Fans of the Hoosier Hysterics podcast can listen to the show on The Varsity Podcast Network, powered by LEARFIELD, starting February 15. The lively, comical and unique affinity of the show remains unchanged. It will still be hosted by Indiana University alumni Ward Roberts and Eric Pankowski, who created the podcast three years ago as a way to connect fans to the people that have built IU Athletics in a visceral and personal way.
The Hoosier Hysterics podcast provides Indiana fans insightful, funny, emotional and entertaining conversations with Hoosier legends of the past, stars of the present and even a look into the personalities of future Hoosiers. Fans can find the show on The Varsity Podcast Network by downloading the free Varsity Network app, which is available in the Apple and Google app stores and on both Apple CarPlay and Android.
What started as a small podcast in a garage in Los Angeles, where two lunatic fans screamed at each other, has turned into a “must-listen” for any IU fan of any age. In 2019, a live taping of the Hoosier Hysterics at the historic Bluebird in Bloomington, Ind. also welcomed Coach Bob Knight back to Bloomington for the first time in an IU Basketball related event.
“We still can’t believe anyone agrees to be on our show! But as long as they keep saying yes, we will keep hitting record….when we remember to (yes, that has happened…more than once),” said Pankowski. “We are so excited to join The Varsity Network as our only goal is to share these conversations with every IU fan out there who has roughly 19 hours to listen to one episode.”
Roberts added, “When Eric and I started this thing we had no clue what we were doing and where it was headed. Now, over three years and more than 150 episodes later, we still have no clue what we are doing but are absolutely giddy to be here, teaming up with The Varsity Network. We are so fortunate to be a part of the IU community and look forward to reaching new listeners and making even more friends across all of Hoosier nation.”
Guests on Hoosier Hysterics have ranged from Calbert Cheaney to Eric Gordon and from Yogi Ferrell to Steve Green. Members of the ’53, ’76, ’81 and ’87 national championship teams have appeared on the show. Additionally, coaches like Mike Woodson, Tom Allen, Teri Moren have made Hoosier Hysterics a regular stop to share their story with IU fans across the globe. Notably, Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks’ owner, Shark Tank superstar, and IU alum; as well as Angelo Pizzo, writer and producer of the movie Hoosiers, have been guests of the show.
“The Varsity Podcast Network is for the fan, and we’re pleased to welcome Hoosier Hysterics to our portfolio,” said LEARFIELD Vice President, Broadcast Operations Tom Boman. “Ward and Eric have done a tremendous job with their big personalities as IU fans and alumni, organically growing a listening audience through their passion for the university and all things Hoosiers. That’s the beauty of college sports fans – the unrivaled devotion and pride shared with a school.”
LEARFIELD, the Hoosiers’ longtime multimedia rightsholder, launched The Varsity Network app in August 2021 to provide college sports fans access to over 200 live gameday audio streams, weekly coaches’ shows, podcasts and other programming. Hoosier fans can personalize the app set-up and notifications accordingly, to ensure they never miss a game or show.
The Hoosier Hysterics podcast will remain free, as it has since its inception. In addition to The Varsity Podcast Newtork, fans can find Hoosier Hysterics wherever they download podcasts. New episodes are live each Tuesday morning, and peegs.com will continue to be the exclusive home of the video podcast.