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A college choice can change everything. Martell Prayear takes us from Glenville to Baldwin Wallace, breaking down why a small-school environment—where people learn your name and invest in your growth—can become the foundation for a career, a community, and a life you actually want to live.

We dig into the real work of admissions through Martell’s lens: fit over flash, personal attention over volume. He shares how he left healthcare staffing to reclaim balance, added officiating as a flexible second lane, and built a rhythm that protects family time. A simple shared calendar becomes a secret weapon; date nights stay on the schedule; and a five-year-old’s activities slot around a purpose-driven job that still leaves room to breathe.

Then the whistle blows. Martell contrasts football’s Friday night rush with the claustrophobic thrill of a rivalry gym, walking us inside high school playoffs, semipro snaps, and the judgment calls that keep games honest. He’s firm on hecklers and crystal clear about respect: athletes deserve the spotlight, and officials enforce it. We also celebrate leadership done right with BW athletic director Steve Thompson—present, down-to-earth, forward-thinking—and highlight a major move on campus: the launch of women’s flag football, expanding opportunities for women’s varsity sports.

There’s laughter, too. We trade stories about play-by-play booths, the electricity of a hot crowd, and why comedy and officiating share the same core skill: read the room, set the tone, protect the moment. Martell leaves us with a compass we can use anywhere—find something that makes you happy and find someone who makes you happy—and a reminder that the right environment multiplies your effort.

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