Referee Rant Podcast

Ever-present spectator, Girls and Boys Basketball Official, certified Volleyball official, all while finding meaning and happiness in it all. The year was 2009, and Bob was on top of his game. Then everything - his life, reffing, all took a backseat as he suffered a heart condition during a game. In this pod, he discusses his early life playing, how he got into officiating, his come up, the aftermath of the incident, and how he is thankful in a much more meaningful way. Dedicated to his good friend Tom Merle, my conversation with Bob, now.

Head Coach, Boy’s Varsity Basketball Team at East Meadow HS, Nassau Country local bball fiend. If there was a fancy word to describe Coach Rottkamp when it comes to basketball, it’s omnipresent. In this pod, we decompress the season that was for his Jets of East Meadow, his come up falling in love with sports, his relationship with refs, and how he will build upon the success of last season. All that and more, my conversation with Coach Rottkamp, now.;

The Basketball season is over, I’ve moved on to Flag Football and Softball, and backing my voice up with #therant. In this pod we sit with Fabe, going over his ups and downs in life, his season that was, his late night visits and talks at the Chop Shop, and how he is coping with heaviness on his brain. All that and more, we are back on Referee Rant, with Fabian - right now.

Episode 366, The Rant: Joey Mandarino, Part 2, The Return. * Covid 19 started long ago. 2020 turned into 21’ and now we are in the throws of Summer 2022. We recorded a pod last summer, which never materialized into published. In this pod, we discuss his growth from when we first met, and the evolution of the pandemic, the evolution of him, and the Summer thats about to be. Part 2, Joey, now.

Certified Basketball Official, in pursuit of being great, attempting to elevate his game to the collegiate level. In the subsequent years that I’ve known him, one thing is clear; Dennis wants to be the best he can be. In this pod, we discuss his early life, moving to Long Island, discovering officiating, and what the summer and future hold. All that and more, my conversation with Dennis, now.

First of all, shouts to Devine, as he’s the fastest recurring guest in the history of this pod. In 4 short months, so many things have changed. We rechopped it up with Devine to talk about his breakout summer - his work in the community of Bay Shore and the Township of Islip, his summer Basketball League, his newly minted Flag Football League, Flag-On, and what else he’s up to this summer. All that and more, Devine, Part 2, now.

Certified Basketball Official. Taking Northern California, The Internet, and the World, by Storm. Better late than never! Albeit a few months back, we chop it up with Izzy of his incredible journey comporting to become an elite HS and aspiring Collegiate basketball official. In this pod, we discuss his love of sports, love of officiating, his season that was, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Izzy, now.

I got alot of names, some people say them to my face. One is a ghost, and Lord knows i’ve been one. The pod is back, I’m back. After a long lay off of ennui, we bring it back to hear stories that we find interesting, compelling, and entertaining. In this pod, we catch up with what I’ve been up, what we’ve been up to, and where we are going. All that and more. Me, on my own show. *

Impact One, LuHI Boy’s Basketball. Impacting All.The only thing constant the past three years is deep change. In this pod, we reconnect with Jerrel to see what he’s been up to since the passing of JoJo Wright, to the recent passing of Brandon Wilson, his connection in coaching and training the young men on the LuHi Basketball team, and what he’s learned with the passage of time from when we last spoke. All that and more, part 2 with Texas, now.

For 20 years you can catch Devine at a sideline or bench near you. In this pod, we discuss him growing up in Harlem, him moving at an early age to Long Island, how he got into coaching, his longevity, and putting his all into the youth with Diverse Skill Training. All that and more, my conversation with Devine Smith, now.

It’s only fitting I say this: Happy Birthday Kevin. In this pod, we discuss his upbringing in Chicago, getting transported to Long Island, going after it in Basketball, playing D1, coaching D3, and shining a light on youth Basketball and Women’s Basketball with “She Got Game.” All that and more, my conversation with Kevin, now.

As the world, turns, and time passes, I watch my first born son, Mason, Fornoles, grow up before my very eyes. In this pod, we catch up with him, about what he’s learned since the last time he’s been on the podcast, him entering 3rd, grade, learning new things like mirror writing, turning 9, and his pursuit of Sony Playstation 5. All that and more, my conversation, with Mason, now.

Certified Football Official, Certified Softball Official, and Flag Football Staple. It was nearly 10 years apart from when I first reffed with John in Flag Football, until I saw him again, last summer. In this pod, we discuss his early life in the BX, him moving to Long Island and playing Soccer, how he got into officiating, and his key to longevity in officiating as a multi-sport official. All that and more, my conversation with John, now.

