Conversations with Sports Fans: Recent Episodes
Doug Hill
ESPN Senior Feature Producer Mike Farrell joins the Conversation in this episode to discuss his career in filmmaking, his sports documentary work in particular.
Most-recently, Mike directed the E:60 film, Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott. Other full-length features from E:60 that Mike's worked on include Unrivaled: Red Wings v. Avalanche and Fistful of Steel: The Rise of Bubba Wallace.
Mike shares how he got started in the business, what makes a compelling documentary, and what the entire process is like.
He even shares a few of his choices for compelling sport-themed documentaries: 2023's The Deepest Breath about free diving, 2021's The Alpinist about climber Marc-Andre Leclerc, and the ESPN's 2020 30 for 30 Lance about cyclist Lance Armstrong.
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Believe it or not, we're just about five months away from the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina in northern Italy.
To help us get in the spirit and - perhaps - make some travel plans to attend the Games, we're rejoined by Olympic superfan, Ken Hanscom.
Ken, who's attended every Olympics allowing full fan participation since the 2012 London Games, first joined Conversations shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Summer Games (S:3, E:44). In this episode he shares the lay of the land as the world begins its final push toward Milano-Cortina, offers some tips for those who may be planning to attend, and encouragement to just do it for those considering the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games.
You're able to find Ken on X (@KenHanscom) and Instagram (@TheKenHanscom). He also is the curator of a pair of Facebook groups: Milano Cortina 2026 Planning & Preparation and Los Angeles 2028 Planning & Preparation.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guests in this episode are two-thirds of a trio of midwestern friends who spent 44 hours in the Bethpage (NY) State Park earlier this summer for an opportunity to play its famed Bethpage Black Golf Course, site of the 2025 Ryder Cup.
We learn about how the trip came to be, the devastation when they realized what was supposed to be one night in the parking lot was going to be two, and what the feeling of finally playing the course was like.
The adventure was made all the more memorable was when they were featured in a profile in the Washington Post (behind a paywall here).
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Tyler Leipprandt is the creative force behind Michigan Sky Media which utilizes drones and chartered aircraft to shoot images of iconic landmarks (both natural and manmade) from high above. Tyler's also recently published the stunning coffee table book MIconic: Stunning Photos and Stories from Iconic Michigan Landmarks.
During our dicsussion with Tyler we learn about how this former NAIA basketball player turned teacher happened upon this newfound passion. (Hint: As is so often the case, it was pretty much by accident.)
Tyler also shares how one of his favorite shots - entitled fittingly "The Money Shot" - came to be. You'll also be able to feel the passion in his story about how his dream to capture the B2 Stealth Bomber's flyover the 2024 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, featuring the University of Michigan and the University of Alabama ("For All the Roses") came to be ... and how it almost didn't.
Tyler has generously offered a 15% discount for listeners of Conversations who place an order from his store. Use the code: michiganskymedia when prompted during the checkout process. And, if you're attending Grand Rapids' annual Art Prize (September 18-October 4), look for Tyler's exhibit there at the DeVos Place Covention Center.
You're able to follow Tyler on Facebook and Instagram.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest this episode is septuagenarian John Yandle.
By day, John works in the commericial real estate business.
It's John's side-gig that we find way cool.
A 1-time Stanford Cardinal pitcher and minor league hurler, John's been serving as a San Francisco Giants' left-handed batting practice pitcher for 41-years.
Yes, you read that correctly.
John's been tossing BP to the Giants since the days of Candlestick Park, a home the team vacated 25 years ago and a spot that was razed a decade ago.
Along the way he's thrown to just about every Giants' great you can name: Will Clark, Jeff Kent, Barry Bonds, Buster Posey. They've all seen John's firm and accurate fastball that stills reaches into the 80s, albeit from in front of the mound. He even had the opportunity to pitch BP to the National League All-Stars in Cincinnati in 2015.
As one might imagine, John has stories for days, including from his time at Stanford, in the minors, and, ultimately, how he happened into this role that's earned him three World Series rings.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Fresh off a nearly 2-plus mile walk back to their flat from the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying match between host Argentina and Venezuela, host Doug Hill and frequent Around the World in 80 Sporting Events traveling partner, Tim Parker, discuss what it was like to be at Estadio Mas Monumental on what might have been Lionel Messi's final competitive match for the national team on home soil.
The pair also compare and contrast the differences between this qualifier and the Argentine Primera Division match between River Plate and San Martin de San Juan earlier in the week.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
We're joined this week by a fellow fan of sports fans, Matthew Barry.
Matthew hosts and produces the website, newsletter, and podcast entitled "Heart of the Fan."
An outgrowth of his graduate work at Northwestern University, Matthew's goal with Heart of the Fan is - as it states on the website is to "... spotlight the people who shape fan culture from the ground up - because the stories of sports fans deserve to be told, remembered, and celebrated."
During our Conversation with Matthew, we discuss how the project started, how it's going, and where he hopes it can go. We also learn about the ongoing docuseries of podcast episodes "Flags of our Fans" which will focus on soccer fan groups from the U.S. (the American Outlaws), Mexico (Pancho Villa's Army), and Canada (The Voyageurs) in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In addition to the Heart of the Fan website you're able to find Matthew's work on X/Twitter and Instagram.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest in this special bonus episode in conjunction with Event No. 24 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project (South American soccer matches), is Sam Kelly, host of the first and, he believes, still only English-language Argentinian soccer (er, futbol) podcast, Hand of Pod.
We chat with Sam, a native of southwest England, about his early affinity for Manchester United in the English Premier League and how and when he discovered the international game, Argentina in particular.
Sam, who's now lived in Argentina for 15 years, is also a brilliant resource for what differentiates the game in his current homeland from other parts of the world. In a word, he says, "Passion." A fella named Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona might have something to do with it as well as
He also provides us with a rundown of the Argentine Football Association's so-called "big five" clubs: Boca Juniors, River Plate, Racing, Independiente, and San Lorenzo.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest this week is Nick Schroeck, a Detroit-area native who just happens to be the current Dean of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Sure, we talk plenty of Detroit-area sports with Nick (think Detroit Lions), but this fellas well-traveled, having studied outside Chicago as well as Edinburgh, Scotland, so there's some Windy City sports chatter as well a moment or two of Six Nations Rugby talk.
But, as Nick's areas of expertise include Environmental Law and Environmental Justice, we found a way to sneak in some discussion about major sports venues' impact on the environment as well as how global climate changes are modifying when, where, and how we watch sports.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest this week, Robert Boudwin, spent 21 NBA seasons in the "Clutch the Bear" costume serving as the Houston Rockets' mascot.
It took us about the length of an NBA TV timeout to discover why Boudwin was perfect for that role. With a mind that is constantly in motion and a gift for engaging with people, this is easily one of our favorite Conversations to date.
Beyond discussing his time as "Clutch the Bear" we also learn about how he helped launch the University of Delaware mascot "YoU Dee" the Blue Hen while a student there, how it was the university's president who encouraged him to drop out of school to pursue the Rockets' opportunity, and how he came to become a staunch advocate for organ donation.
(BTW, both Clutch and YoUDee are members of the Mascot Hall of Fame thanks Robert's early efforts!)
Robert's also a published author several times over, but it's his latest work, The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: Mascots, Marathons, and Mayhem - Twins, Transplants, and Tattoos, that puts 51 of his favorite memories in one place and shares them with readers in a memoir adjacent compilation.
Great news! Robert has shared a signed copy with us and we're giving it to one lucky listener. To enter, simply follow this link and provide us with the information requested by midnight EDT, Monday, September 1.
Among the many topics Robert covers in his book is organ donation and how it's personally impacted him. During our Conversation he references the double-lung transplant his father received and the ability to meet the parents of his father's donor as well. This story, along with his running the Houston Half-Marathon in full Clutch costuyme, is detailed in this YouTube video.
To sign up to be an organ donor please visit Donate Life America and remember, please don't take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest this episode is Josh Harrellson who's about to embark on his 15th season of professional basketball. Later this month he'll report to training camp in Saga, Japan, to play for the third consecutive season with the Saga Ballooners in Japan's B.League.
Josh grew up outside St. Louis, MO, and during our Conversation we learn about his dream of following in the footsteps of childhood hero, Mark McGwire. Once he reached high school, however, an unwise decision by the football coach led Josh (who was 6-foot-3 as a freshman) into organized basketball for the first time.
He continued to develop and eventually planned to attend Western Illinois but wound up at Southwestern Illinois (Junior) College instead. Following a successful season there he moved on to the University of Kentucky where he ulimately led the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance his senior year (2011) but not before enduring quite a lot under a pair of coaches who couldn't be any more different (Billy Gillespie and John Calipari). He credits battling Kentucky teammate Enes Kanter (who was ineligible due to alleged benefits received in Turkey) during practice much of his senior season with improving his game.
Josh also shares a few stories about his time in the NBA (he was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in the second round and then sold to the New York Knicks), what it was like playing with LeBron James, and how playing professionally overseas has gone for him and his family.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest is Wisconsin native, Carl Meyer, who - since 2007 - has played at least 100 holes of golf each July 4 as a fundraiser for organization, Hire Heroes USA, an organization that assists in placing U.S. military veterans and their spouses in civilian jobs once their military duties have ended.
To date, Meyer has raised $1.9 million since beginning his annual July 4 golf-a-palooza.
During our time with Carl we learn about his sports fan interests (unsurprisingly, he's a Green Bay Packers fan), how he became a golfer, but more importantly we learn more about the Hire Heroes USA organization, how his desire to assist military veterans began, and some of the recollections this 17-handicapper has from his 18 years of his annual golfing marathon.
If you'd like to support Carl's project, we invite you to visit the following website and join 200-plus other supporters in ensuring Carl meets (and exceeds!) his 2025 goal of $180,000: https://giving.hireheroesusa.org/campaign/18th-annual-100-holes-for-our-heroes-fundraiser/c653274
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
(A quick note about this episode featuring Detroit Free Press columnist Neal Rubin: This Conversation was recorded in late April and then, for a variety of reasons, it's been on the shelf waiting to air. We apologize for the delay and any of the dated references that may be made.)
In addition to working at the Free Press, Neal has also written for the Detroit News, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and the Las Vegas Sun.
And, much like his writing, listeners are about to discover what a gifted storyteller Neal is. During our time together he shares tales of becoming sports aware in southern California, his time in Las Vegas coinciding with the Jerry Tarkanian-coached UNLV teams, the generous niceness of Steve Garvey, covering the Thomas Hearns-Marvin Hagler fight, a special Thursday spent at The Masters in 2008 among them, and a Golden Ticket to the Daytona 500.
He even touches on one event that got away, spectating the Game 6 of the 2004 World Series in Fenway Park with then-Baseball Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey. Alas, the Red Sox swept.
And we devote a bit of time on his tenure as the writer for the Gil Thorp comic strip for 14 years.
And, if you're a glutton for punishment, you're even able to read the column he wrote about host Doug Hill's Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest in this episode is a member of New York City broadcasting royalty: Len Berman.
Len was the lead sports anchor for NYC's WNBC for 27 years and won mulitple Emmy Awards and New York Sportscaster of the Year honors on six occasions.
Those of us from outside New York became familiar with Len through is regular appearances on theToday Show when he'd share the always popular "Spanning the World" compilation of sports bloopers that were also a staple of sportscasts.
A product of Syracuse University's prestigious Newhouse School of Public Communications, Berman shares his non-traditional route to the world of sports broadcasting, some memorable moments on the job, and the ever-changing world of sports media.
Len was also kind enough to donate a signed copy of his 2010 younger readers book, The 25 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time, and we'll give that away to one lucky entrant who completes this Google Form by midnight ET, Monday, August 4.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
We're live on tape from the front seat of our car again in this episode which features guests Carol and Helena Hill - host Doug's spouse and daughter - who collectively discuss what their first rodeo experience was like during their day at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, Event No. 22 from the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
In advance of host Doug Hill's attendance at the 129th annual Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days to take in rodeo, Event No. 22 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, we're joined by Jim Walter, Vice President of Visit Cheyenne as well as Rodeo Program Manager.
Jim provides us a terrific overview on the history of Frontier Days, its impact to the community, and why Cheyenne's a terrific place to visit any time of year but especially during these 10 days in mid-July.
For more information about Cheyenne visit the website: cheyenne.org. For more information about Frontier Days visit: cfdrodeo.com.
Sites mentioned during this episode:
- Bunkhouse Bar & Grill
- T-Joe's Steakhouse & Saloon
- Curt Gowdy State Park
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Since The Basketball Tournament (aka TBT) starts up again this week, we felt it apropos to check back in with the man who developed the wildly popular Elam Ending that's used in all TBT games - Dr. Nick Elam.
When last we chatted with Nick (S:2, E:33) he shared the unabridged version of how his eponymous ending came to be and we wound up not having time to discuss his other unique pursuits.
For example, did you know that Nick works on the grounds crew at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park? Or that he had a similar position at Day Air Ballpark, home to the Reds' Class A affiliate Dayton Dragons? And, since we last spoke, he's also joined the scoring staff for the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, and assists on scoreboard operations for Indiapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium (home to the NFL's Colts and college and high school football, not to mention NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament action). He's also now a Target Score Time Strategist with the Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Professional Basketball League.
We caught up with Nick again just about the time the Pacers were heading into the NBA Finals. For more about Nick, please visit his website elamending.com.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Our guest this episode is Dr. Shanyn Lancaster, Medical Director of USA Gymnastics.
Herself a former NCAA Division I gymnast at the University of Minnesota, Shanyn and her 1998 Golden Gophers teammates are in that school's Athletic Hall of Fame after securing the school's first Big Ten Championship.
Prior to taking the role at USA Gymnastics, Shanyn was the Head Team Physician for Arizona State University's athletic program, making her the first female lead physician in Pac-12 history. She also currently serves medical staff for USA Swimming which begin competing at the World Championships later this month in Singapore.
We cover quite a lot of ground with Shanyn, ranging from her early life as a sports fan growing up the younger sister of a pair of hockey playing brothers, to her time in the Twin Cities where she might have taught fellow Gopher and future WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar a thing or two about tumbling, to her role working with some of the world's greatest athletes and the physical and psychological challenges they face.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Just in time for the United States' 249th birthday celebration, we're joined by Dr. Dan Wann, a psychology professor at Murray State University, whose area of specialty is the psychology of sports fandom.
No, we don't delve into the rise of competitive eater Joey Chestnut, but we do spend quite a bit of time discussing fans, their behavior, and the positives and negatives of being a sports fan. The answers to which should fascinate all sports fans.
Along the way, Dan also shares how he became the first person he knows of to study sports fans (Spoiler: He forgot an assignment), how the rise of legalized gambling changes one's fandom, and some of the best responses to a fan superstition question his research team once asked.
And, just because we recorded this around the time Dan's Murray State Racers' baseball team was making a run to the Men's College World Series last month, we might even digress into some talk about them as well.
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Our guest this episode is the 15-year head coach of the Rochester (MI) Christian University men's basketball team, Dr. Klint Pleasant.
Klint also serves as a RCU senior vice president and was just named to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan's 2025 Hall of Fame class where he'll join his father, Garth (Class of 2008).
During our Conversation with Klint we learn about his early life as the child of a successful basketball coach, where his sports interests lay, and how and why he made the decision to pursue coaching.
Klint's also our first guest who's ever participated in an Elite 8 Men's Basketball Game (he was an assistant coach for the Kent State Golden Flashes during their remarkable 2002 tournament run) so we're able to gain some perspective on what that's experience was like.
During his lengthy coach career, Klint's also asssited at Lipscomb University, Wayne State (MI) University, Tennesee-Martin, and was formerly the head coach at Abilene Christian University and that affords him the opportunity to discuss the current state of college athletics.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
In this special episode in advance of Event No. 21 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project (the 120th Midnight Sun Game), we're joined by Bob Eley from Explore Fairbanks to discuss all that greater Fairbanks has to offer its visitors during the Summer Solstice season.
Bob, a former longtime sports writer at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, also shares a good bit about the history of the Midnight Sun Game, hosted by the Fairbanks-based Alaska Goldpanners since 1960.
Among the myriad things to do during the summer in Interior Alaska:
- Morris Thompson Cultural Visitors Center
- Denali National Park
- The Fairbanks Museum
- Chena Hotsprings
- Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
We're joined in this, our 200th episode of Conversations, by New York Times best-selling author, longtime friend, and 1-time housemate, John U. Bacon.
An elusive fella to pin down we were finally able to secure an hour of John's time in late March but have been sitting on this Conversation for such a special occasion.
We learn about the impact the world of sports had on John in 1972 (think Munich Summer Olympics, the NHL-USSR Summit Series, and a pennant-contending Detroit Tigers' team) and learn a bit about his writing process and where some of his ideas emanate from.
And, because John and host Doug Hill were former housemates, there's a few minutes devoted to that special time nearly 35 years ago with special mention of RBI Baseball and "Bowl."
Where you can find John:
- His podcast: Let Them Lead
- His Michigan Public sports essays
- WTKA Radio with Sam Webb
- His next book, The Gales of November: The Untold Stories of the Edmund Fitzgerald is out October 7, 2025
- Facebook, Twitter, & BlueSky
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
Events No. 19 and 20 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project found its way to the Omaha, NE, and Dyersville, IA, respectively, to attend three games at the Men's College World Series and pay a visit to the Field of Dreams movie site.
In this remote recording from a picnic table on the Iowa farm used for the movie, Doug and his dad, offer some quick reflections on the experience at the MCWS and on the grounds where the 1989 Kevin Costner movie was filmed.
And, yes, there might have been time for a quick father-son catch. You can see that video here.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
We are both humbled and delighted to be joined in this special Father's Day Episode of Conversations by the west Michigan father/son team of Jeff and Johnny Agar. Together along with the rest of their family, they are TeamAgar.
The Agars have been in the public eye for over a decade now following Johnny's stated goal to walk the final mile of their church's annual 5K in 2013. That was no small feat as Johnny, diagnosed shortly after birth with cerebral palsy, had only walked 23 steps prior. He succeeded, taking close to two hours to complete the task with hundreds of participants walking with him.
Johnny's dedication, training, and desire to participate in more endurance races has led he and his father (who either pushes or pulls Johnny) to compete in everything from 5Ks to 10Ks to marathons to triathlons to even receiving invitations on two separate occasions for the prestigious Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI.
There's is a story of mutual admiration and gratitude that's been shared by CBS Mornings, NBC's Today Show, and ESPN's E:60 (among many others).
Johnny's also taken a starring turn in a pair of Under Armour commercials:
- One with Olympian Michael Phelps (seen here);
- And one with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (seen here).
We learn about their triumphs and their challenges during our time together and we hear Johnny expound on his famous mantra, "Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn."
And, thanks to the generosity of Johnny and his co-author mother, Becki, we have a signed copy of Johnny's memoir, The Impossible Mile: The Power in Living One Step at a Time, to give away. To enter, please complete this Google Form by no later than Monday, June 23, 2025.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
In advance of host Doug Hill's trip to the Men's College World Series in Omaha, NE, as part of his Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, he's joined by Deborah Ward, the Executive Director of Visit Omaha.
Deborah shares a bit about the history of the MCWS (this will be its 75th year) and how greater Omaha will be filled to the brim with not only college baseball fans but also participants and fans of the over 700 teams participating in one of three of the 23rd annual Omaha Slumpbuster youth tournaments which run during the MCWS.
Deborah also discusses some of the non-baseball places to check out, including:
- Omaha' Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
- The Durham Museum
- The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge aka The Bob (a 3,000-foot supension bridge over the Missouri River connecting Nebraska and Iowa)
- The Joslyn Art Museum
We also learn about how the Reuben Sandwich originated in Omaha and the city's favorite ice cream flavor, Butter Brickle.
Finally, Deborah lets us in on a few secrets behind Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's famous "Omaha" audible call.
For more information about Omaha please visit https://www.visitomaha.com/ or https://www.visitomaha.com/series/.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
We're joined in this episode by Jeff Nelson, a Wisconsin native who first arrived in the Detroit area nearly 30 years ago on a mission (literally, a mission) and has never left.
Currently the pastor at Royal Oak First a United Methodist Church, Jeff is also a huge sports fan.
During our Conversation we learn about his early days as a Milwaukee Brewers fan and how it spread to other Wisconsin sports including, of course, the Green Bay Packers. And no discussion of the Brewers would be complete without noting the passing earlier this year of longtime broadcaster, Bob Uecker.
We also learn about how important sports are to his life as a father, a son, and as a minister.
- First, he discusses a recent Spring Break trip he took with his son that found them watching four NBA games in four different cities (Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Cleveland) over six nights. Not only does Jeff reflect on the special moments spent with his teenage son, but also delivers a terrific breakdown of how the experiences were in each venue were both unique and perfectly aligned with those respective communities;
- Next, he shares how the old Tiger Stadium provided him an escape and a safe haven in 1997 the night before a trip back to Wisconsin for what wound up being goodbye to his mother who was battling leukemia;
- And, finally, he touches on how he consistently sees connections between sports, sports fandom, faith, and passages from the Bible and, as such, how it's natural for him to include such connections in his sermons.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
In this episode we're joined by metro-Detroit elementary physical education teacher and high school girls track coach, Steve Culp.
Beyond working with youngters by day, Steve is a past president of the Detroit Spartans (the Michigan State University metro-Detroit alumni club) and still sits on its Board of Directors.
A Los Angeles, CA, native, we discover how this diehard USC and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders fan, made his way to East Lansing, MI, and the heart of Big Ten country for his college studies.
And not only was Steve a MSU student, but he dove in head first serving as a Spartan football field manager for three season which helped, in part, land an unpaid internship with beloved Raiders. (An internship that yielded a couple of epic stories Steve shares during our Conversation.)
Among the events Steve reflects upon:
- The 1988 Rose Bowl Game when MSU defeated USC, 20-17;
- The 2009 NCAA Men's Final Four in Detroit's Ford Field featuring MSU;
- MSU defeating rival Michigan, 17-7, during the 1993 season at Spartan Stadium;
- Witnessing MSU defeat Stanford,24-20, in the 2014 Rose Bowl;
- The 2013 B1G Championship Game in Indianapolis where MSU defeated unbeaten Ohio State, 34-24.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
We're delighted to be rejoined in this episode by Adam Darowski, an Executive Director of Design for Sports Reference LLC. You know, the entity that brings us sports fans websites like Baseball-Reference, Pro Football-Reference, the subscriber site Stathead, and, now, the Immaculate Grid (for professional baseball, football, basketball [men's & women's], hockey, and soccer).
We catch up with Adam about all things Sports Reference and Immaculate Grid; his interest in baseball research where his current fixation builds on the work of author Scott Simkus's 2014 book, Outsider Baseball: The Weird World of Hardball on the Fringe, 1876-1950, as well as that of fellow researcher, Von Spalding; the trio has curated the professional baseball 4,000-hit club (presently 18 strong, but Miguel Cabrera is 19 hits shy but recently signed to play in the Venezuelan Professional League this fall).We also discuss Adam's growing interest in collecting trading cards (especially of those Outsider All-Stars he's researching).
You'll be able to find Adam - and several others - on YouTube Saturday from noon-midnight EDT during Ordinary Effort's first-ever Grid for a Cure: A 12-Hour ALS Immaculate Gridathon to benefit the ALS Association.
Adam can also be found here on BlueSky.
If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work here. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.
As part of Conversations' host Doug Hill's "Around the World in 80 Sporting Events" project he and his daughter, Helena, attended the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 Memorial Day Weekend.
On their way north to Sunday evening's destination, Helena and Doug share their instant reflections on attending the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" for the first time.
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This episode's guest, Rex Crabtree, is - as nearly every native of Indiana is required to be - a huge basketball fan. Rex, however, zigs a bit while the rest of the Hoosier state zags. He roots for the UCLA Bruins.
Rex was a youngster when a certain Martinsville (IN) High School product, John Wooden, was guiding the Bruins to 10 NCAA Championships. Perhaps not so oddly, Rex also fell in love with the 1968 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers.
We learn about all this and a good bit more during our Conversation with Rex whose business, Photographer of the Stars, has had plenty of close encounters with some legends of the sports world. He shares a few tales about his encounters with the likes of Jeff George, Bob Gibson, Fergie Jenkins, LeBron James, Andrew Luck, Bob Knight, Pete Rose, and, of course, Wooden.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States and we felt it an opportune time to discuss mental health as it relates to athletes.
We're joined in this episode by Dr. Bill Bloom and Matthew Clinton from Michigan-based Start My Wellness.
During our time with Bill and Matt we learn a bit about their own sports fandom, the importance of physical activity as it relates to one's mental health, what types of mental health challenges athletes may face, the impact of concussions on athletes, and a reminder about the importance of wearing a helmet while bike riding.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit theLifeline Chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
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In this special bonus episode of Conversations, host Doug Hill is once again joined by Ken, Maury, Stephen, and Tim to discuss their experience at Tokyo's historic Meiji Jingu Stadium for a Yakult Swallows-Yomiuri Giants crosstown showdown as part of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
The quintet reflect on the 2-1 Swallows, victory it witnessed, the famed umbrella dance, and draw inevitable comparisons between this experience and what they witnessed earlier in the their trip in Korea.
(Note: Doug incorrectly identified the fourth stadium still in use that Babe Ruth played in as being in Yokohama. It is, in fact, Koshien Stadium, home of the Hanshin Tigers.)
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As some of golf's greatest players tee it up this week at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club for the PGA Championship, it seemed an apt time to have Jason Scott Deegan Executive Editor at GolfPass.
