after football, choosing media over the NFL, and how returning to IU completely changed his future.

Plus:
• Why Fernando Mendoza embodies everything the Heisman stands for
• How Coach Curt Cignetti transformed the culture of Indiana football overnight
• Mike’s viral rise at Barstool
• And the hilarious true story of how Mike accidentally introduced Sydney to her now-boyfriend

This episode is peak Hoosier chaos, heart, and humor.

Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish sit down with Don Fischer, the iconic Voice of Indiana University football and men’s basketball for more than 50 years.

From his humble start unloading freight trains to becoming one of the most respected play-by-play broadcasters in America, Don shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories — including how he lied his way into his first job, the five-hour mentoring session that changed his life, and the moment he knew Kurt Cignetti was special.

Fischer also opens up about IU’s unforgettable football run, what makes Cignetti and Darian DeVries the perfect fits for Indiana, and how he’s preparing to call two IU games in one day at the Big Ten Championship.

If you love IU sports or want a masterclass in broadcasting, this is an all-time Sideline Stories episode.

🎙️ About Sideline Stories:
Hosted by Tricia Whitaker (Tampa Bay Rays reporter, Bally Sports) and Sydney Parrish (Indiana Basketball alum), Sideline Stories brings you real conversations from the world of sports — athletes, coaches, and broadcasters sharing their lives beyond the field.

🔔 Subscribe for more IU stories and insider interviews every week!

Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish sit down with one of the most respected and recognizable voices in baseball — Lauren Shehadi of MLB Network and TBS.

Lauren opens up about her start in broadcasting (including sending 100 VHS tapes to land her first job!), her most chaotic on-air moments, and the lessons she’s learned covering the MLB postseason and March Madness.

She shares behind-the-scenes stories from Philadelphia, her advice for young reporters, and the mindset that keeps her calm under pressure (“appear like a duck — calm on top, paddling like crazy underneath”).

If you love sports storytelling and want to learn from one of the best in the business, this episode delivers.

Indiana AD Scott Dolson joins Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish to talk all things Hoosiers. From the unforgettable bison mascot reveal to hiring Curt Cignetti and Darian DeVries, Dolson shares behind-the-scenes stories on IU football, basketball, and the rise of women’s sports. He also reflects on his days as a basketball manager under Bob Knight and even ranks Cignetti’s top five quotes. A must-listen for IU fans.

This week on Sideline Stories, Tricia and Sydney sit down with one of the most iconic voices in sports broadcasting — Joe Buck. From calling unforgettable World Series walk-offs to navigating the unprecedented moment of Damar Hamlin’s on-field collapse, Joe opens up about his journey from Indiana University student to the voice of Monday Night Football.

You’ll hear stories about:

• Joe's unconventional path through IU and how he landed his first major league gig

• What it really takes to prepare for a Monday Night Football broadcast

• His thoughts on staying silent in powerful sports moments — and when to speak

• Memories from the old Yankee Stadium, the Cubs’ World Series win, and The Masked Singer (yes, really)

• Why the DeMar Hamlin game was his most meaningful moment on air

Plus, Tricia and Sydney share their own early broadcasting struggles, swap stories on fake-it-til-you-make-it moments, and dig into what it really means to grow behind the mic.

🎧 Whether you're a student of the game, a fan of the craft, or just want to hear Joe Buck say “yes, I did The Masked Singer,” this episode is a must-listen.

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