Join us on Airey Bros Radio for an in-depth conversation with Jason Bryant, the ultimate voice of wrestling. Jason is a wrestling broadcaster, announcer, and founder of Mat Talk Online, with over 28 years covering everything from NCAA and NAIA tournaments to the Olympic Games. We dive into the ins and outs of collegiate wrestling, dual meet championships, and the evolution of wrestling across divisions. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Division I or passionate about NAIA and JUCO, this episode is packed with insights into wrestling’s biggest topics.Discover Jason's journey, his dedication to the sport, and his vision for its future, as he shares exclusive insights on NCAA dual meets, team scoring, and the balance between tradition and innovation in wrestling. Don’t miss out as we also explore the unique environments at NAIA, D2, and D3 championships and the factors making each level of wrestling distinct. If you're a wrestling fan, this episode will hit you with powerful insights and bring you closer to the sport we all love!
Show Notes
0:05 - Introduction to Jason Bryant and his career as the “Voice of Wrestling”
3:00 - Jason on the origins and growth of Mat Talk Online and his passion for wrestling media
9:00 - Debating the dual championship format and the idea of a national dual meet championship
14:00 - Insights into different divisions and levels of wrestling: D1, D2, D3, and NAIA
20:00 - Challenges in promoting dual meets and ideas to make wrestling accessible to more fans
30:00 - Jason’s experiences at the Olympics and announcing some of wrestling's biggest moments
45:00 - Discussing the pros and cons of traditional team scoring at the NCAA Tournament
1:02:00 - The future of college wrestling and Jason’s take on NIL, NCAA alignment, and more
1:10:00 - Jason’s insights into developing a lifelong love for wrestling and growing fan engagement