Building with Brick

In Episode 20 NCAA Consultant Chuck Smrt provides an up-to-date account of where the NCAA stands as far as rules and regulations for the 2024 Transfer Portal and the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) programs. This is a follow-up to Chuck's expert opinion on the 2023 version of these two programs he shared with us last summer. Chuck also shares some of his thoughts about where all this is headed...

In the third and final episode of Ruth Murray's Interview on how we can help make our brain and body work better together, Ruth introduces us to her Developmental Pyramid. She uses the three sided structure to relate Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs with the Physiology of the Brain and the Developmental Nervous System. She then demonstrates some brain or body exercises (hacks) that help relie...

Ruth builds on Part 1's concepts by providing examples of clients who were helped using Brain Gym and/or Rhythmic Movement exercises. She provides individual examples of parent/child relationships to athletic team performance success stories. Ruth also demonstrates some of the respective exercises from Brain Gym and Rhythmic Movement Training. *************************************************...

Ruth Murray is a Registered Nurse who branched out to holistic, scientific methods of working with patients who struggle with symptoms that are a result of their subconscious nervous system not being fully connected. This brain/body connection ranges from treating anxiety and emotional control to balance and sleep issues. In Part 1 of "Body & Brain", Ruth tells how her success using...

In the second part of the interview with premier NCAA consultant Chuck Smrt, we concentrate on the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program. The NIL goes hand-in-hand with the NCAA's Transfer Portal, which was covered by Chuck in the first part of this interview (Episode 17).  Chuck explains how that came about. Chuck also discusses the rules involved in athletes benefiting from NI...

The NCAA rule change allowing athletes to transfer to another institution and be immediately eligible has changed the landscape of college athletics, especially basketball and football. Former NCAA Infractions Committee Coordinator and current NCAA premier consultant Chuck Smrt lays out what the transfer portal is, how it works, and the reasons why it came into existence.  Chuck has 40 years of ex...

Dr. Joe Brickner retired from his corporate executive position at the age of 50 to become the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. In his book, "So, You want to be a Coach..." he lays out not only what it took to be a candidate for such a drastic career change, but also what it was like to actually fulfill his dream of being a colle...

Dr. Joe Brickner's book, America: Lost in Place is a reflection of Dr. Brickner's life growing up in the 1950's and 60's compared to today. He examines 17 different topics and analyzes them as to being better off today or worse off. He then summarizes his findings and makes recommendations as to how America and Americans can achieve the success our founding fathers envisioned f...

Jerry Reynolds, the second most famous person from French Lick, IN, shares his 35 year experience with the Sacramento Kings. He was an assistant coach, head coach, director of basketball operations and general manager for the Kings - plus he was their TV color commentator for 20 of those years! Coach Reynolds shares his coaching experience as part of two junior college national championship teams,...

How a Catholic Cardinal and a NFL Owner Influenced Chris Godfrey's Future Chris wraps up his four-part series with some deeply personal experiences with people who have helped guide him down a path that puts others first - especially young people. In Part 4 Chris talks about: John Cardinal O'Connor's surprise guidance revelation Why he wrote "That's Where I Live" &amp...

In Part 3 of 4, Chris talks about: how his faith grew after his Green Bay experience his wife Daria, her faith & the sacrifices she made his book, "That's Where I Live" his Christian organization Life Athletes This part in the series delves beyond football and concentrates on things very important to Chris - his faith, his wife and family, his book and his organization that both...

In Part 2 of our interview with Chris Godfrey , All-pro and Super Bowl winning offensive guard for the NY Giants, Chris discusses: how his life changed at age 23 moving from defensive lineman to offensive guard teammates who were "Players who made plays" Coaching Mentors what the pre-Super Bowl locker room was like Once again Chris shares the behind the scenes stories of his journey from...

Chris Godfrey grew up in Detroit and played on three University of Michigan Big Ten Champs and Rose Bowl teams as a starting defensive lineman. He eventually moved to the offensive line as a pro and played 9 professional seasons, highlighted by his Super Bowl win over the John Elway's Broncos in of all places, the Rose Bowl! In part 1 of 4 Chris talks about: growing up in Detroit and being me...

