Firebirds Weekly

Jake LeBree, CEO of the Albany Firebirds, joins The Nest to share insights into his career path, the influence of football on his professional development, and the organization's upcoming promotions, including the MVP package, in anticipation of the March 21 kickoff.

Albany Firebirds President Jeff Levack joins the show to discuss how fans can access every game, highlighting the growing excitement for arena football's kickoff. Topics include uniform design, travel arrangements, and unique community support for players, as well as block parties, player retention in Albany, and his daily responsibilities as president.

Brian Rhatigan joins The Nest to talk about his position as In-Game Host for the Albany Firebirds, reflecting on how sports have shaped hislife and his appreciation for the chance to do what he loves.

Grace Gionta, Firebirds Flames, joins the show to discuss her experiences in cheerleading, the opportunities it has presented, and her journey to becoming a coach.

Stephen Lownsbury joins the show, to talk about his love for the Albany Firebirds and his dedication to the team.  Stephen is one of the founding members of the Flock Support earning the nickname “Father Flocker”.  Stephen explains how it got startedand what they do for the players.

Damon Ware, Head Coach and General Manager of the Albany Firebirds, provides insight into his coaching background, ambitions for creating a coaching legacy, his experience with the Bill Walsh Fellowship, his time with the Saints, managing training camp workload, overseeing business aspects, and acknowledging the overwhelming support of the Albany fans.

DJ Walden joins The Nest, where he shares lessons learned from overcoming adversity in football and adapting to navigate the pandemic, highlighting the importance of being versatile on the field and embracing new roles in pursuit of goals.

Marquel Wade joins the show to discuss his journey to Albany, including a stop in Arkansas, his experiences playing in other cities, what makes Albany unique, and his enthusiasm for playing under Coach Ware and the Firebirds, as well as his thoughts on an overdue championship coming to the capital district.

Gary Compton, Director of Football Operations, visits to provide an in-depth examination of the AF1's inner workings, shedding light on both short-term and long-term objectives while emphasizing transparency and structure, discussing playoff plans and laying the groundwork for the championship game.

Shawn Lockett stops by The Nest to share his football background, stressing the impact of meaningful relationships, diligent effort, and Albany's football enthusiasm, as well as turning criticism into opportunities.

Trevon Shorts joins The Nest to recount his football experiences, from his roots in Maryland to his arrival in Albany, and conveys his fondness for arena football and the loyal supporters of the Albany Firebirds.

Nick Vannard, Director of Game Day Operations and Community Relations, joins the show to outline his daily responsibilities, the creative inspiration for in-game entertainment, and the significant time and effort invested in the game script. Ben Nelson shares his background in professional sports, his role with the Albany Firebirds, and the importance of what he brings to the table.

Brandon Sesay, Defensive Coordinator for the Albany Firebirds, joins The Nest to discuss his professional journey. What role does direction and transparency play in his success? How did his basketball background influence his football career? What importance does he place on excelling in small tasks?