Incredible Teams

Eric Cohen is the preeminent historian on the University of Washington rowing program. He was one of the first contacts for Daniel James Brown in preparation for his book the Boys in the Boat . Cohen coxed three years in the Varsity 8 for the Huskies. During that time he was a three-time Pac-10 champion, 1981 consensus National Champion, First Team All-Conference, and Co-Captain and Inspirational....

The Washington Huskies Men's 8 defied almost impossible odds on their way to success. This is a tale of blue collar, complete underdogs against the world. Although this is a more obscure team compared to those covered previously, I think the lessons in here are just as important. Not only that, but the tale is remarkable. Sources: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown The Boys of 36'...

Ira Miller was the main beat writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, covering the 49ers, from 1977-2006. He was essentially a 49ers insider through all 5 of their Super Bowl wins and, perhaps more importantly, was one of only a couple of journalists who Bill Walsh trusted. Ira was also the President of the Pro Football Writers of America and was awarded the Bill Nunn Memorial Award in 1993, perhap...

The 2nd installment of the 49ers dynasty from 1985-1994. Listen as Bill Walsh & Joe Montana continue winning then pass the baton to George Seifert, Steve Young and co. Hear about how important pragmatism and planning were through a period of major change as the Niners continued to dominate. Sources: We Were Champions by Phil Barber Glenn Dickey's 49ers by Glenn Dickey Montana: The Biography of Foo...

The 49ers were the most dominant NFL franchise from 1981 to 1994, winning 5 Super Bowls! Listen as Bill Walsh and Joe Montana drive a struggling organization to the very top. Sources: Tales from the San Francisco 49ers Sideline by Roger Craig & Matt Maiocco Montana: The Biography of Football's Joe Cool by Keith Dunnavant The Genius: How Bill Walsh Reinvented Football and Created an NFL Dyn...

Andy Hill is the author of Be Quick - But Don't Hurry , written with John Wooden. Hill is the ONLY player to play with both Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, and one of only 14 players to win 3 NCAA championships in Men's Basketball. After his college career he went on to a successful career as President of CBS Productions and led production of Caroline in the City; Dr. Quinn, Medicine...

The 2nd episode of the UCLA Bruins story tells the tale of National Championships 6 through 10. Coach John Wooden leads Bill Walton and co. to break nearly every record possible while navigating turbulence off the court. Sources: UCLA's Fabulous Bruins by Larry Bortstein The Sons of Westwood: John Wooden, UCLA, and the Dynasty That Changed College Basketball by John Matthew Smith Wooden: A Lif...

The UCLA Bruins dynasty from 1964-75 is full of so many incredible stories I had to split the episode in two. In the 1st installment, listen as John Wooden coaches Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and co. to five NCAA National Championships from 1964-69. Sources: ⁠UCLA's Fabulous Bruins by Larry Bortstein⁠ The Sons of Westwood: John Wooden, UCLA, and the Dynasty That Changed College Basketball b...

The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest professional Hockey team and most successful. They remain the only team to win 5 consecutive Stanley Cups. Listen as Maurice 'The Rocket' Richard, Jean Béliveau, Dickie Moore and crew dominate the NHL. Sources: ⁠Jean Béliveau: My Life in Hockey by Jean Béliveau, Chrys Goyens, and Allan Turowetz ⁠Our Life with The Rocket: The Maurice Richard Story by Roch Carri...

The All Blacks are one of the most dominant teams of all time, the late 80's in particular were especially successful. Listen as Sir Brian Lochore leads his men, including Buck Shelford, John Kirwan, Michael Jones and more, to heady heights. Sources: The Jersey: The All Blacks: The Secret's Behind the World's Most Successful Team by Peter Bills Inside the Cup by Phil Gifford Behind the Silver Fern...

The Brazil National Football Team of 1958-62 remain the only team to win back-to-back FIFA World Cups on different continents. Listen as Pelé, Garrincha and co. rise to the very top. Sources: Futebol Nation: The Story of Brazil through Soccer by David Goldblatt Garrincha: The Triumph and Tragedy of Brazil's Forgotten Footballing Hero by Ruy Castro Inverting The Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tacti...

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