For the Love of Sport

2025 is here! Celebrate by listening to one of our favorite episodes featuring our partners at Diamond Allegiance this past year. Dive in with hosts Simon and Marie as they chat with   Sandy Ogg and Erik Bakich from Diamond Allegiance , an organization dedicated to enhancing the travel baseball experience for families, teams, and coaches. Erik shares insights from his experience as Clemson's head...

Welcome back, dear listener. Just in time for the holidays, revisit this classic episode featuring some of our favorite guests—the Savannah Bananas. So, let's get Bananas! The latest episode of For The Love of Sport features special guests Kyle Luigs and Tyler Gillum from the Savannah Bananas . Luigs, the starting pitcher for the team, and Gillum, Head Coach and a two-time winner of the CPL Coach...

In this final episode of the season, For The Love of Sport Podcast hosts Simon and Marie are joined by Gordon MacLelland, founder of UK-based Working With Parents in Sport (WWPIS). Gordon shares invaluable insights on fostering better relationships between parents, coaches, and young athletes. As a thought leader and advocate for parent involvement in sports, Gordon emphasizes the importance of cl...

Welcome back, dear listener!   We have a special treat pulled from the archives that was recorded live at the 2023 AVCA convention. Hosts Simon and Marie welcome Clarence Hughes and Stephen Munson from the USA Volleyball Show. Dive in as they discuss their youth sports backgrounds, lessons learned, and volleyball's explosive growth, with record-breaking attendance and rising professional leagues....

Welcome back, dear listeners! This week, we’re bringing you a special post-show episode of For the Love of Sport recorded after our interview with USA Rugby Coach and Paralympian Joe Delagrave. This special episode takes you behind the scenes of our inspiring conversation with Joe, giving you a closer look at the moments that didn’t make it into the main show. Join hosts Simon and Marie as they sh...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Joe Delagrave , the esteemed Team USA Wheelchair Rugby Coach. Joe opens up about his journey from a decorated wheelchair rugby athlete to a guiding figure for Team USA, emphasizing the values of resilience, adaptability, and personal growth. Through his story, listeners will uncover how wheelchair rugby isn’t just about the sport itself—it’s a powerful pl...

In this encore episode of For the Love of Sport , Marie and Simon are joined by Darrell 'D.K.' Taylor, the self-proclaimed 'Youth Sports Guy' and 'Engineer of Engaging Experiences.' As the director of BNA Sports , D.K. is dedicated to developing youth athletes and providing them with pro-like experiences. With a background in player development for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns, D....

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Khalid Cannon , President and Chief Program Officer of Put Me In! , a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to sports for children of incarcerated parents. Khalid shares his personal journey, from playing professional rugby for the Austin Gilgronis to leading a national nonprofit. He discusses the transformative power of sports and how his...

Today’s episode features Kyle Weindel, Associate Club Director at Sunshine Volleyball Club, a volleyball powerhouse in Southern California. Founded in 1998, Sunshine Volleyball Club has cultivated a culture of excellence, earning over 150 bids to Junior Nationals and producing numerous collegiate athletes. Kyle shares his journey in the volleyball world, his coaching philosophy, and how Sunshine V...

Join us in an inspiring conversation with Brenda Hilton, the founder of Officially Human , an organization dedicated to restoring respect and dignity to game officials at all levels of sport. Brenda, who has over 22 years of experience in collegiate officiating, shares her insights on the vital role that referees and umpires play in sports events and the growing need to address the mistreatment of...

In this lively episode of "For The Love of Sport," hosts Simon MacKenzie and Marie Fitzgerald chat with Dr. Tommy Floyd, President of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). Dr. Floyd shares how NASP has transformed archery into an inclusive and accessible sport for millions of students across the U.S. Since 2002, NASP has introduced archery to over 21 million students, with 1.3 millio...

Just in time for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, we are revisiting one of our favorite interviews. Simon and Marie are going for gold in this episode of "For The Love of Sport."  They sit down with Molly Solomon, Executive Producer and President of NBC Olympics Production. With a career of over three decades, Molly has played a crucial role in bringing iconic sports moments to our screens.  Hear Mol...

In this episode of "For The Love of Sport," hosts Simon and Marie are joined by Doug Bracken , Vice President of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) . Doug shares his journey with the ECNL, detailing his involvement and experiences that have shaped his role in one of the most influential organizations in American youth soccer. They discuss the ECNL's initial focus on girls' youth soccer and its...