A native of Port Huron, MI, how Jason stumbled upon golf and golf writing is quite the story. Now, having played over 1,000 courses across 26 countries he's well-practiced in the art of the game and reviewing courses.
His favorites:
- Cypress Point Club on California's famed Monterey Peninsula. Check out this drone flyover narrated by Jim Nantz.
- Cape Wickham Golf Links on King Island in Tasmania, Australia. And, because you're already on King Island, check out Ocean Dunes Golf Course.
Jason also shares the story of how he came to take ownership of a scorecard collection totaling over 300,000 as well as over 30,000 ball markers.
More from GolfPass:
- U.S. Golf Resorts Guide
- Caribbean Golf Resorts Guide
Find Jason on social media at the following locations:
- X/Twitter
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In this bonus episode, released on Mothers Day 2025, host Doug Hill takes a moment to reflect on his mother and her sports fandom.
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In this special episode, host Doug Hill and his traveling companions Kenneth Herbart, Maury Koffman, Tim Parker, and Stephen Miller, offer their reflections after watching a pair of Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) games in Seoul as part of Doug's Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
(Note: Once the introduction music is complete, listeners may need to pump up the volume a bit as some portion of the recording are faint.)
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We're excited to be joined by one of the foremost photographic chroniclers of the NBA, Nathaniel S. Butler.
(Read to the end to learn how to enter a drawing for a special prize.)
How prolific is Nat, as he's known? Check out the coffee table book he published in September that puts dozens of his most iconic images in one compendium - Courtside: 40 Years of NBA Photography.
During out Conversation with Nat we learn how his photography hobby entering St. John's University turned into role at the student newspaper, The Torch, during the men's basketball heyday of the original Big East Conference with Coach Lou Carnesecca and stars Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, and Walter Berry. That led to shooting the then-Redmen at Madison Square Garden where he encountered such Sports Illustrated photography icons as Walter Iooss Jr., John Iacono, and Manny Millan.
The next thing Nat knew, he was a wet-behind-the-ears 20-something pitching then-NBA Commissioner David Stern the league's Manhattan offices about hiring photographers to document the league.
And now, 40-years later, Nat's still at capturing some of the game's most iconic images:
- The photo of Steph Curry's 2022 lockerroom night-night at the Warriors won the championship? Nat took it;
- LeBron James with his first NBA MVP Award in his high school lockerroom? Nat took it;
- Bill Russell grinning from ear-to-ear with 11 championship rings? Nat took it;
- Celtics' star Jayson Tatum and his son, Deuce, following Boston's 2024 title? Nat took it.
Follow him on Instagram and Twitter/X.
Nat was kind enough to donate a signed copy of Courtside to The Sports Fan Project and we're conducting a random drawing to give it away. To be entered, please complete this Google Form to subscribe to The Sports Fan Projectbefore May 18, 2025, to be entered.
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We're joined in this episode by, Debra Hallum, one of the co-owners of the 1972 Women's Sports Pub in Austin, TX.
The 1972, which opened earlier this year, derived its name from the year in which United States' Title IX law was implemented which, in part, prohibited sex-based discrimination. This led to a boom in women's sports which has only intensified in the past several years.
The 1972 follows in the footsteps of other famous women's sports bars like The Sports Bra (Portland, OR), Rough and Tumble (Seattle, WA), and A Bar of Their Own (Minneapolis, MN), that continue to open nationwide.
The concept of 1972 is simple: All televisions will be tuned to women's sports, college and professional;local and international. Unlike the era Hallum grew up in, there won't be an issue getting a female sporting event on one of the big screens.
There's food and beverage available and, whenever possible, 1972 buys from female-owned and/or female-led providers.
If you find yourself at 1972 located at 2530 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX (mere steps from the UT campus), Debra recommends the Elote Hush Puppy, the 1972 Burger, the Texas Sheet Cake and, of course, a cold beer, from Independence Brewing.
You're able to find 1972 on social media at the following spots:
- Threads
- BlueSky
- Twitter/X
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Scott Stokely has been a part of the disc golf world (and vice versa) for nearly as long as he can remember.
Some good fortune allowed him to discover the sport after his mom moved the two of them into southern California's La Canada Flintridge which just happened to border Pasadena's Oak Grove Disc Golf Club; the United States' first permanent disc course.
During our Conversation with Scott this 39-year disc golf professional takes us on a history lesson of the sport, its ebbs and flows, why he considers golf (disc or ball) to be the most beautiful sport there is, and how disc golf has consistently been there for him, especially after he emerged from addiction struggles.
The winner of 90 professional tournaments - including 17 majors - Scott, in the mid-1990s, owned the Guiness World Record for disc throwing distance (211.3 meters or 693-feet, 3-inches).
Today, Scott lives out of a suitcase as he travels the globe helping to grow the sport that's provided him with so much. Trust us when we say you need to listen until the end to hear tales of disc golf in Vietnam and South Korea.
For more about Scott please visit:
- His website: https://scottstokely.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sostokely/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottStokelyDiscGolf
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScottStokelyDG
- Team Blue Power (Stokely Disc Golf's charitable arm): https://scottstokely.net/bluepowerdiscgolf
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We're joined in this episode by Stephen Miller a Seattle-area native and longtime resident of the Emerald City.
The son of English immigrants, Stephen was smitten by soccer at an early age and it continues today. We discuss plenty about the Sounders, the Reign, how the Pacific Northwest (including Portland and Vancouver) is a soccer hotbed, and its men's squads even play for the Cascadia Cup.
Stephen is a product of the University of California, Berkeley and even studied under famed sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards which has, no doubt, helped undergird Stephen's activist nature as an educator and union leader.
During our discussion we touch on Seattle sports icons such as the Mariners' Edgar Martinez, the Seahawks' Steve Largent, and a pair whom Stephen calls the "First Couple" of Seattle sports, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe.
There's plenty more for listeners to uncover including the status of his quest to visit all Major League Stadiums, his history as a coach of badminton (!?!) among other sports, the importance of athletics for students, the evolution of women's sports, and his excited anticipation for both the FIFA Club World Cup this year and the FIFA World Cup '26 next year that will feature matches in Seattle.
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As the NBA regular-season winds to a close and the Detroit Pistons will once again be among the playoff contestants, we felt it timely to share this Conversation with Rich Kaschalk an individual who's been part of the organizations official scoring crew dating back to the 1981-82 season.
Along the way we learn about Rich's early sports fan memories (Detroit Tigers on the radio) growing up in a family with 10 children. Many of his early core memories are of the magical 1968 Tigers' season and Al Kaline, Dick McAuliffe, and Mickey Stanley. He remembers only a few times the entire family went to Tiger Stadium, but one was on a Bat Day doubleheader against the New York Yankees and pitcher Mel Stottlemyre.
We also learn of his own athletic prowess which led to playing some college baseball at Detroit's Wayne State University, the decision to step off the diamond and focus on his accounting studies, and how he came to work for the Pistons as well some of highs and lows that he's witnessed after over 40 years on the sidelines for home games.
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Earlier this NHL season, John Keating, the longtime Detroit Red Wings' studio host on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, announced his retirement folllowing the conclusion of the Wings' season.
We caught up with John during the NHL's February break for the 4 Nations Face-Off and chatted with, maybe, the only studio hosts many Red Wings and Detroit Tigers' fans have ever known.
During our Conversation with John we learn about his early years as a sports fan growing up in suburban Detroit, cutting his teeth in the Grand Rapids, MI, market; the decade he spent in Denver where he saw the zenith of John Elway, the birth of the MLB's Rockies, and a burgeoning NHL rivalry between the Avalanche and the Red Wings; and, utlimately, his return to Detroit and the ability to work with some of his childhood heroes such as Al Kaline and Ernie Harwell.
Check out John's latest project, his podcast with partner Chris Osgood entitled Ozzy and Keats.
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During Event No. 15 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, Doug and Colin, his sidekick during this event, offer some brief reflections about how their full day at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden is going. The pair were in the crowd for the New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks matinee and again for the New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards nightcap.
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Just in time for Major League Baseball's U.S. Opening Day (we'll discount those Cubs-Dodgers' Tokyo tilts for the moment), we're joined by a fella whose sports travel goals are to see games in every Major and Minor League ballpark. For those of you scoring at home, that's 149 and - to the moment - Justin Byrd's knocked 62 off that list with plans in place to check 10 or more off the ledger this season.
A lifelong southeast lower Michigan native, Justin shares how it all began and how it's going. He also revisits an epic 17-stadium trip he took with his 11-year-old nephew, Tommy, in 2022 that even included a stop at The National Sports Collectors Convention.
And, if you're interested in his favorites thus far, you're in luck! Justin shares his thoughts on his top MLB and MiLB ballparks.
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Our guest this episode is semi-retired sports columnist and author, Mark Whicker.
A North Carolina native, Mark ultimately landed in southern California where he worked at both the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Daily News as a sports columnist for over 30 years, chronicling some of the biggest moments in sports history.
He retired in 2022 but is still scratching his writing itch on Substack with regular takes on the sports and current events at "The Morning After" which he continues to offer free of charge to subscribers.
Mark's also recently published a biography on Dodgers' star and Baseball Hall of Famer, Don Drysdale, entitled Don Drysdale: Up and In the Life of a Dodgers Legend.
Among many topics, we discuss the book, his column, and his journalism career during our time with Mark. And when we ask him to provide us with the three most memorable moments he covered, you just might be surprised by at least one of them.
Here are links to the three, in no particular order:
- A first pitch for the ages
- Winning for your country, Part 1
- Winning for your country, Part 2
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We first met Jim Wikman during an episode featuring him and his fellow NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament junkies aka The Basketball Mavens (S:3, E:12).
In this episode we catch up with Jim, learn about what The Mavens have in store for this year's Tourney (their 28th straight together), as well as his myriad sports travels.
Jim is certainly the first - and likely the final - guest on Conversations to have played golf with Arnold Palmer and hit with tennis legend, Serena Williams.
In addition, we learn of trips to Rose Bowls, World Series, Olympics, The Masters, and an NBA Championship ring! What could possibly be left on Jim's sports fan bucket list? You might be surprised.
Here is a link to the Mavens' book, The Basketball Mavens - Marching to Madness and their X/Twitter account to follow their journeys.
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As high school and collegiate wrestling champions are crowned across the land, we felt it timely to go to the mats with a hardcore amateur wrestling fan.
Todd Oliver isthat guest for us. A Michigan native who currently resides in Chattanooga, TN, Todd was oblivious to the sport of wrestling until his 6-year-old son, Justin, was persuaded to join a local club. An eventual collegiate All-American at Central Michigan University and current assistant coach on the Northwestern University team, Todd's son opened dad's eyes to an entirely new sport to enjoy.
During our Converstaion, Todd shares the emotional roller coaster (and sometimes helplessness) of being a wrestling fan - especially with a child on the mat - as well as his early days of sports fandom.
Relevant links referenced in this episode:
- Wrestler Mark Hall II
- University of Michigan broadcaster Bob Ufer (Bio page and audio highlights)
- New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers Monday Night Baseball Game, 1976 (Boxscore and ABC Broadcast)
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As host Doug Hill works his way through a week's worth of Indiana basketball as part of his Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, we figured it might be a good idea to learn why the game means so much to so many in the state.
To that end, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's Executive Director, Matt Martin, joins us in this bonus episode to discuss what basketball means to the people of Indiana.
A native of Knightstown and a Purdue University graduate, Matt shares his perspectives on the state's love affair with the game at the high school, college, and professional levels.
He also lets listener's know what's new and notable at the Hall of Fame, which recently expanded its footprint by 6,600 square feet.
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We're rejoined by our longtime pal - and now 3-time Conversations' guest - Craig Caswell. (Previous episodes found here and here.)
If you're new to the show, Craig has now seen all 364 NCAA Division I men's basketball teams play in person. That number is two higher than a year ago when we last spoke, thanks to seeing Mercyhurst (vs. Lafayette in December) and Western Georgia (at Bellarmine in February).
In addition to catching up with Craig about D-I's latest schools, we also get updates on some of the other hoops he and his saintly wife, Jaclyn, have seen. Those include trips to South Carolina for some early-season tournament action, a visit to Charleston Southern University's tiny Buc Dome (capacity 881), and a trip to Kansas for games at Kansas State University's Bramlage Coliseum and the University of Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse. (Spoiler alert: He had a favorite. ) Up next are trips to the Big South Conference Tournament in Johnson City, TN, and at least a day of Southeastern Conference Tournament action in Nashville.
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Host Doug Hill is again joined by his father, Jerry, to discuss their recent experience at the University of Kansas' historic Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence as part of Doug's Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
The two do stray, ever so slightly, to discuss a stop in Casey, IL, on their way to Kansas. Casey bills itself as "Big Things in a Small Town."
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In this episode we're joined by a long-ago fellow sports journalist, Paul Dodd.
Dodd, a native of Adrian, MI, and a graduate of the University of Michigan and a 5-year member of the Wolverines' Marching Band, chats not only about all things UM, but also about Detroit-area sports, the Montreal Expos (seriously!), the late 1980s Philadelphia sports scene, a lengthy conversation he had with Arnold Palmer, and his time working for the PGA of America.
It's a rollicking - and sometime meandering:-) - conversation between two friends who hadn't caught up in over 30 years.
College football bowl games Paul referenced:
- 1984 - Sugar Bowl
- 1984 - Holiday Bowl
- 1986 - Fiesta Bowl
- 1987 - Rose Bowl
- 1988 - Hall of Fame Bowl
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In this bonus episode, host Doug Hill and his father, Jerry, discuss their recent visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO.
The visit to the NLBM was Event 12 of Doug's Around the World in 80 Sporting Events retirement project.
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We're joined in this episode by Jee-ho Yoo a native of Incheon, South Korea, who's been covering sports for the country's English-language news service,Yonhap News Agency, since 2010.
There's much more to Jee-ho's story than that of your typical sports writer, however. His father worked for a time in Toronto, Ontario, which afforded Jee-ho the opportunity to experience North American sports up close. He became a fan of the Maple Leafs, Raptors, and Blue Jays, and was hooked.
Jee-ho's story is unlike many you've heard before and is filled with trips to the Asian Games, Olympiads, FIFA World Cups, and, of course, baseball. We discuss theKorean Baseball Organization (KBO) with Jee-ho as well as the Genesis of the golf boom in his native land (Hint: ThinkTiger Woods andSe-ri Pak.)
There's plenty more to discover in this Conversations that takes listeners halfway around the globe.
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We're rejoined in this episode by Virginia middle school math teacher/blogger/podcaster/author Michael O'Connell.
We first chatted with Michael in S:3, E:18. He's back with us to chat about the re-emergence of a bonafide NFL team in the Beltway as well as a certain Washington Capitals' star who is reeling in Wayne Gretzky's NHL mark for career goals scored.
The main reason Michael is back is to discuss his latest book, "From Boxscores to Test Score: Turning Gameday Stats into Everyday Math Skills." It's the sort of mashup that only a sports junkie and school teacher could concoct and (in our opinion) is long overdue.
Then, after discussing education and how best to help the next generation succeed, we careen into another of Michael's passions: movies (he previously authored "The 365 Greatest Movies and the Days You Should Watch Them"). In this case we geeked out about sports movies.
Some of the movies referenced:
- Baseball: Moneyball, The Natural, Fever Pitch, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, The Sandlot
- Football: Rudy, Friday Night Lights, Remember the Titans, Varsity Blues, The Longest Yard
- Basketball: Hoosiers, Semi-Pro, The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh, Fast Break
- Hockey: Slapshot, Miracle
- Other Sports: Caddyshack, Rocky, Raging Bull, Blades of Glory, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Tin Cup, Seabiscuit, Victory, Breaking Away, Wimbledon
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We're joined in this episode by Brooklyn, NY, resident, former Village Voice News Editor, and 2-time published author, Neil deMause.
During our Conversation with Neil we focus heavily on his first book which he co-authored with Joanna Cagan. It's entitled Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money into Private Profit. As the title suggests, deMause and Cagan take a deep dive examining the uniquely American tradition of public funds helping underwrite billionaire owners' desires to build new stadiums and arenas (primarily to their benefit).
In addition to co-authoring the book, Neil maintains the website FieldofSchemes.com where you'll find regular updates on this ongoing practice. You're also able to follow his work on X (formerly Twitter) @FieldofSchemes and on BlueSky @fieldofschemes.bsky.social.
And, fear not, we don't wallow in the mire of stadium economics the entirety of our time with Neil, we also discuss his fondness for the New York Mets and Barcelona FC.
Neil's most recent book is The Brooklyn Wars: The Stories Behind the Remaking of New York's Most Celebrated Borough.
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We're joined in this episode by Larry Schecter, author of The History of Fantasy Sports: And the Stories of the People Who Made it Happen.
Himself an accomplished fantasy sports player, Larry shares both the history of the evolution of fantasy sports as well as a few of the anecdotes he unearthed while researching this, his second book. His first was entitled Winning Fantasy Baseball: Secret Strategies of a Nine-Time National Champion.
You're able to follow Larry on X (formerly Twitter) at @LarrySchechter.
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We're joined in this episode by retired Detroit-area dentist, Dr. Carl Papa. Carl's sports fan journey begins back in 1961 with his beloved Detroit Tigers and some of his his favorite players like Jake Wood, Chico Fernandez, and Steve Boros.
Along the way, we learn of Carl's affinity for all things University of Michigan Wolverines and for tennis. Among the highlights of his spectating years has been witnessing Tigers' pitcher, Denny McLain, win his 30th game on September 14, 1968 against the Oakland A's; the 1971 MLB All Star Game at Tiger Stadium that featured 26 future Baseball Hall of Famers; a Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup clincher; and several U.S. Open Tennis Championships dating back to 1981.
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We're joined in this episode by the President of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Mike Nutter.
A native of northwest Ohio, Nutter's been with the TinCaps organization for 25 years and has helped shepherd the franchise through a name change (formerly the Wizards), the relocation to a new ballpark (now at Parkview Field), and was at the helm when the franchise won the 2009 Midwest League Championship.
Mike was the recipient of the 2022 Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year award and, shortly after our Conversation, he was awarded the The Journal Gazette's "2024 Fort Wayne Area Citizen of the Year" honor.
During out time with Mike he discusses the joys and concerns of operating a High-A Minor League Baseball Franchise. What a TinCap is (and is not). As well as noting some of the future Major League players who have donned a Fort Wayne jersey as a San Diego Padres' affiliate (Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill are but two).
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Following a very full first day of 2025 out and about in Pasadena, CA, as part of Event No. 11 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events, host Doug Hill caught up with traveling partner Tim Parker (previously heard S:1, E:3 and S:3, E:30) to reflect on all that they experienced.
- Run with the Roses 5K
- Tournament of Roses Parade
- Rose Bowl Game
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We're joined in this episode with Rose Bowl (and all things Rose Bowl) super fan, Brent Myers.
Brent, a native of Burton, MI, attended his first Rose Bowl in 1986 and has returned several times since, including every Rose Bowl since 2014 (save the COVID year).
Also an avid collector of sports memorabilia (with, of course, a heavy focus on Rose Bowl paraphernalia) Brent counts among one of his most cherished possessions the high school basketball scorebook of Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Krause's 78-point performance. Krause is also a Burton native.
Among his most memorable Rose Bowls:
- His first in 1986 whe he saw UCLA beat Iowa, 45-28;
- The first with his future wife in 1988 (MSU 20, USC 17);
- The first with his entire family in 2004 (USC 28, Michigan 14);
- And the start of his current streak in 2014, which was also the 100th (MSU 24, Stanford 20),
Other links to items referenced in this episode:
- Greensboro War Memorial Stadium
- Los Angeles Dodgers circa 1981
- The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation
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As we're now inside a week from the playing of the 2025 Rose Bowl between Oregon and Ohio State, we're delighted to be joined in this episode by Brian Brantley, the Vice-President for Advancement at the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation.
A native of the Philadelphia area, Brian has spent the better part of his working life with either professional sports franchises or college athletic programs ranging from the Baltimore Orioles to the Memphis University to the Harlem Globetrotters. He's been with the Rose Bowl's Legacy Foundation for eight years.
During our time with Brian we discuss some of the challenges and triumphs he's faced working in athletics as well as the Foundation's latest goal, it's Lasting Legacy Campaign, and how fans of the iconic stadium can lend their support.
We also learn about the five statues that now adorn various places around the exterior of the Rose Bowl as well as its unique place in American history. Do you know which four U.S. football stadiums have (and continue to retain) National Historic Landmark status by the National Park Service? If you don't Brian will clue you in.
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We're delighted to be joined in this episode by Savannah Bananas co-founder and co-owner, Emily Cole.
The sibling of three athletic brothers in a sports-minded family during her childhood in upstate New York, Emily's involvement in professional sports entertainment seemed destined. Accept, she says, it wasn't until working her first "big girl job" in the corporate world that she realized what she didn't want to do.
During our time with Emily she shares tales of working for several Minor League Baseball franchises, how she and Jesse Cole (her husband and Bananas co-founder) first met, and how a trip to Savannah, GA, and a visit to its historic Grayson Stadium during their wedding celebration planted a seed that's since blossomed into what the Bananas have become.
The Bananas mantra - "Fans First, Entertain Always" - plays out in whatever venue one of the now four barnstorming squads (the Bananas, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Texas Tailgaters [new for 2025]) plays in - including a recently completed "Bananaland at Sea" cruise.
Emily also discusses the Savannah Bananas 501(c)(3) non-profit, Bananas Foster, which aims to celebrate the foster care community, while simultaneously educating and inspiring others to get involved and make a difference in the lives of children and their families.
You're able to keep tabs on all things Bananas via their various social media channels:
- Threads
- TikTok
- X/Twitter
- YouTube
- BlueSky
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We're joined in this episode by former Miami Marlins VP of Ticket Sales, Ryan Bertschman.
Ryan spent over two decades working for professional sports teams (primarily in the ticket sales area) including the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers and Fever, the Detroit Pistons and Shock, the Florida Panthers, and the Marlins.
During our fascinating discussion, we learn about the different marketing tactics needed for franchises without much history (the Colts, the Panthers, and the Marlins) juxtaposed with a more storied franchise such as the Pistons.
We also discover how Ryan became drawn to working in sports (he credits a then-Cleveland Lumberjacks employee named Manny Rodriguez for sparking his interest) to what it was like to have a boss named Derek Jeter.
An Ohioan by birth, there's also a nod or two to Ryan's love of the Buckeyes.
He counts among his in-person sports viewing highlights:
- The 2004 Pistons NBA Championship
- The 2017 MLB All-Star Game in Miami
- The Colts' January 21, 2007, 38-34, AFC Championship victory over the New England Patriots
- Being in AT&T Stadium on January 12, 2015 to see OSU beat Oregon, 42-20, for the CFP Championship.
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We're joined in this episode by longtime Lansing Public Schools educator and activist, Alfonso Salais Jr. The son of Mexican immigrants, Alfonso shares his journey as a sports fan growing up in Michigan's capital city. Listening to the Detroit Tigers on the radio was a common practice as was pulling for the nearby Michigan State Spartans. It was not until much later in life that he attended his first MSU at Spartan Stadium when MSU hosted Alfonso's alma mater, Central Michigan University (in either 1991 or 1992), and the Chippewas upset the Spartans.
Alfonso is also a big fan of his children's athletic pursuits: Daughter Gabi played soccer and volleyball as a youngster; son Alejandro played baseball and ran cross country; and son Laz is currently a goalkeeper at the University of Findlay (OH).
On Alfonso's sports bucket list is getting to Houston in 2026 to visit his sister and see some FIFA Men's World Cup action.
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The LPGA concluded its season last weekend in Naples, FL, with its CME Group Tour Championship. Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul finished eagle-birdie to win by a single stroke and claim a record, $4 million winner's purse.
There to help relay the action to viewers was Golf Channel's Amy Rogers. A contributor to Golf Channel, ESPN+, the LPGA, and BBC, Rogers is our guest in this episode of Conversations.
A product of Syracuse University's famed S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications shares her journey as a golf fan from that first moment her father took her 6-year-old self out to play a par-3 course.
During our time with Amy, she shares some of her life's seminal moments: Attending the Monday practice round at the 1999 Masters during her high school spring break; her meeting with Scott VanPelt (then at the Golf Channel) during the Memorial Tournament that led to an internship at Golf Channel; working as part of NBC's 2024 Paris Olympics Team covering women's golf.
She counts as her three most memorable moments as a professional journalist:
- Being present at Gleneagles, Scotland, in 2019 when Norway's Suzann Pettersen won the decisive singles match for Team Europe in the Solheim Cup and then surprisingly announced her retirement;
- Being present at Kingsbarns Link for the the 2017 Ricoh (now AIG) Women's Open;
- And being at the 2023 PGA Canadian Open when news of LIV Golf and the PGA Tour's framework agreement broke.
Amy may be found on X/Twitter @theamyrogers and on Instagram @the_amy_rogers.
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In advance of Event No. 10 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events (SEC Football Rivalry Weekend), we're joined by Robins Bonner, Senior Sport Sales and Event Development Manager at Visit Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama which hosts in-state rival, Auburn University, in the annual Iron Bowl on Saturday, November 30.
A native of Mobile and graduate of Alabama, Bonner is uniquely qualified to give us the 4-1-1 on what there is to see and do in Tuscaloosa.
