RU STRONG

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today’s episode is truly a trifecta of strength,resilience, and inspiration.Our guest, Riley Tejcek, has worn many uniforms in her remarkable journey. She’s a former standout college softball player at George Washington University, where her grit and determination on the diamond shaped the foundation of her competitive spirit. After graduation, she chose a new arena of service, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where she now serves as a Captain, leading recruiting efforts and inspiring the next generation of Marines. Her leadership and excellence earned her recognition as the 2021 Marine Female Athlete of the Year.But Riley didn’t stop there. She was a pilot on the U.S. Women’s Bobsled Team and has also become an author of a children’s book titled “If You Can Dream It, Be It”. A story rooted in her own life journey, designed to inspire kids and adults alike to chase their dreams fearlessly.From the softball field to the military, to the Bobsled track, Riley embodies what it means to be RU Strong, relentless,courageous, and always pushing past limits.Let’s dive in with Riley Tejcek.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we dive into the grit, character, and resilience that define true strength. Today’s guest embodies leadership in its purest form, not because of stats in the spotlight, but because of the impact he makes when the cameras aren’t rolling.Frankie Savino is a former Monmouth Universityquarterback, a team captain who never needed the starting role to lead from the front. Majoring in Criminal Justice with plans to follow in his family’s proud tradition of service as a police officer, Frankie is a student-athlete who defies stereotypes, earning multiple Academic Honor Roll recognitions while competing as a dual-threat quarterback with a 75% completion rate and more rushing touchdowns than passing ones.In this conversation, we’ll explore how faith,family, and a relentless commitment to serving others shaped Frankie’s journey, from a small-town upbringing in Emerson, New Jersey, to leading his team by example on and off the field.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we dive into the stories of leaders who shape the game and life far beyond the field. Today, I’m joined by a true New Jersey coaching legend whose impact has reached from powerhouse high school programs to the Division I stage.Raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, NunzioCampanile grew up in a family where coaching wasn’t just a career, it was a calling. His journey began with building dominance at Don Bosco Prep and Bergen Catholic, two of the most elite high school football programs in the nation. Hethen took his expertise to Rutgers University in 2018 as the tight ends coach, eventually serving as interim head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach, leading at the highest level of college football.Now at Syracuse University, Nunzio has beeninstrumental in developing record-breaking quarterbacks and guiding the Orange to new heights. His path is a masterclass in leadership, adaptability, and developing players not just for the game, but for life.Get ready, this is the story of a coach whose passion and principles have shaped champions at every level.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we spotlight the stories of athletes who lead with grit, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today’s guest is someone who embodies all of that and more. Former Penn State standout quarterback and current Green Bay Packer, Sean Clifford. Sean’s journey from record-setting performances at Happy Valley to navigating the complex world of the NFL is a masterclass in resilience, preparation, and leadership. Throughout our conversation, he opens up about the pressures of leading one of college football’s most storied programs, the critics he had to block out, and how he mentally prepared to succeed at the next level. Whetherit was starting his own NIL-focused company as a student-athlete or sharing a quarterback room with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, Sean has consistently proven he’s not just chasing a career, he’s building a legacy.In this episode, we dig into what it takes tothrive under pressure, the mindset of an elite quarterback, and the importance of self-awareness and long-term thinking. Sean shares the values that have kepthim grounded, the leadership lessons he’s learned through wins and losses, and how he continues to evolve both as a player and a person. From the weight room to the boardroom, Sean Clifford shows us that being “strong” isn’t just physical, it’s mental, emotional, and intentional. This is a powerful conversation for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing greatness. Let’s dive in.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we go beyond the scoreboard to uncover the real stories of athletes who lead with faith, grit, and purpose. I’m your host, Jeff Durr.Today’s guest is Quintus McDonald, a powerhouseon the field at Penn State, and a former NFL linebacker with the Indianapolis Colts. But his story didn’t end with football, in many ways, that’s where it truly began. Quintus opens up about the intense pressure that comes with beinga high-profile athlete and how, despite all the accolades, he often felt like he had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. After football, he faced the hard truth that many athletes struggle with when the game ends, but lifekeeps going and without that identity, who are you?What pulled Quintus through was his unwaveringfaith. He reminds us that “God is always up to something,” and it was that belief that guided him as he rebuilt his purpose far from the bright lights of the stadium. Today, he’s a passionate mentor and servant-leader, dedicating hislife to helping young people, especially young men, believe they’re enough, and teaching them to make strong, values-based decisions. As a father, he sees his greatest legacy not in what he accomplished on the field, but in how he nowlives, with humility, intention, and love.This episode is a powerful reminder thatstrength isn’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how deeply you live. Join me as we dive into the real journey of Quintus McDonald.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, I’m your host, Jeff Durr and today’s episode is a special one. We’re heading back to my alma mater, the University of Maine, to spotlight a man who’s not just leading a football program he’sshaping a culture built on pride, discipline, and Black Bear grit.Our guest is Head Football Coach Jordan Stevens a 2010 UMaine graduate, former all-conference standout, team MVP, and now the man at the helm of the very program that raised him.Coach Stevens takes us through his incrediblejourney from playoff runs as a player, to coaching under legendary mentors like Jack Cosgrove, to refining his leadership style at Yale, and ultimately returning to Orono to lead the next generation.In this episode, Jordan shares:    The legacy and lessons that come from wearingthe Maine uniform·       How he’s rebuilding the program throughaccountability, structure, and high standards·       The importance of patience, relationships, andplayer development·       And why being a head coach is about more thanX’s and O’s — it’s about impact.If you believe in building something biggerthan yourself, if you believe in giving back to the place that gave you your start and if you believe that strong values still win, this conversation will hit home.Let’s dive in with University of Maine’s own, CoachJordan Stevens.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast where grit meets growth and legacy begins with leadership. I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today’s guest isn’t just a football coach, he’s a builder of men, a creator of culture, and a lifelong competitor.I’m especially fired up for this one, because he was my quarterback back in our playing days at the University of Maine. Since then, his journey has been nothing shortof remarkable from setting records as a player, to spending 17 seasons coaching at Maine, and then launching one of the most successful startup programs in college football history at Old Dominion, where he served as head coach for 13seasons.After a brief break, he’s back on the sidelines now leading the charge at Tennessee Tech. And in his very first season, He did what great leaders do: overcame adversity, beat the odds, and brought home a conference championship.He’s in the State of Maine Athletic Hall ofFame, a proud father to two college football players one who may be suiting up for him soon and he’s a man whose story continues to inspire.Today, we talk about resilience,relationships, and how to lead with vision even when the scoreboard doesn’t go your way. So, buckle up this episode is full of energy, wisdom, and championship-level mindset.Let’s welcome to the show my friend, my quarterbackand Head Coach of Tennessee Tech Football, Bobby Wilder.

