Episode 278

Liam Hendriks is a pitcher with the Oakland A's and holds the distinction of being the first Australian born player to ever start an MLB postseason game.

He made his MLB debut on September 6, 2011 with the Twins and then pitched in Toronto, Kansas City before arriving in 2016 with the Athletics.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Liam about what his experience was pitching in Japan with the A's last month, turning 30 years old, his favorite memory from his MLB debut, and why giving back is a non-negotiable in the Hendriks home.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 277

Jameis Winston just finished his fourth season as quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected number one overall in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida State by Tampa after a decorated college career that saw him win the 2013 Heisman Trophy and brought a national title to the Seminoles. 

In his first season, Jameis became just the third NFL quarterback to ever throw for over 4,000 yards in his rookie season and was named to the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl as well as the NFL's All-Rookie Team for his 2015 season. In 2016, he became the first QB to ever throw for over 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. 

An off the field incident caused Jameis to be suspended for the first 3 games of the 2018 season, but he was able to return and start 9 games and throw for almost 3,000 yards and 19 touchdown passes. 

On this episode of the podcast, Jameis shares how his faith in Christ has grown and why it is the number one priority for him in his life. He also talks about having a new head coach in Bruce Arians and why this season is so important to him. 

Episode 276

Pat Williams is a sports treasure. He's spent 51 years in the NBA as an executive and is currently the Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic. He and his wife Ruth are the parents of 19 children, including 14 adopted children and 17 grandchildren.

Pat is a cancer survivor after being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2011 and being given 2 years to live. In 2012, Pat received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

He's also an author, having written 110 books including his latest "Character Carved in Stone."

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Pat about his latest book, having Coach K - Mike Krzyzewski write the forward, how the leadership principles in the book parallel the teachings of Jesus, the story of starting the first NBA Chapel in 1978, and the greatest lesson he's learned in his 50+ years of working in sports.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Virginia is in the Final Four for the first time since 1984 and coach Tony Bennett has been a big part of this team's success on and off the court. 

We talked to Coach Tony Bennett about his journey of basketball and faith in Christ back on Episode 180 on October 31, 2018 here on the podcast and we revisit a portion of that conversation today on Throwback Thursday.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 275

Caleb Frare was selected in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Yankees. In 2018, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. After 6 seasons in minor league ball, Caleb achieved his dream and made his MLB debut on September 2, 2018. He would go on to pitch in 11 games for the White Sox last season.

Born and raised in Montana, Caleb never played high school ball because his school didn't offer the sport. Instead he played club ball and impressed enough to earn a selection by the Yankees.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Caleb about preparing for the 2019 season with the White Sox, how injuries and missing 2 full seasons of baseball tested his faith, what it was like to be traded, his concerns with the lifestyle of a minor league baseball player and the crazy story of how he got called up to the Major Leagues. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 274

Steve Gomez is the women's basketball coach for the 2018-19 NCAA Division II champion Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaps. Gomez led his club to their second title in four seasons after capturing the championship on Friday March 29 in Columbus, Ohio.

The championship game was a thriller, with Lubbock Christian prevailing in double-overtime 95-85 over Southwestern Oklahoma State. A former WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year, Gomez also led LCU to a title in 2015-16, going a perfect 35-0.

An LCU graduate, Gomez was a standout perimeter player for Coach John Copeland in the late 1980s, and to this day, he still holds the school record for career free throw percentage at .855.  He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mathematics and consistently used his degree to teach in the classroom while pursuing coaching on the sidelines.  Gomez’s career began at Lubbock Monterey High School where he served as an assistant coach in the men’s basketball program from 1988 to 1995.  In 1996, Gomez accepted the men’s basketball head coaching position at Lubbock Cooper High School, where he remained until returning to Lubbock Christian University to take over the reigns of the Lady Chaps in 2003.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Coach Gomez about winning the Division II championship, what that pressure feels like to be on the sidelines in a double-overtime title game, how his players grew this season in their walk with the Lord, how Christ guides him as a coach and living out that faith everyday.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 273

Troy Hudson played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1998-2008 with the Jazz, Clippers, Magic, Timberwolves, and Warriors. He was undrafted after playing his college ball at Southern Illinois and made his NBA debut on October 31, 1997 with Utah. 

His best season came in 2002-03 with Minnesota when he averaged 14.2 points and 5.7 assists for a 51 win Timberwolves team. In the playoffs that year against the Shaq and Kobe Lakers, Hudson averaged 23.5 points in the 6 game series.

Today, Hudson is the team chaplain for the Timberwolves where he ministers to players before each game. He also is active in youth sports, coaching and training young athletes in the game of basketball.

On this episode of the podcast we talk to Troy about his role as an NBA team chaplain, the state of faith in the NBA, the importance of guys like Stephen Curry to use their platform to be bold about Christ, his first NBA game and difference between believing in God and having a personal relationship with Jesus. 

