Amazing Americans Podcast

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“Amazing Americans” is hosted by Jerry Schemmel and airs Saturday mornings on Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan from 8:00am-9:00am. Each week, Jerry Schemmel interviews different personalities from the world of sports who have incredible stories of inspiration. Athletes, coaches, broadcasters, all types of people from different areas of the sports community join Jerry to share their stories.  Jerry Schemmel is one of the most recognizable broadcasting voices in Denver sports history, spending 10 seasons as the radio play-by-play voice of the Colorado Rockies. Prior to that, Schemmel was the radio and television voice of the Denver Nuggets for 18 years. Jerry is a survivor of the United Airlines Flight 232 that crashed in 1989 and took the lives of 112 people. Jerry chronicled this experience in the 1996 book, “Chosen to Live.” An avid bicyclist, Jerry rode across the country twice to raise funds for Colorado Children’s Hospital and HaitiChildren. He also spent the 2009 season as head baseball coach at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

104.3 The Fan


    • Apr 9, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 102 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Amazing Americans Podcast

    Amazing Americans- Harvey Dawkins- 04/09/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2022 39:47


    He was born with both Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy, yet he has become a champion triathlete. And he does it all, these days, for other challenged athletes. Harvey Dawkins is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Dennis Vanderheiden- 04/02/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2022 39:52


    Motivated to help handicap kids, he started guiding them through triathlons. 12 years later, he has changed the lives of hundreds of young people.  Dennis Vanderheiden is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Chad Hennings- 03/26/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2022 39:49


    He went from college football All-American, to War Hero, to NFL star. The ​incomparable Chad Hennings is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Bill Burke- 03/19/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2022 39:44


    When he retired from his law practice, he decided to get adventurous. Adventurous, as in becoming the oldest American, at age 78, to climb Mt. Everest. Bill Burke is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Barry Remington- 03/12/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2022 39:21


    He was a star football player for the CU Buffs, but later his life was shattered with the tragic death of his daughter. Barry Remington is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Bob Babbitt- 03/05/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 39:51


    He is a former champion triathlete and today, he is dedicating his life to helping disabled athletes become champions. The head of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Bob Babbitt, is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans - John Hessler - 02/26/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 39:52


    After a horrible car accident shattered his life, a former University of Colorado Quarterback is finding joy and meaning, today, coaching high school baseball. John Hessler is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Kyle Garlett- 02/19/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2022 39:50


    He survived four separate bouts with cancer and then a heart transplant. But then, he became the first heart transplant recipient to tackle the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. Kyle Garlett is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Adam Nigon- 02/12/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2022 39:52


    He had no intention of ever playing college basketball. But he was spotted at an intramural game, invited to be on the team, and then became one of the best players ever at Colorado State. Adam Nigon is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Sarah Thomas- 02/05/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2022 39:53


    She is the greatest ultra distance swimmer in history. But perhaps her greatest victory is beating cancer. Sarah Thomas is this week's guest on Amazing Americans See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Micah Smith- 01/29/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2022 39:50


    She was an aspiring athlete and a freshman All-American volleyball player. But she quit the game and fell into a nearly 20 year battle with drugs and alcohol. Today she is clean and sober - and helping others with the same addictions. Micah Smith is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Julie Lyons- 01/22/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2022 39:51


    She is one of the best senior level cyclists in history. She owns three world records. But perhaps most impressive is her work with cancer victims. Julie Lyons is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Napoleon Kauffman- 01/15/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2022 39:51


    He was one of the premier running backs in the NFL. In the prime of his career, at age 28, he walked away from the game. And for a very good reason. Napoleon Kauffman is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Bill Hancock- 01/08/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2022 39:50


    After his son died in a plane crash, he got on his bicycle and made some incredible discoveries. The Executive Director of the College Football Playoff, Bill Hancock, is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- John Wooden- 01/01/2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 39:50


    He is known as the greatest college basketball coach of all time. Among his many accomplishments are an incredible eight national championships in a span of 10 seasons. As told by a family member, John Wooden's story is featured on this week's edition of Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Justin Wren- 12/25/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2021 39:49


    He was a champion MMA Fighter - but gave it all up to help dig water wells in Africa for the poorest if the poor. Justin Wren is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Bill Rodgers- 12/18/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2021 39:48


    He is the greatest marathoner in American history. He won the Boston Marathon four times and the New York City Marathon four times. No one else has even come close. Running legend Bill Rodgers is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Jim Joyce- 12/11/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 38:20


    He was one of the best MLB umpires ever. He got thousands of calls right, but everyone seems to remember one call he got wrong. And almost no one seems to remember a life he saved before a game. Jim Joyce is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Kim Hess- 12/04/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2021 38:51


    On a dare from her brother, she climbed Mount Everest. But she didn't stop, becoming one of the greatest female mountain climbers in history. Kim Hess is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Bryan Sederwall- 11/27/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2021 39:21


    He is a former college basketball player who traded his sports life for one of giving hope to the very hopeless. Bryan Sederwall is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Donna De Varona- 11/20/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2021 39:49


    She is one of the most iconic female sports figures in American history. She was an Olympian at age 13 and gold medalist at 17. She then went on to a 40 year sportscasting career. The timeless Donna De Varona is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Amanda Coker- 11/13/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2021 39:50


    She had surgery to fix a hole in her heart - and then survived a horrible bike accident. She recovered from both and went on to set no fewer than 11 cycling world records. Amanda Coker is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Kevin Reilly- 11/06/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2021 39:51


