The World Of Sports

Welcome to The World of Sports. My guest in Episode 36 is Dr. Rachelle Keck, President of Grand View University. After practicing law for two decades, President Keck transitioned into higher education, quickly rising to become president of Briar Cliff University. In 2022, she was announced as the 14th president of Grand View University and the first woman to serve in the role. Under her leadership...

My guest in this week's episode is Chris Connolly! Chris is the general manager of the Iowa Events Center. Since taking on the role in 2011, the Iowa Events Center has seen continued financial success and attracted some of the biggest sports events in the United States and some of the biggest artists in the world. In our conversation, he gave me an inside look into how they were able to attract th...

My guest in this week's episode is Trina Flack. Trina is the President & CEO of Catch Des Moines, the organization responsible for attracting visitors to the Greater Des Moines region. In our conversation, she gives an insight into the business of attracting major events, factors contributing towards bidding success, and why Des Moines' biggest strength lies in its collectivity. Now, here's my...

My guest today is Randy Wehofer. Randy is the general manager of the Iowa Cubs, the Chicago Cubs' longest-running affiliate. Graduating from the University of Miami, he spent nearly two decades as a play-by-play broadcaster in Minor League Baseball before transitioning into the role of assistant general manager. In 2025, he became the Cubs' general manager, succeeding Sam Bernabe. Now, her...

My guest in episode 32 is Addisyn Terpstra. Addisyn is a track and field All-American in her discipline, hurdles. We speak about how she got in contact with the sports, the important components of being successful at it, and get an insight into her head before and during races. Now, here's my conversation with Addisyn Terpstra!

My guest this week is Nick Mitchell. He was the head coach of Grand View's wrestling program for nearly two decades, won 13 national titles, and was most recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Coach Mitchell shared with me the philosophy behind the program's success, how he views the role of a coach, and how the shortcomings of his own career influenced his coaching ca...

My guest in this week's episode is Doug Wells. He is the photographer for Grand View's athletic teams, which he calls the perfect retirement gig. His work has featured in Sports Illustrated, during his career and he traveled to Super Bowls and the Olympics. The actual reason why all of those experiences were fun and why he is still active is what he shared in our conversation. Now, here&#3...

To kick things off after a well-deserved summer break, Ispoke with Mitchell Barrett, keeper for Bradley University, and Tomas Butkovic, goalkeeper at Drake University. During the summer, we played together for West Texas FC and sat down to talk about the very special position of goalkeeping, how we approach perceived pressure and why we ultimately enjoy it so much. Now, here’s my conversation with...

My guest in Episode 28 is Diego Robles. Diego plays soccerfor the University of the Incarnate Word. He is currently part of West Texas FC and the nation’s leading goalscorer in this USL2 season. In our conversation, we speak about the importance andinfluence of his family, what it takes to deliver as a striker and how he sees his career progressing. Next to that, he also shares how he deals with p...

My guest in Episode 27 is Kanata Taira. Kanata is a JapaneseD1 soccer player. He is currently playing for West Texas FC and previously played for a college in Hawaii. In our conversation, we speak about growing up in Tokyo,soccer in Japan, and his decision to play in the United States. Next to that, he also shares the difficulties of learning English in Japan, and what he likes to do in his free t...

My guest in Episode 26 is Maria Luiza Chaves. Malu is acommunications major, part of her university’s volleyball team, and she is interning with West Texas FC, covering most of the club’s media presence. In our conversation, we speak about the value of social media for sports teams, what she believes are important skills, and what the main goal of online content is. Next to that, she also shares h...

My guest in Episode 25 is Zachary Buchanan. Zach is majoringin sports broadcasting and is the commentator of West Texas FC’s home games. In our conversation, we speak about his ambitions as acommentator, where his passion for soccer comes from, and why he is confident he will find his place in the sports industry. He also opens up about happenings that impacted his life and now serve as major moti...

My guest in Episode 24 is Stephen Alexander. Stephen is thedirector of business development at Tall City Brewing and in charge of sponsorships. In our conversation, we speak about Tall City being the mainjersey sponsor of West Texas FC, the value of sportsBusiness DevelopmentDirector sponsorships, and the uniqueness of the brewery’s relationship with the soccer team. Stephen also shares his knowle...

