The Roger Hoover Podcast: Recent Episodes
Roger Hoover
Roger Hoover likes to interview people, so he started a podcast. He also likes to talk about baseball, music, broadcasting, journalism, history, SEC football, and occasionally politics, so there will be that too. Hoover is a sports broadcaster for Alabama Crimson Tide athletics on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, and provides television play-by-play for SEC Network+ and ACC Network. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
After a long hiatus, The Roger Hoover Podcast is back! Hoover recaps the busiest "offseason" of his life, then shares his conversation from this week with baseball legend and Birmingham Barons manager Omar Vizquel. Vizquel played 24 years in the major leagues, was an 11-time Gold Glove Award winner at shortstop, a three-time All-Star, and is a member of the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame. Vizquel discusses his career plus his role now in the Chicago White Sox organization with Hoover, as well as his love for art and music. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
MYLES JACK WASN'T DOWN. Now that we've got that out of the way, it's a big week for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they host the New England Patriots for the home opener on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field. Roger revisits his conversation with Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack from April 12, 2018 when he threw out a ceremonial first pitch before the Jumbo Shrimp played the Mobile BayBears. Roger also says hello for the first time from Tuscaloosa in the fall, and also gives his gratitude for the 2018 Southern League Broadcaster of the Year honor from earlier in the week. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Derek Jeter became the CEO of the Miami Marlins on October 2, 2017 and has been busy overseeing the organization's day-to-day business and baseball operations ever since then. Part of his first season as CEO and part owner was a trip to Jacksonville in early July to watch the Marlins Double-A club the Jumbo Shrimp, and he visited with Roger Hoover at the Baseball Grounds on July 8, 2018. Roger also says hello for the first time since February on the podcast and talks about the 2018 Jumbo Shrimp season, plus what's to come as he transitions to the baseball offseason. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Pitchers and catchers all across baseball are reporting to spring training this week, and that includes Chicago White Sox top pitching prospect Michael Kopech. The hard-throwing right-hander was a force for the Double-A Birmingham Barons in 2017, and in August of last year he discussed his progress and plans with the future with Roger Hoover at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Roger also recaps a winning weekend for Alabama women's basketball, and looks ahead to the start of college baseball as well. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
In the same game that featured last episode's interview with Jim Furyk, Roger Hoover also welcomed Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Conner to the Jumbo Shrimp Network booth on May 27, 2017. O'Conner has been the MiLB President since 2007 and has spent over 30 years in professional baseball. Here he talks with Roger about the re-branding that clubs like Jacksonville had prior to the 2017 season, plus his thoughts on working with Major League Baseball on pace of play initiatives, and the future of the game in the minors. Roger also recaps last week's trip to Florida and Walt Disney World, plus announcing gymnastics for the first time. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Back to the archives! Last year Ponte Vedra Beach resident and PGA Tour golfer Jim Furyk visited the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on May 27, 2017 as part of "Golf Night" with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. The 2003 U.S. Open champion talked about his work with the Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation, his career, and plans for the future as the 2018 Ryder Cup USA Captain. Roger also says goodbye to the Jaguars season and updates a winning weekend for Alabama women's basketball. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Blythe Brumleve is not only a die-hard Jacksonville Jaguars fan, but she's turned into one of the most trusted voices when it comes to Jacksonville sports. Through her work with her website "Guys Girl" to co-hosting "Helmets and Heels" on 1010XL Jax Sports Radio, Blythe has become one of the go-to follows for sports and media news on the First Coast. She joins Roger to discuss this Jaguars season that has included a berth in Sunday's AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, plus details her career and what she sees for the future of social media. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Alabama's national championship on Monday night was life-changing for center Bradley Bozeman in more ways than one. Not only did the senior win his second championship, but he also got proposed on the field after the game to his girlfriend Nikki Hegstetter, who starred for the Alabama women's basketball team from 2012-16. She said yes, and Tuscaloosa's most celebrated engaged couple visited with Roger after Thursday's Alabama women's basketball game on Thursday. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Monday's victory for Alabama over Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game meant championship number 17 for the Crimson Tide, and the sixth called by "The Voice of the Crimson Tide" Eli Gold. Gold visited with Roger at Coleman Coliseum this week about another championship moment on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, and details his career path from Madison Square Garden as a peanut vendor to the beloved broadcaster of Tide sports. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
It's a new year and the cold weather has us all hoping for baseball season. So here's a look back at one of Roger's favorite interviews from the 2017 Jumbo Shrimp season. 13-year major league veteran and Jacksonville native Vince Coleman was honored by the Jumbo Shrimp on July 1, 2017 with a bobblehead of him in his Raines High School uniform, and he joined Roger on the Jumbo Shrimp Network to discuss his All-Star career and memories of Jacksonville baseball. Roger also updates Alabama women's basketball and what's next for the podcast. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Fan of Mad Men? Then you'll enjoy this conversation with Stephanie Drake, who played Meredith in the final three seasons of AMC's legendary show. Drake discusses her life and career, gives thoughts on playing Don Draper's last secretary, as well as updates what she is doing now and her upcoming project "After Meredith." Plus Roger recaps an eventful Christmas week and puts a wrap on 2017. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to the playoffs! With the excitement of the Jaguars getting back to the NFL postseason for the first time since 2007, it's a good time to look back at Roger's conversation with Jaguars legend Mark Brunell from August 2017. Brunell made a trip to the Baseball Grounds as the Kindness Hero of the Year presented by the American Civility Association, and he joined Roger on the radio during a Jumbo Shrimp game to talk about that plus his NFL career and what he's doing now. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Stuart Webber of Action Sports Jax and the Jacksonville Armada is a University of Florida graduate, and he visits with Roger Hoover, a University of Tennessee graduate, to discuss the Tennessee-Florida rivalry and preview Saturday's game in Gainesville. Stuart also discusses being a part of the Hurricane Irma coverage for Action News Jax, and Roger updates offseason plans. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
