
Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss high school sports first, and we also talk pro sports — Mariners fans rejoice — and a new nickname for the podcast: Shut Up Paul
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
While none of us are concerned about football as a whole — the sport continues to be the biggest draw in sports television in this country.
But at the local level, there are concerns. Football has become more expensive and requires a larger commitment than 10, 20, 30 years ago, and there have been a number of high school programs throughout the country that have been forfeiting games due to participation numbers or calling off the season. Then there are those schools with smaller budgets trying to compete with more affluent schools.
It’s the Study of Sports, with your hosts Paul Valencia, a reporter for Clark County Today, and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland.
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.
This week, we share some concerns for football at the high school level.
We also talk about the process for making an appeal in Washington high school sports.
We defend the integrity of officials, as well.
Then we get into pro sports. The Mariners are going to the playoffs! One Raider fan on the podcast shares an incredible experience in Las Vegas this season.
Oh, and we also bring up a new nickname for the podcast: Shut Up Paul!
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:
- Ridgefield to host Division I baseball game between UW Huskies and UP Pilots on April 21The Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex welcomes two Division I teams this April, offering free entry for local youth players and a rare college matchup in Clark County.
- Business Profile: Columbia River volleyball coach teaches The Elite CompetitorBre Smedley co-founded The Elite Competitor to help young athletes handle the mental demands of sports by offering support, resources, and ongoing training for players, parents, and coaches.
- NBA vote clears way for expansion to SeattleThe NBA Board of Governors has voted to explore adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, moving Seattle closer than ever to hosting pro basketball again.
- WA Gov. Ferguson to meet with NBA commissioner as hopes rise for Sonics’ returnThe meeting this week comes before a vote that could clear the way for the league’s expansion to Seattle Jake Goldstein-StreetWashington State Standard Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Thursday previewed an upcoming meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ahead of a planned vote on league expansion that could bring men’s professional basketball back to Seattle. …
- Plenty of NBA connections expected in town Sunday for Vancouver Bears gameFormer NBA stars Gary Payton and Robert Pack will coach opposite each other when the SuperHawks visit the undefeated Vancouver Bears in a marquee USBL matchup.