Among the highlights he provides:
- The Civil Rights History Trail
- Kentuck Arts Center & Festival
- The Riverwalk
- Barbecue at Archibalds, Dreamland, and/or Moe's
- UBK aka Urban Bar & Kitchen a USA Today honoree
- And Bonner's must-try for southern comfort food ... City Cafe
For more information about Tuscaloosa, please follow this link: visittuscaloosa.com
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In advance of Event No. 10 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events (SEC Football Rivalry Weekend), we're joined by Nadia Thornton, Director of Sales and Marketing at Visit Oxford (MS).
Oxford is home to the University of Mississippi (aka Ole Miss) which hosts its in-state rival, Mississippi State, in the annual Egg Bowl on Friday, November 29.
Thornton, a graduate of Ole Miss, provides us the inside scoop on all things Oxford, including its place in literary history (authors William Faulkner and John Grisham have both called it home), nods to its namesake Oxford, England (Wonderbird Distillery, British phone booths, and the Double Decker Arts Festival ), and a James Beard-awarded chef John Currence and his City Grocery Restaurant Group.
For all the details on Oxford, we invite you to follow this link: https://visitoxfordms.com/
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In this episode we're joined by Joe Hilliard, assistant football coach at Odessa (TX) Permian High School.
If that high school name sounds familiar, it might be because Permian was the location of both the best-selling book and movie, "Friday Night Lights" and the basis for the successful television program of the same name.
Joe is actually a transplanted Texan. He was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Detroit and answered a LinkedIn posting on a whim to wind up in Texas.
During our discussion, Joe shares how he was a reluctant athlete and sports fan until one of his middle school coaches persuaded him to come to a football meeting. The rest, as they say, is history that's still being written near the oil fields of the Permian Basin.
Joe also pulls the curtain back on what high school football is like in Texas, where Permian (8-3) will visit second-ranked North Crowley (11-0) in the second round of the state's 6A Division I football playoffs this Friday.
- Other episode referenced, Todd Bloch (S:2, E:56)
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In this special bonus episode, host Doug Hill was recently interviewed by friend of Conversations, Fred Inniger, on Inniger's weekly sports talk show, "The Hawk Sports Talk," from WAWK 95.5 FM in Kendallville, IN.
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It took the better part of a year to get schedules to jibe, but we're happy to have Pat Schutte (he of the Fan Teaser inspiration at The Sports Fan Project) join us in this episode.
Pat takes us on his personal fandom journey through stick & ball to boarded to wheeled and even hoofed sports.
We learn quite a bit about Motocross, Supercross, Super Motocross, Moto GP, Road America, and Supermoto.
Not to mention baseball, skateboarding, snowboarding, equestrian, and even lacrosse.
Plus, Pat recalls a significant injury he sustained on a snowboard back in 1992 that left him convalescing in a wheelchair for several weeks.
It's a wonderful opportunity to eavesdrop on a pair of old friends catching up about all things sport.
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In this episode we're joined by Jimmie James, a retired executive from Exxon Mobil, who upon retiring set out on a quest to the play the 100 greatest courses in the United States (as determined by Golf Digest) in one year. (Here's the 2023 rankings.)
Not only did Jimmie accomplish the feat, he chronicled the accomplishment in his memoir, Playing from the Rough: A Personal Journey Through America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses.
Jimmie's story is more than just about playing a lot of golf, however. Born into poverty in East Texas, his is a story about perseverance and overcoming the odds.
He shares recollections about his life, his experiences with golf, and so much more during this Conversation. We learn of Jimmie's connection to the first Super Bowl, what the Houston Astrodome was like, and what he was thinking driving down Magnolia Lane on his way to play 18 holes at the exclusive Augusta National Golf Club.
Find Jimmie's blog about each of his 100 rounds here.
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Host Doug Hill provides some reflections from Event No. 9 of his Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project; the Xfinity 500 NASCAR Race at Martinsville Speedway.
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Our guests in this special episode are Sarah Hodges and Kelly Rowland from the Martinsville-Henry County (VA) Economic Development Corporation.
We're speaking to Sarah and Kelly in advance of Event No. 9 of Around the World in 80 Sportings Events, the Xfinity 500 NASCAR Semifinal Race at historic Martinsville Speedway.
During our time with Sarah and Kelly we get a good overview on what this part of the Commonwealth has to offer. You'll find the following links helpful:
- Visit Martinsville
- Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival
- Virginia Museum of Natural History
- Philpott Lake
- Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail
- Piedmont Arts
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We're joined in this episode by Fr. Burke Masters from St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale, IL. In addition to his responsibilities at St. Isaac's, Fr. Burke also serves as the nearby Chicago Cubs' Catholic Chaplain.
Fr. Burke's work with the Cubs is, shall we say, on brand for him. A highly recruited high school baseball player out of Joliet, IL, Fr. Burke wound up in Starkville, MS, playing four seasons at Mississippi State University's legendary Coach Ron Polk. Fr. Burke even blasted a grand slam homer during the Regional Final Series against top-ranked Florida State University in 1990 to help the Bulldogs qualify for the Men's College World Series.
He's chronicled his path from baseball player to the priesthood in his autobiography, A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest. You're able to find much of Fr. Burke's latter-day works on his blog and his YouTube Channel.
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In this episode we're joined by Colin Prater, a high school science teacher and golf coach from Colorado Springs, CO.
Also an avid sports fan, those reasons alone are enough to engage in a Conversation, but wait until you check out the past six months Colin's enjoyed:
- Played in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, PA
- Placed second in his U.S. Open Qualifier at Pronghorn Resort in Bend, OR, to qualify
- Played in the 124th U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, NC
- He and his wife welcomed their second daughter, Logan
- Played in the U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN
- Played in the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Kinloch Golf Club in Manakin-Sabot, VA
- The Cheyenne Mountain HS Boys Golf Team (the one he coaches) won the Colorado 4A State Championship
Suffice to say, we cover quite a lot of territory and even find a bit time to talk Denver Broncos Super Bowls.
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Del Reid, one of the co-founders of the #BillsMafia movement joins us in this episode.
Along the way we discover a bit about Del's early years as a sports fan, how the #BillsMafia came to be, and how its grown in the 13-plus years since.
We also learn about the philanthropic arm of the Bills Mafia and how Del's enterprise, 26 Shirts, plays a role in that arena.
Links:
- Bills' Receiver Stevie Johnson's dropped overtime touchdown pass that served as an impetus for #BillsMafia movement
- Buffalo FAMBase Linktree
- Adam Schefter's X/Twitter Handle (if you're interested;-)
- 26 Shirts
- Bills Mafia story from a 2023 episode of the Today Show
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Host Doug Hill is joined in this bonus episode by friends Rob Byrd (previously hear on S:1, E:5) and Macker Wilson, both of whom joined him for a portion of Event No. 8 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events: the Texas Football Trifecta.
Doug recently attended a Friday Night Lights game in Odessa's historic Ratliff Stadium (Permian 50, Odessa 26), Saturday afternoon's Red River Rivalry (Texas 34, Oklahoma 3), and Sunday's Lions-Cowboys game (Detroit 47, Dallas 9).
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We've taken the show on the road for this episode, all the way to Abilene, TX, where we're joined by Al Pickett, Chairman of the Big Country (TX) Athletic Hall of Fame.
In addition to his role with the Hall, Al has served in various media capacities during the past 50 years covering high school and college athletics. He's the former sports editor of the Abilene Reporter-News and is currently the play-by-play voice of Hardin-Simmons University's football and basketball teams. And if his voice sounds comfortable talking that's thanks to his 20 years hosting "Let's Talk Sports" a daily call-in sports show.
Al's also authored or co-authored five books focusing primarily on Texas football:
- Wishbone Wisdom: Emory Bellard Texas Football Visionary
- Team of the Century
- The Greatest Texas Sports Stories You've Never Heard
- Brother's Keeper: The Story of the 2009 Abilene High State Championship
- Mighty, Mighty Matadors
Who better then to discuss host Doug Hill's current trip to Texas for Event 8 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events (the Texas Football Trifecta: Friday Night Lights, the Red River Showdown, and Lions-Cowboys).
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In this special bonus episode, host Doug Hill reflects on his brief but enjoyable time at the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club as part of his Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
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In this episode we're joined by the John Creasey, the Mayor of Grand Blanc, MI. Why is that significant you ask? Well, Grand Blanc is the home of double Paris Olympic Bronze Medalist, Grant Fisher. Fisher took third in the 10K (video here) and 5K (video here).
*Update: Following the recording and scheduling of this episode, Mayor Creasey informed us that September 27 was named Grant Fisher Day in the City of Grand Blanc and the indoor track at the Genesys Fitness Center was renamed in his honor. In neighboring Grand Blanc Township, August 2 was named Grant Fisher Day and he was presented a bronze of his running shoe. He also served as Grand Marshal of the Grand Blanc High School Homecoming Parade and was awarded as a distinguished alumni.Beyond discussing possible keys to the city and such, we also talk about John's roots as a sports fan which trace back to Kentucky. He's a supporter of the Wildcats and, in fact, attended the university for a couple of years. He's also been in the Flint, MI, area most of his adult life so there's discussion about some of that area's athletic royalty such as basketball's Terry Furlow, football's Brad Van Pelt, and baseball's Rick Leach.
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We're joined in this episode by Dave Raymond who is, perhaps, best known as the original "best friend" of the Phillie Phanatic.
The son of the late-University of Delaware head football coach Tubby Raymond (36 seasons and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame) and himself a player for the Blue Hens, Dave's story of how he went from being driven to follow in his father's footsteps as a coach to the man inside the green suit charged with developing one of baseball's greatest characters is fascinating.
Long-since retired from the his Phanatic role, Dave continues to consult for organizations who might be creating or reimagining mascots, is a keynote speaker to various organizations with his Evolution of Happinesstalk, a published author (The Power of Fun), and the founder of the Mascot Hall of Fame (whose doors have now closed, welp:-(.
During our Conversation with Dave we learn about his life as a sports fan, his journey into the costume, a few of his highlights, how he came to be in a bat boy uniform on the Phillies' bench during road games of both the 1980 National League Championship Series and World Series, and that now viral moment when Los Angeles Dodgers' manager Tommy Lasorda had, seemingly, had his fill of the Phanatic's antics.
And that book Dave (and Oprah) recommends: Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey.
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This week's guest, Andrew Powerski, says his love of the University of Michigan football team began with - of all things! - watching the second-ranked Wolverines lose to top-ranked Ohio State, 42-39, back in 2006.
He's been hooked ever since. And while this season may be off to a wobbly start in Ann Arbor, Andrew notes he will always have last year's National Championship.
In addition to heavy doses of Wolverine talk, we also discuss EA Sports' NCAA College Football, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Lions, and the infamous "Malice at The Palace" Detroit Pistons' game when the Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace) mixed it up with fans.
In addition, we discuss Andrew's alma mater, Oakland University led by gunner Jack Gohlke, Cinderella Story during the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
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We're joined in this episode by Evan Jewson, a University of Alabama graduate and current Systems Engineer for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's 45 Car as part of the IndyCar Series.
If, like us, you're curious how a hockey-playing, Chicago Blackhawks'-loving, high schooler from Lake in the Hills, IL, wound up in Tuscaloosa, AL, and became enamored with autoracing and found his way into IndyCar ... well, you're in luck!
Evan shares that journey, his faith in Connor Bedard, as well as what it's like watching football in Bryant-Denny Stadium, what it was like being deprived seeing football in person during COVID, his thoughts on the Tide's transition to Coach Kalen DeBoer, and his thoughts on NIL and the Transfer Portal.
Plus, he helps educate the auto racing-challenged host to better understand the ins and outs and the technical side of racing.
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In advance of Event 6 of host Doug Hill's Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project (the Solheim Cup), he's joined in this special bonus episode by Kevin Costello, Tourism of Director of Prince William County, VA.
The Solheim Cup will be contested at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club which is located in Gainesville which sits in PWC.
Kevin provides some background on how the Cup came to be in the Washington, D.C. suburbs as well as what there is to see and do in Prince William County after the golf if completed.
For more on PWC check out this link.
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We're joined in this episode by singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. John's better known by his stage name, Five for Fighting, which he divined from the vernacular for announcing hockey's fighting major penalty.
A native of Los Angeles, Ondrasik was in on the NHL's Kings early. He shares with us memories of plentiful seats in the Forum from bygone days as well as his vivid recollections of the day Wayne Gretzky was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers.
Throughout his career, there's been an intersection between he and athletes (Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille and American soccer legend Landon Donovan to name a couple) as well as his music and sports. Among Five for Fighting's chart-toppers are Superman (It's Not Easy), 100 Years, The Riddle, Easy Tonight, and Chances.
He's performed at the Daytona 500, the NHL's Heritage Classic at Dodger Stadium, Monday Night Football, and on ESPN's Sports Center. He's even done some writing for Sports Illustrated!
We also discuss a performance he wishes he'd never had to make: Of "Superman (It's Not Easy)" on October 20, 2001 at Madison Square Garden as part of the Concert for New York (hear his performance at this link).
You're able to learn more about Five for Fighting, including its upcoming tour with a string quartet, its website: https://fiveforfighting.com/
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In this episode we're joined by the father-son duo of Scott and Isaac Ellingson.
The Ellingsons live in Wisconsin (barely!) but primarily root for Minnesota's pro teams. We learn the whys, hows, and whatfors of this early on and then turn our attention to discovering "What Scott and Isaac did during their summer vacation?"
Turns out, quite a lot!
During a two-plus week stretch in Spain, the pair witnessed the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, a bullfight, being in Spain to witness its victory over England in the Euro 2024 Championship, and then hiked a major part of the Camino de Santiago.
A full summer for Scott and Isaac means a full episode for our listeners.
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We're joined by Tonja Marshall, the Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Canton (OH), in this special bonus episode in advance of Event 5 of our host's Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project: Visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Yes, the Hall of Fame, its annual enshrinement ceremony, and exhibition game are big drawing cards for this city of about 70,000 in northeast Ohio, but Tonja reminds us there's quite a lot more to experience in what she refers to America's Playing Field.
In downtown Canton's Centennial Plaza there's the walkable art exhibit entitled "The ELEVEN" highlighting the 11 greatest moments in professional football. Also found in the Plaza are pilons listing every player from pro football's first 100 years. If art's your thing, there's also the Canton Museum of Art as well as the neighboring Massillon Museum which combines art and history and includes, within, the Paul Brown Museum, aka the inventor of the modern game of football.
If history's more your bag, Canton is home to the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum as well as the First Ladies National Historic Site and the MAPS Air Museum.
And for fans of the quirky, how about the Troll Hole Museum in nearby Alliance.
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With the Paris Olympics fresh in our memories and the Paris Paralympics about to get started, we're joined in this episode by Ken Hanscom who's as knowledgeable about the Olympics as anyone.
Ken and his wife, Ashley, have now attended the past four Olympics that permitted a full spectator experience (2012 London, 2016 Rio, 2018 Pyeong Chang, and 2024 Paris). Along the way, Ken's picked up plenty of tips and tricks that he shares on his Facebook groups Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Planning and Preparation as well as Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics Planning and Preparation.
Ken's also created an online guide for attendees of the Games (here's the Paris edition).
During our discussion with Ken we learn about some tips for planning future trips to the Olympics, about nation's Hospitality Houses, his favorite moments from attending 36 events in Paris, as well as what he's anticipating for LA28.
You're able to find and follow Ken on X (@KenHanscom) and Instagram (@TheKenHanscom).
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In advance of Event 4 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events (Little League Baseball World Series) we speak to Jason Fink. Jason is the President and CEO of the Lycoming County (PA) Visitors Bureau. Lycoming County is home to both Williamsport and South Williamsport.
For those who might be planning to visit the LLBWS this year (or sometime in the future), Jason provides listeners with some not-to-be-missed things to do in the region. These include the Susquehanna River and its myriad outdoor activities, the Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat, Millionaire's Row Historic District, and, of course, all that Little League offers (the Museum, the Original sight, and Historic Bowman Field [home of the annual MLB Little League Classic]).
Jason also offers up some spots to grab a bite or a brew as well as the fun fact that there are three Pop Tart plans located in Lycoming County. Those sights pump out 4 million pop tarts, daily.
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Our guest this week is Tej Seth, a football analytics afficianado who attempts to teach our retired English teacher host a thing or two about the math and science of professional football.
Tej is the co-host of the Stats and Scheme podcast along with Shawn Syed. The show has just begun its second season where the hosts take a deep dive into football analytics. You're also able to follow Tej on X/Twitter @tejfbanalytics.
Along the way we learn about Tej's origin story as a sports fan (Hint: It involves one of the biggest upsets in the Big House's history) as well as what being a football fan has meant to him. He also shares how and when he began marrying his love of football and his love of math and coding.
lf you suddenly find yourself discussing "expected points added" or "get off speed" you'll, no doubt, have Tej to thank for this.
He even tosses in a few thoughts on who's worth a draft pick in your upcoming Fantasy Football Drafts.
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In this special bonus episode of Conversations we catch up with three generations of the Hill Family that recently attended Event 3 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events: Cubs-Cardinals at Wrigley Field. It's a fly-on-the-wall sort of episode as host Doug Hill tries to keep everyone on topic to reflect on a wonderful day at in the Friendly Confines.
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We're joined in this special bonus episode by Mary Nedbalski, Chicago's Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce's Marketing and Membership Director.
Lakeview East is the part of Chicago that includes the Wrigleyville neighborhood, home to historic Wrigley Field. That location is the site of the next stop on host Doug Hill's "Around the World in 80 Sporting Events" project.
Mary provides listeners with plenty of facts and figures as it relates to Wrigley Field, Wrigleyville, and the entire Lakeview East area. For example, 7.1 million different visitor passed through Wrigleyville in 2023, Wrigley Field employs 7,000 workers, and Wrigleyville brings in over a quarter billion dollars in revenue annually.
If you're considering a trip to Chicago's northside anytime soon (for Cubs' action, big-name concerts, Northwestern football, or myriad other events) this is an episode for you.
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We're delighted to be joined by the dean of Detroit professional sports broadcasting, George Blaha.
George has been calling Detroit Pistons games for going on 50 years and, just because there's more time in the year, he's also been calling Michigan State University football for nearly as long.
During our time with George, he enlightens us to the impact of the University of Iowa football coach Forest Evashevski and St. Louis Cardinals' broadcasters Jack Buck and Harry Caray on his development as both a sports fan and his eventual interest in broadcasting.
He also traces his career back to that bit of luck he experienced in 1976 when he landed the Pistons' job, some of the memorable moments witnessed in person along the way, as well as how he developed his unique broadcast style/vernacular.
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In this episode we enjoy a Conversation with the Eugene, OR, husband-and-wife duo of John and Jennifer Scurlock. With track and field competition set to begin at the Paris Summer Olympics we felt the timing was just right to catch with this pair who were able to see several sessions of the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene.
Along the way we discuss everything from Olympians from year's past such as Flo Jo and Gail Devers to current members such as local product Jaida Ross (shot put), Sha'Carri Richardson (sprints), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (hurdles), Gabby Thomas (sprints), Ryan Crouser (shot put), teenager Quincy Wilson (400 meters), and Noah Lyles (sprints).
And, just because he seems to be everywhere in Paris (and was in Eugene, too), Snoop Dogg is referenced.
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Back in late May I took the 75 step journey (maybe!) across my backyard with my recording device and a bottle of Willett Pot Still Bourbon in hand to have a visit with my neighbor, Paul Merkourios.
We had a lovely conversation, discussing plenty about all Detroit teams - the Lions and Tigers, especially - as well as the recently completed NFL Draft in Detroit, the University of Michigan football team, Greek dancing, and what it's lke to be a sports fan struggling with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
Then the technology gremlins attacked. It was a nearly catastrophic tech disaster, but thanks to a tremendous amount of tedious work by our in-house technology specialist (yay, Carol!) the recording was recovered and we offer it in its entirety today.
While some references are now a bit dated, we hope you still find our Conversation with Paul enjoyable and informative (both M.S. and Greek dancing).
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We catch up briefly with our sidekick (and wife<3), Carol Hill, to garner her perspective on attending The 152nd Open Championship.
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We're joined in this episode by Jason Brunner-Burns. Jason was born and raised in Ludington, MI, and has recently relocated there with his family.
A lifelong golfer and golf fan, Jason is now the junior varsity golf coach for Ludington High School and recently introduced his soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter to the game.
As befits an episode airing the opening day of The 152nd Open Championship, we talk a lot of golf during our time with Jason. He touches on those players he admired (David Duval and Phil Mickelson), LIV Golf, courses he's played (East Lake Golf Club), and others he'd like to play (Pebble Beach Golf Links, Augusta National Golf Club, Bandon Dunes Golf Course, and the Old Course at St. Andrews).
Jason also gives us a brief overview of the Jack Nicklaus redesign of the old Grand Haven Country Club, now known as American Dunes Golf Club. It supports Folds of Honor and salutes fallen U.S. military personnel daily.
Oh yeah, we also touch on a bit of Detroit Lions' football, the first event he remembers attending - Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions, November 17, 1991 - had a tragic outcome. Lions' lineman Mike Utley was injured and became paralyzed from the waist down.
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We're joined by South Ayrshire (Scotland) County Councillor Alec Clark to discuss what's what about this week's 152nd Open Championship played at Royal Troon Golf Club that lies within South Ayrshire County.
Alec was a wealth of knowledge and shares that over 150,000 spectators will flow into the community of Troon this week (population about 15,000 on a normal day) and bring with them about 200 million pounds sterling. Alec also shares background on all that goes into the planning process for an event of this magnitude.
Most importantly, perhaps, Alec provides us a bit of an insider's perspective on what else there is to see and do in South Ayrshire. See this helpful link for even more information.
Alec's suggestions on what's of interest:
- Dundonald Castle - Historic home to Scotland's King Robert II
- Robert Burns' Birthplace Museum - Scottish poet and lyricist
- Culzean Castle - With the famed "Eisenhower Suite," a favored spot of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- Aisla Craig - An island 10 miles west of Girvan in South Ayrshire. This is the island where granite was mined to make curling stones into the 1970s, many of which are still in use today.
- Turnberry Golf Club - Also in the rotation of Open sites, it sits in South Ayrshire
- James Braid-designed Golf Courses - The first was Girvan Golf Course in South Ayrshire
- A.D. Rattray Whiskies of Distinction - A noted distillery in South Ayrshire.
- Scotts Bar & Restaurant in Troon
- Wildings Restaurant on Maidens Harbour
- Shopping in Ayr and Troon
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Award-winning visual storyteller, Jean Fruth, rejoins us on this episode. Jean initially appeared, along with her Grassroots Baseball co-founder Jeff Idelson, on Season 2, Episode 50.
We catch up with Jean this time in order to get an update on her various projects, including Grassroots Baseball: Women. She updates us on her travels to Uganda, Cuba, and South Korea in search of women playing baseball.
Jean also gives us sports fans and amateur photographers some pointers for shooting events we attend (whether in arenas and stadiums or at the local ballfield watching our children). You're able to check out a recent video series she was profiled in by B&H Photo-Video-Audio entitled “On Deck: With Jean Fruth” here, here, and here.
Finally, at the time of this recording, the sports world had just lost Willie Mays. Jean has photographed Mays several times, including the 2017 opportunity to shoot Mays and his dog, Giant, and she reflects on what it was like to photograph the Say Hey Kid.
We're a bit biased but believe Jean is a marvelous Instagram follow. Find her @JeanFruthImages.
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Our guest in this bonus Conversation is Mike McClary. Mike's no stranger to the show, having appeared in S:1, E:9 and again as the guest host in S:2, E:27 when he talked to our host, Doug Hill, on the show's first anniversary.
This time we devote the entirety of our time with Mike to discussing he and wife Sheryl's recent trip to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, England.
Mike, with a brief assist from Sheryl, takes us through the impetus for the trip, how it came to be, and what the experience was like on a day with "rain of biblical proportions." Mike even provides a few pointers for anyone who might be thinking about attending.
Here are the recaps of the three matches the McClarys witnessed live:
- Jasmine Paolini def. Madison Keys, 6-3, 6-7 (8), & 5-5 retired.
- Jannik Sinner def. Ben Shelton, 6-2, 6-4, & 7-6 (9).
- Daniil Medvedev def. Grigor Dimitrov, 5-3 retired.
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We're joined in this episode by Carl Sterrett, an Alaskan for 51 years now. Like many Alaskans, Carl is a transplant. He's carried his fandom and passion for the Cincinnati Reds 4,000 miles north. Similary, he's still an ardent supporter of the Minnesota Vikings and, thanks to attending college in Fort Collins, he also has a soft spot for the Denver Broncos and the now Colorado Avalanche (but, then, the Colorado Rockies coached by Don Cherry) and the Boston Celtics (thanks to Larry Bird).
As befits an Independence Day episode, there's plenty of baseball talk. Carl discusses his Mount Rushmore of Major Leaguers, the opportunity he had to meet a couple of them in Alaska, his work in starting an adult baseball league in Anchorage, and trivia about the 1971 MLB All-Star Game and Reggie Jackson's historic performance in the 1977 World Series.
Oh, yeah, he also waxes poetic about the now-defunct Great Alaska Shootout men's basketball Thanksgiving tournament.
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Tracey Martinson and Tim Parker, friends of Conversations as well as The Sports Fan Project, join us just a few hours after they witnessed the peloton zip by them on its way the Tour de France's Stage 5 finish in Saint-Vulbas.
Tracey and Tim discuss what pulled them to taking the The Tour, the significance of Mark Cavendish's record-setting 35th stage victory (breaking the mark he'd shared with the legendary Eddy Merckx).
