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

    Another Tough Finish for NT, Another Rout for LA in Episode 141

    Facing an uphill battle, New Trier football nearly pulled off the upset at unbeaten Barrington. But it was not meant to be. We break it down and coach Brian Doll tells us about his team’s efforts.
    Loyola on the other hand made another statement in the CCL, while Highland Park fell apart in the second half.

    September 21, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Week 3’s Thrill of Victory and Agony of Defeat in Episode 140

    It was a wild Friday night for our local football teams. With Joe at the helm, we break down a sure New Trier victory that flipped the other way, and a Highland Park contest that saw nearly 80 points scored. And we look at Loyola, which went about its business thanks to a big second half. That and more in this week’s episode

    September 14, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    NT Bounceback, HP Near Comeback in Episode 139

    It’s a one-man show this week. With Michal Dwojak out of town, Joe Coughlin takes the reins to talk a big Trevians response, a Ramblers road victory and a Giants comeback that fell just short. Listen to HP coach Anthony Kopp tell us more about it, and Joe previews Week 3 and gives his predictions.

    September 6, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Ramblers, Giants Off and Running, Trevians Stumble in Ep. 138

    And we are off. Football season is underway and an eventful Week 1 it was. All of our teams went on the road to start their seasons. Loyola and Highland Park came home with resounding victories, while New Trier suffered a tough loss in its game and maybe of a couple starters.
    We recap it all and give you our insight and predictions for an important Week 2.

    August 30, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    2023 Football Preview Show in Episode 137

    Away we go in the 2023 high school football season. New Trier, Loyola and Highland Park open their campaigns this weekend, and we have all the names, numbers and insights to get you ready. Will New Trier get back to the postseason? Can the Ramblers defend their state title? Can the Giants finally get a fifth win? We talk it all out and give predictions on the Week 1 contests.
    In the middle of it all, we take a break to hear from New Trier volleyball standout Ana Vetter on her team’s victory to christen the Trevians new gym.

    August 24, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Coach Fitz Volunteers For Ramblers, Inside New Trevians Arena

    We discuss the news out of Loyola Academy football, which has given a volunteer position to recently fired NU coach Pat Fitzgerald. We talk details and how The Record broke the story. Then, we move onto New Trier, which has opened its mega athletics facility. We take a look inside.

    August 17, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Waves Domination and Scouting Football Opponents in Episode 135

    We celebrate the Wilmette Waves spectacular summer play, which ended with a tournament championship and may have been the best Waves season ever. Coach Mike Napoleon tells us about it. Then, we switch to football. With about one month until kickoff, we take a look at the other teams on the schedule in a conference breakdown.

    July 27, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Football, Golf Talk; Northwestern Hazing Impact in Episode 134

    We discuss The Record’s latest, including local twins meeting in the DIII golf championships and local football summer work. Then, we pivot to Northwestern Athletics, discussing the impact and fallout of the hazing scandal with the football program.

    July 14, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    Rowing Recap and Way, Way Too Early Hoops Talk in Episode 133

    We give New Trier Rowing its due after an incredible spring season that included nationwide success. Then, we start with summer sports talk that evolves into a way too early look at football, basketball and baseball seasons next school year. Make sure to star this one so you can point out our missed predictions later.

    June 29, 2023
  • The Varsity
    Play Podcast

    NT Baseball Grabs State Trophy And ’23-’23 Recap in Episode 132

    We had to wait for Joe’s return to talk Trevians baseball’s run to a state trophy. New Trier brought home bronze from the state finals, and we break down the remarkable season and finish, and also hear from Coach Naps and senior Brenden Stressler.
    Then, we have some fun recapping the sports year, the best teams, the top moments and more.

    June 23, 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