Episodes

  • BTF: Ryan Lavarnway
    Apr 22 2026

    Ryan spoke at New Castle back on February 12th and was kind enough to hop on our podcast after spring training. He's an Ivy League legend, a World Series champion (I got to hold the ring), and an Olympian among other accolades. But what makes his story compelling is that he has been cut, released, and signed more times than any other player in Major League Baseball history. We're Slightly Above Amateur and he's slightly above AAA. It's bound to be a good time!

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    33 mins
  • BTF: Kent Benson
    Apr 4 2026

    We kick off our Beyond The Fieldhouse series with a true Trojan legend, the one and only Kent Benson. On the 50th anniversary of the 1976 undefeated Indiana National Championship, we talk charity, documentaries, Knight, playing in the Magic/Bird era, and why he wasn't rooting for Wisconsin in 2015. Look at us...we're branching out!

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    33 mins
  • The Tylin Thrine Episode
    Mar 25 2026

    After a long layoff, the Slightly Above Amateur tour continues with a recap of the winter sports season and a conversation with 2023 state champion and 4 time state finalist Tylin Thrine. We actually got to episode 9!!

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    17 mins
  • The Max Upchurch Episode
    Feb 15 2026

    The January snowpocalypse put us behind but The (slightly) Above Amateur Tour is back with Episode 8 and this one is Hoo-Hoo-Hoo Hoosier themed. We'll recap recent New Castle athletics, talk to a couple of regional champion wrestlers in Tylin Thrine and Darin Reynolds and a regional qualifying diver in Annie Glover. Then we'll talk to 2023 New Castle grad Max Upchurch who spends his time signaling defensive plays as an equipment manager for Curt Cignetti and the national champion Indiana Hoosiers. It's pretty simple...you should tune in...Google us.

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    33 mins
  • The Rex Peckinpaugh Episode
    Jan 20 2026

    After a long holiday break, The (slightly) Above Amateur Tour is back with Episode 7 and this one is on the mat. First we'll spend a few minutes with 2023 State Champion wrestler and 3 time state finalist Tylin Thrine, then we'll recap the HHC conference wrestling meet. Finally, we're graced with New Castle wrestling royalty when we talk to living legend coach Rex Peckinpaugh. Put on your headphones, tune in and watch out for that cauliflower ear!!

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    35 mins
  • The Emma Hart Episode
    Nov 26 2025

    It's been a long wait but The (slightly) Above Amateur Tour rolls on...albeit with a slightly below healthy host. On this episode we hear from our state champion cheer captains, a standout girls basketball player and we continue our Legacy Series with a conversation with former Lady Trojan, and current Lake Forest College sophomore, Emma Hart. Tune in!! It's our Jordan Flu Game!!

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    23 mins
  • The Kristin Owens Episode
    Nov 8 2025

    We made it to episode 5!! We're in between the fall and winter seasons here at the podcast so we had a pool party. You'll hear from state qualifying swimmer Jakob Dudley and we'll learn who the Fab Five are from head swim coach Kristin Owens. Cannonball!!

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    14 mins
  • The Mason Gillis Episode
    Oct 25 2025

    They keep letting us make episodes!! Episode 4 features conversations with Mount St Josephs signee Elysah Williams and Cross Country regional qualifiers Lauren Gilman and Ben Rich. Plus, we open our Legacy Series with a conversation from Belgium with former Purdue and Duke basketball player...and Trojan legend Mason Gillis. We've gotten a ton of positive feedback so "bedankt" (that's Dutch for thank you...we think)!

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    24 mins