Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score Podcast

Wesleyan tennis head coach Mike Fried is the first non-Wesleyan alum to join the Chris & Coach podcast. The two-time NCAA National Coach of the Year – men's in 2017 and women's in 2019 – has led the Cardinals to unprecedented success in his 10 years at the helm of both programs. In this interview, Fried discusses his path to coaching and what drew him to Wesleyan, the importance of team culture and camaraderie, and he relives the 2019 Women's National Championship match in which the Cardinals defeated Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 5-4.

Wesleyan tennis head coach Mike Fried is the first non-Wesleyan alum to join the Chris & Coach podcast. The two-time NCAA National Coach of the Year – men's in 2017 and women's in 2019 – has led the Cardinals to unprecedented success in his 10 years at the helm of both programs. In this interview, Fried discusses his path to coaching and what drew him to Wesleyan, the importance of team culture and camaraderie, and he relives the 2019 Women's National Championship match in which the Cardinals defeated Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 5-4.

The all-time three-point leader in Wesleyan men's basketball history recently joined Chris and Coach to discuss his young career thus far. After graduating from Wes in 2017, Harry Rafferty took a shot at playing professionally after seeing one of his best friends, Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat, reach the NBA. Rafferty discusses the grind of trying to make it to the league which included a stint in the NBA G-League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2019. Recently, he was elevated to Assistant Coach for the University of Michigan women's basketball team.

The all-time three-point leader in Wesleyan men's basketball history recently joined Chris and Coach to discuss his young career thus far. After graduating from Wes in 2017, Harry Rafferty took a shot at playing professionally after seeing one of his best friends, Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat, reach the NBA. Rafferty discusses the grind of trying to make it to the league which included a stint in the NBA G-League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2019. Recently, he was elevated to Assistant Coach for the University of Michigan women's basketball team.

Mike Whalen's (Coach) college roommate, Steve Sorkin '83, joined the podcast to reminisce with his good friend and former Wesleyan football teammate. Sorkin and Whalen shared several memories from their playing days in Middletown. They also went on to coach together, and against each other, for several years post-graduation before Sorkin made a career change and got into sales. The Wesleyan University fight song leader is extremely passionate about his alma mater, and it is evident throughout this interview.

Mike Whalen’s (Coach) college roommate, Steve Sorkin ’83, joined the podcast to reminisce with his good friend and former Wesleyan football teammate. Sorkin and Whalen shared several memories from their playing days in Middletown. They also went on to coach together, and against each other, for several years post-graduation before Sorkin made a career change and got into sales. The Wesleyan University fight song leader is extremely passionate about his alma mater, and it is evident throughout this interview.

Former Wesleyan dual-sport athlete (basketball and baseball), Christopher Roellke '87, is now the President at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Roellke joined Chris & Coach to relive his days in Middletown, tell stories about legendary coaches Herb Kenny and Peter ‘Kosty' Kostacopoulos, talk about how he met his wife Kim at Wes, and he discusses his path to becoming a University President, among much more.

Former Wesleyan dual-sport athlete (basketball and baseball), Christopher Roellke ’87, is now the President at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Roellke joined Chris & Coach to relive his days in Middletown, tell stories about legendary coaches Herb Kenny and Peter ‘Kosty’ Kostacopoulos, talk about how he met his wife Kim at Wes, and he discusses his path to becoming a University President, among much more.

Following an incredible baseball career as an undergraduate for the Cardinals, in which he was named to the NESCAC All-Conference Team three times and set the program record for doubles, Julian Sonnenfeld '11 is now helping athletes perform at their best for a living. Sonnenfeld is currently a fellow in Sports Medicine, Shoulder & Elbow surgery in North Carolina, where he is enjoying a fellowship as a Team Physician for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).

Following an incredible baseball career as an undergraduate for the Cardinals, in which he was named to the NESCAC All-Conference Team three times and set the program record for doubles, Julian Sonnenfeld ’11 is now helping athletes perform at their best for a living. Sonnenfeld is currently a fellow in Sports Medicine, Shoulder & Elbow surgery in North Carolina, where he is enjoying a fellowship as a Team Physician for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).

