In this episode, we focus on the segment: Input=Output. During this time, we are hounded by multiple ads on TV, Radio, social media, everywhere about this and that that will help you lose weight, build muscles, go sleeveless, bring you back to the ‘glory days’….28 day this, two-week transformation that….we needed to sift through the noise and find out what we can do to figure out what is best for you. Our panel gave some seriously great suggestions and some practical advice that you can implement into your life today. My thanks to Scott Lewis, Justin Gabossi, and Trudy Shepard for their knowledge, guidance, and thoughtful suggestions on how to channel a positive lifestyle and improve your overall health during this time.
Episode 164 - May 13, 2020 Guests: Dean Blandino, Ron Snodgrass
In tonight's episode, we host Big 10 referee Dr. Ron Snodgrass, along with former NFL Vice President of Officiating and current director of instant replay for college football officiating Dean Blandino. Blandino is also a rules analyst for the NFL and NCAA games on FOX Sports. During this time, as we navigate through unchartered waters, we take a moment to look at what officials are going through at this time at the collegiate and professional levels. Officials are extremely busy increasing their skills through virtual training and professional development. They are continuing to train in hopes that this fall their season will be back to normal. We also spoke about replay and the logistics of how it works and how it has advanced the game. My thanks to both of these gentlemen for their valuable time and respected insights.
Episode 163 - May 6, 2020 Guests: Chuck Hepola and Steve Hesser
In this episode we welcomed Drury University Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Hesser and Evangel University’s Head Football Coach Chuck Hepola. We discussed the challenges of online recruitment and how they are handling virtual workouts with their players and how their programs are being impacted by our global situation. They gave some great advice for coaches and athletes, my thanks for their insights and valued efforts with their players and staff during this time.
Episode 162 - April 29, 2020 Guests: Nate Lucas, Don Louzader, Bill Rowe
In this episode, we have a ‘counseling session’ on missing the sport of baseball. Don Louzader and Nate Lucas join us as we talk about how much they are missing their favorite pastime. We validated, had guidance and a pep talk from Coach Bill Rowe, discussed controlables, and how to put in action what they control into coping mechanisms for each one. Coping mechanisms are personal and several great suggestions for channeling energy was expressed. Baseball, like other sports, will return, and we will be grateful and appreciate the value they hold in our community. In the meantime, get outside and play catch, watch a sports movie, read a sports book, host a virtual trivia night over your favorite sport, exercise, or explore an option that is intriguing to you. Don’t waste energy on trying to control something you do not. Sports will return, have faith!
We also chatted with Volleyball official (of 44 years!), Bob Horton, about a scholarship available to seniors in high school. Great opportunity. Visit here to apply: https://forms.gle/5nhSAnPEQUrPMGxU6
Episode 161 - April 8, 2020 Guests: Tom Ladd, Dr. Lynne Miller
In tonight's episode, we catch up with broadcasting duo Tom Ladd and Dr. Lynne Miller. We discussed their broadcast partnership and the past, present, and future of Lady Bears Basketball. We talked about each one of their paths to this partnership, and how much they enjoy working together on the air! My thanks to Tom and Lynne for bringing energy and excitement to the Lady Bear broadcasts each and every time.
Episode 160 -April 1, 2020 Guests: Molly Miller, Hailey Diestelkamp, Daejah Bernard, Brooke Stanfield
In this celebration episode, we celebrate the local college basketball and wrestling seasons and tonight we focus on Drury University’s Women’s Basketball team. Coach Molly Miller celebrates her team’s success by the numbers and by the pure joy she had coaching this special group. On the court and off the court the Lady Panthers represented themselves very well. Ranked #1 throughout the season in the nation and finishing 32-0 before their season was abruptly ended (and not within their control), the team has rallied together and tried to heal through these times of adversity. As we celebrate the accolades of this team, we also catch up with their three seniors. Two time NCAA Division II National Player of the year and two time All-American Hailey Diestelkamp, Two time All-American and three time Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Daejah Bernard and four year star Brooke Stanfield, as each one shows gratitude toward the village of supporters they have been able to enjoy throughout their four years at Drury.
Episode 159 - March 25, 2020 Guests: Dr. Will Sistrunk, Jim Raynor, and Kyle Moats
During this global situation, as we try to navigate through it as one united team, we must stay informed and educated from multiple sources on how to cope and deal with our new normal. My thanks to Infectious Disease Physician Dr. Will Sistrunk, Administrative Director of Mercy Sports Medicine Jim Raynor and Missouri State University Director of Athletics, Kyle Moats for their valued input on this global topic. How COVID-19 is affecting our sports physically, mentally, and emotionally has to be addressed and we need to generate conversation with our coaches, athletes, officials, and fans on what we need to do as united Human Champions. No matter what team you cheer for, we are in this together as one planet. It is game day. We are ready for this. When a coach calls a timeout and asks you to step up, meet the challenge and do what you need to do for our team. Stay safe and healthy and remember you are loved and valued.
