December 1924. Legendary Ernie Doogle has passed away – but that’s not about to stop him from having some fun with his old pal in the trenches, Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer.

By the grace of the almighty Harold, the man most knew as “Doogs” returns in ghostly form to take Orville on a metaphysical ride to witness Football Past, Football Present and Football Future.

Traveling (or does he?) from the 1880s to 1920 to the far-flung marvelous future of the 1950s, Orville may gain deeper insight  into the proverbial meanings of life, universe and everything, but he’ll definitely learn a thing or too about the evolution of football…

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

A Christmas Football Carol script and story by Os Davis.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell. A Christmas Football Carol co-stars in order of appearance John Roberts, Forrest Hartl, Vernon Poitras, Joe Gallegos, Abianna LaValley and Szilvia Morvay.

Additional direction by Eric Bodwell. Sound recording and primary editing by Don McIver.

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “the Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith. 

Other tracks in this episode include

•  “The Downhearted Blues” (1923) by Bessie Smith;

•  Symphony no. 8 (Allegro con brio) by Antonin Dvorak;

• “Jazz Club” by Kriss (available through fair-use agreement via FreeMusicArchive.org);

• “Rockapalooza” by Shane Ivers of Silverman Sound Studios;

• “Toot Toot, Tootsie (Goodbye)” (1922) by Al Jolson;

• “Pasadena” (1923) by Burt Firman; and

•  “Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer (Outro)” by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darrin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer – coming soon!