Happy Hour with John Gaskins

One just ended her reign of terror on the rest of the Summit League. One just started his reign as head coach of an FCS powerhouse.
 
And both of Wednesday's guests on "Happy Hour with John Gaskins" had much to discuss.
 
Just over a month ago, Brooklyn Meyer hoisted the Summit League Tournament trophy for the fourth time, capping a prolific career in which she finished twice as an All-American, three times on the All-Summit League first team, and won this year's Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award. 
 
But now what? 
 
Meyer went unselected in Monday's three-round WNBA Draft — only one mid-major player out of 45 was selected — and did not receive an offer to sign as an undrafted free agent by any of the 15 teams. That's shocking if you don't follow the WNBA, but the Happy Hour host details some reasons at the start of the show.
 
Does she still have her eyes set on playing professionally somewhere, somehow? Meyer answers that question early in this 47-minute chat, then gives hints near the end. She also goes down memory lane at SDSU — including her recruitment, her decision to choose the Jacks over several regional Power Four schools (Nebraska, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, among others), her friendships with legendary teammates Myah Selland and Paige Meyer, her interest in nutrition and dietetics (her major), and the lighter side of Aaron Johnston.
 
Just over two months ago, Vitzthum was introduced as South Dakota's head football coach. Shortly after the ceremony, he discussed in a Happy Hour interview what he planned to bring to the table.
 
But now what?
 
What has he discovered from the captain's chair at USD after being a lifelong assistant coach? What kind of advice has his predecessor, Travis Johansen offered him.
 
And what about his team? The Coyotes lost three-year starting quarterback Aidan Bouman to graduation, which puts a bright spotlight on the three players vying to take over. What is Vitzthum's assessment of them? Will he tailor the offense to the skill sets of whoever emerges?
 
How is All-America running back Charles Pierre, Jr., looking after missing almost the entire season with an injury suffered in the second game?
 
For that matter, how about a rundown of all position groups, plus some new coaches? 

It is all there, plus his reaction to North Dakota State's move to the FBS.
 
Before the A-list interviews, the Happy Hour host explains why Meyer didn't get a WNBA opportunity (it's not her fault) and why Byron Buxton is the most exciting Twins player ever—and one of the club's most amazing stories.
 
Buxton, who hit two home runs and scored from first base on a single in a 6-0 win over Boston on Tuesday, is one reason Twins fans may tune in to a squad with low expectations. But video producer Cordell White explains why fans should not go to games at Target Field.

The Happy Hour host explains why Brooklyn Meyer didn't get a WNBA opportunity (it's not her fault) and why Byron Buxton is the most exciting Twins player ever—and one of the club's most amazing stories.
 
Buxton, who hit two home runs and scored from first base on a single in a 6-0 win over Boston on Tuesday, is one reason Twins fans may tune in to a squad with low expectations. But video producer Cordell White explains why fans should not go to games at Target Field.

Matt Vitzthum (USD head coach) on being "the man," spring developments, QB, Charles Pierre, transfers, NDSU-to-FBS

The All-American and Becky Hammon mid-major player of the year just finished her SDSU career as the No. 3 all-time scorer and top 5 in rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage. She was All-Summit League three times for four consecutive teams that won the Summit League Tournament and playing in the NCAA Tourney.
She talks about it all, plus, what's next for her career after going undrafted in the WNBA and not receiving an undrafted free agent offer?

Just when we thought the Minnesota Twins would be an afterthought all spring and summer, here they go on a heater to seize the best record in the American League.
 
So, what do we make of it? 
 
In Tuesday's weekly "Nobody's Listening Anyway" podcast on Happy Hour, the conversation about the Twins somehow turns into an intriguing history lesson of the Pohlad's ownership, which swerves into a discussion about Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Metrodome.
 
Should the Twins' ballpark have a retractable roof, considering all these April home games in lousy weather? For that matter, should the Vikings have built their current stadium without a roof, like the old Met Stadium, when the team was reaching Super Bowls?
 
Speaking of indoor football, the Jackrabbits continue spring practice inside the SJAC — where they'll also play Saturday's spring game — thanks to the new turf installation at Dykhouse Stadium. Which position groups have caught Zim's eye and which should SDSU fans be concerned about?
 
Also, what captured Zim's attention the most in his latest "Jacks Chat" with quarterback Chase Mason?
 
While there is no longer a spring football portal, the transfer window for college basketball remains open for a couple more days. What should we make of 7'1 former Sioux Falls Lincoln standout JT Rock landing at Kansas State, his third school in three seasons (Iowa State, New Mexico)?
 
Zim and the Happy Hour host discuss the other side of the portal: how coaches find ways to nudge out players to make room for potential transfers they perceive as more impactful.
 
While NIL has caused much more roster movement, it has also undoubtedly ignited a stronger urgency in high school athletes to push harder for an eventual college payday, or at least play day.
 
Tuesday's chat includes the specialization of youth sports because of that incentive, plus the way parents have become over-involved, especially at Fargo Shanley High School, where both the boys and girls varsity basketball coaches were fired a few days ago, reportedly as a result of parental mutiny.
 
It is enough to make one wonder why a young man like Dan Jansen would want to get into prep coaching, but the new O'Gorman coach said in Monday's Happy Hour chat he has felt support from the parents and community during his year as the junior varsity coach.
 
Zim weighs in on the replacement for six-time state champion legend Derek Robey and looks back on the kind of player Jansen was while climbing to the top of Augustana's career scoring list and leading the Vikings to the 2016 national championship.
 
But we start with two tried-and-true topics: Construction season and alcohol consumption.