The Sports Mecca Podcast

Richmond Spiders men's basketball point guard Mikkel Tyne joins the podcast. He recaps his 2025 sophomore season, playing basketball as a youth in Canada, and off-season plans.

Houston Christian University Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Evan Lavery, joins the podcast. Details:- Recapping 2024-25 season- Rebuilding a Division-1 program- Competing in Southland Conference- Coaching relationship with head coach Craig Doty

Olathe North High School Boy's Basketball Coach, Adam Olerich, joins the podcast. Details:- Recapping 2024-25 season- Coaching at his high school alma mater- Basketball talent in Olathe- Favorite coaching styles

Washburn University Men's Basketball Coach, Brett Ballard, joins the podcast. Details: - Recapping historic 2025 season- Foundation he's set at Washburn- Working under Danny Manning & Roy Williams- Playing college basketball for Kansas Jayhawks- Recruiting in Kansas & Kansas City area

ESPN college basketball broadcaster Mark Neely shares his thoughts on the 2025 Big 12 men's basketball season so far. Details: - Houston Cougars dominance- Kansas Jayhawks re-occurring disappointment - College Basketball's officiating fiasco- Big 12 Player of Year candidates- Big 12 Coach of Year candidates

Eastern Washington Eagles wide receiver (2020-2024) & 2025 NFL Draft prospect joins the podcast.Details:- Participating in East/West Shrine Bowl- Historic 2024 college season- Preparation for NFL Draft- Playing Eastern Washington's red turf

We preview the upcoming 2024-25 NFL Playoffs. Listen to us breakdown each round all the way to Super Bowl 59.

Kansas City Royals Vice President of Communications, Sam Mellinger, joins the podcast. Details: - First 3 years working for the Royals - Career change from sports writer to communications role - Favorite moments as a Kansas City Star sports writer - Thoughts on Kansas City sports --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

8-time Olympic medalist & 2-time Olympian Regan Smith joins the podcast. Details: - Her life following the 2024 Paris Olympics - Winning gold in 4x100m relay this summer - Being coached by Bob Bowman - Mental challenges of being an Olympian - Favorites places she's traveled to --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Pittsburgh University Panthers quarterback Nick Patti played from 2018-2022. He shares his story of playing college football, retiring from the sport, life in Pittsburgh, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Kansas Jayhawks women's basketball star S'mya Nichols joins the podcast. S'mya talks about her impressive freshman season, playing high school and college basketball in state of Kansas, growth of Jayhawks program, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Molly Miller enters her 5th season as the Grand Canyon Lopes Women's Basketball Coach. She talks about coaching the 2023-24 team, summer schedule, path to coaching college athletes, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Gianna Kneepkens joins the podcast for a 2nd time. In this episode, she talks about recovering from her recent season-ending foot injury, working with WNBA star Kelsey Plum last summer, and growth as a college athlete. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Mikey Matthews joins the show to briefly talk about his sophomore season at Cal Berkley, transferring from Utah to the west coast, roles within a new offense, plus excitement for the spring. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Bracketologist and blogger Graham Doeren joins the podcast for a 3rd consecutive March. With Selection Sunday being two weeks away, we discuss the potential #1 seeds, bubble teams, risers/fallers, and more for this year's projected NCAA Tournament field. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Former UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris joins the podcast. Details: - Retiring from football after 2023 season - His time playing at UTSA for 7 years - Growing up in Texas - Transition into working for UTSA's NIL fundraising nonprofit organization, City Fans 210 City Fans 210 website: https://210cityfans.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Mark Neely joins the podcast to analyze the midway point of the 2024 Big 12 men's college basketball season. Details: Most impressive first-year transfers Oklahoma State's historic down year Grant McCasland providing sustainability at Texas Tech Houston Cougars Big 12 favorites? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Sporting News college basketball columnist & Fox Sports bracketologist Mike DeCourcy joins the show. We ask him about his thoughts on the first half of the 2023-24 men's college basketball season. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Steve Physioc makes his second appearance on the podcast. He updates us on his retired life in Colorado, his thoughts of the current state of MLB and college sports, top moments during his 40 years of sports broadcasting, baseball trivia, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Washington Spirit NWSL player Lena Silano joins the podcast for a second time. Lena shares her NWSL draft story, moving from California to Washington D.C., favorite professional cities, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Tucker DeVries joins the show to talk about his upcoming junior season with the Drake Bulldogs. Tucker also details his off-season trip to Spain, playing college basketball with his father, reaching 2023 NCAA Tournament, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Vermont Catamounts women's basketball player Emma Utterback joins the show. Emma recaps her off-season, previews her 5th & final collegiate season, reveals secrets to her game, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Fairleigh Dickinson University's Director of Athletic Media Relations, Jordan Sarnoff, comes on the podcast. Jordan talks about carving out a career in sports at a very young age, balancing being a full-time student and athletic department employee, watching FDU's historic upset over Purdue live, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Furman Paladins Cross Country Runner Bethany Graham joins the show. In our interview with her, Bethany talks about the start of her 2023 season, her historic 2022 campaign, battling prior injuries, and why she's decided to use a 5th year of eligibility next year. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Chris Spatola makes his second appearance on the podcast. He shares his entire life story; from playing college basketball at Army, serving his country, and becoming Mike Krzyzewski's son-in-law. In addition, we discuss current state of college athletics and what makes a good leader. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Masai Russell joins the show. Masai updates us on her upcoming trip to Budapest to compete for Team USA in the 2023 World Athletics Championship. In addition, she recaps her Kentucky Wildcats career, favorite college moments, shoes, and track venues. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Professional basketball player Toddrick Gotcher joins the show. He updates us on competing for the Texas Tech University alumni squad "Air Raiders" in The Basketball Tournament. In addition, he shares his current overseas basketball journey and his favorite moments playing collegiately at Texas Tech. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Oklahoma State Cowgirls track athlete Ansley Scott joins the show. Ansley talks about her first season in Stillwater, why she transferred from Central Oklahoma, winning Big 12 indoors, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Sam Houston Bearkats running back Jordan Yates joins the show. Jordan details his story of transferring in from Georgia Tech, switching positions from QB to RB, leaving his home in Georgia, Sam Houston's new start in Conference USA, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

