Sports Spectrum Podcast

Barrett Jones is a former Alabama offensive lineman who was a member of three national championship teams under head coach Nick Saban. He was named first-team All-American in 2011 and 2012 and was awarded the Outland Trophy (best lineman in college football) in 2011.  He ended his Alabama career winning three BCS national championships and played a different position in each of those seasons, as an All-American guard, an All-American right tackle, and an All-American center.  Following his college career, Barrett was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Due to injuries, his career only lasted three years and by 2017, his pro football career was over at age 26.  Recently, he's been working as a color analyst on college football broadcasts with ESPN Radio.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Barrett about winning championships at Alabama, what makes coach Nick Saban special, what it means to commit to the process, the identity crisis he went through and the difference between justification and sanctification.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Barrett, you'll love these conversations as well: - Rich Wingo - Former Alabama Linebacker - Mac Powell, Singer/Songwriter – Third Day

Murray Garvin has been leading the South Carolina State Men's basketball program since taking over as head coach in 2012. The 2016 MEAC Coach of the Year joins us today to talk about the difficulties he's faced during this Covid 2020-2021 college basketball season and why he came up with the idea to hold a National Day of Prayer for college basketball coaches on March 1.  If you are a coach or basketball administrator and you'd like to be a part of the National Day of Prayer, please email jason@sportsspectrum.com and we will get you the info. 

Chelsea Newton is an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Georgia's women's basketball program. She has coached an impressive list of 14 WNBA players and 17 All-Conference selections in just 12 seasons of college basketball coaching. Prior to coaching, Chelsea was a standout player with the University of Rutgers under legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer. After college, she was a second round selection in 2005 WNBA Draft to the Sacramento Monarchs, where she helped her team to a WNBA World Championship that same season. After her pro career as a player, she moved to coaching and returned to Rutgers as an assistant coach before coming to Georgia in 2015.  Today on the podcast, Chelsea shares the pivot she's had to make in recruiting during the pandemic, the importance of counseling, how her faith guides her, playing and learning from coach C. Vivian Stringer and the traits that make a great coach. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Chelsea, we know you'll love these conversations as well: Cori Close - UCLA Women's College Basketball Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis – Minnesota Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach

The story of Sam Marsonek is incredible. He made his MLB debut July 11, 2004 with the Yankees. He faced the Tampa Bay Rays that day and gave up zero runs in 1.1 innings. That appearance would be Sam's one and only time he'd pitch in a Major League Baseball game.  Today on the podcast, we hear Sam's journey to the Big Leagues and what took place that ended his baseball career but gave him renewed purpose to live life for something bigger than himself.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Sam, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Eric Kratz, MLB Catcher - Darryl Strawberry, Nick Ahmed, Rod Hairston on Manhood

Allen Arnold is an author, speaker and the Executive Producer of content for Wild at Heart ministries.  His new book "Chaos Can't: Overcome What Comes Against You in this Shaken World" was released in October 2020.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Allen about parenting, pivots in a pandemic, why living a chaos filled life is a lie, and his struggle with chaos as a middle school basketball coach.  --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Allen, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Dave Buehring - Author/Pastor - Louie Giglio, Pastor/Author

William Gates is a former college basketball player who was featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary "Hoop Dreams" back in October 1994. Gates was a member of St. Josephs High School in Chicago, where he played on the varsity team all four years under legendary coach Gene Pingatore. After being highly recruited by many of the top colleges in the country, Gates chose to play for Marquette and appeared in 80 games during his college basketball career with the Golden Eagles. A few years later, Gates would enter Moody Bible Institute and train to become a pastor. Today, he's started a clothing line On today's podcast, William Gates shares about his experience being on Hoop Dreams, what it's like to have your high school career documented on camera, the loss of his brother, playing basketball against Michael Jordan, his journey to Moody Bible Institute and living a life as a follower of Christ. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with William, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Tony Bennett – Virginia Men’s Basketball Coach - Michael Porter Sr - Coach and NBA Father

NASCAR driver Michael McDowell joins us fresh off of winning the 2021 Daytona 500. Today on the podcast, Michael shares how the last few days have gone since winning the Great American Race, being patient in waiting 358 races to get his first career win, the quiet time he spent with God the morning of the Daytona 500 and preparing for another race just days removed from winning NASCAR's biggest race. --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Michael, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Michael McDowell from 2019 - Donnie Floyd, NASCAR chaplain

Jed Morris is a minor league hitting instructor with the San Diego Padres. He was selected in the 36th round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft by the Oakland A's. His minor league baseball journey took him to as high as AAA in 2005, with stops in Midland, Modesto, Sacramento, Vancouver, Stockton, and Lancaster, PA. During his college baseball career at the University of Nebraska, Jed was the 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year and played in back to back College World Series. He would also serve as a college baseball coach, leading Eastern University's baseball club from 2013-2018. In 2006, his baseball career was placed on pause as Jed was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and underwent six rounds of chemotherapy. Today on the podcast, we hear Jed's incredible story of overcoming cancer, clinging to his faith during difficult moments, the transition from playing to coaching, his amazing experience in a AAA game and how his purpose in baseball has changed. --- If you enjoyed this episode with Jed, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Sal Giardina - Pro Baseball Player - Tony Beasley - Texas Rangers Coach

Luke McCown played quarterback in the NFL from 2004-2016. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. His 12-year career was spent with the Browns, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Saints and Falcons.  In 2017, he was inducted into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame. His brother Josh is a longtime NFL quarterback and his brother Randy played QB at Texas A&M.  Today on the podcast, Luke shares incredible stories of playing with Drew Brees, his first ever NFL start against Tom Brady, baptizing teammates in New Orleans and the importance of keeping Christ at the center of his life.  Check out Katy McCown's new book "She Smiles Without Fear." -- If you enjoyed this podcast with Luke, we know you'll listening to these conversations as well: -Thomas Morestead, Saints Punter from July 2020 -Demario Davis – New Orleans Saints Linebacker from March 2020

Daniel Fusco is the lead pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR.  His new book "Crazy Happy: 9 Surprising Ways to Live the Truly Beautiful Life" releases Feb. 16, 2021. His radio program, Jesus is Real Radio, is broadcast across the country, and his TV show, Real with Daniel Fusco, is aired weekly on the Hillsong Channel.  You can keep tabs on Daniel at his website: DanielFusco.com --- If you enjoyed this podcast with Daniel, we know you'll love these conversations as well: - Tim Johnson - Super Bowl Champion Pastor - Scott Sauls - Pastor/Author