The lucky duo also acknowledge their big event attendance during this European holiday isn't quite over ... they have tickets on Wimbledon's Court 1, July 11.
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We're joined in this episode by Monsignor Thomas Machalski, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bayside, NY. In addition to his full-time duties at Sacred Heart, Msgr. Thomas also serves as the New York Mets' Team Chaplain.
This is actually his second tour with the Mets, he previously served from 2007-11 before he was re-assigned out of state, and resumed the role in 2023.
It's a bit of a dream job for Msgr. Thomas who grew up a fan of the 1969 Miracle Mets, inheriting his fandom from his father.
During our time together, Msgr. Thomas gives a brief history of a MLB Team Chaplain role (a request by then-Met Rusty Staub got it started), what the role entails (think of a quick Sunday mass for all team/stadium personnel), and what the role has been like for him.
He also shares memories of his 1969 idols (Tommie Agee, Cleon Jones, Ed Charles, Jerry Grote, Tug McGraw, and Ed Kranepool) as well as the 1986 World Series champs.
Our Conversation takes a more somber turn when Msgr. Thomas shares what it was like to be a priest on site at the Twin Towers following 9/11 as well as what it was like to be in Shea Stadium on September 21, 2001, when the Mets' returned home to face their NL East rival, Atlanta Braves, and Mike Piazza blasted a go-ahead homerun.
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Our guest in this episode is Brooks Miller, head men's basketball coach of the reigning NCAA Division III National Champion Trine (IN) University.
Himself a 3-sport star growing up in rural northwest Ohio, Brooks played collegiately first at the University of Toledo and later at Hillsdale College.
He began his coaching at Hillsdale as an assistant to his coach, Ed Douma, before finding his way to Lubbock, TX, where he served as a graduate assistant to Bob Knight and was on staff with Pat Knight and current Ole Miss coach Chris Beard. From Texas Tech he joined the staff at South Plains College in Levelland, TX, working under Coach Steve Green.
During our time with Brooks, he shares what it was like growing up on a pig farm just south of the Michigan border, his love of the Detroit Tigers (Darrell Evans, in particular), Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, and football, basketball, and baseball as an athlete.
We also hear tales about his time as an assistant coach, what it's like coaching in Division III where no athletic scholarships exist, and, of course, this spring's run to the National Championship which culminated in Fort Wayne, IN, before a partisan Trine crowd with a 69-61 victory over top-seeded Hampden-Sydney.
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Fresh off spending two days walking Pinehurst No. 2 during U.S. Open Men's Golf Championship week, we're joined once again by Jerry Hill (S:1, E:2 & S:3, E:26), about what the experience of seeing the fabled Pinehurst course in person was like, how a modern U.S. Open compares to those he'd seen previously, and who he'd like to see winning on Sunday.
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On the eve of this year's U.S. Open Men's Golf Championship, we spoke to Jerry Hill (S:1, E:2), about why visiting Pinehurst No. 2 has been on his list of courses to see and what he's most looking forward to experiening during visits Wednesday and Thursday of Open Week along with host (and son), Doug Hill.
We'll have a later-than-usual regular weekly episode release this week to capture Jerry's thoughts post-visit.
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In this special episode we're joined by Phil Werz, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pinehust, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau to discuss this week's Men's U.S. Open Golf Championship which will is being played at Pinehurst #2.Known as the Home of American Golf, PInehurst #2 is hosting the U.S. Open for the fourth time. It's inaugural Open occurred in 1999 and was won by the late Payne Stewart. This year's tournament marks the 25th anniversary of Stewart's win as well as the 1,000 all-time USGA Championship. Werz takes us through a rapid-fire tour of all that is Moore County during our 15 minutes with him. Some useful links: Piedmont Region Fort Bragg Weymouth Woods State Park Southern Pines World Golf Hall of Fame USGA Golf House Home of American Golf YouTube Channel Home of American Golf Instagram Home of American Facebook PageIf you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider making occasional donations here to keep this podcast commercial free.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesportsfanproject/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thesportsfanproject/support
We're excited to be joined this week by singer/songwriter David Barrett. While David's name likely doesn't ring too many bells, his most recognizable piece, "One Shining Moment," is probably ingrained in college basketball fans' minds across the globe.
Along with highlights from the 3-week NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, CBS/Turner has played "One Shining Moment" at the conclusion of Monday's championship game every year since 1987. David is the composer, writer, and original performer. Currently, the Luther Vandross recording is used. Other performers have included Teddy Pendergrass, Jennifer Hudson, and Ne Yo.
Unsurprisingly, David is also a sports fan. In fact, his grandfather, Goodloe Rogers, played college baseball at the University of Michigan for Coach Branch Rickey and was teammates with National Baseball Hall of Famer, George Sisler. David even played a bit of college basketball at Albion (MI) College, before turning his attention to his studies in Philosophy.
During our time with David we learn of the beginning of his love of music (the hills really were alive that night in Detroit's Fisher Theater, thanks to Mary Martin), how his "little miracle" came to be on the back of a napkin while watching Larry Bird on an East Lansing bar's TV chatting up a waitress, and how an old high school friend, Armen Keteyian, got it into the hands of someone at CBS who realized what he had, the late Doug Towey.
It is nearly an hour of your time you won't soon regret.
Other individuals referenced:
- Bump Elliott
- Satchel Paige
- Jackie Robinson
- Paul Simon
- Art Garfunkel
- Dave Loggins
- Jim Nantz
Finally, here's "Golden Street" the prelude to "One Shining Moment" that typically plays with the championship team cutting down the nets and the television credits for the tournament rolling.
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Note: "One Shining Moment" written by David Barrett & copyrighted 2004 by End Around Records.
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We ran into a rather significant technical issue with this week's scheduled episode so, in an effort to keep our Ironman streak alive, rather than Conversations with Sports Fans we present a Monologue with a Sports Fan (in this case, our host, Doug Hill).
Doug reflects on his two encounters with Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton. The most-recent - a chance meeting at PHX Sky Harbor Airport in 2017 - is chronicled in this post at The Sports Fan Project. The first one occurred about a decade prior and involved Walton calling Doug at an inopportune time to discuss his Portland Trail Blazers' teammate, Johnny Davis.
We promise to be back next week with a full episode that's a true conversation.
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We're joined this week by Doug Pratt, Director of the Michigan Education Association's Communication and Public Engagement.
Beyond having a fabulous first name, Doug is a native of Chicago, a big baseball fan (White Sox) thanks to his father and grandfather, an ardent Michigan State University supporter, and a former sports journalist who tells us the most unusual thing he discovered in a touring pro's bag while covering the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club.
Doug also shares one of his most cherished memories of his fandom/journalism career at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics when he was in the stands as a fan for Team USA's Gold Medal win over Cuba, 4-0, in baseball.
It's quite a journey that also includes (we're quite sure) the first reference of Equatorial Guinea and Eric "The Eel" Moussambani. Check out this wonderful retrospective on "The Eel" by NBC's Jimmy Roberts.
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We're joined in this episode by the Artistic Director of the Dayton Philharmonic, Neal Gittleman.
Neal is the son of a former baseball who played catcher on his Navy base while serving. Born in Brooklyn in 1955, Neal recalls accompanying his father to a trio of New York Mets' games in their 1962 debut season in the Polo Grounds. And, miracle of miracles, Neal saw three of the team's 40 victories that season. He was a Mets fan until 1977 when the team made, in Neal's mind, a questionable personnel move. At that point he switched allegiance to the crosstown New York Yankees just in time for their success.
Well traveled, Neal shares tales of his time in Connecticut, Wisconsin, Oregon, France, and points in between.
We also chat about his recent iteration of a pops concert with the Dayton Philharmoic, "Huddle Up: Music of Sports." We learn of his inspiration for the performance and some of the shoulders he stood upon to conduct it.
- Composer John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984)"
- Composer Leroy Anderson's "Home Stretch"
- Composer Peter Schickele's PDQ Bach - Beethoven Symphony No. 5
- Composer Frank Proto's "Casey at the Bat"
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Our guest in this episode, Scott Heller, is an old church nursery school mate of the host. Saying the two go way back is, in fact, quite accurate.
Scott takes us on a journey from his early years as a baseball fan when he chose the Pittsburgh Pirates to be a bit contrarian with the rest of his Cincinnati Reds-loving family.
Scott also has a heartwarming recollection of how his NFL football allegiance leaned away from the Steel City in favor of the Windy City. (Hint: It involves a made-for-TV movie.)
Scott touches on this love of boxing, especially the heyday in the 1980s when Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Wilfred Benitez ruled the sport.
Finally, he also shares how important and memorable 1980's Miracle on Ice was to this landlocked adolescent in basketball-crazed Indiana.If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider making occasional donations here to keep this podcast commercial free.
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In this episode we're joined by Detroit-based journalist Tom Stanton. Tom's been a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers as well as history which led him to author five works of historical sports (primarily baseball) non-fiction:
- Terror in the City of Champions: The true story of the Black Legion, a terrorist organization that flourished in Detroit as the city experienced unparalleled sports success.
- The Final Season: This memoir of the last year at Tiger Stadium won the Casey Award for best baseball book of the year.
- Ty and the Babe: A finalist for a Quill Award, "Ty and The Babe" takes readers into the heart of the rivalry (and later-in-life friendship) of two of baseball's most legendary stars.
- The Road to Cooperstown: Chronicles a pilgrimage to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It's a magical tale of fathers, brothers, and baseball heroes.
- Hank Aaron and the Home Run that Changed America: This recollection penetrates the myth of Hank Aaron's chase and uncovers the compelling story behind the most consequential athletic achievement of the past fifty years.
During our discussion Tom shares how he became infected with the sports bug, where he finds his inspiration for his books, and how sports inpact our lives, especially generationally.
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We're joined this week by Michael O'Connell Jr., a math teacher from Loudoun County, VA, who also does a bit of blogging, podcasting, authoring, and parenting to his 9-year-old son. (All but the parenting are linked at the bottom;-)
Michael's also an avid sports fan. So much so that he regularly embeds as much sports as he can in his math instruction which is music to this educator's ears.
We learn about his sports fan origin story (1989 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game), his early years in greater New York City, his family's connection to Binghamton, NY, and the Yankees' Binghamton Triplets where Whitey Ford and Thurman Munson once played, and the town's long-defunct Broome Dusters minor league hockey team that played a role in inspiring the film "Slapshot."
There's quite a lot of Syracuse and Carrier Dome talk - including a wild 1991 game against Notre Dame in which the Irish won, 101-98, on a buzzer-beating triple by Elmer Bennett - as well as all that there is to offer sports fan in the Beltway these days.
- Michael's Website, Mike O'Connell Jr.
- Michael's Podcast, Math and Musings
- Michael's Latest Book, The 365 Greatest Movies Ever Made and the Days You Should Watch Them
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Our guest this week, high schooler Jane Meinecke, is the daughter of previous guest, Derek Meinecke (heard in S:2, E:37). She clearly comes about her fandom honestly, but she split from her father's love of Manchester City and instead chose upstart, Brentford, as her EPL club of choice.
Both Jane and Derek share a love of the Detroit Lions and she credits her father's hunch to by season tickets prior to the 2022 season for an even deeper devotion with the Lions' recently completed NFC Championship Game-run.
During our discussion Jane shares stories of her three times seeing the Brentford Bees in person as well as of that magical Lions' playoff run. Jane's favorite players on Brentford include defenders Ben Mee and Ethan Pinnock and forward Bryan Mbeumo. Her favorite Lions are offensive lineman Penei Sewell and tight end Sam LaPorta.
We also learn that some day she hopes to see an Olympics live including her favorite athlete, hurdler Sidney McLaughlin-Levrone, as well as her beloved Bees in the UEFA Champions League.
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This week's guest is Larry Lester, a co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and one of America's foremost historians on all things Negro Leagues.
A native of Kansas City, we learn about Larry's youth and his early interest in the hometown Athletics and the heartache when they moved west following the 1967 season.
Larry notes his interest in the Negro Leagues was borne out of those former Kansas City Monarchs and their families who remained in the area (Buck O'Neil's wife was one of his teachers) as well discovering author Robert Peterson's Only the Ball Was White.
Before we let Larry leave, we asked him for some of the ex-Negro Leaguers who are worthy of consideration for enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Those include:
- Rap Dixon
- John Beckwith
- Chet Brewer
- Newt Allen
- "Cannonball" Nick Redding
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Before 2024 March Madness fades to black Monday night, we catch up with Evan Blanchard, a student manager of Oakland (MI) University's men's basketball team, who was seated courtside for the 14th-seeded Golden Grizzlies' first-round upset of third-seed, Kentucky.
And, as we all prepare to watch upstart North Carolina State University in the Men's Final Four, Evan had a front row seat for the Wolfpack's victory over OU as well and tells us the the big guy, D.J. Burns Jr., is both big and fundamentally sound.
Beyond talking Greg Kampe, Jack Gohlke, Blake Lampman, and Trey Townsend, Evan shares what it's like to be a student manager at Division I basketball school, recollections of time spent with dad watching Michigan State University football, his love of the Detroit Tigers, and thoughts about the Detroit Lions' coming season.
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In this episode we're joined by Mike Veeck, a member of one of baseball's most notable families. His grandfather Bill Veeck Sr. was President of the Chicago Cubs, his father Bill Jr. was an owner of the Milwaukee Brewers (then a Triple A team), the Cleveland Indians, the St. Louis Browns, and the Chicago White Sox (twice) and was immortalized in bronze in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Along the way, Mike's worked for four MLB franchises and 20 Minor League affiliates. His most noteworthy recent run occurred as part of the ownership group with the St. Paul Saints who were played in the Independent Northern League at the time. The Saints provide the name of the 2023 Netflix film about Mike and his family, "The Saint of Second Chances."
Currently, Mike and his son Night Train, have ownership stakes in the Joliet Slammers, the Charleston RiverDogs, and a minority ownership stake in the Larne F.C. in Ireland.
Buckle up for this fast-paced episode, as Mike brings the sort of energy that led to over 700 sellouts in a row in St. Paul.
Along the way, Mike talks jai alai, Larry Doby, Satchel Paige, Disco Demolition Night, Bill Murray, and a plethora of promotions from his life selling tickets.
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In this episode we're delighted to be rejoined by Craig Caswell (S:2, E:16). When we last spoke to Craig he'd recently finished his quest to see every NCAA Division I men's basketball team play in person. Well, LeMoyne College joined the ranks this season and Craig took a trip to Syracuse, NY, to see it beat Long Island, 87-74, in late January to remain up-to-date.
Beyond that, we talk to Craig about his other passion: disc golf.
At the time of this recording he'd played 727 courses over 47 states and eight countries since he first played about after walking into Dayton's Hazy Shade Disc Golf (5% discount if use TEAMHAZYCRAIG at checkout) back in 2013.
We learn how he got interested in the sport (Hint: Tiger Woods), and about some of his favorite courses (Flip City in Shelby, MI, Harmony Bends at Strawn Park in Columbia, MO, and Tampere Disc Golf Center, in Tampere, Finland).
Craig also provides us with some history about the sport, a brief tutorial, some tips for getting started, and where and how prospective players are able to get more information:
- JomezPro YouTube Channel (post-produced tournament coverage)
- Disc Golf Network (live tournament coverage)
- Hyzers & Highways (Craig's podcast, available on a variety of platforms but linked here on Spotify)
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We're joined this week by a trio of friends. Individually, they are James "Wik" Wikman, John "JR" Ries, and Tom "Opie" Bowen. Collectively, they go by "The Basketball Mavens."
They come about the name honestly. For nearly 40 years, this threesome puts in the miles (air and land) every March by attending as many NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament games as reasonably possible. That means looking over the upcoming tournament sites well in advance, attending Thursday games in close enough proximity to drive to Friday's games, head back to the first site, and finishing up back at second site. Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four, and Championship games follow.
This year, the Basketball Mavens are attending opening round action in Dayton, before ping-ponging back and forth between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. Yes, that'll be 16 games by the time first weekend is done.
During our time with the Mavens we learn of their origin story, highlights along the way, just what the heck the M.O.P. Award is, and what's left for them as sports fans to experience (Hint: The Super Bowl and Iditarod made the short list).
You're able to find their 2022 book, The Basketball Mavens - Marching to Madness at that link. You'll be able to follow their 2024 journey on X (formerly Twitter) @MarsMadness.
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In this episode, we're joined by Detroit Public School Basketball League historian, Bill Hoover.
Bill, a semi-retired educator and basketball coach, has spent decades researching the thousands of players who've passed through the Detroit PSL over the past century. He helped found the website detroitpslbasketball.com that is working on a refresh but still contains a plethora of content.
A teacher at Detroit's Barbour Intermediate School, that saw athletic legends such as Joe Altobelli, John Rowser, Bill Yearby, Ron LeFlore, Oliver Darden, Lindsay Hairston, and Johnny Davis pass through, Bill began to dedicate himself to ongoing research of those and many others.
His research has included plenty of conversations with former athletes, coaches, and teachers, and oodles of time with the Burton Historical Collection in Detroit's Public Library.
During our time with Bill we learn about the Detroit connection to the Harlem Globetrotters and the famed Brewster-Wheeler Recreation Center.
We also ask Bill to provide us with this all-time PSL team. Caught off-guard, Bill called us back so there's a special bonus segment at the end where Bill provides us with his all-time Detroit PSL teams (four of them!).
- First Team: Jalen Rose, Ralph Simpson, George Gervin, Spencer Haywood, and Mel Daniels
- Second Team: Johnny Davis, Steve Smith, Charlie North, Dan Roundfield, and Derrick Coleman
- Third Team: Howard Eisley, Voshon Lenard, Terry Tyler, Roy Tarpley, and Reggie Harding
- Fourth Team: Eric Money, Coniel Norman, Larry Fogle, Maurice Taylor, and Robert Traylor
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We're delighted to be joined in this episode by Dick Mackey, one of the founders of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, which pushes off this weekend in Anchorage, AK, this weekend for the 52nd time.
Mackey, who is joined in this episode by his biographer Lew Freedman (a third-time guest on Conversations), shares the story of how he and Joe Redington Sr. created the 1,000-mile race across Alaska over 50 years ago.
Mackey also recalls the finish from his 1978 Iditarod win, when his team edged Rick Swenson's on Nome's Front Street by one second, easily the closest finish in the race's history.
Along with his sons Bill, Jason, Lance, and Rick, the Mackey family has won the race six times. Jason has a team entered this year after taking a hiatus to rebuild his kennel.
In addition to the Mackey's biography, One Second to Glory, Freedman has a new Iditarod-focused book out, Adventures on the Iditarod Trail, published by Northern Light Media.
Links
- Video of the 1978 Iditarod Finish
- The Iditarod Website
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In this week's episode we're joined by David Joest, a retired Dreyer's Ice Cream employee and a big sports fan.
An Indiana native, David has plenty of tales to tell about - shockingly! - basketball of various varieties: high school and college, primarily, and even a nod to the "Hoosiers" gym in Knightstown, IN.
Growing up in northcentral Indiana, David had his pick of MLB teams and he chose the Detroit Tigers. He has fond memories of both the 1968 and 1984 World Series titles.
Among David's other passions is the Indianapolis 500 attending the race for the better part of 40 years and he provides lessons learned about where to sit if you ever make to "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." He was there for Danny Sullivan's 1985 "Spin & Win" and Al Unser Jr. split-second victory over Scott Goodyear in 1992 and
Finally, he's been to a few major golf championships, including the PGA Championship in 1986 at Inverness and 1991 at Crooked Stick.
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We're excited to be joined in this episode by Phil Pritchard who is better known to most folks as The Keeper of the Cup (in fact, that's his Twitter handle).
As a Vice-President of the Resource Center and Curator at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, ON, one of Phil's many responsibilities is to accompany the Stanley Cup on many of its global journeys.
During our Conversation with Phil, we learn how this British-born accountant became a sports fan, an employee at the Hockey Hall of Fame, and also the white-gloved handler of the most famous trophy in sport. It all began listening to a Boston Bruins-Montreal Canadiens' radio broadcast.
Along the way, he shared two remarkable journeys he's taken the Cup on. One was its first-ever trip to Australia for a pair of exhibition games in 2023 and the other was a trip with Phillipp Grubauer to Bavaria, Germany, that ended with cows drinking beer from the Stanley Cup. We kid you not!
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We made inquiries to Taylor Swift's camp for her to join us in advance of Sunday's big event, but alas ... fear not! We have the next best thing with Dr. Edward Hirt, the Director of Pedagogy at Indiana University's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. He's also the Director of IU's HirtLab.
Much of Dr. Hirt's interest focuses on the hows and whys of sports fandom. He's been featured by major media outlets such as ESPN, PBS, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. He can now add Conversations to his CV.
During our time together, Dr. Hirt not only traces his roots as a fan, but also helps us understand the benefits of the human connection and shared community that is being a sports fan. Dr. Hirt touches on the research done about how our favorite team's wins and losses impact our self-esteem.
Finally, he provides his take on how sports played a role in healing the the United States following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
This was truly a fascinating episode and should not be missed.
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We're joined in this episode by Hedy Eischeid, a retired Wisconsin educator who now lives and works in the Anchorage, AK, area.
During our time with Hedy we learn how she became a sports fan (think heredity), her love of all things Super Bowl, what it's like to attend games at Green Bay's historic Lambeau Field as well as what it's like to have an ownership stake in her favorite NFL team, and some of her travels as a fan of the Wisconsin Badgers; including a visit to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, to see UW play Alabama led by Derrick Henry.
We also learn about what it's like to be in downtown Anchorage for the start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and how she'd love to go back in time to 1967's NFL Championship at Lambeau between Green Bay and the visiting Dallas Cowboys. A game that's now known as the Ice Bowl.
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We're excited to be joined in this episode by a name that's synonymous with basketball in the city of Detroit: Sam Washington Jr. During our time with Sam he shares many a tale from his time working side-by-side with his father (Sam Sr.) at St. Cecilia's aka "The Saint" located at Livernois and Stearns on the city's west side.
The Saint served as the crucible Detroit basketball players to pass through for decades beginning in 1967. Whether it be its annual summer high school league or the star-studded Pro-Am League that regularly drew capacity crowds.
Who played at The Saint? Who didn't!?! Sam drops the following names during our time together: George Gervin, Spencer Haywood, Dave DeBusschere, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Derrick Coleman, Steve Smith, Jalen Rose, and Chris Webber to name a few.
Sam also notes some 1-time players who went on to do things of note outside basketball. Dave Bing (future Detroit Mayor), Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson (Motown Records' legends), Tony Dungy (Hall of Fame NFL Coach), Jerome Bettis (Pro Football Hall of Famer), and Mat Ishbia (current Phoenix Suns owner)
There are more ... so many more, including recollections of the time a team from Brooklyn, NY, came to town led by Bernard King and Vinnie Johnson, as well as his dad's refusal to let Darryl Dawkins play for wholly reasonable reasons.
In 2015 Sam Jr. founded the Sam Washington Foundation a 501c3 to help honor and preserve his father's work.
- A free youth basketball clinic is scheduled for February 17 from noon-2 p.m. at the Hawk's Nest Sports Dome in Warren. Contact 248-497-8265 for more information.
- The annual Sam Washington Foundation Golf Outing is scheduled for June 15 at Copper Creek Golf Club. Contact the same number for more information.
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We're joined in this episode by David McEllis, one half of the the podcasting duo (along with Matt Kuzma) who bring the world the abundantly entertaining show: 1988 Topps. McEllis and Kuzma do deep dives on one of the 792 cards from the 1988 Topps Baseball Card Set. You're able to find the show on Facebook (1988 Topps Podcast), Twitter (@Topps1988), and Instagram (@1988ToppsPodcast).
During our time with David, a Chicago-area native, we learn about his coming of age as a sports fan in the mid-1980s with a Super Bowl Shufflin' Chicago Bears, seeing Chicago White Sox games at the original Comiskey Park, and how FIFA World Cup video games hipped him to the Liverpool Football Club.
We also learn how 1988 Topps came to be, what the experience has been like, and what some of the most popular episodes have been.
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We're joined this week by Dennis Harp, a native of tiny Wolcottville, IN, a small college basketball player at Dawson (MT) Community College and Marty (SD) College, and the 1-time youngest NCAA Division I head coach at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX. Today, Dennis is the Executive Director of the Dawson College Foundation.
During our discussion he retraces his fandom from his youth as a Mickey Mantle-led New York Yankees' fan, his first MLB game at Detroit's Briggs' Stadium to see Mantle and the Yankees play the Tigers, to his childhood in basketball-crazed Indiana where he discovered Purdue University's Rick Mount and, ultimately, LSU's Pete Maravich.
During our discussion Dennis shares stories about high school football in Texas and high school basketball in Indiana, what it was like being the parent of two all-state athletes (basketball playing son Ryan attended Southern Methodist University and volleyball playing daughter Ellie attended Grace College). He also chats about his confidants in the coaching fraternity, including longtime LSU coach Dale Brown and Indiana and Texas Tech University coach Bobby Knight.
Finally, Dennis discusses how, almost as suddenly as he became a Division I coach he was an NAIA coach when Hardin-Simmons dropped basketball from the highest to the lowest level of competition.
Check out author Marc David's biography about Dennis here, Dennis Harp: All the Hoopla.
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In this bonus episode we're joined by a husband and wife from the greater Seattle area: Frank Piwowar and Pam Kruse.