University of New Hampshire Wildcats quarterback Max Brosmer joins the show. Max updates us on his summer schedule, recaps UNH's historic 2022 season, his path to the east coast from Georgia, his favorite college quarterbacks, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Pembroke Hill Boys Basketball Coach Jeff Hawkins joins the show. Hawkins recaps his 3rd season coaching high school basketball in Kansas City and tells stories of playing for the Jayhawks from 2002-2006. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

Eastern Kentucky University quarterback Parker McKinney joins the show. Parker details his final collegiate offseason, his historic 2022 campaign, playing in FCS, and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

University of San Francisco Dons point guard Khalil Shabazz joins the show. Khalil talks about his final collegiate season for the Dons, his unique path to San Francisco, what he brings to the table at the professional level, and his blossoming rap career. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steven-abramo/support

University of Maryland women's basketball player Faith Masonius joins the show. Faith provides an update on her off-season, being invited to the USA Basketball 3x3 Nationals, making it to this year's Elite 8, and overcoming an ACL injury.

Andy Bagwell makes his second appearance on the podcast. Andy is a North Carolina Tar Heels fan, notorious Duke hater and co-author of two books: "Duke Sucks" and "Duke Still Sucks". We talk about his recently published book and do a 21 questions style forum with him about his Duke hatred and college basketball and Tar Heel fandom.

Sporting News college basketball columnist Mike DeCourcy joins the podcast to recap the 2022-23 college basketball season. We discuss this year's Final Four, the shifting parity in the sport, Kentucky and North Carolina's future, plus names to know in the transfer portal.

David Birch, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School boys basketball coach, joins the show. David talks recaps the Cougars 2022-23 season, his passion for coaching, his illustrious college playing career, and more.

David Rebibo, Harvard-Westlake Boy's Basketball coach, joins the show. David talks about his recent season winning a California state championship, coaching on the west coast, handling expectations and mentoring high school players.

Eugene Campbell III joins the show. Eugene is an overseas basketball player who is currently playing in Portugal. Eugene updates us on overseas life, growing up in New Jersey, playing in the lowest level of college basketball and more.

Bracketology blogger Graham Doeren makes his second podcast appearance. He joins us to discuss all things bracketology such as bubble teams, potential #1 seeds, and more.

Air Force Falcons running back and 2023 NFL Draft prospect Brad Roberts joins the show. Brad talks about breaking Air Force's single-season rushing record, the uniqueness of playing for a service academy, and his aspirations in the NFL.

Anna Jaworowski joins the show. Anna opens up about her first two seasons competing for San Diego as well as her path to college. In addition, Anna shares her experience growing up in Chicago and the joys of living on the west coast. 

University of Nebraska Kearney women's soccer player Lily Engeman joins the show. She updates us on her current off-season, her fall season, and mindset as a 5th-year senior.

ESPN college basketball play-by-play broadcaster Mark Neely joins the show to discuss the crazy 2023 Big 12 men's college basketball season so far. Mark, Steven, and Sam talk about the key midseason storylines, players that have impressed and the outlook for rest of the year.

Austin Peay Governors defensive back Demetries Ford joins the show. He talks about his historic 2022 season, path to Austin Peay, playing in FCS, and advice to younger defensive backs. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

University of Kansas student and Jayhawks super fan Noah Ginsberg joins the show. Noah talks about his love for the university, the reason behind his "Plunger Boy" nickname, building his brand, favorite fan moments, and more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Campbell Camels pitcher Cade Kuehler joins the show. Cade provides insight to what he's doing now, his recent 2022 season, and what he looks forward to accomplishing in 2023.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Colorado School of Mines cross country and track & field runner Dillon Powell joins the show. Dillon talks about winning the individual national championship at the 2022 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in December, overcoming heat exhaustion, his favorite courses, and advice to younger runners. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Mark LaSota, Clinical Assistant Professor in Sport Management at Texas A&M University, joins the show. Mark talks about his sports management class, his previous stint at Emporia State University, as well as other sports topics. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Western Kentucky University women's soccer player Kenlee Newcom joins the show. Kenlee talks about completing her redshirt sophomore season one month ago, coming back from 4 ankle surgeries, playing in Kentucky, and more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Long Beach State University women's soccer player Lena Silano joins the show. Lena talks about graduating from LBSU, her favorite moments this season, and what it now means to be an alumni.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app