🏈🎭🎃 Recoveries, Rivalries & Rising Dawgs | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 40 (10-15-25)
This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, Chris is on the mend after his hit-and-run scare 🙏 and back in the swing of things — hitting the Mecosta vs Cancer Bar Crawl, Ozzfest, and catching live music from the Tyler Gitchel Band. 🎶
Pat’s nursing heartbreak of his own after both the Tigers ⚾ and Lions 🦁 went down swinging. But there’s good news all around town:
🦚 A beautiful peacock bench dedicated to former Mayor Tom Hogenson,
🍕 Cottage Inn Pizza opening updates,
🥢 China One Buffet under renovation,
😂 Make It Spicy Comedy Night at The Peaks, and
💡 A call for public ideas for the Old Jail Building project.
Our guest this week is Stephanie Shaw, the new Athletic Director for Big Rapids Public Schools! She talks sports, community partnerships with Ferris, future plans for local athletics, and why the Cardinals are soaring this season. 🏆
0:00 – Intro & Welcome 👋
1:34 – Chris nearly healed after Jeep accident 🙌
2:30 – Thank you, Big Rapids, for the support ❤️
4:07 – Mecosta vs Cancer Bar Crawl + Ozzfest & Tyler Gitchel Band 🎶
5:38 – Pat’s heartbreak: Tigers lose 😢⚾
6:57 – Ferris Athletic Luncheons return 🍽️
8:33 – Lions loss adds insult to injury 🦁💔
10:02 – Thanks to Mandy Kilpatrick from last week 🎗️
10:25 – Uplifting Moment: Peacock bench for Tom Hogenson 🦚
11:45 – Cottage Inn Pizza update 🍕
13:00 – China One Buffet closed for renovations 🥢
14:05 – Make It Spicy Comedy Night this Thursday at The Peaks 🎤
15:20 – City seeks input on Old Jail building ideas 🏛️
17:55 – Dawgs After Dark: one student can win $10K 💸
19:40 – Skeleton Skurry 5K Oct 25 👻
20:20 – Fall Fest Oct 25 downtown 🎃
22:22 – Fall Fest at Evergreen Terrace this Saturday (2–4PM) 🍂
23:45 – OBK Fright Night Oct 24 👻
25:10 – Holiday Farmers Market Nov 21 🎁
25:45 – Light Up the Night Nov 7 ✨
27:55 – Seussical The Musical Nov 6–9 🎭
29:00 – Guest: Stephanie Shaw, BRPS Athletic Director 🎙️
32:30 – Ferris partnership benefits BRPS athletics 🤝
33:40 – What does an Athletic Director really do? 🏫
35:40 – Big Rapids Football dominating this year 🏈
36:14 – Stephanie’s sport growing up 🏐
37:22 – Big Rapids athletics already shining 🌟
39:32 – Yes, there’s an equestrian team! 🐎
40:40 – How new sports become BRPS programs 🏒🏀
42:30 – Five-year goals for the athletics department 📈
44:20 – Winter sports season on the way ❄️
45:05 – Thanks to Stephanie Shaw & best wishes! 🙌
46:25 – Dom’s Fun Facts: Pumpkin carving history 🎃🧠
47:52 – Outro & goodbyes 👋
Big Rapids podcast, Stephanie Shaw Big Rapids Public Schools, BRPS Athletic Director, Big Rapids football team 2025, Ferris athletics partnership, Old Jail building community input, Cottage Inn Pizza Big Rapids opening, China One Buffet renovation, The Peaks comedy night, Skeleton Skurry 5K Angels of Action, Fall Fest Big Rapids 2025, Seussical The Musical BR Drama, Light Up the Night fundraiser
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