Episode 272

Dave Jauss is the bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates and joined Manager Clint Hurdle's staff on October 31, 2012. Now in his 33rd season in professional baseball. In 2011, Jauss worked with the New York Mets as their Coordinator of Staff Development. He also served the Mets as their Major League Bench Coach in 2010 after working in the same capacity under manager Dave Trembley in Baltimore (2008-09) and under manager Grady Little with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-07). Prior to joining the Dodgers in 2006, Jauss spent 10 seasons working as a coach, scout and administrator in the Boston organization from 1996-2005. He spent the 1995 campaign as Baltimore's coordinator of instruction before being hired by the Red Sox, where he worked as the minor league field coordinator for two years (2000-2001). His last three seasons with Boston (2003-05) were spent in the role of a Major League Advance Scout. Jauss' start in professional baseball came in 1988 when he managed Montreal's Gulf Coast League team.

Dave has been married to his wife Billie for 30 years and together they have three children. Billie is an author and recently released her first book "Making Room: Doing Less So God Can Do More."

On this episode of the podcast, Dave and Billie share their baseball journey, what the life of a traveling baseball wife is like, how God restored their marriage after a separation, the impact Clint Hurdle has made on their lives, and why it is so important to make an impact on others through baseball.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 271

Prince Amukamara plays cornerback for the Chicago Bears. He was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and in his first season, earned a ring when his club defeated the Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI. 

After spending five seasons with the Giants, Prince went to Jacksonville for a season before arriving in Chicago in 2017. 

He played his college ball at the University of Nebraska and was named the 2010 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. 

Born to Romans and Christy Amukamara, both natives of Nigeria, Prince has five sisters named Princess, Promise, Peace, Precious, and Passionate. Prince is of royal Igbo Nigerian descent and his grandfather was the chief Awo-Omamma in the Imo State of Nigeria. Prince is currently next in line to be the chief.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Prince Amukamara about the 2018 Chicago Bears season, the bond of faith that was cultivated in the locker room, orchestrated on-field celebrations, where his relationship with the Lord took shape, and his love for the game MAFIA. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 270

Joe Champion is the founder and pastor of Celebration Church in Austin, Texas.

Champion grew up in a football family with his Dad Jim coaching in both the NFL and CFL. While a football player at Louisiana State University, Joe considered following in his father’s footsteps with a career in the National Football League, but entered full-time ministry in 1989 after a life-transforming experience with Christ.  Joe's son Connor has continued the football coaching legacy as an assistant at Arizona State under Herm Edwards.

A husband and father of four, Pastor Joe is a globally recognized leader and speaker who serves on the boards of One Hope and Oral Roberts University. He is also part of the Lead Team of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), an international church planting organization. By example, Pastor Joe equips and empowers ministry leaders to take hold of God’s calling on their lives with an emphasis on the importance of maintaining Christ-like integrity and character.

On this episode of the podcast, we learn the story of Joe Champion coming to faith in Christ at the Atlanta Falcons training camp, how playing football at LSU shaped his faith and the powerful story of the best day and worst day of his life being the same day. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Andrew McCutchen is starting his 11th season of Major League Baseball. He began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates making his big league debut in June of 2009. After 9 seasons with the Bucs, he was traded in January 2018 to the San Francisco Giants. In August of 2018, he was again traded to the Yankees and 4 months later, signed a 3-year deal in December of 2018 with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Cutch is a 5-time All-Star and 4-time Silver Slugger Award Winner. He won a Gold Glove in 2012 and was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 2013.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Andrew about the excitement surrounding his new team, his crazy 2018 that saw him change teams three times in a calendar year, why accountability is important to him in his walk with the Lord, the one piece of advice he'd give to a young player coming up, and his memories of his first major league game. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 268

Jayson Gee just completed his first year as associate head coach of the Eagle basketball program. Gee has spent 29 years coaching collegiate basketball. Previously, he was the head coach at Longwood from 2013-2018. 

In addition to his time at Longwood, Gee was also a head coach at the University of Charleston (1996-2003) in West Virginia and combined has a 202-175 record in his head coaching career. That is just the tip of the iceberg for his experience as an assistant or associate head coach at Youngstown State (1989-93), Ohio University (1993-96), St. Bonaventure (2003-06) and Cleveland State (2006-13).

The veteran hoops coach is also the author of The Battle for Brandon, a book that is a dramatic and compelling story about Jayson Gee and his wife Lynette and their son Brandon's courageous fight against child onset paranoid schizophrenia. The Gee family also worked with mass media veteran Chad Bonham to transform the book into a documentary that has received endorsements from Emmy Nominated and Golden Globe Award winning actress Jennifer Garner, WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings, former Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randle El, and many more.

