Faith and Sport: Recent Episodes
WCAT Radio
Faith & Sport: Our goal is to bring an everyday sports-talk show to Catholics and Catholic-radio
listeners, but with character, morality, and ethics as a regular part of the conversation.
Some former guests include Frank Reich (Head coach - Indianapolis Colts), Joe Delamielleure (NFL
Hall of Famer), Fr Chase Hilgenbrinck (former MLS player), Daniel “Rudy” Reuttiger (Movie “Rudy”),
and many others.
Why our Faith is important in Sport: In 2004, Pope John Paul II instituted the Office of Church and
Sport to fully recognize the significance of athletics in our culture. The pope intended that athletes, fans, parents, coaches, and sport administrators call upon their Catholic faith to guide actions and words in athletic competition.
For more Carolina Catholic Radio, the original station hosting this program, visit https://www.carolinacatholicradio.org
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Joe Dougherty, a Youth Sports Coach. (January 21, 2026)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick, Drew Valinsky, theology teacher, and Fr Alan Benander, Benedictine priest (May 20, 2026)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Scott Anthony - Youth & Young Adult Ministries Manager with the Apostolate for Family Consecration (May 13, 2026)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk with Jason Murphy.
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Mitch and Alle LaFond - Founders and Directors of The Metanoia Method, Online Whole-Body Wellness (April 1, 2026)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Aquaviva and Ed Billick host Jason Murphy and offer a new segment: Dummy of the Week (March 18, 2026)
Sam Goodwin, Division I hockey player, Catholic Speaker and author of Saving Sam: The True Story of an American’s Disappearance in Syria and His Family’s Extraordinary Fight to Bring Him Home
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk with Mary Stanford, Professor of Theology at Christendom College, Catholic Speaker, author of The Obedience Paradox: Finding True Freedom in Marriage
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Mary Stanford – Professor of Theology at Christendom College, Catholic Speaker, author of The Obedience Paradox: Finding True Freedom in Marriage
Includes: Winter Olympic Stat of the Week
In today's episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk with Coach Bob Mahr, a Long-time Youth Coach, offers Sports-Related Wisdom (February 2, 2026)
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Coach Bob Mahr, longtime youth coach, life coach, Catholic speaker, and a man full of sports-related wisdom
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick speak with Jason Murphy on the topics of the New Year.
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick and Jason Murphy
Cathlete of the Week: Christian McCaffrey
Coincidence of the New Year: Fr Alan Benander (listening to Radio Maria)
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick and we revisit a classic segment: Cathlete of the Week
Special Guest: Phillip Leopold – executive director at Sports at the Service of Humanity
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guests: Drew Vilinsky Theology Teacher and Director of the St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland, Oh) Sports & Arts Chaplaincy Program
Special Non Faith and Sport Segment: Miss Brazil - Maria Gabriela Lacerda
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guests: Chad Carlson – professor of kinesiology; Brian Bolt – physical educator, dean of the School of Education, author of Faith Sport Life; they are BOTH hosts of the podcast of the same name (FaithSportLife)
Includes a special segment: Are in-game interviews good or bad?
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Anthony Pontarelli – former baseball coach, who had a great experience as a student athlete at a Catholic college, and why he keeps returning to Catholic Family Land
Special Segment: When good acts are not always good ideas (OK City HS team gives up state title)
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Segment: Why long time outs in college football are good
Plus: The Catholic Bumper Sticker of the Year
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Kristin Sheehan, director of Play Like a Champion Today, an educational series, in cooperation with the Univ of Notre Dame
Special Segment: Why sports radio is so good for the fan
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Dr Bill Thierfelder, former president of Belmont Abbey College in NC, competed in Olympic Trials, author of Less Than a Minute to Go: The Secret to World Class Performance in Sport, Business and Everyday Life
Special Segment: What college coaches will do to sign a recruit
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Dr Gerald McDermott on Why do athletes do the sign of the cross? (August 20, 2025)
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Theologian and professor Dr Gerald McDermott, author of many books, including EveryDay Glory: The Revelation of God in All of Reality
Special Segment: Why do athletes do the sign of the cross?
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Jason Murphy (host of the podcast The Obligation and founder of the Martyr's Walk).
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk with Special GuestFr. Nate Wills, chaplain for ND football and author of Pray Like a Champion Today: Sacred Stories from the Sideline of ND Football.
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Joe Condit, founder of Catholic Speakers Organization - the largest Catholic-focused talent agency in the world.
Special Segment: Why Charles Barkley continues to be one of my favorite athletes, EVER
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr. John Acquaviva engages Jason Murphy and Ed Biilick as they discuss some of the big stories of sport as they relate to our Faith.
Jason discusses a big miss in German soccer and tells us why the world's number one golfer is John's Hit.