Steady progress has been made all pandemic long for one Carmela Garcia, and it shows. Mentally, physically, the growth has been exponential. In this pod, we chop it up with her, to talk Soccer and Hoops, how she’s taken her craft and cancellations both in strde, and the vast improvement within life and well-being overall, all through finding purpose in officiating. All that and more, Carmela, Part 2, now.

Former Head Coach of the Boy’s Varsity Football Team at Kellenberg Memorial High School, basking in retirement, forever a Firebird.Almost since the school's inception, Coach Hanifan has been there. In this pod, we sit down with the newly retired legend to discuss his early life in Hicksville, NY, his love of sports, how he got his foot in the door at Kellenberg, that has led him to his long winding, and long withstanding journey - all the while, bleeding Blue and Gold. Literally and figuratively he has built the building and built the Football Team, step by step, brick by brick. Along with my co-host and current assistant Coach Matt Polizzi, our conversation with Coach Hanifan, now.

Board 119 Certified Basketball Official, Owner and Operator of the outfit, Ref Corner. It was a pandemic ago since we linked up. In person, and still in it, we chop it up at the chop shop to discuss what Justin has been up to, his officiating experience in Omicron, his sabbatical on social media, his change in perspective in 2022, and what the future holds with reffing, Ref Corner, and beyond. All that and more, part 3 with Justin, now.

Board 185 Certified Basketball Official. In hot pursuit of his goal of being an NCAA Division 1 Official - All while displaying it through - The Official Grind. Right before the Pandemic, Jack converted from a Coach to a Basketball Official. In this pod, we discuss his early life growing up in Staten Island, NY, his love of sports, how he got into officiating, and goals moving forward and beyond, and documenting his journey in his pursuit of being a College Official in his YouTube channel, The Official Grind. All that and more, my conversation with Jack, now.

Board 41 Certified Basketball Official. Teaching others to become a Millionaire, they Methodical Way. Malachi and I have shared the same passion of Basketball, simultaneously, in different circles, for more than half of our lives. In this pod, we sit down with Malachi to discuss his love for the sport, transforming that to reffing, making money doing it - and making the money work for him. So much so that he is on a crusade, united with me, to teach others his maniacal ways all while introducing our new venture - the Methodical Millionaire. All that and more, my conversation with Malachi, now.

It’s the holidays, and the beats and rhythms of the Basketball season are as normal as it can be. Knocking on wood, we get together before the thick of the holidays to catch up, to discuss the evolution of the pandemic, his experience in reffing the 21’-22’ season, and the strange nature of what normal is in officiating Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Marty, now.

Owner of Bball Referees & Vice President of IAABO Board 42. * For almost 300 Episodes, Bernard has been a guiding, shining light for my career, every step of the way. In this pod we catch up with Bernard, as we discuss his new post as vice prez of the Bronx/Manhattan board of Boy’s HS Basketball, his growth in Bball Referees, assigning refs in a pandemic, and how all things virtual evolutionized officiating. All that and more, my conversation with Bernard, now.

It’s been a long, winding, intense, and grueling season. But it’s complete - and what a ride it's been. In this pod, co-hosted with Coach Splendore, Uniondale Girl’s Volleyball Coach about the season I had, that he had, and what it meant to us. All that and more, our conversation, all things Volleyball now.

It’s the pandemic now and it was the pandemic before since the last time we spoke. In this pod, we catch up in time of the interim, where we talk about how he has still been getting his fill playing, being around the game always, and what the future holds. All that and more, Justin Joseph, part 2, now.

Former Head Coach Varsity Boy’s Basketball Team at Northshore High School, Educator, Lightning Director, and Owner of Mecca Basketball. It was only a matter of time until I’d get Coach Carp on the Rant! On this pod, we discuss his love of basketball and his come-up playing it, his entree into coaching on an unforgettable JV season, to coaching at the varsity level, and pivoting because of COVID 19 as a Lightning Director and trainer at Mecca Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Coach Carp, now.

Former Track Runner, Music Teacher, Board 41 Certified Basketball Official. Prodigious is an appropriate word to describe one Brendan. In this pod, we discuss his love of sports, his love of music, his love of teaching, how his pandemic has changed over time and in life, as well as his pursuit to get to the highest levels of officiating. All that and mote, my conversation with Brendan, now.