The 2015 recipient of the prestigious John Lotz Barnabas Award, Gee was also named one of the nation's top 10 assistant coaches by BleacherReport.com while at Cleveland State. The John Lotz Barnabas Award is presented annually to honor a basketball coach who best exhibits a commitment to Christ, integrity and encouragement of others, and lives a balanced life.
Gee took over at Longwood in 2013 to lead the program into its second season as a member of the Big South Conference. He produced the program's first All-Big South first and second team selections (five total) and sent four players on to play professionally.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Jayson about his journey to coaching, why we're so caught up in March Madness, where his faith foundation was born, his prescription to the supernatural and the powerful story of his son Brandon. 

 For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

James Brown is the host of CBS Sports' NFL Today show and joined us on Episode 17 of the podcast back in June of 2017. 

Since February 2006, JB has served as host for the CBS Television Network’s NFL pre-game show, THE NFL TODAY. He has also hosted the Network’s Super Bowl pre-game show for its coverage of Super Bowl LIII in February 2019. 

On this Throwback Thursday edition of the show, we bring back JB's story of his faith journey. 

You can listen to the entire interview of Episode 17 of the podcast here. 

For more, log on to SportsSpectrum.com 

Chris Low is a senior writer covering college sports for ESPN.com. A graduate of Tennessee, he grew up in South Carolina. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Chris about covering football everyday for ESPN, telling uplifting positive stories, his faith testimony, how his mom's passing encouraged him in his walk with the Lord and why he wants to live a sermon rather than preaching a sermon.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 267

Seth Morrison is the lead guitarist for the band Skillet. He joined the group in 2011 and has shared the stage with many well-known artists such as Disciple, Kutless, Sanctus Real, Tait, Audio Adrenaline, Relient K, TobyMac, Kirk Franklin and many more. 

A die-hard sports fan, Seth pledges his allegiances to the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds and the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Seth about his devotion to the Cincinnati Bengals, staying the course as a sports fan, following his call to be a musician, how he came to be a part of the band Skillet, what life on the road is like and reaching music fans in both the Christian and mainstream genres.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 266

Hugh Freeze was introduced as the ninth head coach in the history of the Liberty Flames' football program on Dec. 7, 2018. Prior to coming to Liberty, Freeze's collegiate head coaching stops have included Lambuth University (2008-09), Arkansas State (2011) and Ole Miss (2012-16) where he posted a combined 69-32 mark in eight seasons.

In 2017, he resigned from his position at Ole Miss amid an NCAA investigation and evidence of personal misconduct.

Prior to taking over as head coach at Lambuth, Freeze served on the Ole Miss staff from 2005-07, including the final two seasons as an assistant coach.

Before going to Ole Miss, Freeze served 13 years at Briarcrest Christian School (Memphis, Tenn.) as a classroom teacher, coach and administrator. He was the Saints' head football coach from 1995 to 2004, running the no-huddle "spread system" for six years that led to six straight state championship games.

Freeze compiled a 99-23 record while at Briarcrest, which included an undefeated season in 1996 and led the school to state championship titles in 2002 and 2004. Briarcrest won regional titles in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002, and Freeze was named the Region 8-AA Coach of the Year five times and Associated Press Coach of the Year four times.

In 2014, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) awarded Freeze the Grant Teaff Coach of the Year award. Freeze has been heavily involved with FCA during his entire coaching career and has been featured in the FCA Magazine and spoke at FCA functions.

On March 30, Coach Freeze will be a part of GameDay 2019, a groundbreaking event coming to churches to meet men at the intersection of faith and sports. Creating an atmosphere much like a locker room with coaches laying out the big game plan, GameDay engages men in a discussion about how to become the spiritual leader of their families. Its real guys discussing real issues and how to become a better follower of Christ, husband, father, friend and worker. You can sign up for GameDay 2019 by clicking here.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Coach Freeze about his new role with Liberty and how God has worked in and through his life since the new opportunity came forth.

Episode 265

Blair Schaefer is a college basketball analyst for the SEC Network. She played her college basketball at Mississippi State where she was a part of a team that made back to back appearances in the Women's National Championship game. 

She was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team and was the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2017-18. A standout guard for Starkville High School, Blair was rated as one of the state’s top players after coming to the Magnolia State from Texas following her sophomore season. She earned all-state honors her junior and senior seasons  after moving to Starkville High School from A&M Consolidated High School in College Station.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Blair about playing in back to back national title games, the differences in preparation for each game, beating Connecticut and ending their 111 game winning streak, how her faith in Christ was enhanced after her brother suffered a head injury, and what it was like to have her Dad as her coach in college. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com

On this THROWBACK THURSDAY edition of the podcast, we revisit our conversation from Episode 20 with Pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta. 

Louie Giglio is the founder of the Passion movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus.

Since 1997, Passion has gathered collegiate-aged young people in events across the U.S. and around the world. At the Passion gathering in January of 2017, more than 55,000 students gathered in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome in one of the largest collegiate gatherings in its history.