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr. John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Dr. Christopher Ragusa, professor of moral theology at Franciscan U in Baton Rouge and author of the essay Practice Makes perfect: How Sport Teaches Life.
Special Segment: Just how ugly can rivalries get?
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Michael DeGaray, veteran youth sport coach, and keen observer of youth sport dynamics.
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick (longtime radio partner, radio veteran and all around good guy)
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Dr Greg Brown, PhD, certified exercise physiologist, committed to preserving the integrity and fairness of girls’ & women’s sports.
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick
Special Guest: Eric Nash, head football coach at St Joseph Catholic HS in Greenvillle, SC.
Special segment: What’s better? MVP or Championship
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr. John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk with Jennie Guinn, Speaker, Radio Show Host, Retreat Leader & Catholic Life Coach (February 26, 2025)
www.catholicmomsinthemiddle.com
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk to Fr. Alan Benander, a Norbertine priest and community member of St. Michael's Abbey in Orange County, CA. He coached baseball, basketball and cross-country, and was athletic director at St. Michael's Preparatory School. (February 12, 2025)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview JP Kuhlman, Director of mission effectiveness at Bishop Moore HS, Orlando. Former DI basketball player (January 29, 2025)
Talk today’s sports topics also include our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick. Our conversation includes if there is a relationship between NIL money and winning football games; and our favorite saints.
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick. We also discuss the new series on saints (including an episode of St Sebastian - the patron of athletes!)
Special Guests: DrBrian Bolt and Dr Chad Carlson – hosts of the podcast Sport.Faith.Life. Brian is the dean of education at Calvin U and Chad is a professor of kinesiology at Hope College
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick, along with Special Guest:Bob Mckillop, Steph Curry's coach at Davidson College, and servant to our Faith.
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick discuss their Hit or Miss, How One-Second Makes All of the Difference, and the Do's and Dont's of coaching. (November 27, 2024)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk with Jason Murphy, host of The Obligation, creator/director of Martyr’s Walk; director of Carolina's Men's Conference (Nov 13, 2024)
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss, what is 2nd chance betting? and more with Ed Billick
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick. We also discuss Our Cathlete of the Month and John's favorite NFL players names. Special Guest: Phil Cuzzi, active Major League Baseball umpire, cradle and active Catholic
Join John and special guest Ed Billick as they discuss their Hit or Miss of the Week. Other topics include Silent Saturdays, the legacy of the late NBA player Dikembe Mutombo, and the courage of coach Tony Dungy. John also talks about his trip to Alabama to appear on EWTNs Life on the Rock, At Home with Jim and Joy, and Bookmark.
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick interview Stasia Phillips, Marketing & Communications Manager of the Apostolate of Family Consecration & Catholic Family Land (09/25/24)
John and Ed also talk today’s sports topics including the Hit or Miss and give a Transgender debate update, and special kudos to one MLB player.
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick; includes Stat of the Day; Correction (of sort) of the Week. And a Big Announcement: EWTN TV!
Special Guest: Dr Stephen Minnis, president of Benedictine College; the college made a splash on the political and cultural scene last May when they asked KC Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker to give their commencement speech.
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Jason Murphy (longtime friend of this show, host of the podcast The Obligation, founder of the Martyrs Walk)
Special Guest: Tim Carney, author ofFamily Unfriendly, How our culture made raising kids more difficult than it needs to be, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute,columnist for the Washington Examiner.
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva offers our Hit or Miss with Carlos Hererra with a big conversation on the 2024 Olympics.
Special Guest: David Chadwick, former UNC basketball player, author of The 12 Leadership Principles of Dean Smith, he’s also the pastor of Moments of Hope Church in Charlotte
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva talks today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick. We discuss the MLB HoF inductions and hear from a moral theologian on the matter of big buck in sport.
Also joining us is certified youth soccer coach Carlos Herrera
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss. We also discuss the morality of funding a new stadium; and a particular upcoming guest whom we see as wise and very courageous - Dr Stephen Minnis.
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk on today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick (longtime friend of this show and radio veteran). Special guests include Tami and Keith Kiser, founders and directors of Heart Ridge Catholic Camp (Tami is the coordinator for the Women’s Catholic Conference in SC; Keith is the headmaster of St Joseph Catholic School in Greenville, SC)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Megan Harrinton, former DI basketball player (U Montana), producer of many films including Unplanned and the new release Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer (Family Theater Productions). Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Jason Murphy (longtime friend of this show, he’s been a regular guest, and host of the podcast The Obligation).
