Sparing no expense to bring you – my listeners – the very best audio entertainment, I’ve assembled five of my long-time supporters in a series of mini-Conversations to discuss the best thing they witnessed from the world of sports in 2025, what they’re looking forward to witness in 2026, and/or how they’d improve the sports world for fans.
I present to you the Conversations with Sports Fans Cavalcade of Stars Year End Special.
Of course the term stars is used loosely here but, in my mind, because they’ve been longtime subscribers, listeners, and supporters of my efforts at The Sports Fan Project, they’re all stars in my mind!
The five you’ll hear from during this special episode:
- Mike O’Connell Jr. – I previously had Mike on a pair of times (S:3, E:18 and S:4, E:6) in which we’ve discussed his fandom and his authored works, From Test Scores to Boxscores and The 365 Greatest Movies Ever Made and the Days You Should Watch Them. This time he shares the best thing he saw in 2025 and even gives us a sneak peak in what he has in mind for 2026. You’re able to keep tabs on all of Mike’s work at his website found here.
- Jerry Hill – He’s the original podcast guest (S:1, E:2) who also just happens to be my father and frequent traveling partner during my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events journeys. Jerry shares with us what he’s looking forward to seeing and doing in 2026; some Around the World related and some not.
- Stephen Miller – No, not that Stephen Miller, I’m talking to the one from outside Seattle who previously joined me on S:4, E:20 and was part our quintet of baseball fans who checked out Korean and Japanese baseball. It’s unsurprising that Stephen, the son of Brits, would have an almost singular focus for his 2026 to-see list.
- Geoff Larcom – My long ago sports editor at The Ann Arbor News, Geoff always brings the insight and thought-provoking discussion. Whether it be from S:1, E:16 or this time when he notes a couple of things he’d really like to see in 2026 and why – if they came to pass – each might be good for the sports landscape in their own unique way.
- Dr. Klint Pleasant – Klint, who appeared earlier this year (S:4, E:39) is currently the head men’s basketball coach at Rochester Christian University, a NAIA school in suburban Detroit. As such, he’s uniquely qualified to bring to our conscious some ideas that would improve athletics (college in particular) and, by doing so, make the fan experience much more enjoyable.
As this Conversations Special spans a tick more than two hours, I urge you to enjoy the fun in moderation and pace yourself. Just like you should in a couple of days when we begin counting down to 2026.
And, speaking of 2026, I hope to do more of these special shows – preferably as a panel discussion on a specific topic – each quarter in the coming year. Among the topics I’m bandying about: How sports gambling is impacting the fan experience; the high price of attending major sporting events; public funding for private development (e.g. tax breaks to build new stadiums/arenas); and the NCAA transfer portal, NIL money, and constant coaching carousel.
If any of those topics sound like something you’d like to discuss, kindly let me know at your earliest convenience via hilldouglast@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, as promised, here’s that Cavalcade of Stars End of the Year Special.
Enjoy!
I think I have figured it out.