Sports Spectrum Podcast

Bobby Jones played thirteen professional basketball seasons with the Denver Nuggets in the ABA from 1974-1978 and the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA from 1978-1986. He was selected fifth overall in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets after a stellar college career playing for Hall of Famer Dean Smith at North Carolina.  After arriving to Philadelphia in a trade with Denver, Jones thrived as a member of the 76ers being named the NBA"s All-Star Game four times and winning an NBA championship in 1983. His biggest contribution on the court was on the defensive end, where he was named to the NBA's All Defensive First Team eight times between 1977-1984.  In 1986, Jones retired from the NBA and a few months later, his number 24 was retired by Philadelphia. 33 years later, he was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts in 2019. Today on the podcast, we talk to Bobby Jones about his professional basketball career, his favorite memories of playing with Dr. J Julius Erving and against

Welcome to the Sports Spectrum Minute. A new segment featuring a short clip of inspiration from a previous Sports Spectrum Podcast interview. Today we hear from Ernie Johnson, the host of the NBA on TNT and author of the book "Unscripted." He appeared on Sports Spectrum's Podcast in April 2017. You can listen to the entire interview here.  Receive our Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Mike Swider served as the head coach of the Wheaton College football team for 24 seasons and spent 35 seasons as a member of the Wheaton College football coaching staff. He took the helm of the Wheaton football program in 1996 and announced his retirement at the conclusion of Wheaton’s record setting 2019 season.   In his 24 seasons as head coach, Wheaton posted a 209-52 record with an 80.1% winning percentage, which ranks him first all-time in both categories among Wheaton's 22 head football coaches. Upon his retirement, he held the eighth-highest winning percentage of any active Division III coach and is among the top-15 highest winning percentages of any coach in Division III history with 10 or more years of experience.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Mike Swider about his legacy as a college football coach, his desire to disciple his players, why he keeps perspective, the importance of relationships and why he chose Jesus.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52

Today, we announce the launch of Sports Spectrum's newest podcast, "Transformed with Jade McCarthy."  Her first guest on the podcast is former NFL QB and sports analyst Danny Kanell.  Jade is an Emmy-Award winning journalist and a former ESPN host/anchor who brings her years of expertise in telling stories to us at Sports Spectrum.  Subscribe and Follow the show wherever podcasts are found. APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sports-spectrums-transformed-with-jade-mccarthy/id1484216711 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sSnTVEhKU88DtJ5SmeuaD?si=8f7872e8b0904f58 

Kurt Hines is a high school football coach at Coronado High School in San Diego, California. He's been a football coach for 25 years and has helped guide teams on both the east coast and the west coast to successful seasons.  In September 2021, Hines posted an inspiring video on Twitter about a player of his that would go viral with over 1.9 million views. That video led to Hines' platform increasing and with over 60k followers on Twitter, Hines shares his positive message to audiences all over the country.  Today on Sports Spectrum, we talk to Kurt Hines about that viral video, what led him to post that message, the desire to live for Christ, praying with his players and why he believes coaching is just an opportunity for him to share the Gospel. Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Dan O'Dowd is longtime MLB executive, who is currently an analyst with MLB Network. Dan began his front office baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1983 before joining Cleveland in 1988 as their Vice President of Baseball Operations and Assistant General Manager. In 1999, he joined the Colorado Rockies as their GM and Executive VP where he led them to two postseason appearances and a National League championship in 2007.  O'Dowd joined MLB Network in February 2015 after serving as a guest analyst during MLB Network's 2014 Winter Meetings coverage in San Diego and is currently featured on the EmmyAward-winning flagship studio show MLB Tonight. Today on the podcast, we talk to Dan O'Dowd about his broadcasting role with MLB Network, his introduction to Christianity, growing from failures and why it took him until his 50's to surrender his life to Christ.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Spo

Today on the podcast, our Sports Spectrum Managing Editor Jon Ackerman joins host Jason Romano to preview the 2022 Summer edition of the Sports Spectrum Magazine with Mallory Pugh, Sydney McLaughlin and Tori Dilfer on the cover. SIGN UP HERE for Sports Spectrum Magazine. Use the code SS15OFF to save 15% on a one-year subscription. 

Don Davis played 11 years in the NFL with the Buccaneers, Patriots, Saints and Rams. During his time in New England, Davis won two Super Bowls in 2001 and 2003. He is currently the Senior Director of Player Affairs for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and is responsible for advancing and overseeing the management of varying aspects of player labor issues. Today on the podcast, Don Davis shares his powerful testimony of faith in Christ and what it was like to play for Hall of Fame coaches Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy. He is currently the Senior Director of Player Affairs for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and is responsible for advancing and overseeing the management of varying aspects of player labor issues. Today on the podcast, Don Davis shares his powerful testimony of faith in Christ and what it was like to play for Hall of Fame coaches Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Dev

Bay Forrest is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1977-1979. He was selected in the second round of the 1976 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics but never played with the franchise, choosing instead to play the 1976-77 season with Athletes in Action before making his NBA debut in 1977 with the Phoenix Suns. Forrest was actually selected two other times by the NBA's Phoenix Suns in 1975 and the ABA's San Antonio Spurs in 1975 but turned them both down to play his senior season in college at Grand Canyon University where he was a three-time NAIA All-American. After his playing career, Bay founded Focus Ministries and for over thirty years, has been in ministry and spoken all across the US and around the world sharing his story and pointing people to the Gospel of Jesus. Today on the podcast, we talk to Bay Forrest about his basketball journey, getting dunked on by Julius Erving, the desire to go into ministry and what it means to step our in faith. Looking for a great gift idea

