Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 392 Clark Kellogg is one of the most respected voices covering college basketball today. The CBS Sports analyst was once a top college basketball player at Ohio State University, where he earned All-Big-Ten Conferene honors and won Big-Ten Most Valuable Player in 1982. He was selected 8th overall in the first round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers and named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1983 after averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds.  His NBA career was cut short after just four seasons due to knee injuries and he was forced to retire in 1986 at the age of 25. Clark began his broadcasting journey with ESPN in 1990 and in 1993, he moved to CBS Sports, where he has worked since. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Clark about the upcoming season, his NBA playing days, how he came to faith in Christ, what the state of faith is in college basketball and how his walk with God has given him new purpose in his role as a broadcaster.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 391 Jessica Kern is the head women's basketball coach at Tennessee State University. Prior to her arrival at Tennessee State in 2016, she was the former head coach at Mississippi Valley State and had coaching stints at Furman University and Lincoln (Pa) University.  She was a four-year letter winner at Penn State University and a three-time All Big Ten selection and team captain for the Track and Field team.  Her journey took her overseas to play pro basketball in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Romania and Poland. She is the proud momma of her son Bobby Lee Collins Jr. (B.J.) On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jessica about her basketball coaching journey, the 3-to-5 rule, the power of social media, growing up bi-racial and what it means to keep going on the ugly days.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com   

Today we bring to you a conversation with Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots from March of 2018. He is a 7-time Pro Bowl special teams ace who has won three Super Bowls during his 12-year career with the New England Patriots. Slater was selected in the 5th round of the 2008 NFL Draft and is now in his 12th NFL season, all with the Patriots.  On this throwback edition of the podcast, Matthew talks about discipleship, platform and why he's not on social media.  You can listen to the entire interview with Matthew Slater from Episode 88 right here. 

Episode 390 Barry Zito pitched for 15 seasons in the Major Leagues from 2000-2006 with the Oakland A's, 2007-2013 with the San Francisco Giants and again in 2015 with the Oakland A's.  He was selected in the first round of the 1999 MLB Draft by Oakland (6th overall) and made his MLB debut a year later in July of 2000. In 2002, he won 23 games and earned the American League Cy Young Award. In 2007, he would sign a $100 million dollar contract with the San Francisco Giants and would go on to be a part of two World Series championship teams in 2010 and 2012.  The three-time All-Star won 165 career games and retired following the 2015 season. He is now a musician, releasing his first EP in 2017 (NO SECRETS) and in September of 2019, he released his first book, "CURVEBALL." On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Barry about his MLB career, how baseball became his God, seeing his parents both come to faith before their death and how God turned his life around and gave him true fulfillment.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 389 Robby Rowland is a professional baseball player. He was selected in the third round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks (88th overall). Since being drafted, Robby has spent his entire 9 year career in the minor leagues playing for 13 different teams. His story is ongoing as he suffered a torn lat arm injury in July of 2018 and is currently rehabbing with the hopes of someday reaching his dream of pitching in the Major Leagues. Putting his analyst hat on, Robby has shared his baseball insights on social media and the podcast that he hosts called "The Robby Row Show." On this episode of the podcast, Robby shares his powerful story of coming to faith in 2015, working through arm injuries, the reason he continues to chase his dream of pitching in the Majors, and why he's growing an epic beard. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 388 Jermon Bushrod played 12 years in the NFL with the Saints, Bears and Dolphins. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Saints out of Towson University.  He would spend his first 6 seasons in New Orleans, making two Pro Bowls in 2011 and 2012 as well as helping his team to a Super Bowl championship in 2009.  In 2013, Jermon would sign a new deal with the Bears and play three seasons in Chicago from 2013-2015. In 2016 and 2017, he played with the Miami Dolphins before returning to the Saints for one final season in 2018. In August of 2019, he officially announced his retirement from the NFL. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jermon about his decision to retire, losing the NFC Championship in his final NFL game, where his faith took shape, playing through pain, and how he has moved forward after the loss of his infant daughter in 2018. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 387 Nate Oats is the head coach of the University of Alabama men's basketball program. He came to Tuscaloosa in March after five successful years as the head coach at the University of Buffalo. While in Buffalo, Oats led his club to three NCAA tournament appearances including advancing to the second round in both 2018 and 2019. He is a 2-time MAC Coach of the Year and a winner of 3 MAC Tournament Championships in 2016, 2018 and 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Coach Oats about his decision to come to Alabama, not having to deal with the cold and snow of Buffalo anymore, going from coaching high school basketball to Alabama in just 6 years, how his faith guides him and shapes the way he coaches and why reading through the Bible in a year was important to him.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Darryl Strawberry is an 8-time All-Star and 4-time World Series champion who played 17 MLB seasons with the Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Yankees. He joined us back in January of 2018, Episode 68 of the podcast to talk about his baseball success, his fall from grace, and the redemption that took place after submitting his life to Christ.  On this throwback edition of the interview, Darryl shares why he is traveling the world and living as an evangelist working for the Lord.  You can listen to the entire interview with Darryl Strawberry by clicking here or by listening everywhere podcasts are found including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. 

Episode 386 Rachael Denhollander’s voice was heard around the world when she spoke out to end the most shocking scandal in US gymnastics history. The first victim to publicly accuse Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who abused hundreds of young athletes, Rachael now reveals her full story for the first time. How did Nassar get away with it for so long? How did Rachael and the other survivors finally stop him and bring him to justice? And how can we protect the vulnerable in our own families, churches, and communities? In September of 2019, Rachael released her book "What Is a Girl Worth?" It is the inspiring true story of Rachael’s journey from an idealistic young gymnast to a strong and determined woman who found the courage to raise her voice against evil, even when she thought the world might not listen. This deeply personal and compelling narrative shines a spotlight on the physical and emotional impact of abuse, why so many survivors are reluctant to speak out, what it means to be believed, the extraordinary power of faith and forgiveness, and how we can learn to do what is right in the moments that matter most. On this episode of the podcast, we hear Rachael share about the power of forgiveness, why she came forward she did, dealing with the aftermath of going public and the advice she has for others in supporting sexual abuse survivors. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 385 Joe Dipenta is a former NHL player. He was selected 61st overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.  Growing up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia (the same hometown as Penguins legend Sidney Crosby), Joe's dream was to play professional hockey and in 2002-2003, he made his NHL debut with the Atlanta Thrashers.  In 2005, Joe became a member of the Anaheim Ducks and just two years later, became a Stanley Cup champion.  Joe also holds the unique distinction of being one of just a handful of players to win a Stanley Cup title and a Calder Cup championship (AHL) as well.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Joe about coming to faith in Christ during his NHL career, his desire to play hockey, how he spent his day with the Stanley Cup and why he walked away from hockey at age 32.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com