Frank's a Michigan native who, somewhat inexplicably, is a University of Michigan Wolverine fan though he's a graduate of Michigan State University. (He shares how it came to be:-)
Pam's a lifelong Washington resident and a product of Western Washington University who's been a supporter of the University of Washington Huskies for as long as she can remember.
The two of the enjoy some good-natured chatter about the upcoming College Football Playoff Championship between the Huskies and Wolverines.
We wonder what Monday's going to be like in their home?
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We're finishing up a 2-week break from work and also are regularly scheduled Thursday podcast drops. Today, host Doug Hill, takes a look back at a handful of his favorites from Season 2 and asks our listeners to provide any suggestions for future guests by emailing him at hilldouglast@gmail.com
Links to previous episodes referenced by Doug:
- Season 2, Episode 22 - Doc Emrick
- Season 2, Episode 16 - Craig Caswell
- Season 2, Episode 6 - Dr. Channon Washington
- Season 2, Episode 37 - Derek Meinecke
Our annual Spotify Wrapped noted these other episodes as among the most widely streamed and/or shared from the past year:
- Season 1, Episode 29 - Steve Book
- Season 1, Episode 11 - Don Drooker
- Season 2, Episode 10 - Paula Herbart
- Season 2, Episode 13 - Colin Lancaster
Look for a special College Football Playoff Championship Game episode to drop on Sunday.
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We are delighted to be joined in this episode by fans of each of the four schools competing in this year's NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Playoffs. We engage in an enjoyable and civil discussion with our four panelists about their earliest memories of being a fan of their schools, what gameday is like in Ann Arbor, Austin, Seattle, and Tuscaloosa, the current state of college football, and, of course, their thoughts on things will play out in the Rose and Sugar Bowls. Predictions are also made, but they are ... shall we say ... predictable.
The following guests proudly don the school colors and wave the school flag during this episode:
- Ernie Sellers, University of Michigan
- Derrick Jennings, University of Washington
- Landy Watson, University of Texas
- Bill Thornton, University of Alabama
Fun Fact: By virtue of Washington joining the Big Ten next season and the Longhorns visiting Michigan for a non-league game on Week 2 in 2024, UM will - for sure - play all three 2023 CFP schools by October 5, 2024, when the Wolverines visit Husky Stadium.
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In this special holiday season episode, we're joined by Father Ron Victor, pastor at St. Isidore Church in Macomb, MI.
Fr. Ron reflects on that day in 1962 when he became a Norm Cash fan, how he became a Michigan State Spartans' fan, the importance of sports during his 17 years in the seminary, recollections of the 1957 Detroit Lions' NFL Championship, and how he was in the building in 1968 when the Tigers' walked off the Yankees to clinch the AL Pennant, and in 1984 when they beat San Diego, 8-4, to win the World Series.
We also find some time to discuss the intersection of sports and religion, Fr. Ron's appreciation of the Advent Season, and why his favorite holiday is, somewhat surprisingly, Halloween.
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In this episode we're joined by educator and sports fan Todd Bloch who lived a life of assimilation as the child of a cardiologist whos family did a fair amount of moving. Todd spent time during his formative years in Atlanta, Milwaukee, Quincy, IL, and Kent, CT.
Todd was a fan of the Atlanta Braves thanks in part because his father's office at Grady Memorial Hospital overlooked Fulton County Stadium and also because the family attended the same church as then-owner Ted Turner.
In Milwaukee, Todd transitioned to the Milwaukee Brewers and discovered the NBA's Bucks that featured players such as Junior Bridgeman, Marques Johnson, Bob Lanier, and Sidney Moncrief thanks to his school's "Books for Bucks" reading program.
Todd's family then moved to Quincy, IL, which is across the Mississippi River from Mark Twain's 1-time home of Hannibal, MO. While there, Todd's family discovered high school basketball at an elite level with an ardent fan base. (Check out the pregame Blue Devil mascot entrance here.) Todd was able to see future Big Ten players Bruce Douglas (Illinois) and Michael Payne (Iowa) play at Quincy.
Todd then attended high school at the Kent School (a boarding school in Connecticut) where he was introduced to the Boston-New York rivalry the fall he arrived on campus when the Red Sox and Mets squared off in the 1986 World Series.
It was during his time in high school that Todd's life was touched by tragedy, which might help explain why he embraces the opportunity to attend just about any sporting event. He's as comfortable at the NCAA Division III Calvin College-Hope College basketball rivalry - it received a special feature on State Champs! show found here - as he is attending the Indianapolis 500.
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Kevin Beers, the voice of the Oakland (MI) University Golden Grizzlies, joins us in this episode. Kevin has been the O'rena's public address announcer since 2004.
His roots in the Detroit-area - and fandom of the home teams - goes back even further. A graduate of Walled Lake Central HS, Kevin recalls early trips to Detroit's Tiger Stadium with his father to Kevin's favorite Tiger, Aurelio Rodriquez.
Beyond watching Rodriguez pick it at the hot corner in Detroit, Kevin's love of sports began thanks to being neighbors of high school star and future Michigan State University defensive back, Mike Imhoff, who was later tragically killed in an after school shooting in Hernando, FL, where he coached.
Kevin also recalls plenty of trips to the Pontiac Silverdome to see the Detroit Lions and Hall of Famer, Barry Sanders, as well as the Detroit Pistons of the early-to-mid-1980s when a buddy would get Kevin and his friends into courtside seats after halftime.
We also touch on his time at Central Michigan University during the Coach Jay Smith-era, his introduction to broadcasting, and how he came to be the voice of the O'rena. Kevin even gives us a sample of one of his signature calls when OU's Travis Bader was lighting up the scoreboard from deep in the early 2010s.
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We're joined in this episode by Connor Ryan, a twentysomething from suburban Detroit who played quite a lot of hockey growing up. Unsurprisingly, then, we learn that one of his earliest memories of being a sports fan involve the Detroit Red Wings-Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup Final Game 7 (won by Pittsburgh, 2-1) at a block party at his friend's house.
We also hear tell of a chance meeting Connor had with Nicklas Lidstrom at a Barnes & Noble as well as how he feels about the progress of the current Red Wings' squad. And his thoughts on a fellow Connor ... Chicago Blackhawks' rookie, Connor Bedard.
Connor is also a Detroit Lions' fan and chats us up about what it's like to have a team worth rooting for these days.
And, not to bury the lead, as we learned when we spoke with Connor's mother, Kathy in our "Mother's Day Special" episode, the two of them attended Super Bowl LVI as a guest of his brother, Brendan, who is a member of the Los Angeles Rams Cheer team. Connor recalls his late-night run-in with the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the post-game celebration.
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In this episode we're joined by Mark Shirk, a former political science professor who's an avid baseball fan. You're able to find Mark on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, "Exploring Baseball History" under the handle of @bballhist where he regularly posts baseball content.
During our time with Mark we learn about his contrarian nature as a youngster, choosing to support the Don Mattingly-led New York Yankees rather than the more geographically appropriate Philadelphia Phillies. Mark notes that during his formative years his parents noticed his interest in baseball and began feeding him books on baseball history along with baseball cards and, thus, began his lifelong fascination with the history of the American Pastime.
We also discover that Mark is a proponent of a "Big Hall" (e.g. including more indcutees in the National Baseball Hall of Fame), has ideas about what the future of baseball might look like (hint: he favors agressive expansion), his evolution as a sports fan, and a long-term baseball book project he continues to mull that focuses on ex-Negro League players who came along at the wrong time following integration and didn't really get a good shot playing in the Major Leagues. Players like Buster Clarkson, Marvin Williams, Sam Jethroe, and Luke Easter.
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In this episode we're joined by Ron Teasley, one of three surviving members of baseball's Negro Major Leagues. At 96-years-old, Teasley is easily our most seasoned guest and we're incredibly grateful for his gift of time, recollections, and insights into a very different era of athletics and being a sports fan.
Some useful links that are referenced during our time with Teasley:
- Teasley's Baseball-Reference page;
- Teasley's Wayne State University Athletics Hall of Fame page;
- Fellow WSU Hall of Famers: John Kline and Charlie Primas;
- Historic Hamtramck Stadium;
- The Brewster Recreation Center and the Kronk Recreation Center;
- Baseball Hall of Famers: Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, & Turkey Stearnes;
- Formder boxing Heavyweight Champion, Joe Louis;
- The Detroit Stars and New York Cubans Negro League franchises;
- The PONY League and the Mandak League;
- Fellow Detroit schoolboy star, Sammy Gee's Baseball Reference page;
- Longtime Detroit high school coach and the first black NCAA Division I basketball coach, Will Robinson;
- Long time MLB player, Minnie Minoso's Baseball Reference page;
- Long-time MLB player and Detroit antive Willie Horton's Baseball Reference page;
- Detroit Northwestern HS stars Alan Hardy, Curtis Jones, and Terry Tyler;
- The Goodwill Games;
- The Michigan Chronicle.
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We're joined this week by Canadian transplant Brent Savidant. The son of a Canadian Air Force member, Brent and his family spent time in various remote outposts throughout Canada and even several years on a NATO base in the Netherlands. It was during this stint overseas that Brent has his first core sports memory: The 1974 World Cup Final between the Netherlands and host West Germany. Dutch start Johan Cruyf and company lost to West Germany, 2-1.
Brent recollects about the forced choice most Canadians needed to make during the 1970s pre-cable TV and NHL expansion era: Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens. He chose the Canadiens and his disdain for the Maple Leafs and Leafs' fans burns hot to this day.
We reminisce about visits to the old Montreal Forum as well as the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics and the Montreal Expos. He was a fan of them all, especially the Expos. We discuss painful memories like 1981's "Black Monday" loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series as well as the strike-halted 1994 season when - Brent's convinced - the Expos were on their way to a World Series Championship.
Brent also touches on switching his allegiance from the Canadiens to the Ottawa Senators upon their 1992 expansion, his love of English Football (his club, Leeds United was relegated to the Championship this season), and the Tour de France.
Finally, he notes falling hard for the Detroit Lions upon relocating to the Detroit area at the height of Barry Sanders' time on the field.
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We're joined this week by a pair of notable sports fans. One is highly acclaimed sports photographer Jean Fruth. The other is the former President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Jeff Idelson. Together, the pair have founded Grassroots Baseball, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to promoting and enhancing the game of baseball, especially at the amateur levels.
The organization has published a pair of coffee table books about baseball: Grassroots Baseball: Where Legends Begin and Grassroots Baseball: Route 66 (sold out) and is working on a third, Grassroots Baseball: Women.
During our time with this duo, we learn of Jean's beginnings as a sports photographer (her children's youth leagues, of all things) and tips for the aspiring sports photographer (hint: the equipment does make a difference but there are other things you can do) and of Jeff's work for two of baseball's most storied franchises, the Boston Red Sox (his childhood favorites) and the New York Yankees. We also learn of the rather flippant advice Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner gave him upon starting in the Bronx.
You're able to view Fruth's remarkable works of photography (sports and otherwise) at her website which is located here.
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In this episode we're joined by longtime Seattle-area resident Tom Steury who shares tales of the Mariners, SuperSonics, and Seahawks where he's been a season-ticket holder for years which makes him a bonafide 12th Man. Tom also reminsces about his early life growing up in Berne, IN, huddling around an uncle's TV to watch tiny Milan defeat Muncie Central, 32-30, (the inspiration for the movie, Hoosiers), and his time at Purdue University with a future Olympian and NBA star, Terry Dischinger (who just recently passed away).
And, not to bury the lead, but Tom also shares his decades-long quest to shoot 1 million free throws (accomplished in 2022) and recently making his 1 millionth free throw. Check out the video of the event here.
What's next for Tom? Not to spoil it, but he wants to get his overall percentage up to 93%. No shocker that this retired Boeing engineer knows exactly how many more he'll need to make to get there and about how long it'll take him to accomploish it.
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We're joined in this episode by Alex Parker, a Fairbanks, AK, native who grew to love sports early on thanks to his father, Tim (S:1, E:3).
At first, it was exposure to local hockey teams such as the University of Alaska Nanooks and the NAHL's Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Later, he was exposed to the beautiful game at the 2010 and 2014 Men's World Cups. After matriculating to Denver University, an early roommate of Alex's exposed him to the English Premier League and he became a devotee of Liverpool FC.
During out time with Alex we learn of his experience as part of the Seahawks' renowned "12th Man," his immediate devotion to the Kraken, being in Denver for the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 victory and the DU Pioneers' 2017 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship.
And we also veer into non-mainstream sports such as Australian Rules Football, which partially led him to choose New Zealand as his study abroad location where he became fond of rugby. He's a fan of cycling and American Sepp Kuss who recently stunned the cycling world by winning the Vuelta a Espana as a domestique (Alex explains) as well as British rider Mark Cavendish. He even drops in how he witnessed the final stage of the 2005 Tour de France as a youngster atop his father's shoulders along the Champs-Elysees as later-disgraced champion Lance Armstrong won his final Tour.
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We're joined in this episode by Steve Nagengast, a retired CPA from the Grand Rapids, MI, area who is, shall we say, a big Detroit Tigers' baseball fan. How big you ask? Well, big enough to have amassed a collection of over 1,200 autographed baseballs of - primarily - Detroit Tigers.
Among some of the more unique items:
- Allan Travers who pitched one game for the Detroit Tigers during the 1912 season when the Tigers' were protesting a suspension to star Ty Cobb by fielding a non-competitive team of Philadelphians during a 24-2 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics on May 18.
- An Eddie Gaedel autograph on paper. Gaedel, the 3-foot, 7-inch player, was famously signed by St. Louis Browns' and pinch-hit to lead off the second game of a doubleheader August 19, 1951, against the Tigers. To go with the Gaedel signature, Steve has 15 autographed baseballs from others who participated in the game. Including Browns' batboy Bill DeWitt Jr. who is currently an owner of the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Tigers' firstbaseman Johnny Neun who turned one of only 15 unassisted triple plays in baseball history during the May 31, 1927 1-0 Tiger win over Cleveland.
And good news for all, Steve found a willing taker on his desire to donate the entire collection. The Grand Rapids Public Museum will receive the collection early next year. Steve and his wife, Mary, are currently undertaking the rigorous process of appraising the value of the collection to appease the IRS which, we learn, is pretty persnickety when it comes to sports appraisals.
We learn about all that and so much more during our time with Steve, including many trips to Notre Dame Stadium through the years to root on his wife's alma mater.
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We're joined today by John Paklidenaz a now-retired educator and union leader from Farwell, MI, who previously appeared in S:1, E:12 (Little League Baseball World Series Special).
In this episode, John gets the full "Conversations" treatment. We learn about going to Detroit Tigers' games with his Teamsters' member father who parked at the union hall on Trumbull Avenue and walked to the old Tiger Stadium.
We also follow John to college at Central Michigan University where he grew to appreciate women's athletics and continues to be a champion of those "non-revenue" sports to this day. (Of course it wouldn't be a conversation between John and host Doug [an Eastern Michigan University alum] if there wasn't some digressing into the intra-state Mid-American Conference rivalry.)
We also discover that John has some sort of lucky aura about him as he's won The Masters lottery twice (he's going again next spring) and has been to a pair of Ryder Cups (Hazeltine National Golf Club [MN] in 2016 and last month in Rome.) He also won tickets to 2022's 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews but was unable to attend.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Conversation with John if his family's long-standing involvement with the Little League Baseball World Series didn't come up.
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We're joined in this episode by Andy Appleby, founder and owner of the 4-team United Shore Professional Baseball League in Utica, MI.
Andy has spent a lifetime working in the sports business, beginning out of Springfield (MA) College with the Detroit Pistons before ultimately founding General Sports Worldwide. It was through this enterprise that he wound up becoming chairman and owner of the Derby County (England) Football Club and owner of the Midwest League's Fort Wayne (IN) Wizards (now the TinCaps).
The USPBL just completed its eighth season of competition between the Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers, Eastside Diamond Hoppers, Utica Unicorns, and Westside Woolly Mammoths.
During our time with Andy we touch on just about everything from being a fan to being an employee to being an owner and how's attempted to marry the three at the USPBL. Andy even notes how "Welcome to Wrexham" is a pretty close representation to what it was like in Derby County.
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In this episode we're joined by Fran Scislowicz, a 47-year coach in southeastern Michigan, including his forthcoming 37th season in the dugout of the Rochester Adams Highlanders' softball team. For his work on the diamond, Scislowicz was a 2011 inductee in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.
A native of metro-Detroit, Fran's able to trace his fandom back to his hometown Detroit Tigers and his favorite Tiger, Willie Horton. He eventually matriculated to the University of Detroit for his college years where he was a physical education major and was able to enjoy the Dick Vitale era with the Titans and such notable alums (and fellow PE classmates) as Earl Cureton, Terry Duerod, John Long (uncle of Season 1, Episode 22 guest, Grant Long), and Terry Tyler. His time at UD even included an brush with legendary Georgetown University Coach John Thompson.
We also talk about the evolution of coaching, baseball vs. softball, and the caliber of the college powerhouses such as the 3-time defending NCAA Champion University of Oklahoma Sooners.
Finally, Fran shares the touching story how his younger self orchestrated a family trip to the 1971 MLB All-Star Game at Detroit's Tiger Stadium. A game that featured over 25 future Hall of Famers.
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Today's guest is Ashley Bettas-Alcala, an educator and union leader in San Bernardino, CA, who is a third-generation Pullman, WA, native. This means we dive deep into Washington State University talk during this episode.
The conversation ranges from Cougars' quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe, Ryan Leaf, and Gardner Minshew to football coaches Babe Hollingberry, Dennis Erickson, Mike Price, and Mike Leach to the Ol' Crimson Booster Club (the group responsible for getting the Wazzu flag on ESPN's College Game since 2003 [that's 290 straight appearances and counting!]) to the pending dissolution of the Pacific 12 Conference as it's been known and what's to come for the "2Pac" to some chat about WSU volleyball and women's soccer programs as well as notable men's basketball alum, Klay Thompson.
We hope you enjoy our time spent vicariously on the Palouse with Ashley.
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This week's conversation with Rich Maison begins normally enough. He shares how his fascination with sports began with a long-ago Detroit Tiger and Pittsburgh Pirate first baseman, Jason Thompson. Nicknamed "Rooftop" during his Detroit days for a pair of prodigious shots in 1977 that he deposited on top of Tiger Stadium, he captivated young Rich in his childhood home. (No footage of either shot is readily available, but enjoy this full Tigers-Blue Jays telecast from June 20, 1978.)
From there Rich takes us on a journey into competitive swimming as well as fishing. Yes, fishing! We learn more than we have to this point about both sports and how Lake St. Clair has some of the best bass fishing in North America. Along the way, Rich shares how technology has changed fishing (especially competitive fishing such as the Bassmaster Elite Series) and the tale of an epic hunting and fishing trip he took several years ago to Kodiak Island, AK.
We eventually return to more mainstream spectator sports when Rich notes the one event he'd like to go back in time to witness in person was the 2006 American League Championship Game between Oakland and Detroit at Comerica Park. It's the game best known for Magglio Ordonez's game-tying 6th inning homer and his walk-off in the bottom of the 9th.
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This week's guest is a college football - nay, a University of Michigan football - fanatic, Mike Hellman. A resident of Macomb, MI, Mike is the third Hellman to join us on Conversations. His son, Jack, appeared on Season 1, Episode 4, and his wife, Jean, was part of the Season 2, Mother's Day Special. Those two are both big Michigan State University fans which makes for interesting Saturdays during football season in the Hellman Home.
Mike recalls the moment he first became a Michigan football fan. It was at his grandmother's home watching the 1975 UM-Ohio State game, won by the Buckeyes, 21-14. He recalls his first time in Michigan Stadium a decade later for Michigan's 20-0 whitewashing of the Bobby Ross-coached Maryland Terrapins.
Mike also waxes poetic about the the 1980s-era Detroit Tigers team he was exposed to featuring players such as Steve Kemp and Aurelio Rodriguez.
We also learn of Mike's love of Larry Bird, the only basketball player (he asserts) who was a College Player of the Year, an NBA Player of the Year, an NBA Coach of the Year, and a NBA Executive of the Year. He also won the NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA Finals MVP, and NBA All-Star Game MVP.
Mike counts among his memorable in-person spectating moments being in the Rose Bowl, January 1, 1998, for Michigan's, 21-16, victory over Washington State.
And among the events he'd love to go back in time to see in person, those were Game 7 of the 1968 World Series and the 1969 UM-OSU game which began the "10-Year War" between Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes.
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In this week's episode we're joined by Michael Thurston, a long-time educator and tremendous baseball fan from Maine (yep, check it off your Bingo Board if you're playing along;-).
Thurston shares with us memories of Fenway Park, 1972, when his father took him to his first game, and how, the next season, he became a Carl Yastrzemski fan, then the Boston Red Sox leftfielder. He was also, rather randomly, a big fan of New York Mets' pitcher, Tom Seaver, so much so that when he pitched for his Little League teams, Thurston felt like his follow knee needed to get dirty the same way Seaver's did. In 1983, Thurston shares that he and friends were able to see Yastrzemski in person during the waning moments of his final season (1983). Likewise, he and a group of friends were able to see Seaver pitch for Boston in 1986 (this game against Cleveland, based upon Thurston's description).
Along the way we touch on the many heartaches the Red Sox provided Thurston and other Boston fans, their ultimate run of good luck, and his renouncement of his BoSox fandom and transfer of allegiance to the Washington Nationals. It's a delightful tale that includes a Nationals' 2019 World Series win.
A lot of baseball chatter but a great discussion to be sure, complete with passing aircraft interupting the conversation for a moment as Thurston was chatting from his back patio.
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We're joined in this episode by Craig Pringle, an Ohio native who's lived in southern California for over 30 years. During our time with Craig we learn about falling in love with sports - football in particular - while attending Massillon Washington High School where he played football with both Spielman brothers (Rick and Chris) and participated in one of the great high school rivalries in sport: The annual Massillon Washington vs. Canton McKinley football game.
Craig also shares with us how he wound up at Eastern Michigan University and how, of all things, this north central Ohio native became a University of Michigan Wolverines' fan.
And, because Craig is a huge fan of Cleveland's professional sports scene there's plenty to conversations fodder there:
- The Browns' heartache from the 1980s, owner Art Modell moving the team to Baltimore, and the subsequent expansion version of the Browns.
- The Cavaliers winning the NBA Draft Lottery the year LeBron James was in the mix, the near misses with him, his Decision to head to Miami, and the subsequent return and NBA Championship in 2016.
- The then-Indians' flirtation with a World Series Championship in 2016 against the Chicago Cubs.
There's a good bit more ground covered so we hope you settle in and enjoy our time with Craig.
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We're joined in this episode by a metro-Detroit area mother of six and grandmother of 18, Carol Nihem. Those close to her call her sitto (which loosely translates to grandma from Lebanese). The one thing we discovered, however, is that she must be referred to as a sports fan.
With five brothers, Carol's love of sport developed early on and still burns brightly today ... though she's not as dye-in-the-wool as she used to be.
She counts among her favorites football (college and pro) and tennis, though we learn she's not particularly fond of Novak Djokovic.
Along the way we learn of Carol's visits to the now demolished Olympia Stadium, Tiger Stadium, and Chicago Stadium, not to mention some brushes with past Detroit athletes Mickey Lolich and Bob Probert.
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In this episode we're joined by a work colleague from decades ago at the Detroit Free Press, Derek Meinecke. A product of Northwestern University and Wayne State University Law School, Derek is the son of the much-beloved and late Michigan sportswriter, Corky Meinecke.
During our time with Derek we learn of his early days as a sports fan and how a kid growing up in the Grand Rapids, MI, area would become a fan of the Minnesota Twins, Vancouver Canucks, and the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals. We also discover one of the advantages of being a sports-crazed son of a sportswriter: a subscription to The Sporting News in the days when all the major sports/teams received some ink.
Derek shares sports recollections with Mandy, his wife; daughters, Jane and Kate; and son, Drew, that include just about every sport you can imagine. He also shares with us that unless we've been to one of his mom's tailgates on University of Michigan football game days we've not really been to a tailgate.
And, finally, he recounts a vivid and poignant memory about the time he and his father road-tripped to South Bend, IN, on September 2, 1995, and witnessed Derek's 27-point underdog Wildcats upset ninth-ranked Notre Dame, 17-15. (Check out the wonderful recollections of the game in this Chicago Tribune article.) Derek notes that it was more than just experiencing the game with his father, it was the trip home and the life lessons Corky imparted on his only son that resonate to this day. Six weeks later, Derek says, his father received a cancer diagnosis.
Derek also left us with a challenge (given to him by a friend): If you could go back in time, what are 10 sports events you'd like to experience in person? He admits, one of his 10 would be September 2, 1995, and the roadtrip to South Bend with his dad.
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This week's guest is Pam Forton, a retired math teacher and former para-legal from the Traverse City, MI, area. Pam traces her sports fanaticism back to her grandmother who was a huge Detroit Tigers fan her mother who was an even bigger college basketball fan; Isiah Thomas in particular.
Herself, Pam enjoys it all. She's not opposed to staying up late to watch west coast action, tennis, cycling, you name it. She fell in love with track and field during the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Those were the first times she ever saw women competing in athletic competitions. She's also a fan of the Winter Olympics and recalls being transfixed by Peggy Fleming's skating prowess and native son Jean-Claude Killey's skiiing during the 1968 Grenoble, France, Games. Pam also shares that her husband, Tom - then in the Army - was stationed in Germany during the 1972 Munich Games and was in the arena for the much-disputed USA-USSR Men's Gold Medal Basketball Game.