Head Honcho of Long Island Basketball and Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Basketball Team at St. John the Baptist. First off, my apologies to Jake. We recorded a few months before the pandemic, in the throw of it, and in the throw of it again. But this time, in person, we chop it up at the Chop Shop to discuss his COVID experience, how he balances work, coaching, and life, and what he expects for the upcoming season. All that and more, my conversation with Coach Ellis, now.

It’s been a whirlwind of life since we last spoke 2 years ago. A Career Change, moving, Corona Virus - Tim chops it up at the chop shop to talk about all these changes, his Summer of 2021, and getting his footing back in officiating. All that and more, Tim Jinks - Part 2 - now.

Queensborough Community College Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Middle School Teacher, St. John’s and Molloy College Alumni - all with a smile! As mentioned, the smile is infectious. Peep the JPEGS! In this pod, we chop it up with Coach Blaise about his humble beginnings in Queens, his realization that he was always meant to teach and coach, his experience at St. Johns and Molloy, his stint at LuHi and AAU program Empire, as well as his new Head Coaching position at Queensborough. All that and more, my conversation with Coach Blaise, now.

Even before its inception, I always thought of Snoop as a bucket list of a guest. She joins #therant on this pod, to discuss her deep roots in Hempstead, Uniondale on Long Island, her love for Basketball, her legendary status at Uniondale High School, as well as being a College Champion at Molloy. Let’s not forget her competition at a high level in NYC and Long Island in the Women’s circuit repping us proud: as a player, coach, and an official, all while repping her brand, The Loner Stoner. All that and more, my conversation with Aliyah, now.

Part 2, The Return. Before the strange Summer of 2021 started, we chopped it up in the garage of one of my OG’s, Nyreaf. He returns on #therant, to discuss the state of NYC, the state of Officiating, his lessons in assigning, and catching up, all while I munch on some Chinese Food. All that and more, Nyreaf George, Part 2, the return - now.

Head Honcho of the Rockville Centre Basketball Summer League. Every Summer, with the exception of the Pandemic-laden year of 2020, barring a canceled game, 4 games are concurrently happening every weeknight. Enter Troy. In this pod, we discuss his love of sports, his hair-pulling with the RVC league, what he’s learned from the pandemic, and his happiness to get the league back, up and running, this summer. All that and more, my conversation with Troy, now.

Board 119 Certified Basketball Official, Ex-Baller, and Former York College Coach. Chances are, if you’ve been in the summer circuit in NYC, you have seen one Nate Reeves. In this pod, we chop it up after some games we did, discussing his early life in Hempstead, NY, his early days falling in love with the game of basketball, his college days at York, to being one of the top officials in the NYC circuit. All that and more, my conversation with Nate, now.

Uniondale Legend. Eternal Hooper, making a difference in his life, and others. Shaq don’t even remember when we played against each other 10 years ago. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing basketball, his tenacious work ethic that made him a beast at it, his pursuit of greatness, his experience playing basketball in high school and college, hooping all over the place and everywhere in between, and his experience running Shaq Attack Academy. All that and more, my conversation with Shaq, now.

Newly-Minted Master of Ceremonies at Crunchtime Basketball. One year and a pandemic ago, we could only but visualize what Summer Basketball in New York would be like. The time is now, and everything that we worked for came to fruition. We chop it up with Wavy, after a long night on the mic about spectating all these games that came out, and showing up and showing out for Long Island. Ryan Walker, Part 2, the return, now.

Certified Basketball Official. In Memory of his brother, the one with the jump shot - Prince. It’s been the best of times. It’s been the worst of times. I’ve been through both with Boss. Fresh off the death of his brother, we use The Rant as a catharsis, to catch up on our lives, our reffing, and the future. All that and more, my conversation with Boss, now.

As we revisit the bright acolyte, we celebrate this young man, riding around, reffing, and getting it. In this pod, we discuss how he hit my line, expressed he wanted all the smoke, getting all the reps he could get, since the flood gates of basketball officiating opened up; learning all he can - all while finishing out his college years in playing. All that and more, Corey Powell, part 2, the return, now.

Varsity Football Assistant Coach at St. John the Baptist, and part owner of LegendsU. Blake eats, sleeps, and breathes Football. In this pod, we discuss his humble beginnings in Brentwood, NY, his love of sports, his twists and turns playing in college, to coaching Football, and reffing Flag Football. Along with my co-host Sean McCann, our conversation with Blake, now.

Board 119 Certified Basketball Official. Looking Upward and Onward - 2021, and Beyond. The pandemic has brought perspective in his life; enter Eddie Schook. He discusses his upcoming and upbringing in Middle Village in Queens, NY, his experience playing sports, how he got into officiating, and how he feels about refereeing after gaining perspective. All that and more, my conversation with Eddie, now.