Avery Esdaile '00 is currently the athletic director for Boston Public Schools. Prior to that, he spent 12 years at Wellesley College in the Athletic Department. The former Wesleyan men's basketball player joined Chris & Coach to talk about his career path, his current job and the impact of Covid-19 on sports, and how he got into athletic administration.

Avery Esdaile ’00 is currently the athletic director for Boston Public Schools. Prior to that, he spent 12 years at Wellesley College in the Athletic Department. The former Wesleyan men’s basketball player joined Chris & Coach to talk about his career path, his current job and the impact of Covid-19 on sports, and how he got into athletic administration.

Blair Ingraham '14 played field hockey for four years at Wesleyan under head coach Patti Klecha-Porter and two years of women's lacrosse under head coach Holly Wheeler. After a successful playing career, she returned to Middletown to pursue her Master's degree while acting as a graduate assistant coach for both programs, learning from Klecha-Porter and current women's lacrosse coach Kim Williams. Ingraham, who has a strong family history at Wesleyan, is now an Associate Director of Admission, and Field Hockey and Girls' Lacrosse Program Director, at the St. George's School in Middletown, R.I.  

Blair Ingraham ’14 played field hockey for four years at Wesleyan under head coach Patti Klecha-Porter and two years of women’s lacrosse under head coach Holly Wheeler. After a successful playing career, she returned to Middletown to pursue her Master’s degree while acting as a graduate assistant coach for both programs, learning from Klecha-Porter and current women’s lacrosse coach Kim Williams. Ingraham, who has a strong family history at Wesleyan, is now an Associate Director of Admission, and Field Hockey and Girls’ Lacrosse Program Director, at the St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I.  

Kyle Weiss '12, a former two-sport (baseball, football) athlete for the Cardinals, is now the Running Backs Coach for UConn Football. Weiss rejoins his former head coach, now athletic director Mike Whalen '83, to relive his football playing days in Middletown and how his career in coaching began. Weiss also tells the story about how he met his wife, Jenna Waters Weiss, who is an Administrative Assistant in the Athletics Department.

Kyle Weiss ’12, a former two-sport (baseball, football) athlete for the Cardinals, is now the Running Backs Coach for UConn Football. Weiss rejoins his former head coach, now athletic director Mike Whalen ’83, to relive his football playing days in Middletown and how his career in coaching began. Weiss also tells the story about how he met his wife, Jenna Waters Weiss, who is an Administrative Assistant in the Athletics Department.

Mark Molina '81, a former football player and teammate of Athletic Director Mike Whalen '83, reminisces about his playing days with Coach while talking about their time on campus. Following graduation, Molina traveled through Europe before attending law school at the University of Michigan. After a successful career in corporate law, he shifted gears and purchased the first Orangetheory Fitness in Connecticut. He now owns multiple Orangetheory Fitness' within the state.

Mark Molina '81, a former football player and teammate of Athletic Director Mike Whalen '83, reminisces about his playing days with Coach while talking about their time on campus. Following graduation, Molina traveled through Europe before attending law school at the University of Michigan. After a successful career in corporate law, he shifted gears and purchased the first Orangetheory Fitness in Connecticut. He now owns multiple Orangetheory Fitness' within the state.

Kathy Keeler '78 is the only Wesleyan graduate to win an Olympic gold medal, as she helped stroke the women's eight crew to a top finish at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Keeler, who was inducted into the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008, caught up with Chris & Coach to reminisce about both her days in Middletown and competing in the Olympics. The gold medalist reflects on her time at Wes, in which she played multiple sports throughout her career, and also tells some incredible stories about qualifying for the Olympics and what it was like to walk in the parade.

Kathy Keeler ’78 is the only Wesleyan graduate to win an Olympic gold medal, as she helped stroke the women’s eight crew to a top finish at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Keeler, who was inducted into the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008, caught up with Chris & Coach to reminisce about both her days in Middletown and competing in the Olympics. The gold medalist reflects on her time at Wes, in which she played multiple sports throughout her career, and also tells some incredible stories about qualifying for the Olympics and what it was like to walk in the parade.

