The Varsity

The Varsity

No one covers North Shore prep sports like we do, and we take it even further in The Varsity, where our hosts use a four-quarter format to give you the latest news, stats and scores, as well as their takes. They also chat with a special guest in have fun along the way.

  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    What a Finish for New Trier Basketball in Episode 120

    While it wasn’t the ideal outcome, it was close enough for New Trier boys basketball, and we talk about their third-place finish — the program’s best in half a century. Coach Scott Fricke tells us how they did it up through the final game and what comes next.
    And just like that, it’s springtime, and we pivot to a number of sports already underway.

    March 15, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Your New-Trier-Hoops-Is-Going-To-State Primer in Episode 119

    Four teams remain. And New Trier is one of them. With a victory on Monday, the Trevians advanced to the state finals. We break down the sectional and supersectional victories, hear from coach Scott Fricke and dive into the final four teams in Class 4A.
    We also keep you updated on the boys and girls state hockey tournaments.

    March 9, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Buzzer-Beating Trevs Survive, Plus More State Gold in Episode 118

    What. A. Finish for New Trier boys basketball in the sectional semis. We dissect the game and the final play in the Trevians’ walk-off win and later talk about their chances for a state appearance.
    Plenty more to talk about too, including state champions in the pool and on the mat, season finales for Loyola boys and girls, and some hockey.

    March 2, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Wrestling Gold for Loyola Star, Girls Hoops Heats Up in Episode 117

    A Rambler went down to Champaign and came home a state champ. We talk about Massey Odiotti making history for a Loyola Academy program on the rise. We catch up on girls hoops, including a dramatic sectional win for the Ramblers behind junior Paige Engels’ 28 points. Paige joins us to tell us about it. We also preview state swimming and boys hoops playoffs.

    February 23, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Trevs Hoops Earns CSL Crown, Wrestlers Ready for State in Episode 116

    New Trier boys hoops took care of business with the league title on the line. We talk about the Trevs’ hot streak and their postseason ceiling. Plus, Loyola wrestling sets another program record. Can Ramblers make noise at state? And don’t miss our second-quarter interview with a local basketball star who has made 2 miraculous shots this season

    February 16, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    League Titles On The Line, Wrestlers Fight For Position in Episode 115

    Big weekend coming up in local high school sports. Both New Trier and Loyola boys will fight for conference championships on Friday night. We dive deep into both matchups. On the mats, wrestlers (boys and girls) square off Saturday with a state berth on the line. We also hear from Trevs gymnastics coach Jen Pistorius after her team’s sectional appearance.

    February 9, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    1,000-Point Trevian, New Trier back atop CSL in Episode 114

    Senior Jake Fiegen now has more than 1,000 points as a Trevian. We talk about how he got there and hear from Jake in the second quarter. Plus, New Trier roasts Glenbrook S to retake the league lead, and Loyola edges DePaul Prep to keep pace in the Catholic League.
    We also talk gymnastics, dance and wrestling as the postseason nears.

    February 3, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Ramblers: Giant Killers, Trevians Stumble in Episode 113

    Loyola Academy stole a top-10 victory while on the road at Brother Rice. While the Ramblers’ win streak ended shortly thereafter, we discuss what the big mean wins as the postseason nears. The Trevians on the other hand drop their first CSL South game and are now in a three-way tie atop the division. We also praise New Trier dancers for a program first and hear from their coach in the second quarter.

    January 27, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    NT’s Fricke joins 300-win club, Props to LA boys, HP girls hoops in Episode 112

    The newest member of the 300-win club is New Trier basketball coach Scott Fricke, who was honored following No. 300 Friday. Fricke joins us to talk about the milestone. Before that, we recap a big win for Loyola boys basketball and a big turnaround for Highland Park girls, as well as congratulate New Trier bowlers on a regional title.

    January 17, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Grow The Game’s Special Mission, Early Playoff Look in Episode 111

    New Trier girls are on the rise, despite a couple tough losses in Grow the Game. We talk about how big of a threat they are once the postseason gets here, and we hear from coach Teri Rodgers about the team’s progress as well as the importance of Grow the Game.

    We also hit boys hoops, bowling and swimming in this episode.

    January 12, 2023
North Shore News Week

North Shore News Week

Editor in Chief Joe Coughlin and Senior Editor Martin Carlino discuss the week in news on the North Shore, breaking down the why and how of the biggest headlines and giving you an inside look at our strategy in reporting on them.