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr. John Acquaviva and Ed Billick talk with Heather Fink, Registered Dietition, and co-author of the book Practical Applications in Sports Nutrition. (April 24, 2024)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Tyler Rosser, head women’s soccer coach at Ave Maria (April 10, 2024)
Today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick Special Guest – Tyler Rosser, head women’s soccer coach at Ave Maria, former conference Coach of the Year, and former missionary of FOCUS
Talk today’s sports topics including our Hit or Miss with Ed Billick (longtime friend, for years he’s been a regular guest, and radio veteran)
Special Guest – Dr Max Engel, professor of Theology at Creighton U, and author of On the 8th Day: A Catholic Theology of Sport
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick bring on special guest Kevin Reilly, former NFL linebacker, author of Tackling Life: how faith, family, friends and fortitude kept an NFL linebacker in the game. (March 6, 2024)
In this episode, Dr. John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage podcaster Jason Murphy (The Obligation) to discuss this week's Hit or Miss and the discipline of Lent; special guest: Dr. Brian Bolt, dean of education, Calvin University, author of Sport, Faith Life and has a podcast of the same name
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Ed Billick joins John to discuss this week's Hit or Miss; special guest: Thomas Wurtz, Founder of Varsity Catholic, a division of FOCUS, outreach to Catholic college athletes, and author ofCompete Inside: 100 Reflections to Help You Become the Complete Athlete
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Dr. A. (October 23, 2023)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Lou Judd, director of Virtue=Strength. (January 22, 2024)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Jason Murphy, host of the podcast The Obligation. (January 8, 2024)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Sports Dietitian Heather Fink. (December 18, 2023)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Deacon Bob Pierce, director of parish's Life Runners. (December 4, 2023)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Deacon Dan Borne, public address announcer for LSU Tiger football. (November 20, 2023)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva engages Gerry McDermott and Jason Murphy. (November 6, 2023)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick engage Jason Murphy, host of the podcast The Obligation (October 9, 2023)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva is joined by longtime Sport and Faith co-host Ed Billick and author (On the Eight Day) and Prof. Max Engel (Sep. 15, 2024)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva is joined by longtime Sport and Faith co-host Ed Billick and Former NFL player Kevin Reilly (September 11, 2023)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva and Ed Billick discuss their Hit or Miss in the world of sport; and marathon runner Fr Conrad Murphy joins the show to discuss life of a priest in midst of this pandemic. (April 6, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Catholic sports enthusiast John Acquaviva discusses with Carlos Rivera their Hit or Miss in the world of sport, as well as other interesting topics. Rob Egan, parishioner of St Luke Catholic Church (Charlotte) and general manager of Charlotte Knights (AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) discussed possible return of baseball to Charlotte. (March 30, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr. John Acquaviva and Carlos Herrera discuss their Hit or Miss for the Week; special guest is Dr. Dennis Johnson, president of Hem-View Sports Leadership Consultants and professor of Sport Management. (March 23, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Catholic sports enthusiast, Dr. John Acquaviva and Carlos Herrera discuss their Hit or Miss for the Week; special guest is President of Belmont Abbey College and former Track and Field All American, Dr. Bill Thierfelder. (March 16, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Catholic evangelist John Acquaviva engages Thomas Wurtz of Varsity Catholic and Justin Fatica of Hard as Nails Ministry. (March 9, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr. John Acquaviva engages attorney and high school soccer referee Ben Glass to discuss his scholarship program: $500 to each team that goes the entire season without a red card. (March 2, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Fr Jeffrey Kirby of Our Lady of Grace (Charleston Diocese) joins the show to discuss his suggestions to Catholic high schools in the diocese to stop practice and games on Sunday to keep the Sabbath holy. (February 24, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Catholic sports enthusiast John Acquaviva discusses with Carlos Herrera their Hit or Miss of the Week; and Bear Woznick joins the show to discuss what being a Christian man is all about. (February 17, 2020)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Catholic sports enthusiast John Acquaviva is joined by professional golfer David Cooke. David discusses the challenges and rewards of a traveling professional sport. (February 10, 2020)
John is joined in studio by periodic co-host Ed Billick, and they discuss the Super Bowl, Kobe Bryant and have a great conversation with permanent Deacon Dan Borne, Diocese of Baton Rouge and public address announcer for LSU football and basketball. (February 3, 2020)
Hit or Miss with Carlos Herrera; a chat with Catholic author and educator Anne Stricherz (Pray and Practice with Purpose), Weekend Headlines, and more. (January 20, 2020)
Hit or Miss with Carlos Herrera; chat with Frank Allocco, former University of Notre Dame QB and basketball player; Weekend Headlines and more. (January 13, 2020)
Hit or Miss with Carlos Herrera; chat with Fr Conrad Murphy - marathon runner (Archdiocese of Washington DC); Weekend Headlines and more.
