The most interesting part of college football is rarely the box score. It’s the people, the prep, the traditions, and the small details that turn a kickoff in Jonesboro into an all-day experience. We recorded a first pilot conversation in the Arkansas State Media Network Studio to explain why we’re launching Saturdays In Jonesboro and what kind of access we want to create for Red Wolves fans.
We get into the real shape of an Arkansas State game day: tailgating culture, community leaders who help build the vibe, new fan areas like the Den Zone, and why the “behind the scenes” work matters as much as the action on the field. We also pull back the curtain on what it takes to run a broadcast and coordinate game day operations, because most fans never see the hours of effort that happen long before the team runs out of the tunnel.
Then we zoom out to the bigger story of Arkansas State football and athletics. We reflect on the 2011 to 2019 era and the kind of winning seasons that created lifelong memories, and we talk about what it takes to rebuild and sustain that energy today. With NIL and the transfer portal changing how rosters evolve, we want deeper conversations with current players, former players, coaches, and the alumni who still bleed scarlet and black. And we’re not stopping at football: the same storytelling can spotlight basketball, baseball, golf, track and field, and everything rising across Arkansas State athletics.
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More About this Episode
Saturdays in Jonesboro: Capturing the Spirit of Arkansas State Athletics
The Arkansas State Media Network Studio recently hosted a pivotal moment for the university's digital presence with its first official test recording. Host Parker Dodson sat down with the veteran voice of the Red Wolves, Matt Stolz, to discuss the launch of a new pilot program and podcast titled Saturdays in Jonesboro.
The show aims to provide fans with an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the multifaceted experience of game days in Northeast Arkansas.
A Legacy of Evolution and Growth
Stolz, who is currently in his 21st year with Arkansas State, has witnessed the university’s landscape transform significantly. During the session, Dodson noted that while the university is sometimes tucked away in the Northeast corner of the state, the growth in facilities and student resources over the last decade has been nothing short of remarkable.
Stolz emphasized that Saturdays in Jonesboro is designed to be an asset for the entire athletics department. While his existing podcast, Second to None, focuses on the competitive edge of the university, this new venture seeks to highlight the community partnerships, tailgating culture, and the "Alpha Pack" experience that makes Jonesboro a unique destination for sports fans.
The Invisible Work of Game Day
A major theme of the conversation was the sheer amount of work that occurs out of the public eye.
Dodson admitted that casual fans often only focus on the three hours of play on the field, unaware of the four-plus hours of technical setup required for a broadcast or the massive marketing efforts that drive the fan experience.
Stolz plans to use the platform to interview everyone from current and former coaches to the marketing and broadcast teams. By bringing his broadcast partners—such as Darian Griswold and JC Cox—into the studio, he hopes to bridge the gap between die-hard supporters and passive fans, giving everyone a seat at the table.
Honoring the Past while Building the Future
The podcast will also serve as a bridge between generations of Red Wolves. Stolz reflected on the "peak" years from 2011 to 2019, characterized by five conference championships and nine straight bowl games.
He highlighted the enduring passion of former players like Demario Davis, Ryan Aplin, and Philip Butterfield, who still maintain active group chats focused on how they can support the program today.
This legacy of leadership is currently being mirrored by figures like Justin Parks. Stolz and Dodson discussed how Parks transitioned from a true freshman special teams captain to a vital member of Butch Jones’s coaching staff, instantly improving the team’s internal connection through his raw passion for the university.
Beyond the Gridiron
While football often takes center stage, Stolz was quick to point out that Arkansas State athletics is currently in a "golden era" across the board. The conversation touched on:
- Men’s Basketball: Achieving three straight 20-win seasons for only the second time in history.
- Women’s Basketball: Matching single-season program records for wins.
- Baseball and Golf: Seeing record attendance and high-level competitive success.
- Track and Field: Maintaining its status as a perennial powerhouse under Coach Patchell.
A Platform for Storytelling
As the studio revisions conclude, the Media Network is preparing for a full rollout of content. Stolz expressed his excitement for having the space to conduct candid, in-depth interviews that move beyond the typical ten-minute radio segment.
For Stolz, the goal is simple: to tell the stories of those who "bleed scarlet and black" and to showcase why Arkansas State remains a premier destination for collegiate athletics.