Welcome to the RU Strong Podcast, where we explore the real stories behind the jersey, spotlighting athletes wholead with grit, heart, and purpose.I’m your host, Jeff Durr, and today’s guest is a fierce competitor on the field, a thoughtful leader off of it, and a voice that’s making waves in the athlete community.Joining us is Devon Horan, a former Rutgers University field hockey player who not only dominated on the turf but maintained a 3.9 GPA while doing it. She’s the creator and host of the podcast Real Life Plays, where she tackles the overlooked realities student-athletesface, mental health, finances, identity, transitions, and life after the final whistle.Devon brings a rare mix of vulnerability and strength, and in today’s episode, she shares her personal evolution, fromhigh-level athlete to advocate, marathon runner, and emerging leader.At the heart of her journey is a powerful framework she developed, known as The 5 W's of Sports:   Who am I doing this for?What is my purpose?When do I feel alive?   Where do I see myself going?Why am I doing this?These five questions became Devon’s compass during a time of identity loss and transition — and now, she’s using them toguide others searching for clarity and direction beyond sport.This conversation is for every athlete who has ever asked, “Who am I without the game?” Devon’s story is a reminder that your purpose doesn’t end when the clock hits zero sometimes, that’s when it truly begins.Let’s get into it.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we spotlight the mindset, mission, and momentum of athletes who lead with purpose and inspire throughaction.Today’s guest is the definition of grit, growth,and lifelong learning, a man whose journey through the game of baseball laid the foundation for a life of discipline, leadership, and relentless pursuit ofexcellence. Mark Angelo was a standout college baseball player at both Bucknell and East Stroudsburg University before going on to play professionally in the Seattle Mariners organization. His time on the field taught him more than just how to compete, it taught him how to lead, how to bounce back from failure, and how to keep showing up even when the odds are stacked against you.Those lessons have fueled him in every seasonof life. Mark holds multiple master’s degrees in math, educational leadership, and actuarial science and is currently pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership at Drexel University. He’s a devoted husband, a father of two, and arelentless student of life who's always striving to grow and give back.Mark’s story reminds us that while the gamemay end, the mindset never does. He’s living proof that athletes don’t retire, they redirect.

Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we spotlight the mindset, mission, and momentum of athletes and coaches who lead with purpose, push past limits, and live a life of impact. I’m your host, Jeff Durr.Today’s guest is a man who has coached on someof football’s biggest stages — the NFL, CFL, and XFL, and is now using his platform to transform lives through leadership and personal development. He’s a coach, a mentor, and now the author of The Crush It Formula, please welcome Jaime Elizondo.Jaime’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t inherited, it’s crafted. He was blessed to be around greatpeople, but he knew early on that passion wasn’t enough, you have to act on it. He’s spent a lifetime helpingothers believe in themselves, trust their voice, and prove they belong, because he knows that identity isn’t given to us, it’s built over time through sacrifice, discipline,and standards that never slide.In a world full of noise, Jaime teaches us to master our self-talk, to listen to the voice that says we can, not the one that tells us we can’t. He challenges us to create our own highlight reel, to visualize our success, commit to a higher vision,and demand ruthless consistency from ourselves and those around us.Whether it’s on the field or in life, Jaime lives the “CRUSH IT” mindset,Courage. Resilience. Unstoppable drive.Show up. Honesty. Internal discipline. Tenacity.Just. Take. Action.Get ready to hear how Jaime Elizondo built his playbook for leadership, why you are responsible for everything, and what it truly means to crush it in life.Let’s get into it, this is the RU StrongPodcast.