This isn't the first time that baseball legend Jack McKeon has sat down for an interview with Roger Hoover, and it certainly hasn't been the last! In this conversation, McKeon details coming to the Jacksonville area for spring training years ago, what major differences he sees between baseball now and then, plus thoughts on the 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins and what made that club so special. Roger also updates how the Jumbo Shrimp are in the playoff picture with just weeks left to go! Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
If you've watched the first two seasons of the Netflix series "Last Chance U" then no doubt you are a fan of Brittany Wagner. In her role as the athletic academic counselor for East Mississippi Community College, she helped many players get on the right track academically and become eligible to transfer to Division I football programs. She talks with Roger about the experience of the being on the show, plus her new opportunities away from Scooba, Mississippi. Roger also gives his thoughts on the show and updates the Jumbo Shrimp road trip. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
The "Voice of Alabama Hockey" Kendall Grayson has one of the most interesting jobs that any student has attending the University of Alabama. Grayson is the Director of Broadcasting for Alabama Hockey, a club team that competes away from Tuscaloosa, calling the Pelham Civic Center home. In this conversation with Roger recorded at Coleman Coliseum in mid-March, Grayson talks about the rise of Alabama hockey, and some of the challenges and hard work students do to make a club sport successful. Roger also gives a update on the Jumbo Shrimp as they are over 100 games into the season, previews episodes to come. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin is enjoying his role as the Cincinnati Reds Special Assistant to the General Manager, and in those duties he made it to Pensacola to take a look at the Blue Wahoos. There he met with Roger and gave his thoughts on the Reds of the future, plus shared thoughts on his legendary playing career and the future of the World Baseball Classic. Roger also updates the start of the Jumbo Shrimp season. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Earlier this morning legendary Carson-Newman head football coach Ken Sparks passed away at the age of 73 after a long fight with cancer. Here Roger gives his memories of interactions with Coach Sparks, and visits with the "Voice of the Eagles" Adam Cavalier to put Sparks' life and career in perspective. Audio highlights are from following Sparks' 300th win in 2012, and the closing song is the Carson-Newman's A Cappella Choir and Alumni singing their timeless benediction, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."
Greg Byrne is in his first few weeks as the new Director of Athletics for the University of Alabama. During his first full week in this new role, he watched Alabama play Kentucky in the quarterfinals of the 2017 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament, and during halftime of that game he joined Roger on the Crimson Tide Sports Network to discuss his new role and vision for Crimson Tide athletics. Plus Roger looks back at the past week of Miami Marlins spring training broadcasts, attending the World Baseball Classic, and updates Alabama's run in the Women's NIT. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Courtney Lyle is staying very busy these days as part of the SEC ESPN Network's stable of play-by-play announcers. Courtney is announcing five games in the 2017 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament in Greenville, S.C., and there she caught up with her old Vol Network partner Roger Hoover to discuss her first year working solely for ESPN, and advice for young broadcasters looking to get into the business. Plus Roger gives his schedule for upcoming Miami Marlins spring training broadcasts and recaps Alabama's run in the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Neil Price has been the radio play-by-play broadcaster for University of Kentucky women's basketball and baseball for the past 11 years, and he was in Tuscaloosa last week for Kentucky's game against Alabama. Price discusses his East Tennessee roots, what got him into broadcasting, plus some thoughts on the craft and what younger broadcasters can learn from legends such as John Ward and Cawood Ledford. Roger also looks ahead to what's next for Crimson Tide women's basketball and says "Happy Birthday" to his parents. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Actress Mary Lane Haskell portrays Dolly Parton’s childhood schoolteacher in “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love,” which debuted on NBC on November 30 and will air again on December 23 at 9 p.m. Haskell discusses her role as Miss Moody, plus looks at Dolly's efforts to help East Tennesseans that were affected by December wildfires in Gatlinburg. Roger also recaps a busy stretch for Alabama basketball and previews holiday plans, especially #HooverMonopoly. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Gary Stokan is the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl President and CEO, and was in Tuscaloosa on Monday for a press conference with Alabama athletics director Bill Battle and head coach Nick Saban. Stokan visited with Roger to preview the December 31 game, as well as talk about what the Georgia Dome has meant to college football. Roger reminisces about the Chicago Cubs World Series run, and what games he's been announcing lately. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
This has been a difficult week for the Miami Marlins organization and the game of baseball with the tragic death of Marlins ace Jose Fernandez last Sunday. Here Roger gives his memories of brief moments around Jose Fernandez, plus an interview recorded in Jacksonville with Fernandez back in 2015. Audio highlights are from the Marlins Radio Network from March 17, 2016 when Fernandez faced the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium.