Louie is a passionate sports fan, who lives and dies with his Auburn Tigers football team. He’s also a huge fan of Atlanta sports, including the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons. Giglio pastors tons of athletes in their walk with Jesus Christ and even started Passion City Church with a former NFL kicker, Todd Peterson.

You can listen to the entire interview with Louie from Episode 20 in July of 2017 here. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 264

Andrew Putnam is a professional golfer on the PGA Tour. He played his college golf at Pepperdine University where he was a 3-time All-American. He made his professional debut in 2011, and he played on the eGolf Professional Tour in 2012.

Putnam won for the first time as a professional in April 2014 at the WNB Golf Classic on the Web.com Tour.  He made his PGA Tour debut at the Shell Houston Open in 2014. 

In August 2018, he gained his first PGA Tour win at the Barracuda Championship near Reno, Nevada. He finished the 2017-18 PGA Tour Season with 5 Top 10s and earned $2,387,382. He finished 35th in the season-long FedEx Cup.

He began the 2019 season in January at the SONY Open in Hawaii where he finished second overall to Matt Kuchar. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Andrew about turning 30 years old, coming to faith in high school, his welcome to the PGA Tour moment with Tom Watson and Tiger Woods, being a part of the PGA Tour Bible study and why he became a part owner in a golf towel company called PlayKleen. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Darryl Strawberry returns for his second appearance on the podcast. Darryl was selected number one overall in the 1980 MLB Amateur Draft by the New York Mets He made his MLB debut in May of 1983 and was a 7-time All Star for the Mets from 1984-1990. A member of the 1986 World Championship team, Darryl's 252 career home runs remains at the top of the Mets all-time list.

In 1991, Strawberry signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a short stint with the Giants, Strawberry returned to New York and helped the Yankees win 3 World Series titles in 1996, 1998 and 1999. 

After many years of struggling with substance abuse and addiction, Darryl has been sober for over a decade now and spreads the good news of Jesus across the country as a traveling evangelist. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Darryl about why he is traveling the country sharing the Gospel, the biggest struggle for men, why being all in for Christ is the only way, his memories of Gary Carter and Mariano Rivera and his thoughts on guys like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens being kept out of the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 262

Carson Tinker is a veteran NFL long snapper who played 6 seasons in the NFL with the Jaguars before being released on March 8, 2019. He played his college ball at Alabama, where he won three BCS national championships as a member of Nick Saban's club. 

After going undrafted in 2013, Tinker signed with the Jaguars and has remained with the club for his entire 6 year NFL career. 

In April of 2011, Tinker's story became national news when he was injured in a devastating Alabama tornado that ended up taking the life of his girlfriend Ashley. Carson suffered a broken wrist, a concussion, and other injuries but was able to return to play and contribute to the 2011 and 2012 title teams. 

In 2015, he married Annie and together, the couple has a son named, Carson Jr, a.k.a. ‘Hootie’

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Carson about recovering from injury, his decision to go to Alabama and play for Nick Saban, how his faith has sustained him through the trials and especially in the aftermath of the 2011 tornado. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 261

Selected in the 29th round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Erik Kratz has lived the pro baseball life for the past 17 years.

He would wait eight years until finally making his MLB debut in July 2010 at the age of 30 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His MLB journey has taken him from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, Toronto, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Houston, Pittsburgh and the Yankees in 2017.

In 2018, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers and was part of a team that came within one game of the World Series. In the 2018 NLDS against Colorado, Kratz went 5-for-7 with 2 RBI, including a 3-hit game in the clinching game 3, and was the oldest player to make his postseason debut since Lave Cross of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1905.

On this episode of the podcast, we hear about Erik's first experience in the postseason, how his faith has helped him stay grounded in his career, how much longer he wants to play and the story of him making his Major League debut in 2010 at age 30.

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

On this THROWBACK THURSDAY edition of the podcast, we revisit our conversation from Episode 70 with former NFL player, coach and 2-time Super Bowl champion Bill Curry. 

Bill played in the NFL under legendary coaches Vince Lombradi and Don Shula and snapped the ball to Hall of Famers Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas. 

He coached at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Georgia State and then became an analyst for ESPN where he broadcasted games and appeared on shows such as Mike and Mike in the Morning. 

You can listen to the entire interview with Bill from Episode 70 in January of 2018 here. 

For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 260

Mark Berokoff is in his sixth year as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma. He has led Randall to three straight NCCAA Division 2 National Championships (16, 17, and 18) and in 2015-2016 was named NCCAA D2 National Coach of the Year award.

On this episode of the podcast, we learn about Randall University, the NCCAA, Coach Randall's faith journey, how he stays grounded after winning 3 straight national championships, and leading through the successes and failures of a long season.

For more log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com