Chris Stiepock, Class of 1987 and former Wesleyan men’s basketball player, is now the Vice President at NBC Sports where he oversees Supercross, Motocross, and MotoGP. He also helps coordinate NBC Sports’ foray into esports, starting with video games that sync in with NBC Sports’ major programming properties like Premier League, NFL, NHL, Olympics, and NASCAR. Stiepock discusses his incredible story about how his career began, which started as Director of Marketing and Communications for the first-ever X Games that led to a 20-year career at ESPN.

Spike Malangone ’09 was a 3-time All-American for the Wesleyan men’s lacrosse team and was named the best defensive player in the country in 2009. He was one of three Malangone brothers to play for head coach John Raba and the Cardinals, joining his older brother Paul ’05 and his younger brother Conor ’11. Following a stellar playing career, Spike carried that momentum into the professional world and has excelled thus far with jobs working in the NFL, for Sports Recruits LLC, the NFL Network, and now as the VP of Programming for Cadence13; a leader in premium podcasting. Spike has worked on shows such as “Gangster Capitalism”, “Zack to the Future”, and many more.   

The winningest hockey coach in the history of New England prep school hockey, John Gardner ’74, joins Chris & Coach to talk about his playing days, his career at Avon Old Farms, recruiting, coaching players that went on to have NHL careers, and he tells stories about the Stanley Cup! Gardner was inducted into the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. He played baseball and hockey at Wes, including one year of football, and shortly after graduation, he began his 46-year legacy at Avon began.

Growing up in Mill Valley, California (just north of San Francisco), Perry Hammond '03 chose to move east to enroll at Wesleyan University where he enjoyed a successful four-year career with the Cardinals men's soccer program. Following graduation, and after a brief stint back west, he picked up and moved to Madrid, Spain, to teach English. While abroad, he was able to get a start in the sports industry as a translator for a big 'fútbol' club in Madrid. His career path, which has included stops at Nike and Adidas, has led him to his current role as General Manager at Lane United FC, a soccer club based in Eugene, Oregon, that currently plays in USL League Two. Hammond joined Chris & Coach to talk about his journey post-Wesleyan and an incredible story from his undergraduate playing days that you will not want to miss.

Another Wesleyan men’s basketball great joined Chris & Coach as the hosts welcomed Class of 1986, Michael Arcieri. Arcieri was a 1,000-point scorer for the Cardinals, reaching that feat before the 3-point line was even introduced. His incredible story of perseverance is a must-listen for those looking to achieve their dreams. Arcieri has done everything from coaching high school basketball, attending law school, and working for several NBA teams as a scout and director of basketball operations.

Former women’s tennis superstar Victoria Yu ’19, one of the most decorated athletes in Wesleyan Athletics history, joined Chris & Coach on Zoom to discuss why she chose Wes, what it was like playing alongside and against Eudice Chong ’18, what it was like playing doubles with her sister Kristina [‘22], and she relives the 2019 NCAA National Championship match in which the Cardinals became the first women’s team in school history to win a national team championship.

The 2018 NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year, Jordan Sears ’18, was a shutdown defender for the Wesleyan men’s basketball team. Now, the Assistant Video Coordinator for the Milwaukee Bucks gets to guard two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in practice! Sears is excelling in his post-Wesleyan days, in which he started as a graduate assistant coach at St. John’s under Hall of Famer Chris Mullins.

The all-time leading scorer for both goals (35) and points (87) in Wesleyan men’s soccer history, Amos Magee ’93, joins Mike Whalen ’83 and Chris Grace in this week’s episode of Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score. Magee was named an NCAA Division III All-American in 1992 and helped guide the Cardinals to a 15-1-1 record in 1991, the program’s greatest record in school history. He went on to play 12 years of professional soccer and was inducted into the Wesleyan Hall of Fame in the fall of 2008. Magee is now the Director of Player Personnel for Minnesota United FC.  

Former 1,000-point scorer for the Wesleyan men’s basketball team and now head coach at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Tobin Anderson ’95, joins Mike Whalen ’83 and Chris Grace on Zoom to relive his playing days and discuss his career. Anderson has excelled as the Spartans’ coach and has guided them to a 142-50 (.740) record in six seasons, including five-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. At Wesleyan, Anderson was a four-year starter and two-year captain. He graduated as a top-10 scorer in program history and currently sits tied for 11th all-time with 1,129 career points.