Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland talk about a new name for the podcast, as well as changes to Mat Classic, and the excitement surrounding playoff basketball
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
We’ve never loved our name for the podcast. We were trying to come up with something when we launched this labor of love, never found anything, and just went generic.
Well, how’s this?
The Study of Sports.
This is, after all, a talk about local high school sports, with administrators representing the two largest school districts in the region. We don’t just talk about the highlights of sports, but we take you behind the scenes of making the sports happen, from the perspective of administrators.
So we’re trying this out for now, but we are open to suggestions. The Study of Sports? The Study of Sports with Paul and the Admins? Or something else? Got an idea? Email me at paul.v@clarkcountytoday.com.
This week, we talk about the changes to Mat Classic, and the thrill of playoff basketball. We talk about a great rivalry in girls basketball. We salute Fort Vancouver boys basketball for making it to state, but the reporter also has some questions regarding the way Fort was reclassified this school year.
Oh, and we thank the Eagles for making the world a better place for not having to live with a Chiefs three-peat.
Our podcast format is simple: A longtime sports reporter (Paul Valencia) discusses high school sports, and more, with longtime sports administrators and former coaches. Cale Piland is the former head football coach at Evergreen and Union and is now the athletic director for Evergreen Public Schools. Tony Liberatore is a former assistant coach and athletic director at Columbia River and is now an associate principal at Fort Vancouver.
We’re always interested in subject ideas for a future podcast. Email us a subject idea.
Send us your thoughts at: paul.v@clarkcountytoday.com.
Also read:
- Columbia River to open for additional spring Chinook retention days
WDFW extended spring Chinook retention days after catch estimates showed room within the recreational harvest allocation. - The Study of Sports Podcast May 13, 2026: The playoffs have started for Washington high school sports, plus how the three of us have adapted to new roles in our careers
Paul Valencia, Cale Piland, and Tony Liberatore reunite to cover spring playoffs and Vancouver’s newest burger joint. - Vancouver bowlers make their marks at HBCU Alabama A&M
Fort Vancouver and Hudson’s Bay grads helped Alabama A&M win its first conference bowling title in 12 years. - County seeks new management agreement to operate Tri-Mountain Golf Course beyond 2026
Clark County Council opts for long-term management agreement instead of selling Ridgefield golf course after failed ilani deal. - 2026 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery begins May 1
Cash rewards start at $6 per fish, with top angler earning over $159,000 in 2025 catching 15,715 northern pikeminnow.
