Happy Hour with John Gaskins

Sioux Falls Live editor and reporter Patrick Lalley provides analysis of the heqd-to-head June 23 showdown between Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith.

The former Minnesota Vikings linebacker (2006-10) and South Dakota Sports Hall of Famer has had almost unparalleled access for over a decade as a sideline analyst and postgame locker room interviewer for the Vikings Audio Network.
The Vermillion High School alumnus has seen the performances of Arizona Cardinals import Murray and Vikings top 10 draft pick McCarthy up close at recent Vikings mini-camps. Leber also knows Coach Kevin O'Connell's complex and at times wildly effective offensive system well. He has a breakdown on how those two QB's have run the offense so far and what their advantages are within it.
Yes, Leber has a prediction on who will win the job and when "splitting reps" will — or at least should — turn into "No. 1 gets most of the reps."
Leber also weighs in on a Vikings defense that was top 5 in the NFL in many metrics last season but has lost some playmakers. He also assesses the hiring of first-time general manager Nolan Teasley, who has brought over two of the top three lieutenants from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks' front office.

Ryan McKnight tackles the meatiest issues facing South Dakota State football the same way he blocked tacklers in the old Great West conference:

He comes right at you, fearlessly and with abandon.
 
The former All-American center who was part of the Jackrabbits' first FCS playoff team in 2010 returns to Happy Hour a year after walking us through his unique football journey from Sioux Falls Washington Warrior to SDSU walk-on to All-American.
 
This time around, McKnight looks back on the 2025 season and predicts big things for 2026. He also weighs in on a possible FBS future for SDSU, how well NDSU will compete right away in the Mountain West, and the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga at Texas Tech.
 
McKnight is closer to the players and coaches in the Jacks program than most people on the planet. He is the founder and president of the Jackrabbit Former Players Association (JFPA), which regularly uses former players' resources to help fund the program's endeavors. 
 
For example, players consume thousands of pounds of beef during the summer months—beef sourced directly from farms owned by alumni who are cattle ranchers. 
 
Another example: Next Friday's JFPA Football & Cheer Youth Camp and the following days JFPA golf outing. Both events will feature "A-List" former SDSU football players, including some who currently play in the NFL.
 
Thirsty Thursday on a Wednesday with Trent Singer
Before the McKnight conversation, Sioux Falls Live sports reporter Trent Singer joins the Happy Hour host for their weekly "Thirsty Thursday" podcast from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls.
 
This week's episode airs on Wednesday and covers:
 
* The Summit League's decision to stick with its streaming and national television package partners from Midco Sports (streaming) and CBS Sports Network (live games — 7-9 games in regular season, plus both men's semfinals and both championship games). 
 
Happy Hour garnered insight from a local Summit League school official who was part of a 7-0-1 vote to continue with Midco and CBS. What were the main reasons to continue the partnership and not go back to a deal with previous streaming and over-air carrier ESPN (via ESPN+ streaming and tourney title games on ESPN2 and ESPNU)?
 
Other recent local headlines discussed:
 
* Sioux Falls Christian hoops stud Brant Wassenaar's commitment to former SDSU coach Eric Henderson and Drake
 
* Harrisburg setter Josalyn Samuel's commitment to Nebraska
 
* Rapid City native Simeon Birnbaum's NCAA championship in distance running with Oregon
 
* Augustana volleyball coach Jennifer Jacobs steps down at odd time

Sioux Falls Live sports reporter Trent Singer joins the Happy Hour host for their weekly "Thirsty Thursday" podcast from Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls.
 
This week's episode airs on Wednesday and covers:
 
* The Summit League's decision to stick with its streaming and national television package partners from Midco Sports (streaming) and CBS Sports Network (live games — 7-9 games in regular season, plus both men's semfinals and both championship games). 
 
Happy Hour garnered insight from a local Summit League school official who was part of a 7-0-1 vote to continue with Midco and CBS. What were the main reasons to continue the partnership and not go back to a deal with previous streaming and over-air carrier ESPN (via ESPN+ streaming and tourney title games on ESPN2 and ESPNU)?
 
Other recent local headlines discussed:
 
* Sioux Falls Christian hoops stud Brant Wassenaar's commitment to former SDSU coach Eric Henderson and Drake
 
* Harrisburg setter Josalyn Samuel's commitment to Nebraska
 
* Rapid City native Simeon Birnbaum's NCAA championship in distance running with Oregon
 
* Augustana volleyball coach Jennifer Jacobs steps down at odd time

Ryan McKnight tackles the meatiest issues facing South Dakota State football the same way he blocked tacklers in the old Great West conference:

He comes right at you, fearlessly and with abandon.
 
The former All-American center who was part of the Jackrabbits' first FCS playoff team in 2010 returns to Happy Hour a year after walking us through his unique football journey from Sioux Falls Washington Warrior to SDSU walk-on to All-American.
 
This time around, McKnight looks back on the 2025 season and predicts big things for 2026. He also weighs in on a possible FBS future for SDSU, how well NDSU will compete right away in the Mountain West, and the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga at Texas Tech.
 
McKnight is closer to the players and coaches in the Jacks program than most people on the planet. He is the founder and president of the Jackrabbit Former Players Association (JFPA), which regularly uses former players' resources to help fund the program's endeavors. 
 
For example, players consume thousands of pounds of beef during the summer months—beef sourced directly from farms owned by alumni who are cattle ranchers. 
 
Another example: Next Friday's JFPA Football & Cheer Youth Camp and the following days JFPA golf outing. Both events will feature "A-List" former SDSU football players, including some who currently play in the NFL.