S02 E04: HoCo Memories, Goldy the Live Mascot, and Bear Down Chris! 

Release Date: October 5, 2026

Duration: ~67 minutes 

Show Notes: Link

Welcome back to Season 2, Episode 4 of the #BryanBuilt Podcast! Chris Malanga and Superintendent Mark Rairigh are dressed for Homecoming Week across Bryan City Schools. In this episode, Mark delivers updates on the $6.2 million Arts & Education Center renovation, followed by Homecoming Week events like Wednesday’s Community Game Night and Friday's matchup against Wauseon. Then, 1976 alumnus Dave "Batter" Batt joins us to share 1970s traditions, the "Secret Sisters," and football lore. Plus, Mark tests Chris with Golden Bear history trivia, and social media interns Morgan and Zoey bring us "Bear in the Chair" featuring Bryan Elementary teacher Mr. Joe Tucker!

In this Episode:

#BryanBuilt News Feed: Superintendent Mark Rairigh shares major district updates including raised grade work for the scene/set shop on the Arts & Education Center renovation, east side foundation work for green rooms and the main lobby lounge/art gallery, plus full Homecoming Week highlights from backdrop building and Community Game Night to Friday's pep assemblies and football game against Wauseon.

District Deep Dive (Dave "Batter" Batt '76): Class of 1976 graduate Dave Batt joins the studio to talk Bryan Homecoming history, covering 1970s traditions like window painting, float parades at Park Stadium, and garage bands after games. He also shares legendary moments like car-smash bonfires, psyching out Montpelier with a surprise bus entrance at kickoff, and the wooden scrapbook created by nine "Secret Sisters" honoring senior athletes. 

The Fun Segment (Bear Down, Chris!): Mark puts Chris to the test with Golden Bear history trivia, focusing on the 1993–1994 school year—the year Chris's wife graduated from BHS! Topics cover Charles "Red" Daniels submitting "Golden Bears" in 1929, the pre-1929 "Purples," Bryan's 1941 live bear cub "Goldy," and a fun yearbook throwback featuring Annie Sims and Kim Bassett on the 1993–1994 Homecoming Court.

Bear in the Chair & Standouts: Media interns Morgan and Zoey feature 2008 BHS graduate and teacher Mr. Joe Tucker, who shares how the TRUST program inspired him to become a positive male role model and reminisces about MCing Homecoming his senior year. Finally, we celebrate our 2026 Homecoming Court representatives and emcees as our Golden Bear Standouts!