The Obligatory PSU Podcast

Boise State sports & labor expert Dr. Sam Ehrlich on the future of college athletics as labor.

Show Notes

Even as the Nittany Lions chase another Big Ten title, fighting to defend a Top 10 ranking while battling the injury bug, it wouldn't be a season of the podcast without a couple of #Obligatory digressions, and what better time for one than coming off Penn State's bye week? (Boiler Up.) It has become increasingly difficult over the last 12 months for even the most casual college football fans to evade news stories and commentary about the social and legal battles roiling the future of the NCAA and college sports. From the halls of the United States Supreme Court to the memoranda of the National Labor Relations Board, public opinion and political willpower are shifting in ways that could drastically transform the future of college sports at Penn State and beyond. In order to start unpacking a dense and complicated topic, Chris and Kevin enlist the help of Sam C. Ehrlich, J.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Legal Studies in the Department of Management at Boise State University. Are student athletes destined to become university employees? Where and how did this process start, and what does the future hold? We spend a solid hour with an expert, exploring the answers to these questions and others driving the most volatile era for college athletics in at least 50 years.

HOSTED BY: Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

GUEST: Dr. Sam Ehrlich

What is The Obligatory PSU Podcast?

The Obligatory PSU Podcast features wide-ranging discussions of Penn State sports, Nittany Lions football in particular, and all things Penn State and Happy Valley from the cast of The Obligatory PSU Pregame Show: Former Penn State and NFL defensive lineman Brandon Noble (’92-97), campus icon Mike “the Mailman” Herr, Mount Nittany Conservancy Board Secretary Kevin Horne, and seven-time Sam's Club Member Chris Buchignani. Along with a rotating cast of characters from around State College and across Nittany Nation, the guys focus on the stories, issues, and personalities surrounding the Blue and White fan experience.

The Obligatory PSU Podcast delivers fun and insightful commentary on the teams, University, and place that are beloved by many thousands of students, alumni, and fans. There’s no pretense of objectivity or “journalistic” distance here; these guys are here because they care, and their Penn State knowledge and love shine through in every installment. The goal is to touch on a broad variety of topics relating to the Nittany Lions in conversations that are frequently funny and occasionally profound, all while enjoying a few (or more) adult beverages. If you’ve got Penn State in your blood, you’ll enjoy sharing the journey with us.