We pull up to Great Neck, NY to speak to one Mike Smolens. In this pod, we discuss his love for sports early on, his versatility in playing a multitude of sports including Baseball, Soccer, and Tennis, how he got into umpiring at an early age, and how he got into his main passion in officiating now, Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Mike, now.

We pull up to Great Neck, NY to speak to one Mike Smolens. In this pod, we discuss his love for sports early on, his versatility in playing a multitude of sports including Baseball, Soccer, and Tennis, how he got into umpiring at an early age, and how he got into his main passion in officiating now, Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Mike, now.

Back in April 2021, Sean and I reluctantly started communicating, and ultimately working together. His story is incredible. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing Basketball, his love of sports, his deep love of Flag Football, his start in making the League LI Legends, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Sean, now.

Back in April 2021, Sean and I reluctantly started communicating, and ultimately working together. His story is incredible. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing Basketball, his love of sports, his deep love of Flag Football, his start in making the League LI Legends, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Sean, now.

A Bonus! From the guys that brought you Referee Rant and Long Island Legends, the premier Flag Football league on Long Island, we present to you: Poppin' Flags - the new podcast where we cover all things Flag Football. We talk to people in or around the league, and those that truly love the game and want to grow it like us. Today's guest, Sean McCann, owner of LI Legends Flag Football League, and my partner in our new endeavor, LI Legends U - our youth Flag Football league. We'd be remiss to not mention and shout Blake Crespo, our other partner who will be on the show shortly. Sean also was gracious enough to be on #therant. His story will be on the next episode. And without further ado, here is Poppin' Flags! Follow and subscribe!

A Bonus! From the guys that brought you Referee Rant and Long Island Legends, the premier Flag Football league on Long Island, we present to you: Poppin' Flags - the new podcast where we cover all things Flag Football. We talk to people in or around the league, and those that truly love the game and want to grow it like us. Today's guest, Sean McCann, owner of LI Legends Flag Football League, and my partner in our new endeavor, LI Legends U - our youth Flag Football league. We'd be remiss to not mention and shout Blake Crespo, our other partner who will be on the show shortly. Sean also was gracious enough to be on #therant. His story will be on the next episode. And without further ado, here is Poppin' Flags! Follow and subscribe!

Guess what New York, New York we back! We sit down with Rob Moses in the first weekend of the MTG Basketball tournament in St. Alban's, Queens. Sights and sounds were absorbed, and we got to sit down with the head honcho himself Rob Moses, and another off-duty official Warren Davis. MTG Basketball. The Rant. Now.

Guess what New York, New York we back! We sit down with Rob Moses in the first weekend of the MTG Basketball tournament in St. Alban's, Queens. Sights and sounds were absorbed, and we got to sit down with the head honcho himself Rob Moses, and another off-duty official Warren Davis. MTG Basketball. The Rant. Now.

After a seemingly never ending bout with Vaccines, Covid, and Sabbatical’s, June 1st is a rebirth. We are back. In this pod, we discuss me being sick and out of commission, what Jeff’s been up to with the Pandemic nearing it’s end, and what we both plan for the summer. All that and more, Jeff and I, back on The Rant, now.

After a seemingly never ending bout with Vaccines, Covid, and Sabbatical's, June 1st is a rebirth. We are back. In this pod, we discuss me being sick and out of commission, what Jeff's been up to with the Pandemic nearing it's end, and what we both plan for the summer. All that and more, Jeff and I, back on The Rant, now.

As an early supporter of the pod, this episode was a long time coming. In this wide-ranging podcast, we chop it up with Rob about his podcast, his favorite rapper, his experience at the New House School at Syracuse University, his pandemic experience, and all things not officiating. All that and more, my conversation with Rob, now.

As an early supporter of the pod, this episode was a long time coming. In this wide-ranging podcast, we chop it up with Rob about his podcast, his favorite rapper, his experience at the New House School at Syracuse University, his pandemic experience, and all things not officiating. All that and more, my conversation with Rob, now.

Coach Conti loves Basketball through and through. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing Ball, his experience in the Catholic League, his times playing in college, his memorable stint as a pro overseas, his time coaching at the college level, and coaching at the Level Up program. All that and more, my conversation with Evan, now.

Coach Conti loves Basketball through and through. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing Ball, his experience in the Catholic League, his times playing in college, his memorable stint as a pro overseas, his time coaching at the college level, and coaching at the Level Up program. All that and more, my conversation with Evan, now.