Game Day Travelcast

Dana Pappas joins Dave Brown to share her journey in education-based athletics, the passion behind supporting officials, and what it really takes to recruit, develop, and retain great people in stripes. This conversation goes deep on culture, leadership, and how we can elevate the standard of officiating while protecting the student‑athlete experience.   If you work in sports, officiate, or just c...

On this episode, we’re tackling the toughest part of being a traveling official: what you eat on the road. Our guest, Melissa Le Roy, specializes in simple, realistic healthy eating and food prep for officials who live out of cars and hotel rooms. She’ll share easy routines, go to snacks, and small changes that help you show up with more energy and less fast food regret. If you’ve ever said, ‘I’ll...

Two season-ending injuries. One elite umpire refused to let that be his story. Barry Chambers has worked at the highest levels of college baseball — including two appearances at the College World Series. But his greatest test never came on a baseball field. It came in the long, quiet months away from the game he loves. In this episode of Game Day Travelcast, Barry opens up about loss, identity, re...

This week on Game Day Travelcast, meet Luke Brakefield—pastor, umpire, referee, and state‑championship official. He lives in the tension between the whistle and the Word, and he’s learned how to show up fully on the field without losing himself off it. If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, pressure, and leadership when the game speeds up, Luke brings a blueprint you can use. Don’t miss this one....

Every official reaches a crossroads — keep chasing the next level or listen to something deeper. Jeff Sumpter listened. He chose his family. He chose his calling. And honestly? He won. The conversation delves into the themes of faith, family, integrity, and the impact of tragedy on one's journey. It explores the importance of prioritizing family and faith over career pursuits, the legacy of streng...

Big South Baseball Supervisor of Umpires and former military leader JR Brown joins us to break down what real discipline, accountability, and composure look like when the lights are brightest. If you’re a coach, parent, player, or official who wants to lead instead of complaining from the sidelines, this is your chance to absorb the mindset of the man mentoring the next wave of college umpires and...

This week we sit down with NCAA Division II National Umpire Coordinator Jon Brower—the guy who sees every crack, every strength, and every blind spot in college baseball’s officiating system. No clichés. No press release answers. We’re talking: Whether Division II is a launch pad or a glass ceiling What really gets an umpire advanced (and what doesn’t) The hard truths about accountability, evaluat...

What if the most important stat in baseball wasn't on the scoreboard? Guest Rusty Stroupe changed how Division I programs practice, how players think, and how coaches lead. Now retired from 29 seasons as head coach, Rusty tells the stories you’ve never heard from the dugout and beyond. Takeaways Character and integrity are essential in coaching and teaching, and humility is a key attribute for coa...

Most camps train your strike zone. John Porter trains your autopilot. In this episode we break down why great umpires treat every game like an audition—and how the right partnership can turn knowledge, skill, and attitude into a schedule you’ll love. John Porter served for over two decades as the Coordinator of Baseball Umpires for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Coastal Athleti...

What really matters with the lights go out and the crowd goes home? Scott Erby was struck in the face mask by a 96-mph fastball during a Vanderbilt vs. Stanford game. He was forced to leave the game but was able to walk off the field. After being a three-time veteran College World Series umpire and umpiring supervisor for the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), cancer was his next challenge. Father of t...

Today we are asking a simple question with BIG consequences. Do you simply react to the climate in your sport's environment or are you intentional about setting the tone for your crew, coaches, and players from the moment you walk through the gate? Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Thermometer and Thermostat 05:21 Maintaining Composure and Communication 14:18 Setting the Tone Before the Game 25:36...

Every night you lace up, you protect the game’s integrity—but who’s protecting the money you earn from it? Welcome to The Gameday Travelcast, the place where sports officials at every level turn game checks into real financial progress, instead of disappearing cash in the glove box or concession stand. If you’ve ever ended a season wondering, “Where did all that money go?” this is where we blow th...

Audra Harrison is climbing fast—and taking notes every step of the way. This week on the Game Day Travelcast, we sit down with Audra, one of the officiating world’s brightest rising stars. From high school gyms to championship courts, her journey is powered by mentorship, film study, and an unshakable drive to level up. Hear how she uses every trip—from the driveway to the locker room—as a chance...

It’s a masterclass in focus, composure, and the art of earning respect 90 feet at a time. Hear how Natola Hawthorne keeps the game—and herself—in the best possible zone. Today’s guest reminds us what happens when the focus shifts from the game to the person behind the plate. Natola Hawthorne isn’t just calling balls and strikes, she’s breaking barriers. As one of the first women to make her mark i...

Sports official podcast guest is Scott Taylor — former NCAA Division II National Coordinator of Umpires with over 50 years in the profession. Hear a true sports official “lifer” share his experience in moving up from driving Hugos and Smart Cars to BMWs and Cadillacs. Explore professionalism, communication, and trust factors in advancement with a guy who owns the front seat in the industry. Dave B...

Podcast for all Sports Officials debut with Dave Brown, Caleb Groom, and Chris Daniels. Not a “gotcha” podcast, but a place for personal growth, education, and encouragement. Goal: Focus on the whole official. This is about getting better on and off the field of play. Tell us what you liked about this podcast. What moments hit home? How can we do better?