New Faces Bring Drovers New Potential

**Host**: Preston Palm **Format**: Podcast/Video (Season 1, Episode 1) **Series**: Drover Talk - USAO's student-produced podcast since 2022 **Season 1, Episode 1:** Comedy and Basketball **Host**: Gary Jackson **Guest**: Gabi Merchen Gary Jackson chats with Gabi Merchen about: - Her stand-up comedy experience - Performance background and comedy development - Student life and entertainment pursuits **Host**: Preston Palm **Guest**: Coach Chris Francis (USAO's men's head basketball coach) Preston Palm sits down with Coach Chris Francis to discuss: - USAO men's basketball program - Coaching philosophy and team development - Season outlook and player development - Program goals and strategic vision - **Host**: Gary Jackson (Fourth-year communication major from Kingston, Former Editor-in-Chief, Resident Assistant) - **Host**: Preston Palm (Fourth-year communication major from Boone, North Carolina) - **Producer**: Matthew Yokum (Third-year communication major from Chickasha, Editor-in-Chief, Sports Information Department) - **Guest**: Gabi Merchen (Stand-up comedy performer) - **Guest**: Coach Chris Francis (USAO's men's head basketball coach) **Drover Talk** - USAO's student-produced podcast since 2022 - **Mission**: Brings in real students for real conversations - **Format**: Multi-segment episodes featuring student and faculty interviews - **Focus**: Student life, athletics, entertainment, and campus culture - **Production**: Student-led multimedia content **Host**: Preston Palm demonstrates his interviewing and hosting skills, showcasing his ability to: - Conduct professional interviews with coaching staff - Ask insightful questions about basketball program development - Facilitate meaningful conversations about athletics and strategy - Bridge student journalism with athletic department relationships - Expand his role from writer to multimedia host and interviewer - **Episode Number**: Season 1, Episode 1 (Inaugural episode) - **Production Date**: April 27, 2023 - **Content Type**: Student interview podcast/video - **Featured Segments**: Comedy (entertainment) and Basketball (athletics) - **Hosts**: Gary Jackson (Former Editor-in-Chief), Preston Palm (Senior Writer) - **Producer**: Matthew Yokum (Editor-in-Chief, Sports Information Department) - **Preston's Interview**: Coach Chris Francis (Men's Basketball Head Coach) - **Series Context**: Launch episode of ongoing student-produced podcast series - **Academic Integration**: Communication majors producing real-world media content - **Athletic Focus**: In-depth coaching interview and program analysis - **Format Innovation**: Dual-segment approach covering entertainment and athletics - **Student Engagement**: Real students and faculty sharing authentic conversations - **Career Development**: Preston's expansion into multimedia hosting and interviewing - **Professional Growth**: Demonstrates Preston's versatility beyond traditional sports writing