Benchwarmers Media

No Place I'd Rather Be …

Sports EN ↓ 80 episodes

A podcast about St. John’s University (MN) basketball that features legendary coach Jim Smith as well as head coach and Johnnie alum Pat McKenzie ‘04. Hear from notable players and personalities that make this program one of the very best in all of Division III athletics. Whether a long-standing Johnnie basketball fan, a relative newcomer, or just a student of history, there's sure to be something for everyone on "No Place I'd Rather Be…"

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Benchwarmers Media

Episodes

Creating the Culture pt. 2 -- Playing the Part 17.01.2023 42:10

Send us Fan Mail The conversation on culture continues as we hear more from Paul Bernabei and Joe Mucha -- as well as Bob Alpers and Frank Wachlarowicz -- about just what it was that made playing for Coach Smith so special. But first, we talk to second-year assistant coach and former player Sean Ryan.

Creating the Culture pt. 1 -- Setting the Stage 10.01.2023 36:33

Send us Fan Mail Before Coach Jim Smith accepted the head coaching position at SJU, the program was regularly trailing the standings in the competitive MIAC. Shortly after Smith arrived, however, that began to change. On today's episode, we talk to first year assistant coach Danny Quinn about his introduction to Johnnie Basketball. Then, we dig into the program's complete culture shift f...

You're not Going to be a Boxer 03.01.2023 35:00

Send us Fan Mail Basketball was not a foregone conclusion in the young life of Jim Smith. On today's episode -- the first of two featuring Coach Smith's formative years -- he hearkens back to days of yore as he enlightens us on his childhood.

Prologue -- Guard-to-Guard Handoff 27.12.2022 31:15

Send us Fan Mail Since 1964, St. John's University Basketball has had two head coaches. Jim Smith and Pat McKenzie. On today's episode, we hear from both as they lend a little insight into what brought them -- and possibly some others -- to Collegeville.

Coming soon ... No Place I'd Rather Be 20.12.2022 4:45

Send us Fan Mail A preview of season one of "No Place I'd Rather Be ..." an inside look at St. John's University basketball and the legacy of Minnesota's collegiate wins leader Jim Smith, who took over a lagging program in 1964 and by the end of the decade had turned it into what would be a perennial powerhouse over his 51 years at the helm of Johnnie basketball. A traditi...