Stuart Webber of Action Sports Jax and the Jacksonville Armada is a University of Florida graduate, and he visits with Roger Hoover, a University of Tennessee graduate, to discuss the Tennessee-Florida rivalry and preview Saturday's game in Knoxville. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Jacksonville native Robby Hayes was the runner-up in the latest season of The Bachelorette on ABC, and the Jacksonville Suns hosted a meet and greet with Robby at the Baseball Grounds on August 24. He joined Roger on the Suns Baseball Network during the game to discuss his background, meeting JoJo and going on the all of the dates, plus his plans for the future. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Derrick Henry won the 2015 Heisman Trophy in addition to helping the Alabama Crimson Tide claim the program's 16th National Championsip last season. He joined Roger on the Suns Baseball Network on Derrick Henry Bobblehead Night on July 16 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Derrick spoke about his first pitch, the bobblehead, and also his rise with Yulee High School, Alabama, and now the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Plus Roger gives his thoughts on what it was like to attend a Donald Trump rally in Jacksonville last week. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Joe Nathan described his road to recovery from a second Tommy John surgery, as well as what he's most proud of in his 16-year major league career when he was in Jacksonville on rehab assignment with the Tennessee Smokies. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Marcus Dupree was a high school football legend in Mississippi and an All-America selection as a freshman at Oklahoma. His life was featured in the ESPN 30 for 30 film "The Best That Never Was" in 2010. He was at Biloxi's MGM Park on Tuesday July 5, and joined Roger Hoover on the Suns Baseball Network for the sixth inning of that night's game between the Suns and Shuckers. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler is a native of Jacksonville, and he returned to the Baseball Grounds on July 2, 2016 to throw out the first pitch before the Jacksonville Suns faced the Tennessee Smokies. Butler visited with Roger Hoover during the game on the Suns Baseball Network, talking about his playing career and memories of Jacksonville from his youth. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
The sports world lost an icon today with the death of legendary Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball coach Pat Summitt. Here Roger revisits memories of his interactions with the women's basketball pioneer while he was a student at the University of Tennessee from 2006-10, and was the reporter for the Vol Network's Pat Summitt Television Show during the National Championship season of 2007-08.
Dansby Swanson was the first overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, and is now the top prospect Atlanta Braves organization, as well as one of the best in all of baseball. Swanson discusses his call-up to Double-A, plus Vanderbilt days and his hopes for the future of the Braves. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Pulling tarp in the rain is nothing new in Minor League Baseball, but did you know it can be dangerous? Roger Hoover explains how a typical tarp pull ended up breaking his right middle finger, and putting him on the disabled list for a series. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
MLB.com's Marlins beat reporter Joe Frisaro breaks down Marlins Spring Training in an interview that was recorded over the weekend in Jupiter, Florida. Plus Roger recaps his Spring Training trip and first MLB broadcasts, and previews a busy weekend of college baseball and softball that's ahead. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Woody Woodward has had an incredible baseball life. A former Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves player, former Seattle Mariners General Manager, and current Mariners part-time scout Woody talks about his long history in the game, plus an outlook for the future. Also Roger gives details on upcoming Marlins Spring Training games he will call on Marlins.com. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Darren Headrick, broadcaster for: Scranton Wilkes/Barre RailRiders (New York Yankees AAA), SEC Network+, and Roger Hoover's old partner in crime with the Tennessee Smokies and the Vol Network is the guest on this inaugural episode of The Roger Hoover Podcast. Roger and Darren discuss the playing career of the recently retired Peyton Manning, and share their favorite memories of Manning's time at UT. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.
Roger Hoover likes to interview people, so he started a podcast. He also likes to talk about baseball, music, broadcasting, journalism, history, SEC football, and occasionally politics, so there will be that too. Hoover is a sports broadcaster for Jacksonville Suns baseball, Alabama Crimson Tide women's basketball, and SEC Network+ broadcasts of soccer, baseball, basketball, softball. Follow Roger on Twitter: @Roger_Hoover and visit his website: hooverbroadcasting.com.