From A to Zebra

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage with Mark Stroia, a seasoned official with over 35 years of experience across multiple sports. The conversation delves into the transformative nature of officiating, exploring Mark's journey from a three-sport athlete to a dedicated official and educator. The discussion highlights the importance o...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta welcome Charlie Obermayer, an NCAA men's lacrosse official, to discuss the importance of taking care of your crew in officiating. The conversation delves into Charlie's officiating journey, the legacy of Gordon Corsetti, and the significance of mental health awareness within the officiating community...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta are joined by Robert Abney, a seasoned sports official. They discuss the importance of humor in officiating, the parallels between education and officiating, and the value of empathy in managing games. Robert shares his journey into officiating, memorable moments, and the significance of building relationshi...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage with Bob Delaney, a former NBA referee and expert on resilience. The conversation explores Delaney's journey from officiating to undercover police work, emphasizing the importance of resilience in both sports and life. Delaney shares insights on defining resilience, personal experiences that shape...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta welcome Donnie Nunez, a respected figure in basketball officiating. The conversation covers Donnie's journey from a young official to a mentor, the importance of family and community in officiating, and the significance of the Tommy Nunez Annual National Hispanic Basketball Classic. They discuss the chal...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas speaks with Matt Head, a Division 1 women's basketball referee and elementary school PE teacher, about the importance of quick thinking in officiating. They discuss Matt's journey into officiating, the parallels between teaching and officiating, the role of technology in sports, and the significance of mental agility...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and guest Verne Harris discuss the critical theme of preparation in officiating. They explore Verne's extensive officiating journey, the importance of year-round preparation, and how officials can prepare for individual games. The conversation also delves into navigating adversity, moving up the ranks, and handling the p...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and guests Jack Jones and Cliff Jenkins, discuss the idea of open-mindedness in the world of officiating. They dive into topics about balancing professional careers with officiating, the importance of open-mindedness within officiating, and the rewards of officiating beyond the game. Topics such as communication and feedback...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and guest Dr. Sandra Serafini, a retired FIFA referee and neuroscientist, delve into the intersection of neurology and officiating. They discuss Fini's journey in officiating, the mental aspects of decision-making under pressure, and the progress of women in officiating. Fini shares valuable insights on managing stress,...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas is joined by Dr. Maggie Tieman and Dr. Karissa Niehoff to discuss the critical role of mindset in officiating. They explore Maggie's journey into officiating, the importance of understanding human behavior, and the necessity of effective communication skills for officials. The conversation also delves into team dynamics,...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta interview Larry Young, a former Major League Baseball umpire and current supervisor of MLB umpires. They discuss the love of the game as the primary motivation for officials, the challenges faced in officiating, and the importance of community and relationships within the officiating world. Larry shares his...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta interview Kaili Kimura, a successful NCAA Division I referee in both basketball and volleyball. Kaili shares her journey from being a three-sport athlete to becoming a prominent official, discussing the keys to her success, key moments in her career, and the importance of mentorship and communication in offi...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Steve Shaw discuss the critical role of judgment in officiating, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of technology on the officiating process. Shaw shares insights from his extensive experience in college football officiating, emphasizing that judgment is a learned skill that develops over time. The conversatio...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta welcome Ash Synnott, managing director of Officiating Collective, to discuss innovation in officiating. Ash shares his journey from officiating Australian Rules football to creating a platform that supports officials through holistic development, mental health resources, and community collaboration. The conv...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and guest Debbie Williamson discuss the critical quality of humility in officiating. They explore Debbie's journey from player to official, the importance of maintaining humility while achieving success, and the balance between confidence and humility. The conversation emphasizes the significance of kindness, respect, an...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and guest Kennedy Wells discuss the importance of gratitude in officiating, particularly from the perspective of coaches. They explore the role of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in fostering relationships with officials, the significance of the AVCA and PAVO conventions, and the initiatives surrounding Of...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas speaks with Chris Garner, an SEC football official, about the profound impact of officiating on his life. They discuss themes of gratitude, mentorship, and the lessons learned through the journey of officiating. Chris shares his personal story of how football has shaped him, the importance of patience and relationships in of...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas speaks with Austin Ardrey, founder of Runnin' Ref, about the importance of fitness for sports officials. They discuss the evolution of Runnin' Ref from a simple training program to a comprehensive online platform tailored for officials. The conversation highlights the significance of year-round training, injury preve...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage in a heartfelt discussion with Wally and Ally Salata, a father-daughter duo involved in basketball officiating. The conversation explores the importance of empathy in officiating, the challenges faced by officials, and the impact of parental behavior on young athletes. Wally shares his extensive coach...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage with a panel of experienced officials to discuss the importance of education, community, and technology in officiating. The conversation highlights personal journeys in officiating, the role of mentorship, and the challenges faced by officials. The guests share insights on how to build a supportive ne...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage with Lisa Jones, a seasoned Division I women's basketball referee and former fire chief. The conversation explores the theme of 'drive' in officiating, discussing Lisa's journey, challenges, successes, and the importance of mentorship. Lisa shares insights on overcoming obstacles in a...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta discuss the challenges of officiating with NFL referees Carl Cheffers and Ron Torbert. The conversation covers their personal journeys to the NFL, the emotional experience of receiving Super Bowl assignments, the various challenges officials face at different levels, and the broader issues affecting the offi...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas discusses the theme of balance in officiating with guests Mark Baltz, Kris Loving, and Luke Bowers. Each guest shares their unique journey in officiating, highlighting the challenges of balancing officiating with personal commitments, the importance of mentorship, and the broader impact officiating has on personal growth and...

Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta kick off Season Two with special guest Jhett Gomez, a wrestling official who shares his journey in officiating and the unique experiences it has brought him. The conversation explores the culture of wrestling, the intensity of officiating, and the importance of mentorship. Jhett recounts his recent adventure...

Summary: In the final episode of Season 1 of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta reflect on their journey through officiating, the importance of mentorship, and the emotional connections formed within the officiating community. They share personal stories about their careers, the challenges they faced, and the triumphs they celebrated together. The episode emphasizes the...