Beyond The Ballfield

Through great tragedy, high school football coach Maurice Freeman discovered his “why”.  

Suffering a life-threatening illness to winning 3 Gold Medals, Army Veteran Justen Smith "Coach Jut" shares the importance of pausing for conversations that will change your family.

ABOVE THE CHATTER OUR WORDS MATTER author Bruce Pulver joins us again as we start 2021 with empowering words that lead to positive actions.

Uncovering what it means to be a Barrow Whaler, America’s most northern high school mascot, has been an ongoing journey for me.  I first learned about the community of Barrow (Utqiagvik), Alaska by watching an ESPN segment explaining the challenges they faced when trying to start a high school football program.  With the support of Bartram Trail High School in Jacksonville, Florida the Barrow Whalers would learn the game of football, receive a new artificial turf football field and become the center of major media coverage.  In return, much would be revealed about these fascinating Native Americans, their Inupiat Values, and customs.  In this 4th and final episode with Susan Hope, she explains more about their Inupiat Values and identity.  

Not just a letter opener.  Crafted using baleen from the bowhead whale, ivory from a walrus tusk, and fur from an arctic fox, this unique letter opening tool stands as a reminder of the resourcefulness and talent of our most Northern American neighbors.  Susan Hope explains in more detail Alaska’s North Slope Inupiat culture, “You don’t value what you don’t understand.” 

In this episode, we continue our series with our friend Susan Hope, as she continues to share with us, the Inupiat Values.

Imagine if the community in which you live agreed on a code of conduct that would define the values of its citizens.  These values would be taught in schools, written on the walls of buildings, and celebrated throughout the community.  It is my privilege in today's episode to introduce you to Susan Hope from the Native American Community of Utqiagvik, Alaska where their Inupiat Values guide their way of life.

Lessons learned at the ballfield can have an impact on our lives. When we learn those lessons from our children, those lessons become unforgettable. My son Kyle shares how what he learned while playing sports transforms his everyday life.  

Carlos Cody, the author of PROVERBIAL SUCCESS, took full advantage of enjoying the journey even when the destination wasn’t what he had dreamed. A former college athlete with hopes of playing in the NFL, Carlos turned his focus to helping others achieve their dreams.

Genie West describes the boldness needed when seeing her son faced with a 65-year prison sentence due to the lawlessness of his drug addiction. Their story of true grit continues to turnaround college athletes across the Nation.

Our hopes and dreams came to an abrupt end when our youngest son broke his leg during football practice just one week before his senior season. Through the most difficult of trials came direction and hope.

Leaving home for college can be very stressful for students and parents.  In this episode, former college student-athlete and current college coach Cara Parker and mother Cathy relive the ups and downs that come with this transition.  Hopefully, their experiences can help your family enjoy this season of life.

His life was forever changed through the power of love and football. Now, Coach Brian Houston pays it forward by training young men on and off the field. As a former coach of the Barrow Whalers, Coach Houston’s team was highlighted by ESPN’s Outside the Lines and NFL Network’s FOOTBALL TOWN.

I had the privilege to record an interview with Amanda Lawrence, mother of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the day after Clemson’s loss to LSU in the National Championship game.  I’ve debated about when to post this conversation and believe that now is a perfect time.  Over the past weeks, our nation has had to deal with life and death issues that have a massive impact on our future.  I believe sports can and will provide much healing for us all.  I’m very thankful for the Lawrence family and the leadership that Trever continues to show on and off the field.

Xavier Brewer, former Clemson Football standout, now coach, shares the importance of mentoring others. Xavier’s gratitude towards those who have coached him on and off the field shows just how impactful a player/coach relationship can be.

Dr. Clay Bolton has spent many years mentoring young people.  Working with student-athletes who have hopes of futures in Sports Management, Dr. Bolton challenges his students to remember those coaches and mentors who helped them have a love for sports.  His positive message of using sports to change lives is powerful.  This eye-opening conversation helps us refocus on the importance of relationships.

With enthusiasm, Tammy Eunice shares the importance of taking advantage of each day and the opportunity we are given to impact others.  Inspired by a poem that her son James wrote just 9 months before passing away at 17 years of age, The Clock Is Ticking will remind each of us the importance of taking time to love others.  Her powerful testimony reiterates the fact that we don’t always have a choice of what we have to walk through in our lives, but we do have the choice of how we handle it.  This timely episode will resonate with those who have suffered a loss and give much-needed encouragement to all of us.

Bruce Pulver author of ABOVE THE CHATTER, OUR WORDS MATTER is passionate about the power of our words and the indisputable impact they have on our lives and mindset.  He shares personal stories of dealing with his own daughter, a student-athlete at the University of Georgia, who experienced the disappointment of her sports season being abruptly cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Bruce’s real-life advice on the importance of showing empathy to others when subjected to the ups and downs of life will definitely help all of us.  The book can be purchased at www.abovethechatterourwordsmatter.com

Natalie Storment and her husband Jeff were busy building their own businesses when their hearts turned to the needs of the young boys coming home with their son TJ after school.  They provided TJ’s friends with homework assistance, an afternoon snack and rides to sporting practices.  The number of boys wanting and needing their services quickly outgrew their home and birthed their faith-based sports ministry Power Cross.  Natalie shares many life-changing success stories that they have witnessed through using sports as a tool to shape young lives.   If you have ever wondered how sports could be used to change a community, then you need to listen to this podcast episode.  Visit their Ministry at https://www.powercross.org.

Born at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, CJ Stewart beat the odds and escaped the effects of being a black man surrounded by poverty.  His dream of becoming an MLB player with the Chicago Cubs became a reality in 1996.  When challenged by one of his clients who asked him what he was doing to help others escape poverty, CJ and his wife Kelli founded L.E.A.D., using baseball as a tool to attract some of the most “at-risk” youth of Atlanta.  In this timely podcast episode, CJ and Kelli share the devastating effects that COVID-19 is having on those in poverty.  This conversation will open your eyes and give you practical information on how you can join them in serving venerable families during this great time of need.  More information about L.E.A.D. can be found at www.LEAD2LEGACY.org 

Pam Tebow, most known as the mother of Heisman Trophy-winning athlete Tim Tebow, shares many fun and practical examples of parenting through sports.  This uplifting conversation deals with the realities that come with having children who are involved with playing sports.  In this episode we discuss how to handle negative media, losing, and the importance of staying humble while victorious.  We also dive into her book RIPPLE EFFECTS, emphasizing the value of training our children to serve.  Her testimonies will be a huge encouragement to you and your family.