  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    ‘High’ West Nile risk, the Pickleball revolution and more in Episode 49

    The latest local report on the West Nile virus show a “high” risk of infections for humans — the highest it’s been in years. We also go through a couple local festivals before discussing the exponential growth of pickleball in the area and what local officials are doing about it.

    September 3, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    Church bus stolen, restrictions at Glencoe concert and more in Episode 47

    In this week’s top headlines, a bus that was recently purchased to transport senior citizens to church is stolen from a church parking lot and Glencoe officials announce COVID restrictions to its big concert featuring OAR. Plus, the story of Paws for Patrick and how it helps those enduring mental illness.

    August 21, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    New Trier announces its safety plan, and the curious case of all those Wilmette lawn signs in Ep. 46

    Joe and Marty break down New Trier High School’s COVID-19 mitigation plan for the 2021-22 school year to open the show. In our down the shore segment, we talk over some potential big changes at a notable park in Kenilworth and delve into who’s behind all those “Keep Gillson Green” lawn signs in Wilmette. We close out the show with a recap of a special afternoon on the golf course — all in the name of support for The Record.

    August 13, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    Face masks for the fall and a small Winnetka road with a long history in Ep. 45

    Local schools are beginning to confirm their plans for COVID-19 mitigation measures to start the 2021-22 school year following a mandate from Illinois’ top lawmaker. Joe and Marty discuss how the governor’s mask mandate will alter school district’s plans for the upcoming year. We detail a fun local story out of Winnetka, where a small road through New Trier’s campus has a long history — but not an accurate one. Our featured feature segment highlights The Record’s inaugural Youth in Journalism workshop that concluded last week.

    August 6, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    Township sees COVID surge due to Delta variant, Wilmette Village Board shows support for cannabis sales in Ep. 44

    Joe and Marty break down the latest local COVID-19 data, which is trending in the wrong direction due to the Delta variant of the virus. Our weekly down the shore segment is Wilmette-heavy, as we cover a new downtown eatery slated to open this fall and the village board’s budding support for allowing cannabis sales. Our featured feature segment highlights something local officials have never seen before.

    July 30, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    In with a new restaurant and out with a big name in Glencoe and more park board mysteries in Ep. 43

    Editorial Intern Alayne Trinko returns for another episode as the trio of hosts break down plans for a new restaurant coming to downtown Glencoe. Alayne, Marty and Joe also discuss the resignation of the longtime Writers Theatre director Michael Halberstam, another conundrum on the Wilmette Park Board and a local’s chance at Olympic glory.

    July 22, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    Drama at the Wilmette Theatre, changes at Winnetka Metra station, new dining additions in Episode 42

    Hosts Joe and Marty are joined by editorial intern Alayne Trinko, who makes her debut on North Shore News Week. The trio discusses the recent departure of four top leaders at the Wilmette Theatre. In this week’s Down the Shore segment, the team covers upcoming changes at the Winnetka Metra station, zoning disputes in Glencoe, budget discussions in Wilmette and more.

    July 15, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    Remembering former Township Supervisor Dr. Alan Goldberg, Fourth of July fun in Episode 41

    Joe and Marty pay tribute to the late Dr. Alan Goldberg, who served New Trier Township for decades. The hosts also recap Fourth of July festivities around the township, talk over a new summer treat in Glencoe and update listeners on the latest local news.

    July 9, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    Glencoe’s downtown dilemma, local environmentalist creates a buzz in Winnetka in episode 40

    Managing Editor Megan Bernard’s return to the podcast was so nice we did it twice. Megan joins the podcast once again alongside Marty to talk over a “complicated” issue in downtown Glencoe. Marty and Meg make their way through other North Shore news including an 11-year-old Winnetka resident ‘bee’ing the change she wants to see and a former Village President hoping to promote unity through a new book.

    July 2, 2021
  • North Shore News Week
    Play Podcast

    Botanic Garden plants the seeds for change, something special brewin’ in Wilmette in Episode 39

    Managing Editor Megan Bernard makes her triumphant return to North Shore News Week in a jam-packed episode. Acting host Marty Carlino and Megan detail some big changes coming to the Chicago Botanic Garden and break the news on a big-name act coming to Glencoe.

    June 24, 2021