Helen Maroulis is an Olympic gold medal winning wrestler. In 2016, she became the first ever American to win a gold medal in women's freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games. In 2021, she was back in the Olympics and became the first wrestler in women's wrestling for the USA to win two Olympic medals by taking home the Bronze.  Maroulis was born in Rockville, Maryland and attended Magruder High School for three years, where as a freshman she became the first female wrestler to place at the Maryland state wrestling championships and at the age-group level, Maroulis was a three-time Junior World medalist (bronze in 2008 & 2010, silver in 2011). Today on the podcast, we talk to Helen about her new documentary "Helen|Believe," staying humble, finding joy in the difficult times, why starting a prayer journal helped her grow closer to God and learning to play the harp.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of

Tim Schurrer spent almost a decade of his career launching two brands— StoryBrand and Business Made Simple—as COO alongside New York Timesbestselling author Donald Miller. Before that Tim worked at TOMS as well as Apple Inc. He is the host of the Build a Winning Teampodcast, where he offers listeners actionable advice as he interviews some of the top leaders in business. His new book "The Secret Society of Success" is avaialble now.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Damontre Moore is a professional player who was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He spent three seasons with the Giants and then would be a part of nine different franchises over the next six years including the Cowboys, Raiders, 49ers, Seahawks, Dolphins, Colts and Panthers.  In college at Texas A&M, Damontre was a standout linebacker who was a consensus first-team All-American and first-team All SEC selection with 12.5 sacks in his junior year of 2012.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Damontre about his relationship with Jesus, how he's grown as a man during the ups and downs of his pro career, his desire to continue to play football and his encouragement for young players coming into the league.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Griff Aldrich is the head coach of the Longwood men's basketball team. In 2021-22, Aldrich helped lead the Lancers to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance and a Big South Conference championship. For his efforts, Aldrich was named the 2022 Big South Coach of the Year.  Prior to arriving at Longwood in 2018, Aldrich was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland-Baltimore Country, where he helped that team pull off the biggest upset in the history of the NCAA Tournament when his No. 16 seeded club beat No. 1 Virginia.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Griff Aldrich about leading his team to their first ever March Madness appearance, what he learned through the successful season, his incredible story of going from lawyer to college basketball coach and the evolution of his faith in Jesus Christ.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Mallory Pugh is a professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She's also a member of the United State women's national soccer team and in 2016, became the youngest female player to be selected and play for the U.S. national team during an Olympic qualifying tournament.  As a member of the US national soccer team, she participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and scored her first Olympic goal against Columbia and made her the youngest player to ever score a goal for the United States in an Olympic game. She also participated at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019.  Today on the podcast, Jon Ackerman talks to Mallory Pugh about her recent engagement to Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, why 2021 was a year of growth in her relationship with God, what discipleship looks like for her and her desire to continue to play soccer at the highest level.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for

David Morales is the author of the new book "American Familia." Growing up in a poor, mountainous region of Puerto Rico, David had no idea he would end up where he is today: an executive shaping the future of healthcare and public policy in America and a father dedicated to faith, family, and community. Alongside his wife, Samanda, he co-founded Ahora Inc., a not-for-profit dedicated to empowering working-class families and low-income individuals to build self-reliance through financial literacy, money management, and wealth building.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Demario Davis is a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Demario would go on to play the next seven seasons with the Jets (2012-2015, 2017) and the Browns (2016). In 2018, he signed with the Saints and has been a starting linebacker for New Orleans ever since.  Since arriving to New Orleans, Davis was named First-Team All-Pro in 2019 and Second-Team All-Pro twice in 2020 and 2021. Demario is also an author and his book "The Unsuccessful Champion" was released in October 2019.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Demario Davis about the evolution of his playing career, almost retiring five years ago, missing his first ever NFL game in 2021, trusting in God and what it means to truly surrender his entire life to the Lord.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Jenny Cavnar is a broadcaster covering the Colorado Rockies for AT&T Sports Rocky Mountain. She's also the host of "Unassisted," heard daily on MLB Network Radio.  Cavnar grew up a Rockies fan and her father Steve is in the Colorado High School Baseball Hall of Fame as a baseball coach. Jenny is a pioneer for women in baseball as she was the first woman to call play-by-play for baseball in over a quarter of a century back in 2018 for a Rockies game. . She also filled in on radio as an analyst in 2015, becoming the first woman to provide color commentary on radio for a National League team. In 2021, she was the first woman ever named Colorado Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Jenny Cavnar about her baseball broadcasting career, balancing life as a mom and wife, trusting in God's direction for her life, and the importance for her to continue seeing women have opportunities in baseball media. Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional wri

Emma Ritter is a softball player with Virginia Tech. She is currently a sophomore outfielder and is one of the top hitters for the Hokies softball team. In high school, she was one of the top players in the state of Maryland was named All-Conference each of her four years and was named twice as the Varsity Sports Network Player of the Year.  In her freshman year, Emma led Virginia Tech to the NCAA Super Regionals and here in 2022, she's one of the top performers leading her team in batting average, runs scored, doubles and stolen bases.  On the podcast today, we talk to Emma about the culture within the Virginia Tech softball team, developing strong relationships with her teammates, playing for an audience of one and how following Christ has become her number one purpose for her life. Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Jim Wideman is a pastor, author, Alabama football fan and for the past 45 years has led and guided church ministries with a clear vision of how to help leaders find solutions to seemingly impossible problems.  Jim currently serves as The Executive Operations Pastor at The Belonging Co. In Nashville, Tennessee. Jim believes his greatest sermon, is his family.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Tony Dungy is a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and the first African-American head coach in the NFL to win a Super Bowl. He's also a football commentator for NBC Sports Football Night in America. He has written multiple books including "Quiet Storm," "Uncommon," and "The Mentor Leader." On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Coach Dungy about what it means to live an "uncommon" life, standing up for his faith and why he wants to always live out his faith in the workplace.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.