Simon and Marie are live from the AVCA with another episode of "For The Love of Sport!" In this episode, they are joined by Demarcus Lewis from the Lexington High Risers , who shares his journey as a sports conditioning coach from basketball and football to volleyball. Demarcus delves into his coaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of strong nutrition in athletic performance. He discusses...

Join us for another Sideline Short episode of "For The Love of Sport." In this episode, Simon and Marie sit down with Michelle Goodall , Region Director at USA Volleyball , to discuss her dedication to the sport and her extensive experience as an administrator, coach, and player. Michelle shares her insights on the importance of youth sports and how USA Volleyball is working to grow the sport at a...

Welcome back to another episode of "For The Love of Sport!" Hosts Simon and Marie are joined by Sandy Ogg and Erik Bakich from Diamond Allegiance , an organization dedicated to enhancing the travel baseball experience for families, teams, and coaches. Erik shares insights from his experience as Clemson's head baseball coach , while Sandy delves into the origins and future goals of Diamond Allegian...

Tune in to another Sideline Short episode of "For The Love of Sport" as hosts Simon and Marie explore the world of volleyball, focusing on League One Volleyball, also known as LOVB (pronounced love). Joined by guest Courtney Thompson , Coach Development at LOVB, listeners gain insights into this community-driven approach to professional volleyball.  Courtney, a former standout player at the Univer...

Welcome back to another episode of "For The Love of Sport." In this exciting part two of our discussion with Portland Community Football Club (PCFC), hosts Simon and Marie are joined by PCFC's remarkable coaching program manager, JD Penilton .  Dive into JD's journey through youth sports and discover what drew him to the inspiring mission of PCFC. JD shares invaluable insights into the diverse pro...

Welcome back to a very special two-part episode of "For The Love of Sport." Hosts Simon and Marie chat with Kaig Lightner , the mind behind Portland Community Football Club (PCFC). Founded in 2012 to remove barriers to competitive athletic training and create a supportive environment for all youth, PCFC stands out as a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment. Kaig shares insights into the programs o...

'For the Love of Sport' podcast hosts Simon and Marie are spotlighting another amazing organization for our mini-series, 'Sideline Shorts.'  The Podcast team sits down with the founder of the Girl Power Flag Football League , Phil Squatrito, also known as “Coach Squats." Phil, a father of three daughters, shares his mission to instill confidence and provide opportunities for young girls through fl...

In this inspiring episode of "For The Love of Sport," hosts Simon and Marie are joined by Danette Leighton , CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) . Danette's illustrious career in sports marketing and leadership roles, including her tenure with the Pac-12 Conference and Maloof Sports & Entertainment, has uniquely positioned her to lead WSF in its mission to empower women and girls through sp...

It's a new ball game in this episode of "For The Love of Sport." Join hosts Simon and Marie for the debut episode of their Sideline Shorts Series, where they shine a spotlight on youth sports organizations across the country. Up first is this dynamic husband-wife duo sharing their love of sport with Integrity Volleyball. Founders Rafael Lopez & Isabel Domenech join Simon and Marie at the AVCA Conv...

Simon and Marie are going for gold in this episode of "For The Love of Sport."  Just in time for Girls and Women in Sports Day, and the 2024 Paris Games 6-month countdown, they interview Molly Solomon, Executive Producer and President of NBC Olympics Production. With a career of over three decades, Molly has played a crucial role in bringing iconic sports moments to our screens.  Hear Molly's jour...

Welcome back to a new season of "For The Love of Sport!" Hosts Simon and Marie are joined by Kirsten Jones , a former Division I volleyball player, Nike executive turned motivational speaker, and Peak Performance Coach, for a crazy season three debut episode. Kirsten shares insights on parenting for the "long game," emphasizing the importance of supporting your athlete and nurturing their love for...

Wrap up the year with a bow and join hosts Simon and Marie in a jolly journey through the past year of "For The Love of Sport." In this festive holiday episode, our dynamic duo is joined by the show's producers, Joe Brezonik and Kelsey Erwin, for a holiday celebration.  Joe and Kelsey flip the script, turning the tables on Simon and Marie with a flurry of fun questions that'll answer all your burn...