The Forton's are frequent sports travelers, especially in the spring and fall when they try to make a weekend out of it (seeing multiple events over the weekend). During the summer, they have the Traverse City Pit Spitters of the Northwoods League (a summer league for college players).
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We're excited to be joined in this week's episode by Craig Calcaterra, author of the 2022 book, Rethinking Fandom: How to Beat the Sports-Industrial Complex at Its Own Game. He also pens a daily Substack newsletter, Cup of Coffee.
During our time with Craig we learn about his sports origin story growing up near Flint, MI, and how he came to become an Alan Trammell fan. A family move to West Virginia led to Craig becoming an Atlanta Braves fan thanks to Superstation TBS.
We also dig into how and when he changed his perspective on being a sports fan, the impetus for his book, and some thoughts on how fans can alter their rooting habits to bring themselves more joy (think being a fair-weather fan, rooting for favorite players, and/or becoming more a casual fan).
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We're joined in this episode by Dave Metter, known in the Twitterverse as @CooperstownDave.
With it being Induction Weekend at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, we felt it was the perfect time to check in with Dave, who first became enamored with the Hall of Fame when one of his favorite players, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. failed to reach the 75% threshhold needed for election his first year on the ballot (2017). He created a Twitter handle, @Vlad4HOF, and worked on educating the electorate nudging the free-swinger over the required vote total.
During our time together, we discuss how someone living in Philadelphia became such a Vlad Sr. fan in the first place (Hint: Harrisburg Senators), his newfound quest to move the needle on 19th Century catcher, Charlie Bennett (see these at #Charlie4HOF on Twitter); his thoughts on the Hall's Era Committees; and Rule B for said Era Committees (Those whose careers entailed involvement in multiple categories will be considered for their overall contribution to the game of Baseball; however, the specific category in which these individuals shall be considered will be determined by the role in which they were most prominent).
To that end, Dave provides his thoughts on Hall of Fame candidacy of the likes of Felipe Alou (player/manager), Lou Piniella (player/manager), and Dr. Frank Jobe.
All in all, a lot of baseball in this episode, but a few basketball recollections are scattered throughout. Keep an ear open for those.
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As The Basketball Tournament, a winner-take-all million dollar event, tips off next week, we're delighted to be joined today by Nick Elam, a high school teacher/administrator and sports fan, who had an idea about how to improve the end of basketball games ... and did something about it! The Elam Ending has been utilized by TBT since 2018. The NBA has used the concept for the finale of its All Star Games the past three seasons, the Canadian Elite Basketball has used the format since 2021, and the NBA G-League began using it during the 2022/23 season for overtime.
During our time with Elam, currently faculty member in Ball State University's Department of Educational Leadership, discusses his earliest recollections of being a sports fan and the nearly decade long journey from concept to reality the Elam Ending took him on.
It is, in our estimation, one of our most fascinating episodes to date.
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This week's guest is recently retired educator and union leader from suburban Detroit, Tony Lucchi. As we learn about Tony's journey as a sports fan we discover it was a visit to his Aunt Pat and Uncle's Bill's house that first exposed Tony to sports. In this case, a Detroit Tigers' broadcast on a family radio. And, like may kids his age during that era, the exposure to baseball on the radio led to the request for a transistor radio as a gift.
Later, we learn it was Tony's mom, who worked for Henry Ford Hospital, who secured tickets to a game at Tigers' Stadium for she, Tony, and his aunt and uncle to attend. The specifics are fuzzy, but he remembers the opponent that day being the Kansas City Royals (likely during their expansion season).
Tony chats it up about his love of the Tigers, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks ... wait, what? Yep, he attended grad school in Columbia, SC, durign the late 1980s. We also discuss the prospects for the Lions this upcoming season (Spoiler: He's a believer), his time Los Angeles, what's on his sports bucket list, and, a late-episode riff on what does and does not qualify as a sport (Spoiler: He's not pro curling as a sport).
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We're joined in this episode by Bill Pepicello, a sports fan for over six decades who grew up in Erie, PA, and eventually found his way to cities from coast-to-coast.
Pepicello grew up a Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns fan. He was a long-time admirerer of Hall of Fame running back and otherworldly athlete, Jim Brown. Oddly enough, his favorite baseball player growing up was not an Indian, but rather a Red: Ted Kluszewski.
In 1970 he became a fan of the Oakland Raiders, thanks to a wide receiver named Fred Biletnikoff whom he played against in high school.
During our time with Pepicello, we learn about a silent auction bidding war for a signed Jim Brown helmet he unknowingly found himself in against longtime Arizona Cardinals' receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, and the close relationship he forged with former Arizona Diamondback and current St. Louis Cardinal, Paul Goldschmidt.
A past-president of the University of Phoenix, Pepicello now resides in The Valley of the Sun, where enjoys the occasional Diamondbacks' game and traveling with his wife.
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We're coming to you a few hours early this week, and for good reason!
Later today, about 10 p.m. Alaska Daylight Saving Time, the annual Midnight Sun Game will be played in Fairbanks. Just as it has every year since 1906 (the result of a bar bet, go figure:-) baseball will be played on the Summer Solstice in Fairbanks without the aid of artificial lighting. This year, the Alaska Goldpanners host the Michigan Monarchs.
In this episode we speak with a pair of long-time observers of the Midnight Sun Game and all things Alaska Baseball League: Bob Eley, former sports writer and sports editor at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and Lew Freedman, former sports writer and sports editor at the Anchorage Daily News. Freedman is also the author of Diamonds in the Rough: Baseball Stories from Alaska.
During our time with Bob and Lew learn a bit about their history as sports fans (Bob saw the L.A. Dodgers play in the L.A. Coliseum as a youngster and Lew, a Bostonian, was an unabashed Ted Williams fan) and the myriad things witnessed on the baseball diamonds in Alaska:
- Setting the infield dirt on fire at Fairbanks' Growden Park to dry it out in order to play the Midnight Sun Game.
- The evolution and devolution of the college summer baseball leagues.
- Name dropping Hall of Famers Randy Johnson, Tom Seaver, and Dave Winfield, all of whom played in the ABL.
- How last year's League MVPs, Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt, were both ABL products.
- How three generations of Boone's (Ray, Bob, and Aaron and Bret) have all been involved in the ABL.
Here's a YouTube of a wobbly recording of the "Alaska Flag" song at the 2007 Midnight Sun Game.
And no game at Growden Park would be complete without a playing of the Beat Farmers' "Happy Boy" which really needs to be heard to be appreciated.
If you're interested in checking out the action, most games are posted on the Goldpanners YouTube channel here a day or two after completion.
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After a touch more than a year of having these Conversations, one thing's pretty clear: Sports fandom tends to get passed from generation to generation and, in most cases, it moves from fathers to children. In this special Father's Day episode, we talk with a father, Brandon, and his 13-year-old son, Griffin, about their lives as sports fans.
Unsurprisingly there are similar rooting interests for this pair from Adams County, IN. They both favor the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts, and the Indiana Hoosiers. Their paths diverge, however, when it comes to favorite NBA teams. Brandon sticks with the homestate Pacers while Griffin is partial to the Boston Celtics - and his rationale has nothing to do with Indiana native son and Celtics' legend, Larry Bird.
Along the way we learn about their first experiences viewing major sports events in person and learn about the impact of cable TV (for Brandon) and video games and YouTube (for Griffin) on how they consume sports and who they follow and root for. Jazz Chisholm Jr. anyone???
We also learn about an epic sports viewing weekend March 23-24, 2019 when the pair watched the Hoosiers beat Arkansas, 63-60, in an NIT game, a few innings of the Hoosier baseball team's 13-1 rout of Iowa, a pair of Indiana State High School Basketball Championship games in Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Classes 3A and 4A), and then a Pacers-Nuggets game the next day; a 124-88 Pacers' rout of the not-yet-NBA Champion Nuggets.
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Mercifully, the second take with our guest, Detroit Free Press high school sports writer, Mick McCabe, is better than the first. We were chatting Mick up in Season 1, Episode 18 when technology troubles scuttled the remainder of that episode. Like the sweetheart we know Mick to be, he offered up a do over and that's what you find here today.
Along the way we learn about one of Mick's early jobs working as a soda pop cup filler for Sportservice (the long ago concession vendor at the old Tiger Stadium) and how it afforded him the opportunities to see some of his childhood heroes such as Rocky Colavito and Al Kaline. He even drops knowledge on us about Detroit product and dual sport star, Dave Debusschere (baseball and basketball), and how the Chicago White Sox decision to sign him ultimately led to Denny McLain becoming available for Detroit to claim off waivers a year later.
We also learn about how Mick discovered sportswriting, how the Monsignor at Allen Park Cabrini HS was not an early fan, but then found (salvation?) in helping get Mick admitted to then-Mercy College. He also shares stories about his high school sports writing mentor, Hal "The Swami" Schram.
And as someone who's been on the prep beat for 53 years, Mick's seen a few things. He discusses early sightings of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jim Abbott, Tyrone Wheatley, Dena Head, Tonya Edwards, and twins Pamela and Paula McGee.
Among the memorable events he's witnessed up close:
- Saginaw Buena Vista's Chris Coles' 50-foot plus buzzer-beater to defeat defending champions, Flint Beecher, in the 1986 Class B State Championship, 33-32.
- Detroit Cooley's Michael Talley-led state 1987 Class A State Championship, 82-77 in overtime, over Detroit Southwestern who'd beaten the Cardinals 79-44 in the PSL Championship a month earlier.
- Eastern Michigan University's 1987 California Bowl victory, 30-27, over two-plus touchdown favorite, San Jose State.
- Covering the 2012 Summer Olympics in London where he stumbled upon some fun stories about U.S. Women's Water Polo goalie, Betsey Armstrong, U.S. Men's Basketball Player, Kevin Love, and Chinese trampoline gold medalist, Dong Dong.
Somewhat reluctantly, Mick, even tipped his cap to a Detroit-area high school concession stand.
You're able to order Mick's Golden Yearbook here.
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On this, our first anniversary of Conversations with Sports Fans, we thought it would be fun to turn the tables on our regular host, Doug Hill, and have him discuss his journey as a sports fan. Handling the hosting duties in this episode is Mike McClary (heard here in S:1, E:9). Mike's no stranger to podcasting, having previously hosted a Detroit Tiger-centric podcast, The Daily Fungo, during the early 2010s.
Please enjoy these long-time friends discussing Doug's journey as a sports fan and do take a moment to listen to episode(s) that started Conversations a year ago: S:1, E:1 - The Overview and Doug's first conversation, with his father, S:1, E:2 - Jerry Hill.
Among the items referenced in this episode:
- Cincinnati's Big Red Machine
- The 1970s Miami Dolphins
- Indiana Hoosiers' Men's Basketball
- 1979 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game
- The 1984 Detroit Tigers
- The 2006 Detroit Tigers
- Miguel Cabrera's 506th career home run
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We're joined in this episode by Mike Jaissle, an educator from the Cleveland, OH, area, who was born and raised in metro-Detroit. During out time visiting with Mike we learnabout his formative years as a fan (the 1987 Detroit Tigers season finale series vs. the Toronto Blue Jays is his first memory), the impact his father had on his fandom (Michigan Wolverines football and men's basketball for the win), a fortuitous moment when a friend who worked in the clubhouse at Tiger Stadium needed someone to fill in for a couple of games during the 1998 season. (Mike got chatted up by future Hall of Famer Joe Carter, bumped into Derek Jeter and Tino Martinez, and learned about the pitching sign system from Tigers' starting pitcher, Justin Thompson).
A college athlete himself at Adrian College (football and track), Mike also waxes poetic about the 2002 Detroit Red Wings' super team.
He recollects about his time living behind enemy lines in Columbus, OH, (married to a Buckeye, no less!) and his latter years in Cleveland, including a memorable 8-0 victory by the Browns over the Buffalo Bills in blizzard conditions. (Check it out here.) For the record, Mike acknowledges he's only had bragging rights in the UM-OSU football rivalry three times in 19 years of marriage, but he's quick to point out he has won two in a row.
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We're joined in this episode by Sports Reference Product Director Adam Darowski. From the Providence, RI, area, Adam grew up relatively sports agnostic until an older brother introduced him to baseball cards. It was not the images on the front of the junk wax-era that captured Adam's attention, however, it was the stories and statistics on the back that fascinated him.
Statistics, it seems have been a constant through line for Adam ever since. In addition to his work at Sports Reference, Adam has been a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) since 2013 and serves as co-chair of its 19th Century Overlooked Legends Committee. He also created the Hall of Stats website in 2012 that makes the case for baseball players' Hall of Fame credentials from a purely statistical point of view. He has hosts a pair of baseball-centric podcasts: Building the Ballot (about the HoF's Era Committees) and The Outsider Baseball Notebook (about baseball outside of MLB before integration).
During our time with Adam we learn why he's pro-Lou Whitaker and Dr. Frank Jobe for a spot in Cooperstown and about some of the under-the-radar pre-integration baseball players: Bullet Rogan (a HoFer), Tetelo Vargas, and Lazaro Salazar.
Finally, Adam shares how he went from relatively ambivalent about sports to setting his schedule around Borussia Dortmund FC fixtures from the Bundesliga.
You can find Adam on Twitter at @baseballtwit. Trust us when we say he's a good follow. You'll learn more about early baseball players than you thought possible.
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In this episode, we're joined by longtime Rochester, NY-area, journalist and podcaster, James Brown. Brown's published work has appeared in the USA Today, NPR, PBS, and WXXI. He can currently be found online at jamesbrowntv.substack.com and on Twitter @jamesbrowntv.
Brown cut his teeth as a sports fan during the early-1990s Michael Jordan era and, unsurprisingly, also became fascinated with broadcasting during that time. It was the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and watching - and listening to! - NBC's on-air talent such as Bob Costas, Marv Albert, Dan Hicks, Dick Enberg, and Tom Hammond who Brown notes "turned up the drama."
Brown also recollects how he became a Buffalo Bills fan, what that experience is like, and how the Bills Mafia is very real and very passionate.
We also learn what it's like to be a sports fan in upstate New York and where the lines of demarcation are as they relate to being a Bills fan or being a Giants or Jets fan (think Syracuse). Brown also touches on his fan interest in mixed martial arts and an increasing curiosity in the Buffalo Sabres.
Brown was extended an invitation for "Conversations" host, Doug Hill, to join him on his podcast, "All of the Above with James Brown." You're able to listen to that episode here.
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In this special Mothers' Day Episode of Conversations we sit down with four moms and discuss what their lives have been like raising children who've competed. Some in athletics the moms were familiar with and others unfamiliar in nearly every way. We hope you enjoy this discussion with Jean Hellman, Carol Hill, Kathy Ryan, and Tammy Westlake, who have - between them - raised seven children and along the way spent plenty of time at everything from baseball and softball games to swimming meets to all-day cheer, dance, and wrestling competitions. During our time together we learn about the importance of ride sharing and portable meals, how they went about learning the sports, what it was like when they realized the days cheering on their children were coming to close, and even what it was like to see your child on the field during a Super Bowl. (Yep, one of these mom's has a child who was part of the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI championship.)
(Note: As this was recorded at the kitchen table our recording levels are a bit lower than normal so listeners may have to pump up the volume. Oh yeah, family dog Ellie, though not a mother, decided she wanted to be part of the discussion at one point.)
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We're honored to be joined in this episode by one of hockey's all-time great broadcasters, Mike "Doc" Emrick. Growing up in smalltown, LaFontaine, IN, early on Emrick dreamed of calling the baseball games he listened to as a youngster. Doc takes us through his journey from childhood baseball fan to his initial exposure to hockey in Fort Wayne's Allen County Memorial Coliseum seeing the hometown Komets play through his decision to pursue academia as a hedge against a broadcasting career (and, thus, the Doc nickname). You'll never guess who is non-academic advisor was during his PhD work while at Bowling Green (OH) State University! All the while, Emrick was a sports fan first and a budding broadcaster second. He even shares a few of his "pinch me" moments witnessed during his time in the booth: those include the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, when women's ice hockey first competed for medals, Sidney Crosby's overtime Olympic Gold Medal-winning goal against the USA in the 2010 Vancouver Games, and T.J. Oshie's shootout prowess against Russia in the 2014 Sochi Games.
Doc Emrick Honors:
- U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
- Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame
- Recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
- Recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy
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We're joined in this episode by Brent McKim, the President of the both the Jefferson County (KY) Teachers Association and the National Council of Urban Education Associations. A native of southern Indiana and a current Louisville, KY, resident, Kentucky Derby Week seemed an excellent time to catch up with Brent. Along the way we discuss Secretariat's 1973 Triple Crown-winning performance, the Big Red Machine, the Cincinnati Bengals, a less-than-ideal first NFL game experience at Indianapolis' then-Hoosier Dome, John Mellencamp's grandmother's yodeling skills, the "intense relationship" between the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, Louisville native son Muhammad Ali, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, and, of course, the Kentucky Derby and all the festivities that come with the weeklong celebration.
And, just because we're speaking with someone in Kentucky, we also talk Bourbon for a hot second or three. Brent's recommendations: Four Roses Small Batch and Willett Pot Still Reserve.
If, like me, you can't think about the Kentucky Derby without hearing Dan Fogelberg's "Run for the Roses" play in your mind, here's a link to a live perfomance of the song.
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In this episode we're joined by Iowa native, Josh Brown, who set out several years ago to catch a game in) each Major League Baseball stadium. Last summer in Phoenix, AZ, at Chase Field, he accomplished the feat. He shares some of the highlights of that quest, including seeing post-season baseball during the 2020 pandemic season in Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
Josh also talks about some of the other events he's witnessed in person. Those include the LSU-Iowa women's National Championship Game in Dallas, TX earlier this month and the 2015 Rose Bowl when the Christian McCaffrey-led Stanford Cardinal defeated his beloved Hawkeyes, 45-16.
Josh is hopeful of taking in an Olympics at some point and his Summer 2023 plans include plans to participate in the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), a 500-miled trek from one end of the state to the other.
In this episode we're joined by Little Rock's Southwest Magnet High School library media specialist, Cathy Koehler. Naturally an avid Arkansas Razorbacks' fan, Koehler is also a big fan of all Philadelphia pro sports teams - per Cathy, "only God saves more than Bernie Parent."
During our time together we talk Philly sports, Razorbacks' hoops history (including what it was like watching the 1994 National Championship Game against Duke), the uniqueness of the Hogs' football team's home venue(s), the Arkansas Travelers (the Seattle Mariners' AA affiliate), her disdain for the Dallas Cowboys, the old Southwest Conference compared to the Southeastern Conference, her relationship with ex-NFL tight end Keith Jackson and his after-school Little Rock ministry (Positive Atmosophere Reaches Kids), and that time she watched a Super Bowl game with past President of the United States. Yes, that's right, Cathy took in the first half of Super Bowl 50 with a POTUS.
Forty-nine years ago this past Saturday, Hank Aaron hit career home run 715 in breaking the long-standing record of Babe Ruth. Our guest this week, Dennis Hafeli, was there! He's got the ticket stub to prove it! Actually, he had a couple dozen stubs because fans just gave them to him when he asked. He also was on the field during batting practice, having crafted a phony press pass with the help of a 3x5 card, a marker, and his camera. This might be the highlight from this Conversation, but it's far from the only tale Hafeli shares.
Host Doug Hill's 11th grade high school English teacher, Hafeli had story upon story:
- Detroit Lions' 1957 World Championship Game at Detroit's Briggs Stadium? Hafeli was there.
- Detroit Tigers 1968 World Series Game 5 (aka the one that began the comeback)? Hafeli was there.
- Detroit Tigers 1984 World Series Game 5 (the clincher)? Hafeli was there.
- Hanging in the wives room following the 1984 World Series? Hafeli was there.
- Knew Jim Beckett back when he first started producing his eponymous baseball card grading publication? Hafeli did.
- Playing as entertainment during the 1980 Detroit Lions' training camp (including a cameo by Jimmy "Spiderman" Allen on vocal and Coach Monte Clark on guitar)? Hafeli and his band were there.
- Happening to be in the Northborough, MA, area so you stop in at Mark "The Bird" Fidrych's place to see if he's home? Hafeli was there, visits for a half hour, and then barters for some autographs.
- Attending the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend for 25 consecutive years with friend and a longtime coworker at Lakeview High School, Tom Tuschak? Yep, Hafeli was there.
When we say the recollection of his life as sports fan are must-listen-to we are not kidding. (And we're not just saying this to pass his class all these years later;-)
Also, if you're interested in seeing Hafeli's band, The Spring Street Boys, perform. They'll be in the St. Clair Shores Downtown Social District during the early evening of May 13.
Our guest today is Tim Martin another long-ago work colleague of Conversations' host, Doug Hill. Tim joins us in this episode to discuss that magical Sunday in mid-April 2014, when he was gifted - essentially - a golden ticket in the form of a grounds pass to the final round of The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. Please enjoy Tim's tale of how a flippant comment made to a bowling league buddy led to what he considers one of the most-memorable days of his life.
- If you're interested in checking out what Tim saw, here's the link to CBS Sports' Sunday broadcast.
- Perhaps you'd rather just enjoy the CliffsNotes version here at Wikipedia.
- Here's a virtual tour of Augusta National (primarily the back nine) from Golf.com.
- And a hole-by-hole discussion by past-Masters' champions, also from Golf.com.
Just in time for the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, we speak in this episode with college basketball superfan, Craig Caswell, who in February attended the Lehigh University at American University game in AU's Bender Arena and, in so doing, completed his quest to see every NCAA Division I basketball team play in person. Yes, you read that correctly, over a 12-year period of time Craig has seen all 363 NCAA Division I teams play in person. During our conversations with Craig we learn of his origin story as a sports fan and he dishes on some of his most memorable moments along this quixotic journey that's taken him from coast-to-coast watching college hoops. His favorite venue (Hint: It's an ACC school but not the one you might think), how he first became a college hoops fan (it actually involved a Division II school), some of the venues he still hopes to visit, and how his wife, Jaclyn, is both his biggest supporter (and travel partner) as well as an outstanding co-pilot ... especially during one harrowing trek to Niagara University.
It is a fascinating tale told by a fascinating and dedicated individual and we certainly hope you enjoy it.
In this episode we're joined by former Ann Arbor News' colleague Karl Bates for a rollicking conversation about his life as pseudo-sports fan who's managed to witness some pretty cool events. Along the way, Karl shares how he came to be at the Los Angeles Forum for Games 3 and 4 of the 1989 NBA Championship and, in so doing, witnessed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's final NBA game. Oh, in a classic burying the lead moment, Bates also ran into his middle school lunch lady in the bowels of the Forum wait until you learn who that was! He's also made a trip to Green Bay's Lambeau Field for the Packers-Lions game each of the past 20 years and, quite likely, witnessed Aaron Rodgers' final Packers' game in January.
A staff member at Duke University in Durham, NC, Bates also discusses the Cameron Indoor Stadium experience and juxstaposes it with that of the Dean Dome in nearby Chapel Hill. He's also spent time in Chicago and Ann Arbor and reminisces about skipping work to attend afternoon games at Wrigley Field pre-light towers as well as being in the Big House for Colorado's 1994 Hail Mary victory over Michigan.
Finally, as the uncle of Evan Bates, he discusses what it's like to witness world class figure skating in person, including that of his nephew and ice dancing partner, Madison Chock. See that duo's recent Four Continents Championships gold-medal-clinching free dance here.
(Note: Referenced a few times in this episode is former Ann Arbor News' sports editor Geoff Larcom who was our guest in Season 1, Episode 16.)
In this episode we're delighted to be joined Andrew Chong, a software tester for the sports data suite of websites known as Sports Reference. (If you've never checked these sites out, do yourself a favor!) During our time with Andrew we learn that among his earliest sports fan recollections is attending Chicago Cubs games with his South Korean-immigrant father while the family lived in the Windy City. Later, the family relocated to southeast Pennsylvania in time for Andrew experience the 1993 Philadelphia PhilliesWorld Series run. And, yes, the Joe Carter Game 6 walk-off 3-run homer still stings a bit.
We also dive deep into international baseball and how Korean pitcher Chan Ho Park's arrival in the Major Leagues really cemented Andrew's love of sports. Unsurprisingly, Andrew was an early follower of the World Baseball Classic and even attended games in Angels' Stadium of Anaheim during the inaugural WBC in 2006. He was there for South Korea's, 2-1, victory over Mexico before 42,979 fans - the most-attended game that WBC.
Andrew may have buried the lead when he let us know that he's been in the stadium for each of the past two MLB post-season no-hitters: Roy Halladay's in 2010 against the Cincinnati Reds and 2022's combined no-hitter by four Houston Astros' pitchers during the World Series.
With daughters of his own, he's also becoming a bigger fan of women's college basketball and is a Villanova women's basketball season ticket holder. Those seats allowed him to appreciate the opportunity to watch Big East Player of the Year, Maddy Siegrist, up close this season.
Finally, we find some time to talk about Sports Reference, what exactly a software tester does, and why Andrew considers his current employment situation his dream job.
In this episode we're excited to be joined by a high school buddy from back in the day, Colin Lancaster, who - it turns out - was instrumental in our host meeting his future wife over 30 years ago. Unsurprisingly, it involved a hockey game. We say unsurprisingly because Colin was a high level metro-Detroit youth player who eventually played collegiately at Princeton University. Colin's also spent time in Milwaukee, Chicago, and London, England, during his professional life which, for the past 25 years, has been in the finance industry; primarily in the hedge fund arena. He authored a book about the experience of managing billions of dollars in assets in the lead up to and during the pandemic, entitled Fed Up!: Success, Excess, & Crisis Through the Eyes of a Hedge Fund Macro Trader.