In this episode of Faith & Sport on Carolina Catholic Radio, Dr John Acquaviva is joined by youth soccer coach Carlos Herrera to discuss this week's Hit or Miss in the world of sport; and Fr Steve Pullis, to speak on Archbishop Allen Vigneron's Pastoral Note "Day of Our Lord" which directs the Archdiocese of Detroit faithful to cease all CYO and Catholic high school practices and games on Sunday. We'll also discuss Weekend Headlines and our Pope Quote of the Week. (December 16, 2019)
In this episode of Faith & Sport, first aired on Carolina Catholic Radio, Dr John Acquaviva is joined in-studio by periodic cohost Ed Billick. John and Ed discuss their Hit or Miss in the world of sport, Weekend Headlines, and our Pope Quote of the Week. Joining the conversation by phone is Dr. Dennis Johnson, president of Hem-view Consultants (specializing in sport leadership). (December 9, 2019)
On this episode of Faith & Sport, first aired on Carolina Catholic Radio, Dr John Acquaviva is joined by youth soccer coach Carlos Herrera to discuss this week's Hit or Miss in the world of sport; and Chris Godfrey, NFL Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champ and president of LifeAthletes. They also discuss the newly proposed NBA playoff structure, Weekend Headlines, and our Pope Quote of the Week. (December 2, 2019)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr John Acquaviva is joined by youth soccer coach Carlos Herrera to discuss sport headlines and how youth coaches can address the referee appropriately. They also discuss the College Football Playoff, Weekend Headlines, and our Pope Quote of the Week. (November 25, 2019)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, John Acquaviva discusses the Weekend Headlines in sport, and is joined in-studio by youth softball coaches John Ficker and Mike Lawrence to discuss coach-parent and coach-player dynamics that are common in youth sport. (November 18, 2019)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr John Acquaviva is joined by Matt Birk, former NFL Pro Bowler and co-author of the book "All Pro Wisdom: the 7 Choices that Lead to Greatness". John also discusses paying college athletes, Weekend Headlines, and our Cathlete of the Week. (November 11, 2019)
In this episode of Faith & Sport on Carolina Catholic Radio, Dr John Acquaviva is joined by Haley Scott DeMaria, former University of Notre Dame and author of the book "What Thought the Odds". They also discuss "Was this cheating in softball?", Weekend Headlines, and Cathlete of the Week. (November 4, 2019)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Catholic evangelist John Acquaviva is joined in-studio by special guest and former co-host Ed Billick. John and Ed will chat about the World Series, Clemson football, the NBA's image problem, our Cathlete of the Week, and will discuss the NCAA drug policy with certified Athletic Trainer Tim Singleton. (October 28, 2019)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Catholic sports host John Acquaviva engages Tony Wockenfuss to chat about the upcoming baseball World Series, as well as other issues in the world of sport, our Cathlete of the Week, and have a conversation with youth softball coach Mike Lawrence. (October 21, 2019)
In this episode of Faith and Sport, Dr. John Acquaviva chats about current issues in the world of sport, our Cathlete of the Week, and have a conversation with Founder of Catholic Speakers Organization - Joe Condit. (October 14, 2019)
In this episode of Faith & Sport on Carolina Catholic Radio, Catholic evangelist Dr John Acquaviva chats about current issues in the world of sport, offers our Catholic Quote of the Week, and has a conversation with college football analyst Tommy Fee. (October 7, 2019)
Please join Faith & Sport on Carolina Catholic Radio this Monday at 2pm with host Dr John Acquaviva. John will chat about current issues in the world of sport, our Cathlete of the Week, and have a conversation with Wingate University head coach of football - Joe Reich.
Please join Faith & Sport on Carolina Catholic Radio this Monday at 2pm with host Dr John Acquaviva. John will chat about current issues in the world of sport, our Catholic Quote of the Week, and a conversation with Muhsin "Moose" Mohammad, former Carolina Panther and NFL great.
Please join Faith & Sport this Monday at 2pm with host Dr John Acquaviva and special guest co-host (and current seminarian) Mr. Charlie Wilkinson. John and Charlie will chat about current issues in the world of sport, our Cathlete of the Week, forgiveness in sport, and a conversation with Carlos Herrera about developing a better relationship between coaches and parents. The rebroadcast of this show will air next Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 2pm.
Join Faith and Sport radio show on Carolina Catholic Radio where Dr John Acquaviva and co-host Ed Billick discuss the week in sports and weave ethics, character and morality into the conversation. Special guest is the Director of SportsLeader, Lou Judd. There will be the Stat of the Week, Cathlete of the Week and more.
Join the premiere of Faith and Sport radio show on Carolina Catholic Radio where Dr John Acquaviva and co-host Ed Billick discuss the week in sports and weave ethics, character and morality into the conversation. Special guest is certified soccer coach Carlos Herrera. There will be the Stat of the Week, Cathlete of the Week and more.