S01 E06: Thea Staten: From NWOAL to ACC "Straight Juice"

Release Date: April 27, 2026

Duration: ~49 minutes 

Show Notes: Link

In this high-velocity episode, the #BryanBuilt Podcast moves from the district office to the softball diamond. Superintendent Mark Rairigh and host Chris Malanga explore the "Grit and Service" required to build a championship culture, both in the classroom and in the circle. From the precision of a Division 1 recruitment journey to the physical transformation of our district campus, Episode 06 highlights the discipline and local support that drive Golden Bear excellence.

This episode covers:

The News Feed: Superintendent Mark Rairigh breaks down "The Big Three," including the Board-approved 2027-28 District Calendar and a major milestone in the Arts & Education restoration, with demolition concluding to make way for a state-of-the-art auditorium. We also highlight the upcoming Elementary Art Exhibition and its new location for 2026.

District Deep Dive: We are joined by the mother-daughter duo behind the Bryan Lady Bears’ historic success: Head Coach Hilary Staten and senior pitcher Thea Staten. We discuss Thea’s journey to 1,000 career strikeouts, how a decade of gymnastics built her D1 power, and the "midnight call" that led to her commitment to NC State.

Community Mailbag: We answer a question from a local business leader regarding real-world skill application. Mark highlights student-led initiatives like "Bear Brews" and the "108 Coffee Cart," where Golden Bears learn the fundamentals of revenue, overhead, and customer service.

The Fun Segment: Mark and Chris put their pride on the line in our new segment, "In the Box." The hosts head to Field 5 to see if they can survive a "65 MPH reality check" from Thea. Will Mark’s baseball background hold up against "Straight Juice," or are the hosts leaving the field owing a round of milkshakes?

We wrap up the show with a surprise Golden Bear Standout. Superintendent Rairigh takes over the mic to honor Chris Malanga, recently named the OASBO Communications Director of the Year, for his dedication to telling the #BryanBuilt story every single day.