Episode 158 - March 18, 2020 Guests: Russ, Dawn, Hannah, Heather, Bailey, Lexi, and Haley Harman
As we navigate through this new world and way of living in a unique world we pause to celebrate and pick back up our Sports Family Series. We celebrate the talented Harman family from Walnut Grove and not only the accolades collected by them, but the people and citizens they have become. We thank Russ and Dawn Harman for bringing in their daughters: Hannah, Heather, and Bailey, along with the daughters of Gene and Lynn Harmon, Lexi and Haley. These five ladies would make a tremendous starting five! All of them are very proud of representing their family, school, and community. The pride of representing ignited a drive in each of these athletes that propelled them into the record books and beyond.
Episode 157 - March 11, 2020 Guests: Kerwin Urhan and Kevin Garner
In this episode, we catch up with Missouri State High School Activities Association administrators and preview the upcoming Show-Me Showdowns as teams take the court and go for that coveted state basketball championship. Dr. Kerwin Urhan and Kevin Gardner join us as we take a look at the behind the scenes of putting this event together and previewing the teams coming in this weekend for Class 1, 2, and 3. Next weekend, will be the championships for Class 4 and 5, all at JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. My thanks to Dr. Kerwin Urhan and Kevin Gardner for their time and efforts to make this community tradition a first-class event.
Episode 156 - March 4, 2020 Guest: Dan Lucy
In this episode, our Human Champion Profile is legendary, local, and Hall of Fame broadcaster Dan Lucy! Dan gave us the entire hour as we explored his journey from a military kid to a Patriot at Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska to the University of Missouri Journalism school. We talked about his experience as a sports director in Columbia and then in 1988 making the move to Springfield, Missouri’s KOLR 10 where he has set roots down ever since. Dan discussed how his favorite sport is ‘whatever is in season’ and how he has thoroughly enjoyed coaches in this area. He also stepped away from the studio and talked with us about his battle with cancer, his relationship with the Boys and Girls Club, and what he does when he is not working diligently to cover our local, state, and national sports.
Episode 155 - February 26, 2020 Guests: Chelsea Dirks-Ham, Tommy Burnett, Sam Esser, Christina Peacaut, Meghan Mudd, Denny Schmidt, and Jack Morris.
Celebrating Champions is the focus of this episode as we congratulate two champions from Missouri State University, Women’s Swimming and Diving won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and the Missouri State University Handball Team won all three divisions (Men’s, Women’s, and Combined) at the National Collegiate Handball Championships at the University of Texas. Chelsea Dirks-Ham, Associate Head Coach of the MSU’s Women’s Swimming and Diving Team, recapped the swim teams 4th consecutive Conference Championship and its 12th in the past 13 years. We then caught up with Dr. Tommy Burnett, coach of Missouri State Handball, along with assistant coach, Sam Esser, and players Christina Peacaut (All-American), Meghan Mudd, Jack Morris, and Denny Schmidt. The handball team won its 16th women’s title, 10th men’s title, and 15th overall combined title.
Episode 154 -February 19, 2020 - James Reynolds, Peter Kuster, Jared Rennick, Christian, Teri, & Jackson Cantwell
In this episode, we kick off the show with a FastBreak Update and look at two nationally ranked Drury wrestlers: (#6) Jared Rennick and (#8) Peter Kuster were here, along with their coach James Reynolds in his fourth season at Drury. Best of luck to all of the Drury Wrestlers as they get ready for Regionals.
We were then joined by former Olympians Christian and Teri Cantwell, and their son, Jackson. During our discussion we looked into their journey at the Olympics and with sports and how they are now integrating those valued characteristics into their parenting. Using sports as part of their family culture, the Cantwell’s have developed a strong bond in an out of the shot-put ring. Their experience at the national and world levels have prepared them for success in life. Now they enjoy and embrace the path that Jackson is traveling as he soars to the top of the charts in his own right winning the National Championship in the shot put in his age division!
Episode 153 - February 12, 2020 Guests: Opfer Family-Scott, Tracy, Austin, Kasey, Kinjo
In this episode, we continue our series on Sports Family’s and showcase a local family that epitomizes the theory of implementing a sports culture into their family dynamics to create successful athletes and people for generations. Hall of Fame athletes Scott and Tracy Opfer have five children that have had stellar high school careers and showcase college careers and, in turn, are now successful professionals that positively contribute to society every day. Lorin, Austin, Alix, Kasey and Kinjo have set this family apart through their accolades and accomplishments, but the family’s real source of pride is their character and how they represent themselves in the community. My thanks for this family’s willingness to share with us their philosophy on success on and off the field!
Episode 152 - February 5, 2020 Guest: Valorie Kondos Field
In tonight’s episode, we profile legendary Hall of Fame, seven-time NCAA national championship gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field. Miss Val, as she is widely known, discussed her philosophy and motivation to develop life champions through the sport of gymnastics. She discusses her relationship with John Wooden and her Ted Talk, that has been widely viewed over 1.2 million times, and emphasizes how success does not always include winning. She also talks about her book, “Life is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance” and how she approaches coaching and life with no regrets. We also discuss the difficult experience of having a player confide to her that she was sexually assaulted by Team USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. After reported, two more players and her assistant coach came forward as victims, too. We discussed what she did to help them heal and process this horrific situation. My thanks to this Human Champion and how she has positively impacted hundreds of athletes throughout her career.
