Frank Kelly was a member of the first FCA Lacrosse Team in 1992 and played a major role in the founding and growth of the FCA Lacrosse ministry and FCA in Maryland. Kelly was FCA Maryland’s first board chairman, even before a full-time staff member was hired, and went on to serve in that role for 20 years. A former professional lacrosse player (Nat…

Mason Plumlee won a national championship at Duke in 2010 and now plays as center and power forward for the Denver Nuggets. We got to sit down with him and talk Coach K, the Cameron Crazies, and his experience transitioning to the NBA. But that’s not all. He talked to us about his entrepreneurial ventures, his investing philosophy, and his faith. W…

No one ever prepares to speak at their spouse’s funeral. But after a tragic car accident, Coach Monty Williams found himself burying his wife long before they had a chance to grow old together. But what happened in that moment was something powerful and unforgettable—he offered forgiveness to the driver who had killed his wife. Monty took us throug…

Sports is a billion dollar industry. And while we all watch our favorite team on TV, few of us really know all the work that is going on behind-the-scenes to make that happen. Today, we’re talking to two professors who are preparing students for jobs in the professional sports world. Darin White is the Executive Director of the Center for Sports An…

Ever wonder what it would be like to coach one of the most storied programs in NCAA football ever? Clay Helton can tell you. He’s the head coach of USC, and after growing up under a father whose coaching career took their family all over the country, it’s no surprise that Clay found himself full of a love for the game. He talked to us about life as…

If you’re at all familiar with college football, today’s guest needs no introduction, but here one is anyway. Mark Richt coached the Georgia Bulldogs for 15 years as one of the longest-tenured coaches in the conference where he won two SEC Championships. He then went to the University of Miami where he led the team to three consecutive bowl games b…

Today's podcast guest was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year—the only award that recognizes greatness on and off the field. And after talking with Sam Acho, we can assure you that he wasn't just a great football player, he's a great person. We covered a lot with him today—his early life growing up in Dallas, his football career, an…

Hard to argue that there is a better halftime show than the NBA on TNT crew with Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and today’s guest, Ernie Johnson. Ernie shared with us just what makes that show so special (and so fun), as well as his personal story, which includes calling MLB games with his dad and his battle with non-Hodgkin lympho…

You’ve probably heard of the Pony Express. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the Pony Excess. Either way, there’s no doubt that the SMU football team of the 1980s was unforgettable. Today, we’re talking to one of their stars—Craig James. He talked to us about life during SMU’s hayday, the subsequent fallout over the bribery charges, life as a Coll…

Today we’re sitting down with the QB brothers Josh and Luke McCown, who have both travelled the NFL, playing for a combined 18 different teams. They talked to us all about that, what their sibling rivalry looks like, and how their passion for faith and football has guided their life stories. As always, thanks for listening. Useful Links: One Heck o…

We know you’re used to hearing from athletes themselves, but today we’re talking to two sports agents for a behind-the-curtain look into the business side of sports. Mike McCartney has represented players like Kirk Cousins and Kurt Warner. While Molly Fletcher, often referred to as the Jerry Maguire of female sports agents, has represented John Smo…

Today’s guest has one of the most fascinating stats you may ever hear. He was a part of the largest single-game comeback in NCAA history AND the largest single-game comeback in NFL history. Frank Reich took us inside both of these historical games, and then he shared with us the story of his personal comeback—his journey from the NFL to seminary, a…

Today’s guest coaches the fastest game on two feet. Any guesses for what that might be? Lacrosse. But he’s not just any coach. Joe Breschi led the UNC Men’s Lacrosse team to a national championship in 2016, and today, he shared with us the journey of that season, but also the tragedy that preceded it and how God led him every step of the way. His s…

Today, we’re taking some time to step away from the X’s and O’s to hear the personal story behind the game. Blake Anderson is the head coach of Arkansas State University. He has had immense success on the football field, leading the program to six consecutive winning seasons, six straight bowl appearances, and back to back Sun-Belt Conference champ…

The College Football Playoff. It’s been around long enough for most of us to take it for granted...well, almost long enough. Most of us still remember the BCS bowl series and all the controversies surrounding who the real national champion was. But thanks to today’s guest, Bill Hancock, the College Football Playoff is the culmination of the NCAA fo…

If you grew up collecting baseball cards, you’re going to love today’s show. We sat down and talked with Jim Beckett, creator of Beckett magazine, the gold standard for valuing trading cards. He shared with us his personal story, gave us some insight into the memorabilia collected in his office, and also told us about how he stewarded his influence…

Earl Smith is the chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors. But his journey to arrive there is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. After being shot six times in a gang-related attack, Earl somehow survived, but then found himself in San Quentin prison—not as a prisoner, but as a chaplain. After spending twenty-three …