My guests in Episode 23 are Brian Hodnett, Chris Hague, andLuke McDonald, the creators of La Tormenta. La Tormenta is the supporters group of West Texas FC, a soccer club in Midland, Texas. In our conversation, they share how it all started, why impacting the community is one of their biggest goals, and how special the atmosphere on gameday really is. Next to that, we also speak about the developm...

My guest in Episode 22 is Brandon Orellana. Brandon is theowner of ia.soles19, a shoe selling and reselling company, which he started when he was still in high school. In our conversation, Brandon shares how the whole journeystarted, how he was able to scale the business, and what ultimately got him to fully commit. Next to that, we also speak about balancing running a business while still in scho...

My guest in Episode 21 is Nik Rule. Nik is the commissionerof the NAIA’s Heart of America Athletic Conference, and one of the most visionary leaders I have talked to. In our conversation, Nik shares how he became an athleticdirector before his 30th birthday, what it takes to lead an athletic conference, and his bold ideas to transform small college athletics. Next to that, what I appreciate even m...

My guest in Episode 20 is Scott Reister. Scott is the sportsdirector and main sports anchor at KCCI, one of the leading local TV stations in the Midwest. In our conversation, we speak about the passion he has forhis work, the competitiveness in the sports industry, and what it means to lead a TV sports department. Scott also shares what he believes are crucial skills for a career in sports media a...

My guest in Episode 19 is Andre Leandro. Andre is a studentand Volleyball All-American at Grand View University. In our conversation, we speak about his late beginnings involleyball, the real reason he started with the sport, and what impresses him most about his teammates. Andre also shares how his role within the team changed as a senior and his future plans with volleyball. Now, here’s my conve...

My guest in Episode 18 is Jacob Butz. Jacob is a student atGrand View and also the university’s mascot, named Viktor. In our conversation, we speak about his passion for mascotting, his early beginnings as a high-school freshman, and how he became one of the most successful collegiate mascots at the national tournament for mascots. Jacobalso talks about how being a mascot ties in with his future a...

My guest in Episode 17 is Andjela Prijovic. Andjela is a studentand a wrestling All-American at Grand View University. In our conversation, we speak about her youth in Serbia, howa wrestling career with ups and downs led her to the United States, and her recipe for success at the 2026 wrestling national tournament. Andjela also opens up about how working with a therapist transformed her life, gave...

My guest in Episode 16 is Grace Richardson. Grace is a studentand a dancer at Grand View University. In our conversation, she shares her unique journey of becoming a college dancer, the role confidence played in her development, and how that journey has made her the person she is today.  We also speak about dancing at Grand View, theteam’s great work ethic, and a controversial national tournament....

My guest in Episode 15 is Pietro Piacenza. Pietro is an international student from Italy and my teammate on the Grand View soccer team. In our conversation, he shares how he coped with strugglesthroughout his soccer career and how his decision to move to the US challenged but also benefited him. Pietro also shares his favourite memories from playing at the National Tournament and why he thinks our...

My guest in Episode 14 is Garavous Kouekabakilaho, however, everyone knows him as GK. GK is a 3x Wrestling National Champion and a member of the United States’ U23 World Team. In our conversation, he gives an insight into his mind, how hissophomore season was a turning point for his career, and what it took for him to reach the level he’s at. GK also opens up about his faith, his childhood in the...

My guest in Episode 13 is Troy Plummer. Troy is the AthleticDirector and Vice President at Grand View University. In our conversation, he gives an insight into his job as anathletic director, how he ended up in the position, and what it took to turn Grand View's athletic department into an NAIA powerhouse. We also speak about the life value of athletics, his relationship with success, and his...

My guest in Episode 12 is Jackson Waring. Jackson played quarterback for Grand View University and led the Vikings to two National Championships. In our conversation, he opens up about the cut-throatfootball business, what his recent success means to him, and how he learned to deal with adversity. We also speak about the importance of faith and how it is the foundation of everything in his life. N...