Episode 151 - January 29, 2020 Guests: Garrison Family: Marty, Susie, Carie, Corey, Callie, Casey, Coday, Conley
In the first of our series on Sports Families, we gather with the Garrison Family: Marty, Susie, Carie, Corey, Callie, Casey, Coday, and Conley. We explored how sports, in particular with this family basketball, has been an integral part of their family dynamics. The way that they support each other, and the way they compete with each other, has developed a lasting bond of appreciation, respect and loyalty. The generational success in this family has been noted by the multiple accolades, but they all agree that their family is their favorite team.
Episode 150 - January 22, 2020-Don West, Corey Riggs, Mike McClure, and a host of others!
In this special Human Champion Profile episode, we reflect on Don West’s broadcasting career and congratulate him on his upcoming induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. My thanks to our special guests that expressed congratulatory statements and gratitude for working with Don West: Matt Coatney, Mike McClure, Corey Riggs, Trevor Casterlin, Scott McCauley, Rob Evans, Jon Rippenger, and Dan Lucy. Congratulations to Hall of Fame broadcaster Don West!
Episode 149 - January 15, 2020 - Josh Scott, Marty Marsh, KHS and GLS Boys Basketball
In this episode, we preview the number one attended high school basketball tournament in the country, the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions! This weekend, at the former JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State University, Springfield Public Schools Athletic Director Josh Scott and Assistant Athletic Director Marty Marsh will host the 36th Annual Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (TOC). We previewed and evaluated the teams, bracket, and events going along with this weekend’s tournament. Josh Scott and Marty Marsh gave us the “stats” of the tournament and previewed the incoming teams, along with local teams Greenwood Laboratory School and Kickapoo High School. We also caught up with Kickapoo coach, Mitch McHenry, and three of his players Anton Brookshire, Elijah Bridgers, and Micah McIntire about the tournament and their season. We also spoke with Greenwood players Aminu Mohammed, Grant Harper, and Tommy Pinegar about what they hope their team will gain from playing in the TOC. For more information on the tournament, visit www.tofc.weebly.com.
Episode 148 - January 8, 2020 Guests: Kelly Holt, Mike Denbow, Jeff Grevillius, Matthew Holt
In this episode we welcome back our officials’ panel! The stripes were in the studio! My guests included Southwest Missouri Coordinator of Officials Kelly Holt, and officials Mike Denbow, Jeff Grevillius, and Matthew Holt. The panel did an excellent job of expressing the mentality of an official and answering our listener and coaches’ questions. Each one had a unique perspective and shared those point of views with us.
Episode 147 -January 1, 2020 Guests: Ned Reynolds, Art Hains, Don Louzader, Misty Ramsey, Jeff Burnett
Happy New Year! Wow! 2020! What an exciting time!
We ring in the New Year with another challenge for our legendary duo, Art Hains and Ned Reynolds. These two broadcast gurus decided to accept another test from Coach Hopkins. We met at Ebbett’s Field (thank you – such a great place to eat and catch up on the latest sports scene) and, this time, had a panel of judges/studio audience. We hosted our St. Louis Cardinals correspondent, Don Louzader who did a terrific job and is always a welcome guest on the show. We also had one of my former assistants and current school principal Misty Ramsey join us for the first-and after her performance definitely not her last-appearance! We also hosted my younger brother, and Kansas City Chiefs Superfan, Jeff Burnett-one of my favorites to have on the airwaves.
The challenge was to play, what I now like to call, Play by Play Charades. I showed a one-minute video clip to Ned and Art of a lesser known sport – but still nationally or globally recognized –and, without saying what sport it is, they painted the picture so that the panel could guess. The panel had dry erase boards and after one minute, they wrote down what sport they felt like Ned and Art described. We went through 14 sports! It was fun, some they knew and some, well, I had to have some that “stumped the chumps”. Jeff was the winner with seven correct and we had a great time playing (cue dramatic music in your mind)…Play by Play Charades! Listen to the show and give it a try, see how many you get!
My thanks, again, to Ebbett’s Field for their hospitality. Also, thank you to Greg Burnett for compiling and selecting the sports and videos, he did an excellent job! We hit sports from all around the world. Kudos to Ned Reynolds and Art Hains for, again, proving how they are the sports broadcast legends of this area and to my stellar panel Don Louzader, Misty Ramsey, and Jeff Burnett – you all were wonderful sports and we appreciated your valued participation!
Episode 146 - December 18, 2019 Guests: Bob Kinloch and Mike Percival
In this episode, we visit with Hall of Famer Coach Bob Kinloch about his career and the impact that he has had on multiple athletes throughout his decades of coaching at Central High School. We also previewed the Kinloch Wrestling Tournament coming up on January 3-4, 2020 at Parkview High School. We also caught up with Greenwood Girls Basketball Coach Mike Percival about the holiday basketball tournaments going on this year between Christmas and New Year’s including the Greenwood Blue and Gold and the Greenwood/Springfield Public Schools Pink and White Lady Classic among others in the area.