Les Steckel’s story takes us through his experience as a marine, a vietnam war vet, a football player, and a football coach. We got to talk to him about all of it, where his faith came into the picture, and what his experience was like being a coach for 8 different NFL teams. He also shared with us the story behind one of the most famous plays in S…

In the golf industry, there are few more recognized names of excellence than PING. Today’s show takes us to Phoenix to interview the CEO of PING, John Solheim. He’s the second generation of family leadership since the company’s inception in 1959. As recently as a few years ago, John had the unique opportunity to pass the baton to the third generati…

Jeff and Ally Davidson are the founders of Camp Gladiator, a Fitness Franchise that has over 3,500 locations across the country with 1,000 trainers and 100,000 members. They have a remarkable story of how God used a unique experience in the early days of reality TV to propel them in their entrepreneurial story. Just to give you a little taste, it s…

Today's guest is a special and timely one. Nevil Shed was one of the players on the 1966 Texas Western Men's Basketball team who won the National Championship and ushered in a new era of desegregated college basketball. Their story is famous now—you can watch the movie, Glory Road to see the season play out—but Nevil gave us a behind the scenes loo…

Today’s episode features a Super Bowl champion. And while his NFL career is illustrious, it’s what Benjamin Watson has done off the field as both an author and leader that he’d like to tell you about. He’s written two books—Under Our Skin, which addresses the racial divide in America and The New Dad’s Playbook, which is a must-read for any father w…

Today’s conversation is with a living WNBA legend. If we were to list all the awards and accolades Tamika Catchings has won, you’d spend the rest of your day reading that list, so instead, you should just start listening… In addition to being WNBA Champion and 4-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Tamika also has experience as a coach and now general manag…

Backup quarterback is a unique position. While it comes with its own set of responsibilities, the heaviest task is the one that is most rarely realized—stepping in on a moment's notice. Not only did today’s podcast guest have to step up and be QB1 late in the season, but he also took the helm of a team favored to win the Super Bowl. But if the pres…

We all know that sports has become big business, and no sport has seen as rapid growth as college athletics. Gone are those days when a retired coach kept the seat warm as the athletic director. Budgets today have grown to over one hundred and fifty million dollars, with staffs topping two to three hundred people. The pressure is enormous and the e…

Drs. Kirk Wakefield and Jason Lee focus on Chapter 14 from the book, Team Sports Marketing.

10 seconds left. 4th quarter. Down by 1. It’s the playoffs—it’s the moment every kid imagines in their own back yard. The clock is counting down and Case Keenum throws a new perfect pass to Stefon Diggs who somehow, miraculously, catches it and makes it to the endzone. Vikings win in one of the craziest 4th quarter comebacks to date. And while the …

77 NFL games played. 142 total touchdowns and over 20,000 passing yards. Those are just some of the stats for NFL quarterback, Kirk Cousins, but he’ll be the first to tell you—those aren’t his top priority. In fact, when it comes to his life both on and off the field, his faith is what matters most. Kirk opened up to us about a wide variety of topi…

Dr. Kirk Wakefield is joined by Dr. Jason Lee from UNF to discuss Ch 13 of Team Sports Marketing.

Today’s guest is one of the greatest basketball coaches in UT history—we’re talking University of Texas and University of Tennessee. Rick Barnes took the University of Texas to the NCAA tournament in 16 out of his 17 seasons as his head coach. And as the current coach for Tennessee, he’s a recent recipient for the Naismith College Coach of the Year…

When Adam LaRoche, Golden Glove Winner and Standout for the Chicago WhiteSox decided to retire from professional baseball, his decision seemed like one of the most unexpected moves in sports. But for those who know him, this move aligned perfectly with the integrity of his character. In today’s episode, you’re going to get a peek behind the curtain…

In the sports world, March is known for one thing—Madness. And while we’re used to watching the madness play out on the court, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and left a lot of athletes sitting with empty hands and unfinished seasons. One of those teams was Baylor Men’s Basketball, led by Coach Scott Drew. Entering his 17th season, Coach …

Kirk discusses Chapter 10: Moving the Merchandise.

Kirk discusses Ch. 9: Managing the Sportscape.

The author discusses key terms from Chapter 8.

Kirk discusses key terms from Chapter 7.

Chief Marketing Officer for the Houston Dynamo professional soccer club, Katie Sarantakes Scallon, joins Kirk to discuss setting ticket prices.

Kirk joins Lane Wakefield of Mercer University in discussing key terms to aid students in learning Chapter 5: Selling Season Tickets. Read the textbook at www.teamsportsmarketing.com.

Dr. Lane Wakefield of Mercer University joins the author of the text, Kirk Wakefield, in discussing key terms from Chapter 4 on data analytics.

This episode corresponds to Chapter 3 in Team Sports Marketing. Dr. Lane Wakefield, professor of Sports Marketing and Analytics from Mercer University joins us.

Dr. Wakefield discusses key terms and relevant examples in sports.

Dr. Wakefield discusses key terms and relevant examples in sports