In Part 4 of 4, Coach O'Connor talks about: any career regrets? advice for young coaches practices being relevant, competitive, and repetitive staying healthy staying close to the game in retirement Coach OC raps up his in-depth interview with some great counsel for coaches, both young and old. After 41 years of coaching, Bill's perspective on what, how, when and why to coach is invaluab...

In Part 3 Hall of Fame Coach O'Connor talks about: difference between coaching at 2 yr vs 4 yr college recruiting to a 4-year school attendance at today's basketball games how his faith influenced his program how difficult a coach's wife's life can be As always, Bill is frank in giving his opinion on all of these items, and shares a number of nuggets of wisdom garnered over 41...

Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Assn's HOF coach O'Connor continues his " Building with Brick " podcast with Part 2 of 4 by discussing: who his coaching mentors were his "take-aways" from working/playing for various coaches recruiting to a remote location the difference between small college and major college players Coach O'Connor is one of the few coache...

Bill O'Connor, the long time head coach of Rockhurst University in KC, is this month's guest on "Building with Brick." Coach O'Connor is the winningest basketball coach in the history of Rockhurst. He won multiple "Coach of Year" awards in  two different conferences at the college level. He coached at the high school, junior college, small college and major colle...

Rich Niemann , former ABA and NBA player, completes his "Building with Brick" podcast interview in Part 4 of 4 as he discusses: his advice for players who want to get to the next level his advice for coaches who want to make a career of coaching the difference between coaching girls vs. boys his advice on choosing a career, even if it is not in athletics Rich raps up his podcasts with wo...

Rich Niemann was a star center for the St. Louis University Billikens who was drafted and played in both the ABA and the NBA. In Part 3 of 4, Rich shares his thoughts concerning: Choosing to become a teacher after pro ball Keeping his mind and body healthy as he ages Volunteering in Retirement How his Catholic Education and faith has guided him over the years Making a career change into academia d...

Continuation of in-depth interview with Rich Niemann, former St/ Louis University star and NBA & ABA player. In Part 2 of 4 Rich talks about: Coaches from high school thru the pros Life lessons learned from teammates & coaches Why AAU after the pros Career after bball **************************************************************** * Leave a Comment/Review at drjoebrickner@gmail.com * Orde...

Rich Niemann was a 7'0 post player who won a state championship in high school, was a star at St. Louis University, was drafted by both the NBA and the ABA, and eventually played in both leagues. After completing his pro career, he eventually got his Master's degree and became a teacher and an assistant coach in high school. A Chemistry major in college, Rich used his knowledge and life...

Tony Garofalo became the youngest trainer in the major leagues when the Chicago Cubs hired him away from the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. In Part 4 of 4, Tony discusses: the top 3 highlights of his career how his faith influenced his career career regrets advice for people who want to become athletic trainers Tony wraps up his 4-part series in grand style. His honest and forthright comm...

Tony Garofalo went from a volunteer high school trainer to becoming the youngest head trainer in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs. He shares his story, and in Part 3 of 4 Tony discusses: * how the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) was formed * his role in founding PBATS and his continued contributions to it * heart-warming stories of be-friended Cubs players, including...

Tony Garofalo, who went from a volunteer high school trainer to the head athletic trainer for the Chicago Cubs, continues his "Building with Brick" interview with Dr. Joe Brickner (www.drjoebrickner.com) with Part 2 of 4. In Part 2, Tony talks about: how he moved from a college student trainer at Benedictine College (KS) to the athletic trainer (AT) for the Cardinals' Sarasota Rooki...

Tony Garofalo went from a volunteer high school manager/trainer to becoming the head athletic trainer for the Chicago Cubs for more than a decade. In this interview Tony tells his story and shares the lessons he learned along the way. He also shares experiences he had with major league baseball players who not only benefited from his athletic training expertise, but also became good friends of his...