During our time together we trace Colin's hockey-loving roots to a January 2, 1972 Detroit Red Wings-Montreal Canadiensgame (a 6-4 Wings' victory) he attended with his father at Detroit's Olympia Arena. By our count, eight future Hockey Hall of Famers skated in this game and another, Scotty Bowman, was in his first year behind the bench in Montreal. Then, three months later, Colin returned to Olympia and saw the Wings lose, 5-4, to the Boston Bruins and three more HoFers. Once he began playing, Colin had the opportunity to play with and against future NHL standouts like Jimmy Carson, Mike Modano, and Craig Wolanin. With early hockey experiences like that, it's no wonder Colin later was part of a Milwaukee Admirals' ownership group.
Baseball also holds a special place in his heart partially due, no doubt, to his first in-person MLB game. It was July 3, 1976 at Detroit's Tiger Stadium when he saw eventual American League Rookie of the Year recipient, Mark Fidrych, toss a 4-hit shutout of the Baltimore Orioles. A decade later, in his dorm room at Princeton, one roommate was a Boston Red Sox fan and the other a New York Mets fan, Colin experienced Game 6 of the World Series with those two while the Mookie Wilson/Bill Buckner drama played out.
Along the way we also touch on a trip to Wimbledon, how he became a Leicester City FC fan, and his recollections from the night Hockey Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay came to dinner at the Lancaster House.
In this special episode we're joined by sports writer and author Lew Freedman to discuss the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The author of over 100 books - including several on the Iditarod - Freedman was also the Anchorage Daily News'sports editor from 1984-2001 and has spent a fair amount of time on the trail through the years.
During our conversation Lew discusses "The Last Great Race's" history, what it takes to be a musher (especially for a 1,000-mile race in uncertain weather conditions), how the event has evolved during its 51 years, and opportunities for the event to be a spectator sport.
Along the way, there are mentions of some Iditarod legends: 5-time winner Rick Swenson, Dick Mackey who edged Swenson by one second in 1978's epically close (and controversial) finish, Joe Reddington Sr. the father of the Iditarod, Mitch Seavey, Martin Buser, and Jeff King.
Lew also answers the question on everyone's mind: If the dog's run a thousand miles to Nome, how do they get back?
In this episode we're joined by University of Alabama at Birmingham Hall of Fame broadcaster, Gary Sanders. Born in Decatur, IN, Gary was bitten by the sports radio bug at an early age, admiring the work of Bill Stern and Hilliard Gates. Gary's family eventually moved to Tennessee where he became active in the radio business and, ultimately, wound up doing Auburn University football games for 11 season. Among the most famous of his calls during his time on The Plains was the 1972 Iron Bowl played at Birmingham's Legion Field. Ninth-ranked Auburn trailed the unbeaten and second-ranked Crimson Tide 16-0 with under 10 minutes to go but a field goal and a pair of blocked punts returned for touchdowns by David Langner propelled the Tigers to the improbable win.
Another notable event Gary was on the mike for was as a Marty Brennaman's color analyst for CBS Radio's call of the 1992 NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional Championship aka The Christian Laettner Shot Game(unfortunately, try as we might, we can't find the Brennaman & Sanders call).
Gary also joined UAB when the school began its intercollegiate athletics program in 1979 working closing with athletic director and men's basketball coach, Gene Bartow (the man who succeeded John Wooden as UCLA coach).
Along the way we hear from Gary about the Adolph Rupp, Pat Sullivan, Terry Beasley, Shug Jordan, and Pete Maravich.
Here is the YouTube played in today's outro featuring Gary's fourth quarter calls of the 1972 Iron Bowl.
In this episode we're joined by longtime friend, fellow educator, and President of the Michigan Education Association, Paula Herbart. Our chat with Paula reminds us that not everyone is an avid sports fan and that sometimes the best part of sports and sports spectating is the camaraderie it creates. Paula recollects growing up in her family of seven and how finding things to do is what kids did growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. That included ice skating on any patch of ice she could find in their Fraser, MI, neighborhood and spending plenty of time in the pool at the YMCA.
Paula's mother and father (both educators themselves) relocated to southeast Michigan in 1952 following completion of their degrees at Clarion (PA) College. Without any family there, Paula's mother fell hard for the Detroit Tigers from the family home in Fraser. So much so, in fact, that when the Tigers won the 1984 World Series, Paula said her mom loaded those still living at home up in the car to head downtown to celebrate. And, no, not even a well-intentioned police officer could dissuade Mrs. Salerno from celebrating. Paula also recollects a close-encounter with Tigers' great Mickey Lolich at their opthamologist and her mom fan-girling out.
Paula attended the University of Michigan, where she studied music education and attended athletic events - shall we say - sporadically.
As life proceeded, Paula took up golf and she recollected on how much she despised watching it on Sunday's at her grandparents' place in Pennsylvania, but now regrets not having taken the sport up earlier in life to have had the opportunity to play with her grandfather, himself a scratch golfer.
We conclude our time with Paula by talking about another one of her grandfather's (and parents') loves: bridge. As author and fellow podcaster Malcolm Gladwell might say, we "descend into the particular" on bridge ... and euchre ... and pinochle... and cribbage. All of which - if poker and cornhole can get airtime on ESPN! - should be considered spectator competitions as well.
Generously speaking, your host is a casual NASCAR viewer. By that I mean I'll tune in and watch a few laps here or there and will check the results to see how local product Brad Keselowski finished.
With the "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing" - aka the Daytona 500 - set to go green this Sunday afternoon and with it the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series kicking off, it seemed a perfect time to work on become something more than a viewer. In this special episode we're joined by friends and fellow educators Frank Burger and Kevin Hickerson to talk all things NASCAR and how best to become engaged in the spectacle. Our conversation today takes us through the basics of being a fan:
- Who do fans support and why? (It's not as straightforward as I presumed!)
- What races are not to be missed? Is it the same for in-person or viewing on TV?
- What's with the Stage Racing and the points?
- What about the other series - the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series?
All in all, it was time well spent for this novice. Now to pick my driver? Or will it be team? Or maybe manufacturer? Decisions, decisions!
In this episode we're joined by longtime member of the University of Michigan's Athletics Department, Bruce Madej. A Dearborn, MI, native, Bruce was into sports from an early age ... and by sports we mean all sports. He makes reference to watching - in person - baseball, hockey, football, basketball, unlimited hydroplane racing, offshore powerboat racing, lacrosse, curling, track and field, and horse racing within about the first 20 minutes of our conversation.
Now retired from U-M, Bruce currently serves as a communications consultant with ROSSETTI, a Detroit-based architecture firm that specializes in sports venues. We get Bruce's take on how these plans have evolved through the years and his thoughts on which southeast Michigan venues are among his favorites. In addition to his work for ROSSETTI, Bruce continues to lend support to the efforts to get an H1 Unlimited Hydroplane race back to the Detroit River. We also talk LPGA (he was was part of the team that worked the Volvik Championship during its three years at Ann Arbor's Travis Pointe Country Club) and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (of which Bruce serves in his final year as co-chair).
And, of course, we talk about some of his most memorable moments spent at the University of Michigan. Among those are the renewal of the Michigan-Notre Dame football rivalry on September 23, 1978 featuring Rick Leach and Joe Montana at quarterback; the October 17, 1979 John Wangler to Anthony Carter walk-off 45-yard TD reception that defeated Indiana; the 1989 men's basketball run to the NCAA Title following the pre-tournament departure of Coach Bill Frieder; the 1998 Rose Bowl Championship team that secured a share of the National Championship; and the 2005 Women's College World Series between Michigan and U-M which gave Wolverines' Coach Carol Hutchins an elusive national title.
We're delighted to be joined in this episode by Chesterfield, England's, Antony Fitzpatrick. Antony is among the founders of the website, podcast, and blog "Roar of the Lions UK." Antony is not Michigan ex-pat or a college student living abroad. Nope, in fact he's a bonafide Detroit Lions' fan by choice. How he came to choose the Lions is among the myriad recollections Antony shares during our time together. He also traced his sports fan roots back to the 1997 FA Cup Semifinals when, as a 7-year-old, his family sprang for the pay-per-view at his aunt's home to watch their hometown's lower division club - Chesterfield FC - advanced to the semifinals and had favored Middlesbrough FC on the ropes before yielding a controversial late score that forced a replay nine days later which Middlesbrough won, 3-0.
Antony provides insights on the tribal nature of fans' football club rooting interests, the inequities between the various divisions of soccer in England, and how both of those have made him appreciate American football and, in small part, led him to the Lions and his ardent support of them. Spoiler Alert: He loves the salary cap concept.
Through his love of the Detroit Lions, Antony has also developed an affection for college football and podcasts about it regularly throughout the year as well.
Please enjoy today's episode and give Antony and the rest of the crew a look and listen over at "Roar of the Lions UK."
This week's guest, Dr. Channon Washington, may well be the busiest sports fan we've ever spoken with. The wife of University of Michigan men's Assistant Basketball Coach Saddi, mother of University of Pittsburgh sophomore gymnast Sidney, and mother of Caleb, a Saline High School freshman 3-sport athlete (football, basketball, and track & field), Channon is one busy - and nervous! - spectator.
We start our conversation during Channon's youth and the summer of 1984 when her family in Detroit was captivated by the the magical run the Tigers were on as well as the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Channon was a big fan of USA gymnast Mary Lou Retton. Channon also provides some wonderful context on the University of Michigan's Fab Five and the outsized impact those five had not just on basketball but all aspects of American culture.
Channon pulls the curtain back on how she and Saddi first met as undergraduates at Western Michigan University (Hint: Think breakfast food) as well as their experience as new parents in France while Saddi played professionally for JL Bourg. She also shares what it's like being a "gym mom" to Sidney, how her son has a completely different personality than his sister and as well as sports proclivities, and how watching one of the first U-M B1G road games Saddi coached in sent her to the emergency room later that night.
It's no wonder there's a support community for coaching wives that Channon's proud to be a part of.
In this week's episode we enjoy a lovely discussion with an fellow educator and fellow former caddy, Kevin Marvin. Kevin looped at Red Run Golf Club for most of his teenage years in Royal Oak, MI, and earned a prestigious Chick Evans' Caddy Scholarship to Michigan State University. Yep, that thing Danny Noonan was gunning for in Caddyshack really exists and Kevin talks about how he earned it as well as name dropping a few of the more famous bags he toted. He also touches on how $40 got him a spot as a charter member of the Breslin Center's now famous IZZONE.
COVID years aside, Kevin's seen at least one NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game in-person every year since 1998. He also counts among his in-person highlights as seeing a Formula 1 Race at the Hockenheimring in Hockenheim, Germany (see a Michael Schumacher qualifying lap here) and taking in a Yomiuri Giants game in the Tokyo Dome during the Nippon Baseball Central League season.
Kevin also spills the tea about that moment when he was in Bloomington, IN, for a MSU football game in 1995 and he happened into Assembly Hall, opened a random door, and discovered Coach Bob Knight addressing members of the Hoosiers men's basketball team.
There's quite a lot more ground we cover with Kevin and we hope you enjoy all of it.
In today's episode we're joined by longtime friend Tom McClary. Tom was raised in St. Clair Shores, MI, where he was one of the stars of his high school basketball team. His body of work as a high school player afforded him to play collegiately at Eastern Wyoming College. His proclivity for basketball aside, Tom grew up in a baseball household and recalls lots of dialogue in the house about the Detroit Tigers' 1968 World Series Championship. He had his own baseball moment in 1973 when the Tigers and Oakland A's went to a deciding fifth game at Tiger Stadium and Tom's teacher indicated there would be no lessons that day and pulled out a radio.
During our conversation, we discuss the Tigers, the Detroit Pistons and their 1970s home - Cobo Arena - as well as the University of Detroit Titans and its home barn - Calihan Hall. He recollects on what sports was like for a Michigander during his time in Torrington, WY, and how Magic Johnson's 1979 Michigan State Spartans had an impact on his high school basketball experience. He also touches on his two most memorable events, the first being a 1988 Detroit Red Wings-Edmonton Oilers Conference Final and the other being 1987 Indianapolis 500 that he attended on a whim with a buddy.
We wind down our conversation with Tom by discussing how he's enjoyed watching his 7th grade daughter play basketball and his thoughts on the women's college game; including a trip last summer to University of South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley's basketball camp.
In this episode we're joined by Jovan Mrvos, who along with his family, was considered one of the over 5 million displaced persons following the conclusion of World War II. Yugoslavian by birth, Mrvos, his parents, and brother were sponsored refugees who arrived in the United States on Valentine's Day 1952. They found their way to Gary, IN, and ultimately settled a few blocks from Wrigley Field in Chicago where the family, feeling the need to culturize, fell hard for the Cubs and Bears who played nearby. The Blackhawks of that era were also a natural, Jovan notes, because his father was able to catch on to the game quickly due to the similarities with soccer.
During our time with Jovan we cover it all: What necessitated the family's departure from Europe, the experience of his first Cubs game (September 29, 1956 against the Cincinnati Redlegs), sneaking into the 1959 NFL Championship Game at Wrigley between the Bears and Giants, his disdain for the New York Yankees but tolerance of the cross-town White Sox, his 30-plus years working in the music industry first as an on-air talent and later as an artist and repetoire for music labels, comparisons of old-school arenas, how his taste in sports these days leans more toward the English Premier League (he's an Arsenal Gunner through and through, by the way), and his thoughts on the recently concluded Men's World Cup,the passing of soccer legend, Pele, and the the FX series,Welcome to Wrexham(that soccer side project by Hollywood's Rob McElhenny and Ryan Reynolds).
Finally, we conclude with Jovan discussing a passion project in his current home of Decatur, IN, where he helped acquire a low-power FM broadcasting license form the FCC several years ago for the local high school, Bellmont, where he's in his final year serving as station manager (103.5 WDBF-Lower Power FM, the "Voice of Bellmont High School").
Please enjoy this eclectic discussion of sports, music, and just about everything in between.
We are honored to be joined in this episode by the 45-year voice of Indiana University's Simon Skjodt's Assembly Hall, Chuck Crabb. A native of Brazil, IN, Crabb was virtually born a sports fan. His father was a 3-sport star in high school and later became a referee and his mother was a high school cheerleader. His grandfather was also fond of taking young Chuck to see uncle Larry play one of his three sports as well.
During our time together with Chuck he runs the gamut on his entire career which began while he was still in high school. Heck, he even shares how he bought himself a Christmas of an 8-day trip to Pasadena, CA, for $312.50 to see the Indiana Hoosiers play the University of Southern California Trojans in IU's most-recent Rose Bowl appearance, January 1, 1968 (won by USC, 14-3).
To say Chuck's recollections get better from there would be a gross understatement. He discusses how he was and was not and then was again going to replace his predecessor Bert Laws who was on the job for 40 years. And then, how a moment of excitement over the microphone nearly ended his PA career at the beginning. Along the way he recollects some of the magical moments he witnessed in Assembly Hall, some of the personalities of coaches he had a front row seat to view, the opportunities afforded him to also work at Olympic Games, Pan-American Games, U.S. Olympic Festivals, the first basketball event ever at the RCA Hoosier Dome between an NBA All-Star Team and the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team coached by IU's Bob Knight and led by Michael Jordan, and the evolution of women's athletics at IU post-Title IX.
Here's hoping you enjoy listening in on our conversation with Chuck as much as we did having it.
In this trailer for Season 2, Doug shares his thanks for helping get "Conversations with Sports Fans" launched and into the podcasting orbit. He also reflects on the incredible events and memorable performances we learned about from our guests during the 2022 Season and provides some hints about the first three episodes of the 2023 Season. If you missed any previous episodes we now have links to all of them housed on our website found here. Should you have any comments or referrals please send them along to host Doug Hill at hilldouglast@gmail.com.
In this episode we're joined by one-time Major League Baseball pitcher and the person charged with starting the Indiana University Purdue University Columbus athletics program from scratch, Zach McClellan. McClellan was hired by IUPUC less-than-a-year ago to begin this herculean task. To date, his accomplishments include finalizing admittance into the NAIA, fielding men's and women's cross country teams this fall, building a schedule for baseball and softball teams this spring, acceptance into the River States Conference beginning in 2022-23, and the addition of men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball teams next season.
Prior to hiring in as AD of the Crimson Pride, McClellan started a pair of youth athletics-focused business in the Columbus area: Demand Commandand CG Velocity.
McClellan's interest in athletics comes from his upbringing as part of a sports-centric family in Toledo, OH. His father, Dave, played college basketball at the University of Michigan and scored the first points in Crisler Center history on December 2, 1967 against Kentucky; his mother Diane was a high jumper at Bowling Green State University pre-Title IX and was intrumental in starting up girls' sports programs at Toledo Start HS post-Title IX; his oldest brother Jeff played college baseball at Ohio Northern University; and his older brother Matt was a 2-sport star (baseball and basketball) at Oakland (MI) University before being drafted in the seventh round of the 1997 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. All five McClellan family members are enshrined in the Toledo City Athletic League Hall of Fame.
For this part, Zach McClellan played baseball at Indiana University before becoming a fifth round selection of the Kansas City Royals in the 2000 MLB Draft. All totaled, McClellan spent 10 seasons in professional baseball (from Independent Leagues to the Majors) including the 2006-07 season with Mexicali of the Mexican Pacific Winter League where he was teammates with then-45-year-old Fernando Valenzuela. The 2007 season was when McClellan got the call to join the Colorado Rockies for 12 games late that spring before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Along the way, McClellan had an up close seat to view some incredible athletes. He tells us the best of the group was, hands down, former Indiana University quarterback Antwaan Randle El who also played part of one season with the Hoosier basketball team and part of another season with the IU baseball team.
Our guest this episode is former Ann Arbor News co-worker, Dave Holzman. A Michigan resident the vast majority of his life, Holzman is a Michigan State University graduate, a big Spartans fan, as well as a supporter of the Detroit Tigers and Lions. Our conversation takes us from his poor timing arriving on campus (a year after the Spartans won Big 10 football, basketball, and baseball championships as well as the NCAA baketball title) to his time as a journalist, first in Chillicothe, OH, and then in Ann Arbor where he worked the sports and news desks on some of the most significant events in thorugh the 1990s and 2000s (including the Fab Five era and Bo Schembechler's death). We also touch on how important high school sports have become to Holzman as time's moved on.
Athletes and events referenced in this episode:
- MSU basketball great Scott Skiles.
- Long-time MSU hockey coach Ron Mason(correcting the podcast, he came to MSU from Bowling Green).
- MSU's Jenison Fieldhouse.
- Louisiana State at Ohio State, September 24, 1988.
- The1982 CCHA Championship Game between MSU and Notre Dame.
- The 1988 MLB All-Star Game from Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. The boxscore is here.
- The 2013 B1G Championship Game in Indianapolis. The boxscore is here.
In today's episode we leave the North American Continent for Melbourne, Australia, and speak to Sam, a 14-year-old Aussie futbol fan who recently had the experience of a lifetime, attending five Men's World Cup group stage matches in Qatar over a 4-day period.
Sam shares the improbable story of how the experience even came to be and how he knew nothing about it until it was pretty well set (Spoiler: It involves his father's willingness to check all of his email folders and a proclivity for poetry, apparently), what the 15-hour plane journey was like, the hunt for resale tickets, an inordinate amount of walking, and the opportunity to see some of the world's best players in person.
Fixtures Witnessed
- November 25 -Netherlands 1, Ecuador 1
- November 26 -Australia 1, Tunisia 0
- November 26 - France 2, Denmark 1
- November 28 - Cameroon 3, Serbia 3
- November 28 - Brazil 1, Switzerland 0
Other items referenced in this episode:
- Arsenal Football Club
- Melbourne City Football Club
- Information about "Dr. Cool" and the climate-controlled open-air stadiums is foundhere.
- A video tour of Stadium 974 is found here.
- The 2026 Men's World Cup website.
- Stevie Wonder's album, "Songs in the Key of Life"
In this week's episode we're excited to be joined by an Indiana University and American Basketball Association alum and North Dakota State University's all-time winningest men's basketball coach, Erv Inniger. Inniger played collegiately at IU from 1964-67 for both Branch McCracken and Lou Watson before spending two seasons in the ABA for the Minnesota Muskies and the Miami Floridians.
Our conversation covers a lot of territory from his time leading tiny Berne (IN) High School to the final eight of the state's single class state basketball playoffs to his time as a 2-sport athlete at IU (baseball was the other) to the opportunity (and financial rewards) availed to him by the inception of the ABA to his many years on the sidelines coaching. Along the way, Erv reflects on a lifetime in athletics, the benefits and blessings thereof, and importance of his family - especially his wife of 54 years, Linda.
His recollections include Roger Maris, Maury Wills, Tony Olivia, Harmon Killebrew, Bob Knight, Tony Hinkle, fellow Berne HS and IU product Bob Dro, Mel Daniels, and Dick and Tom Van Arsdale.
We're delighted to be joined in this episode by Steve Book, one of four 2008 Coke Zero Dream Job Biggest College Hoops Fans in the Nation winners. We wouldn't be able to do it justice trying to describe what it exactly that experience was or how it came to be. You have to listen. Suffice to say it includes references to the IZZOne, the band The All-American Rejects, actor Tim Robbins, and a then-19-year-old newcomer Taylor Swift.
We covered a lot of territory with Book who is both a product of and currently a teacher in Rochester (MI) Community Schools. He discusses how he chose Michigan State University (Hint: Getting an up close look at the marching band entering the field.), how and why much of his childhood in the early-to-mid-1990s was spent in the old Tiger Stadium along the thirdbase line, attending the final game at the Stadium, Cecil Fielder, attending three consecutive Final Fours (2008-2010), his role as an IZZOne section leader, and the 2014 Rose Bowl against Stanford.
We even learn how one of his three children came to be named after a certain arena on the MSU campus.
In today's episode we talk being a sports fan with Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Lee Conklinevening co-anchor at Toledo's Channel 13. A St. Clair Shores, MI, native, Conklin shares his earliest memories of being a sports fan and how it continues to this day.
- Detroit Tigers' radio broadcasters Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey's closing thoughts.
- Former Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.
- Tom Dempsey's then-NFL record 63-yard field goal as time expired on November 8, 1970.
- 2021 Solheim Cup from Inverness Club in Toledo.
- The Jamie Farr LPGA Classic.
- The Bluffton University baseball team's bus crash 15th anniversary coverage.
- The 2003 Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and the University of Miami.
- Logansport H.S. and the Berry Bowl basketball arena with seating for 5,830.
- Scott Skiles led Plymouth H.S. to the Indiana Boys Basketball Championship in 1982.
- The entirety of the final game and pre-game festivities at Detroit's Tiger Stadium.
- University of Toledo and Bowling Green athletes and coaches referenced: Nate Thurmond,Bill Fitch,Jim Larranaga,Bobby Nichols,Steve Mix,Nick Saban,Gary Pinkel,Harvey Knuckles,Bruce Gradkowski, Matt Campbell, and Urban Meyer.
In today's episode we pay a visit to that hub of sports (and other) conversations ... the barbershop. In this case, it's a conversation with the owner of Coach's Cutz in Columbus, IN, "Coach" Ray Gipson. Born Hayward Raymond Gipson III in Princeton, NJ, Coach's father, Hayward Jr., was the first African-American football player at Princeton University in 1964 (the last Ivy League football team to integrate). You're able to read a bit about the elder Gipson here.
The Gipson family is an athletic one, featuring Coach's son, Keenan Noel, who played at Ball State as did Jahwan Edwards(BSU's all-time leading rusher)the father of Coach's grandson, who also plays football as well as a pretty good game of baseball.
As though we were seated in Coach's chair at the shop, our conversation covered plenty of ground: We discussed being a campus baby at Princeton and hanging out as a toddler with future NBA Hall of Famer and U.S. Senator, Bill Bradley, and former Heisman Trophy-winner, Dick Kazmaier; the impact out-of-the-blue Indianapolis Colts' hire, Jeff Saturday, might have; his time in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Independence; attending a Ball State road game at Texas A&M to watch his son play the Aggies which featured freshmen backup QB Kyler Murrayand sophomore defensive lineman Myles Garrett; the impact of the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness policy; Coach's philosophies on how important participating in athletics are to a successful life; and how grateful he is to the Columbus community for becoming his home and giving him the opportunity to become Coach.
(Note: The Jim and Nora Coach referenced are mutual friends and longtime Columbus residents, Jim and Nora Coleman.)
Other people referenced in this epsiode:
- Damon Bailey
- Devin Mann
- Jay Williams
- Walt "Clyde" Frazier
- Earl "The Pearl" Monroe
In today's episode I’m delighted to be joined by a former co-worker of mine at both the Michigan and National Education Associations, Maury Koffman. Born and raised in Michigan, Maury's been a sports fan from early on, watching the Detroit Pistons' Bad Boys and listening to Ernie Harwell call Detroit Tigers' games. After matriculating to Michigan State University for higher education, Maury's enjoyment of sports only grew. Blessed with jobs that have both required and allowed for travel, Maury's completed seeing 75% of the tennis grand slam (the Australian, the French, and the U.S. Open). Maury's also been to NFL playoff games, NCAA Men's Final Fours, World Series games, and the 2018 Winter Olympicsin Pyeongchang, South Korea. Heck, Maury's even attended the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.