    Cancer took his left arm and his NFL career but he refused to let it take his incredible zest for life. Former Philadelphia Eagle Kevin Reilly is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Jason Cohen- 10/30/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2021 39:21


    He found himself obese and in poor health, when he began a running program. It led to his completing one of the world's most challenging athletic endeavors. Jason Cohen is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Lauryn Williams- 10/23/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2021 39:52


    She is one of the greatest athletes in U.S. history - the only American woman to win an Olympic medal in both the Summer Games and the Winter Games. Lauryn Williams is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Robert Paylor- 10/16/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2021 39:51


    He was one of America's very best college Rugby players when he was completely paralyzed in the national championship match and told he would never walk again. He didn't listen. Robert Paylor is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Jeremiah Galyon- 10/09/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2021 39:52


    He was an extremely successful ultra distance runner until a massive heart attack appeared to take his life, but when they went to pull the plug he was still functioning. Now, he is running again. Jeremiah Galyon is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- George Karl- 10/02/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2021 39:20


    He has almost 1,200 NBA coaching wins, but perhaps most impressive is his 3-0 record against cancer. George Karl is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Gene Caffrey- 09/25/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2021 39:51


    After being diagnosed with MS, he is doing something extraordinary for other MS victims. Gene Caffrey is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Drew Beckie- 09/18/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2021 40:56


    He's a professional soccer player who had his career interrupted - with a massive heart attack. Drew Beckie tells his incredible story of survival - and comeback - as this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Tyler Hamilton- 09/11/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2021 40:53


    Like so many other riders, he was caught in professional cycling's doping scandal. Now he is spending the rest of his life paying for his cycling sins. Tyler Hamilton is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Nancy Guth- 09/04/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2021 40:28


    To help deal with the grief from the death of her teenage son, she took up cycling and then became the greatest American female masters cyclist in history. The incredibly brave and inspiring Nancy Guth is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Steve Heidenreich- 08/28/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2021 40:29


    He was one of the top middle distance runners in the country - a great bet to make the U.S . Olympic team until his life was forever changed by a hit and run driver. Steve Heidenreich is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Jennifer Strong- 08/21/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2021 40:26


    On a whim, she walked on to her college rowing team. And then became one of the most multi-faceted and successful endurance athletes in the world. Jennifer Strong is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Jordan Romero- 08/14/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2021 40:26


    It's an impressive feat to climb Mt. Everest, but it's extraordinary to do at age 13. Jordan Romero is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Jeremy Poincenot- 08/07/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2021 40:26


    At the age of 20, he went from 20/20 vision to being legally blind. But two years after that, he became a world champion golfer.  Jeremy Poincenot is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Mickey Kor- 07/31/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2021 41:28


    He is considered the greatest fan in the history of Purdue University Basketball. He's also a Holocaust survivor. Mickey Kor's story, as told by his son, is featured this week on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Eric Newsholme- 07/24/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2021 40:26


    After failing twice attempting to finish the Race Across America, he made it on his third attempt and made cycling history. Colorado resident Eric Newsholme is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans - Mark Pattison - 7/17/21

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2021 40:58


    After his career in the NFL, he decided not to live the typical retired life. Instead, he became a mountain climber. And one of the best in the world. Mark Pattison is Jerry Schemmel's guest this week on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Katherine Switzer- 07/10/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2021 39:54


    Despite the race director attacking her on the course, she completed the race, becoming the first woman to officially finish the Boston Marathon. And opened the door for millions of female runners. Katherine Switzer is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Bob Babbitt- 07/03/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2021 39:56


    As a world class triathlete in the 1980's, he treasured the thrill of competing in the sport and is now spending the rest of his life helping the physically challenged do the same thing. Bob Babbitt is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Justin Wren- 06/26/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2021 40:26


    He became a star as an MMA and UFC fighter. But after a six year battle with substance abuse, he found his purpose in one of the poorest countries in the world. Justin Wren is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Frank Shorter- 06/19/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2021 40:26


    What has always been known is that he is one of America's greatest distance runners. But what hasn't been known, until now, is the dark childhood at the hands of a brutally abusive father. Frank Shorter is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Kyle and Brent Pease- 06/12/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2021 40:24


    It is the ultimate story of brotherly love. One brother is completely disabled, but the two of them together are athletic champions. Kyle & Brent Pease are this week's guests on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Katie Spotz- 06/05/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2021 40:25


    11 years ago, she rowed her boat, solo, across the Atlantic Ocean. And she was just 19 years old. Katie Spotz is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Reza Zeday- 05/29/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2021 40:27


    He was born in Iran to Muslim parents, but his incredible journey has taken him to college football player, to team Chaplain for the Denver Broncos. Reza Zeday is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Tori McClure- 05/22/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2021 40:25


    She is the first American to row a boat solo across the Atlantic Ocean and today she is a University President. The incredible Tori McClure is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Darren Miller- 05/15/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 40:26


    He is one of the greatest endurance swimmers in American history. And every event, every stroke, is done for sick children. Darren Miller is this week's guest on Amazing Americans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Bob Chillemi- 05/08/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2021 40:25


    When his star athlete son passed away from substance abuse, he dedicated his life to keeping others from the same fate. Bob Chillemi is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Rebecca Rusch- 05/01/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2021 40:24


    She is considered the greatest female endurance athlete in American history, but perhaps her greatest accomplishment is finding her father's burial site in Vietnam. Rebecca Rusch is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Amazing Americans- Janni Kouri- 04/24/2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2021 40:26


    A diving accident paralyzed him - but wouldn't stop him from maneuvering his wheelchair across the United States. Former All American football player Janni Kouri is this week's guest on Amazing Americans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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