Other items referenced in this episode:
- ESPN's College GameDay at MSU and the events that required the protective screen behind the set.
- New York City's Rucker Park.
- University of Notre Dame Stadium.
- The 2004, 45-37 triple overtime, UM win over MSU in Ann Arbor. Game story hereand grainy highlights here.
- Former MSU and NFL kicker Dave Raynor.
- Boxers Chris Byrd and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- The 2026 World Cup.
In today's episode we speak with an instructional coach and education union leader, Sara Earleywine, from Des Moines, IA. Sara's been a sports fan for nearly as long as she can remember when her mom signed her up softball. A devout Chicago Cubs fan, Sara makes at least one trip to Chicago each summer to not only visit her sister but also see her beloved Cubs. Like most, though, Sara was priced out of the opportunity to see the Cubs-Reds Field of Dreams Gamein Dyersville, IA.
People and places referenced during this episode:
- The Iowa Cubs and Principal Park.
- The Kansas City Royals' Kauffman Stadiumand George Brett.
- The way cool Wrigley Field drone video.
- The Chicago Bears.
- Pro Football Hall of Famer (and fellow Iowan and one-time Hy-Vee employee) Kurt Warner.
- Boston'sFenway Park and Atlanta's Turner Field.
- The Women's College World Series.
- Following recording we were able to confirm the Bears' game Sara surprised her husband with was against the San Francisco 49ers.
In this special Bonus Episode of Conversations we go on campus to Ann Arbor with University of Michigan senior, Andrew Livingston, to get the vibe of what's happening in town in advance of this week's UM-MSU game. Livingston, a molecular biology major (yes, you read that right!), carved a bit of time out of his busy schedule to share how he found his way onto the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing for his first two years of undergraduate studies before transferring to UM. The son of Jim Livingston (heard here in Episode 10), Andrew has been a sports fan for years. His entree was the 2006 Detroit Tigers and a weekly trip to 7-11 with his dad and older brother for a newspaper, player pin, and doughnut. In addition to Major League Baseball, Andrew's favorite sports are college football and basketball. In this episode he provides his take on who's got the inside track for the college football playoff as well as how he sees the B1G men's basketball season unfolding. A perennial contender in his Fantasy Football League he's hopeful Josh Jacobs and Jalen Hurts can help overcome the recent injury to Ja'marr Chase.
Because of scheduling quirks and the pandemic, this will be Andrew's first UM-MSU game on either campus. He provides a bit of insight into what the college student tailgate looks like. (Hint: The food is not likely to be grilled.) His wish list of stadiums to visit include the MLB classics (Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium, and Dodger Stadium) and B1G road games at Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin), Beaver Stadium (Penn State), and the Rose Bowl (UCLA).
In today's episode we try to dispel the myth that we have some sort of Midwest bias here at Conversations by speaking with longtime friend and native New Yorker, Martin Frank. Martin currently serves as the Philadelphia Eagles' beat writer for Delaware Online and, before that, worked at newspapers in Waterbury, CT, and Bradenton, FL. We cover everything from Martin's long-standing love of New York's Mets, Jets, and Rangers to his ambivalence toward the Knicks but affinity for Julius Erving to his rationale for choosing the University of Michigan (Hint: It had something to do with football.) We hope you enjoy our conversation.
Events and people referenced in this episode:
- The 1973 World Series in which the Oakland A's beat the New York Mets in seven games. (Check out Rusty Staub's stat line from the Series.)
- The 1986 World Series Game #2 in which Martin attended with his father (and Game #6 that Martin didn't).
- The waning moments of the 1996 Big East Men's Basketball Championship (UConn vs. Georgetown) at Madison Square Garden.
- Raghib Ismail's two kick-off returns for touchdowns at Michigan Stadium in 1989, here and here.
- Then-quarterback Jim Harbaugh guaranteeing victory over OSU in 1986. UM won 26-24.
- Mets Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Jon Matlack, Dwight Gooden, Daryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, and Gary Carter.
- NBA players Julius Erving and Bernard King.
- Clarifier: Doug's faulty memory confused Czech hockey players Miroslav Frycer and Petr Klima.
As the NBA season gets underway we're delighted to be joined in this episode by 15-year NBA player and current Bally Sports Detroit's Pistons' and NBA analyst, Grant Long, who spoke to us from the Little Caesars Arena's Champions Lounge during a recent preseason game. Your host and Grant go back 35 years, but it's been nearly that long since we last caught up so this episode features plenty of reminscing and some revelations, such as the fact Long - despite being the nephew of NBA player John Long - was never much of a sports fan until a certain magical evening in March of 1979. We also learn that he's a huge baseball fan (especially of the New York Yankees) and we we work to get the bottom of his infatuation with Tom Brady. Grant also provides his thoughts on the 2022/23 NBA season. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode.
Fellow athletes referenced in this episode:
- Former MSU Spartans Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Gregory Kelser.
- Los Angeles Dodgers' Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda.
- Atlanta Braves Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones.
- New York Yankees Hall of Famers Joe Dimaggio, Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter as well as C.C. Sabathia and Bernie Williams.
- Barry Bonds' 756th career home run on August 7, 2007. Video here.
- Current Detroit Pistons Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey and retired Pistons Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton.
- Former Detroit Lions' head coach Jim Caldwell.
Just in time for the start of the NHL season we're joined in this episode by the radio voice of the Detroit Red Wings, Ken Kal. Ken's been doing Red Wings' play-by-play since succeeding Bruce Martyn to begin the 1995-96 season. During his 27 seasons on the microphone, Ken's called four Detroit Stanley Cup Championships and a veritable who's who of Hockey Hall of Famers.
References made during this episode:
- Longtime Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson.
- Longtime Detroit Red Wings' owner Mike Illitch.
- Longtime broadcast partner and former player Paul Woods.
- Detroit Catholic League baseball champions.
- Detroit Red Wings coaches Scotty Bowman and Mike Babcock and front office personnel Jim Devellano and Ken Hollandand Steve Yzerman.
- Bruce Martyn's call of Darren McCarty's Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game 5 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals.
- Ken Kal's call of the final 10 seconds of the 2008 Stanley Cup Championship.
- Longtime Detroit Red Wings broadcaster and public address announcer Budd Lynch. Budd’s player introductions prior to the 1995 Stanely Cup Finals.
- Detroit Piston George Trapp.
- The 1991 Detroit Lions-Dallas Cowboys Divisional Playoff game from the Pontiac Silverdome.
- Detroit Tigers' radio play-by-play legend, Ernie Harwell.
In this episode we're joined by an Indiana Sportswriters' and Sportcasters' Association Hall of Famer, Fred Inniger. A retired math teacher and school guidance counselor, Fred has been calling East Noble High School football games for 53 years and hosts a weekly sports show on Kendallville, IN, WAWK 95.5 FM. A native of Berne, IN, Fred was also a classmate of our first-ever guest here at "Conversations," Jerry Hill.
Individuals and events referenced in today's episode:
- The "Star Spangled Banner" at Chicago Stadium by Wayne Messmer. This version is especially powerful as it was the finale at Chicago Stadium in 1994 and Messmer had just been shot as a bystander in a robbery earlier that week. And, similar to what Fred and his son experienced, it too featured the Toronto Maple Leafs as the opposition.
- Game 5 of the 2006 World Series on October 27, 2006 in St. Louis' Busch Stadium, won by the Cardinals, 4-2.
- St. Louis Cardinals legends Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, and Enos Slaughter.
- The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
- Fred's younger cousin, Erv Inniger.
- Fort Wayne/Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
- Purdue University and NBA All-Star Brad Miller.
- Purdue University coach Matt Painter.
In recognition of today being National Daughter's Day we've changed the title for today's bonus episode with my daughter, Helena Hill. We're calling today's "Conversation with the Daughter of a Sports Fan."
We discuss some of Helena's memories of various events we've attended as a family (including a chance encounter with her favorite Detroit Tiger, Magglio Ordonez, at a Baltimore Cheesecake Factory) as well as some fo the events she's attended with others.
This special episode concludes with a 5-question quiz for each other: She's formulated pop-culture questions for me and I have some general sports knowledge questions for her. (Spoiler Alert: It goes right down to the wire before the outcome is determined.)
Other items referenced in this episode:
- Then-Detroit Tigers Denny Bautista, Ramon Santiago, and Miguel Cabrera.
- Tigers at Blue Jays boxscore from April 19, 2008.
- The Baltimore Orioles home park, Camden Yards.
- Tigers at Orioles boxscore from April 7, 2011.
- The boxscore from Justin Verlander's first no-hitter, June 12, 2007, against the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Los Angeles Dodgers' pitcher, Dustin May, was a member of the 2017 Great Lakes Loons team that plays in Midland, MI.
- Northwood University's athletics department.
Thanks to some wonky connectivity issues during the recording of this episode, we have an amouse-bouche with longtime Detroit Free Press writer, Mick McCabe. Mick has been covering high school sports for the Free Press since 1970 save a 40-week retirement try out back in 2016. (As noted, we experienced some tempermental Internet issues on our end and, thus, a much-abbreviated episode with Mick. We're working on rebooking him for a future episode.)
Items referenced in this episode:
- The 1956 Chicago White Sox.
- The 1957 NFL Championship Game.
- New York Yankees' Hall of Famer, Mickey Mantle.
- 1968 Detroit Tigers' players Jim Price, Mickey Stanley, Jim Northrup, Al Kaline, and Ray Oyler, and Manager Mayo Smith.
- Mick's obituary of Michigan State University basketball coach, Jud Heathcote.
In this week's conversation we speak with, quite likely, our only guest whose name adorns a college arena, Garth Pleasant. Garth has been a member of the faculty at Rochester (MI) University for 51 years, spent 38 years as the program's head basketball coach, and now - against his wishes - has an arena bearing his name. During his coaching career he amassed 772 wins without a home gym, is a member of five different halls of fame, and was named the national small college coach of the year four times. Also an ordained minister, Garth served the Lake Orion Church of Christ as its pulpit minister for 30 years.
He took us to church, school, and practice during our hour together and left listeners of younger athletes with some salient advice, noting the first (and really, only) five words an adult should utter to a child following a competition are: "I enjoy watching you play."
Garth also had plenty of stories to share and along the way we learn of how he went from the 'C' Team at Ainsworth HS to the varsity in the same season, the importance of Historically Black Colleges & Universities, his general disdain for the Southeastern Conference, how the 1969 UM-OSU football game turned him into a Michigan (and Bo Schembechler) fan, his thoughts about the impact of money in college athletics, and how one of his former bench warmers, John Horst, went onto be the GM of the 2021 NBA World Champion Milwaukee Bucks. Oh yeah, he also casually drops a lot of names of coaching peers, many of whom he has a deep reverence for. We list as many of the names as we can below.
- Indiana University basketball coach Branch McCracken
- One-time Louisiana State basketball coach Jay McCreary who, while coaching the Muncie Bearcats, lost the Indiana State Championship to tiny Milan HS, the game which inspired the film, Hoosiers
- Tennessee State University basketball players Lloyd Neal, Ted McClain, and Truck Robinson
- College basketball coaches John Wooden, Bobby Knight, and Tom Izzo
- NBA coaches Larry Brown and Flip Saunders
- NBA Hall of Famers Joe Dumars and Pete Maravich
We remain in Washtenaw County, MI, for a second consecutive week as we're joined by Ann Arbor native, Geoff Larcom. Now retired, Geoff spent the largest portion of his professional life working in newspapers in Florida, Detroit, and, utlimately, Ann Arbor. While at the now-shuttered Ann Arbor News, Geoff spent over a decade as the Sports Editor and shares many terrific stories about being at the helm during some major University of Michigan athletic events. We also discuss the evolution of college athletics as his final professional post was serving at a decidedly smaller NCAA Division I institution, Eastern Michigan University, as its Executive Director of Media Relations.
Items referenced during this episode:
- The October 2, 1965, 15-7, Georgia win over Michigan.
- Detroit Tigers' first baseman Dave Bergman's 10th inning walk-off 3-run HR against Toronto's Roy Lee Jackson on June 4, 1984 after facing 13 pitches.
- The 1991-92 U-M basketball team's Fab Five phenomenon.
- The Camp Randall Stadium crowd stampede tragedy following Wisconsin's 13-10 victory over Michigan, October 30, 1993.
- Colorado Buffalo quarterback Kordell Stewart's final play Hail Mary touchdown pass to Michael Westbrook at Michigan Stadium on September 24, 1994.
- The 1997 Heisman-trophy winning season for Charles Woodson (and U-M's national title).
- Eastern Michigan University football coach, Chris Creighton.
- Award-winning former Sports Illustrated writer Dave Kindred's new gig covering a small-town Illinois girls basketball team. (Please, do yourself a favor and read that story. You will feel good afterward.)
In this episode we enjoy a conversation with Kelly Sippell a Saline, MI, native, who's spent 36 years working in the publishing industry; including over two decades at the University of Michigan Press. During our time together we touch on plenty of University of Michigan football, women in sports and their impact (on Kelly and other girls) during the era of Title IX, her love of watching tennis (including a certain Spaniard), and a special seat neighbor on a flight from New York City to Detroit.
Events referenced in this episode:
- Billie Jean King's 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match.
Other female athletes from the 1970s:
- Olga Korbut
- Chris Evert
- Dorothy Hamill
- Nadia Comaneci
University of Michigan football:
- Michigan's 21-16 Rose Bowl victory over Washington State in 1998.
- Michigan's Marching Band taking the field.
- Michigan's 31-23 victory over Ohio State in 1995.
- Michigan's 35-32 victory over Notre Dame in 2012, the first-ever night game at Michigan Stadium.
A serendipitous seat partner on plane ride from New York:
- Author Frank Deford
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Exploiting College Athletes by Walter Byers
All things tennis:
- Rafael Nadal
- The Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Detroit Tigers' broadcast duo Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey.
Just in time for back-to-school season, we're joined in this episode by our youngest guest to date. Mason is a 16-year-old rising junior at L'anse Creuse North HS in suburban Detroit. Mason's also an avid sports fan who favors baseball (the hometown Tigers and the Atlanta Braves are his favorites) and college football (the University of Michigan).
Events referenced in this episode:
- The Tampa Bay Ray's 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on July 28, 2010in Tampa when Miguel Cabrera hit one into the Rays Touch Tank.
- The game summary from Michigan's 51-14 victory over Central Florida on September 10, 2016.
- The game summary from Michigan's 20-13 victory over Rutgers on September 25, 2021.
- Mason's favorite baseball player is Detroit Tigers' shortstop Javier Baez. Here's Baez's Baseball-Reference page.
- When the Detroit Pistons drafted Cade Cunningham in 2021 they got Mason's attention. Here's Cunningham's Basketball-Reference page.
- Some of the older-school baseball cards in his collection include: Mark McGwire's 1984 Team USA card, Bo Jackson, Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Thomas.
In today's conversation we chat with Ian Casselberry, an Ann Arbor, MI, native who now lives and works as a freelance writer, editor, and podcaster in Asheville, NC. You can find Ian's work at Barrett Sports Media and his own website, Bowls Media. His podcast, cleverly named The Podcass, is set to return this fall to whereever you find your podcasts.
Items referenced in this episode:
- Ian's first MLB game was a 10-6 Tigers' victory over the visiting California Angels on July 11, 1983.
- The Adrian Dantley-Vinnie Johnson collisionin the waning moments of the third quarter of the 1987 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 at Boston Garden.
- The 1987 Alan Trammell-George Bell MVP voting.
- Ian's first trip to the Big House in Ann Arbor was for the Florida State at Michigan game, September 27, 1986. Highlights from the end of game found here.
- Game 1 of the 1989 NBA Finals, June 6, 1989.
- The University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium.
- HBO’s “Winning Time” and a YouTube fact check by View the Right Thing.
- Hall of Fame Los Angeles Dodgers' broadcasterVin Scully
- The Asheville Tourists website.
Sportswriters referenced:
- Gary Smith: Here’s a terrific “Where are they Now?” profile on SI.com and his collection from the SI vault.
- Mitch Albom
- Bob Ryan
- Dan Shaugnessy
- Michael Wilbon
- Tony Kornheiser
The 2022 Little League Baseball World Series begins Wednesday in South Williamsport, PA. Today's guest, John Paklidenaz, and his son, J.D., will be there - as they have been most of the past 15 years - serving as volunteers. In today's bonus episode, Paklidenaz shares what took his family to South Williamsport in the first place and the strong relationships with the community of volunteers that have led them back, annually.
Items referenced in today's conversation:
- The Little League Baseball World Series website.
- Plenty of photos of Little League Mascot, Dugout, are found here.
- Howard J. Lamade Stadium, the primary stadium used during the LLBWS.
- Little League Volunteer Stadium is the newer of the two stadiums used during the LLBWS.
- 2014's breakout LLBWS star was Mo'Ne Davis (now playing softball at Hampton University, BTW). Here are highlights from her Game 1 complete game shutout over Tennessee.
- The book penned by author Charles Euchner, Little League, Big Dreams, that chronicled the 2005 LLBWS.
Today we experience an enjoyable conversation with Don Drooker who began his life in Boston, moved with his family to Los Angeles as a teenager, and now calls Surprise, AZ, home. Don was at Fenway Park for Ted Williams' first game back in uniform following his tour of duty during the Korean War, saw Bill Russell play in Boston Garden shortly after the 1956 Olympics, enjoyed Vin Scully for the better part of the his entire broadcasting career, saw UCLA freshman Lew Alcindor and his fellow freshmen defeat the top-ranked Bruins' varsity, 75-60, in an exhibition game at the opening of Pauley Pavillion in 1965, and was at Angels Stadium for George Brett's 3,000th hit in 1992. Today, Don is retired and serves as a buying consultant for AZ Sports Cards in Phoenix.
Some of the many items referenced in this episode:
- Ted Williams’ first game post-Korean War service vs. the St. Louis Browns, August 6, 1953.
- Williams’ career stats. (Note his 1953 season, batting .407 over 37 games and 110 plate appearances with 13 home runs.)
- Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks game, January 20, 1957.
- Bill Russell's career stats. The two players traded by the Celtics to the St. Louis Hawks for Russell on draft night, 1956: Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan.
- The first home of the Los Angeles Angels was Wrigley Field (Los Angeles).
- The original Home Run Derby television show from 1960.
- The incomparable Vin Scully.
- NHL Hall of Famer Boom Boom Geoffrion’s Miller Lite commercials here, here, and here.
- George Brett’s 3,000th hit, September 30, 1992. Video of the hit, the ensuing pick off, and box score.
- AZ Sports Cards Facebook Page and website.
In today's episode with converse with Jim Livingston, a lifelong metro-Detroit resident and avid sports fan for all things Detroit and the University of Michigan. Jim is a proud member of the Teamsters and drives for Tri-County Beverages in the Detroit area. (Note: We apologize for some technical issues throughout this recording, most notably near the end of this episode.)
- Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game vs. the Buffalo Bills, November 25, 1976. Bills' running back O.J. Simpson rushed for a then-NFL single-game record 273 yards on 29 carries.
- Cobo Arena (now known as Huntington Place) was home to the Detroit Pistons from 1961-78. Among the players referenced, Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, John Mengelt, and Chris Ford.
- Detroit Tigers, 4-2, 1984 World Series Game 4 victory over the San Diego Padres, October 13th.
- Michigan 24, Ohio State 12, November 22, 1969.
- Former OSU football coach John Cooper. The last Michigan victory in Columbus was November 18, 2000, Cooper's final UM-OSU game.
- DeLaSalle football's most-recent state championship,November 25, 2021.
- Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes hall of fame football coach,Mike Boydandhere.
Today we converse with Mike McClary, a longtime friend of mine dating back to our high school days. Mike easily wins the award for most prepared guest we've had on Conversations coming equipped with a list of his first events attended as well as boxscores where available. Mike, who is self-employed, lives and works in Cave Creek, AZ.
Items referenced in this episode:
- Colorado Rockies franchise home opener, April 9, 1993.
- Mark Fidrych vs. Frank Tanana, August 17, 1976.
- Mike's first Tigers' game, vs. Milwaukee Brewers, August 10, 1977.
- Mike's first Lions' game vs. St. Louis Cardinals,September 21, 1980.
- Mike's first Pistons' game vs. Denver Nuggets,December 23, 1982.
- Mike's first U-M football game vs. Washington St., September 10, 1983.
- Mike's first Red Wings' game vs. Chicago Blackhawks, December 7, 1984.
- 2002 U.S. Open Men's Singles Semifinals. Andre Agassi vs. Lleyton Hewitt full match.
- Mike's first professional baseball game outside of Michigan, Red Sox at Angels, August 25, 1981.
Today we converse with Tom Varcie, a former co-worker at the Eastern Michigan University student newspaper, the Eastern Echo. Tom and I received our Bachelors' Degrees in succession on the stage in EMU's Bowen Field House in December 1989 and I famously photo-bombed his university-produced photo. Tom's a long-time hockey player and fan of the Red Wings, Tigers, and - gulp - the Lions. A Garden City, MI, native, Tom, now lives and works in Chesterfield Township, MI.
Items referenced in this episode:
- The following arenas - Olympia Stadium, Joe Louis Arena, Little Caesar's Arena, Nationwide Arena, and Yost Ice Arena.
- The first Red Wings' game at Joe Louis Arena, December 27, 1979.
- Nolan Ryan's big strikeout performance against the Tigers, August 18, 1976. (It was mentioned during this episode that it was a 19-strikeout performance, but that actually occurred two years prior in Anaheim on August 20, 1974.)
- Magglio Ordonez's 2-homer performance (video here) in the ALCS clincher against the Oakland A's, October 14, 2006.
- Justin Verlander's first career no-hitter against Milwaukee, June 12, 2007. Video of all 27 outs found here.
- Detroit Tigers' groundskeeper Herbie Redmond article from the Detroit Free Press in 1986 and his obituary in 1990. A very brief video found here.
Host, Doug Hill, shares his recollections and interactions from a day spent on The Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, as part of the just-completed 150th Open Championship week.
Today we converse with Laura Dennis, a 1-time college roommate of my far better half, Carol. Laura was born and raised in Chelsea, MI, which is about 15 miles west of Ann Arbor and currently resides in Chicago. Her nearly 20 years in Chicago have her smitten with the Chicago Cubs but her hockey loyalties remain with the Detroit Red Wings. Try as we might, Laura was not able to lock in a future Conversation with Chelsea's most-famous resident, Emmy and Tony-winning actor Jeff Daniels.
Items referenced in this episode:
- The 2016 World Series highlights.
- Anthony Rizzo's home run after a 14-pitch battle against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 11, 2021.
- Bill Murray singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," June 11, 2021 the first full capacity game at Wrigley Field.
- A video tour of the Pittsburgh's PNC Park.
- Fans rushing the field at the conclusion of the 2021 Ohio State-University of Michigan football game at Michigan Stadium
In this episode we converse with calculus teacher and die-in-the-wool Detroit Lions' fan, Rob Byrd. Rob is a Livonia, MI, lifer who is unashamed to admit he suffers from fear of missing out (FOMO). His personal quest is to see the Lions play in every opposing stadium.
Events referenced in this episode:
- The 2008 Detroit Lions winless season. See all the season highlights(?) here.
- The Lions at Green Bay Packers on December 28, 2014.
- Toledo Mud Hens, Erie Seawolves, West Michigan Whitecaps, and Lansing Lugnuts.
In this episode we converse with Jack Hellmann, a 20-something sports fanatic who's childhood friends with my son. Jack is an ardent supporter of the Michigan State Spartans and the Boston Celtics. How he came to be fans of each is intriguing.
Events referenced in this episode:
- The MSU "Little Giants" fake field goal in 2010 to beat Notre Dame in overtime.
- The MSU-Wisconsin 2011 Kirk Cousins to Keith Nichol game-winning touchdown.
- The "Trouble with the Snap" MSU-Michigan football game from 2015.
- The MSU-Pittsburgh 2022 Peach Bowl.
In this episode we converse with recently retired high school English teacher, Tim Parker, who was born and raised in suburban Seattle but now calls Fairbanks, AK, home. He's an avid fan of Seattle's pro sports teams and we learn during our conversation that, as a 12-year-old, Tim utilized public transit to attend the Seattle Supersonics' NBA Championship Parade with friends (note the lack of adult supervision!)
Items referenced in this episode:
- 1979 Seattle Supersonics and a video retrospective.
- Basketball Hall of Famer Jack Sikma with some highlights.
- Sick's Stadium home of the MLB's Seattle Pilots.
- The Kingdome was the original home to the expansion Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks.
- The Liverpool Football Club.
In Episode 2 we converse with patient zero for my sports fanaticism, my father. He reflects on how he first became a Chicago Cubs fan and what it's been like to follow them through decades of disappointment before they finally won the World Series in 2016.
Events referenced in this episode:
- Ken Holtzman's no-hitter on August 19, 1969. Here is the boxscore. Six future Hall of Famers in the lineup that afternoon!
- The Continental Football League's 1969 championship game won by the Indianapolis Capitols, 44-38 in overtime, over the San Antonio Toros. Here is the Capitols page and Toros page.
- The view from the seventh tee at Pebble Beach.
- Hole 8 at Royal Troon.
- Augusta National's 12th Hole.
An overview of what Conversations with Sports Fans will be about. Unsurprisingly, as the name suggests, it'll be conversations with sports fans. We'll delve into some of their earliest memories of sports fanaticism as well as memorable events they've attended and some they still hope to attend. Please visit our website at The Sports Fan Project to discover more sports fan-related content.