Sports Charlotte

Charlotte 49ers women't soccer coach John Cullen talks restarting training in January, coping with COVID-19 infections and playing the season during the spring semester.

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams discusses why the conference opted to cancel its 2021 basketball tournament for the first time since its start in 1946. Without the postseason showcase, the league, its members and sponsors are bracing for the economic impact as well as looking to keep fans engaged with virtual events. 

Rod Reid, the founder of Force Indy, an ambitious open-wheel racing team based in Concord, N.C., talks about its maiden voyage in the 2021 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship. Reid, who leads NXG Youth Motorsports Inc., which has introduced more than 2,300 students from under-represented communities to racing, has two goals. One is to develop African American talent that can succeed in IndyCar. The...

Charlotte Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller joins the podcast to talk about the 2020 USL Championship campaign and earning a playoff berth with the Jacks. He also lends insight into leadership, team-building and the importance of offseason improvement. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Former Major League Soccer and Charlotte Independence player Aaron Maund talks about his professional journey, time in Charlotte and what's next on and off the pitch.

Charlotte Independence defender Hugh Roberts previews the Jacks' first-round match against Charleston Battery in Matthews, N.C. The Independence are hosting a playoff game for the first time in franchise history after winning Group G in the USL Championship. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Charlotte 49ers soccer coach Kevin Langan talks about the program's adjustment to COVID-19, playing a spring schedule, producing MLS-caliber athletes and how Charlotte FC changes the Carolinas sports landscape. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

West Mecklenburg High School and UNC-Chapel Hill graduate Naya Tapper is one of America's top rugby players. Her prolific scoring and international experience make her a top contender for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team – if and when the games commence in 2021. She's dishing on training during the COVID-19 pandemic, what led her to rugby and becoming a role model. Host: Herb White. 

Trenton Cannon isn't going to supplant Christian McCaffrey as the Carolina Panthers' top running back, but the 2017 CIAA offensive player of the year is a master on special teams. Cannon opened up about a new chapter in his career, playing on opening day and his HBCU experience. Host: Herb White.

The 49ers women's soccer coach talks about delaying the season to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership of veteran players and a large class of incoming players. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Brandon Bellamy, the owner of Gastonia's new minor league baseball team, has a lot of work to do before the club takes the field in 2021. Bellamy, owner of a Maryland development company, is working with the city on developing FUSE – the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertaintment District – in addition to building the club and managing its new stadium.

Charlotte Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller talks about playing during a time of social unrest, activism among athletes and how the Jacks plan to navigate the USL Championship regular season stretch drive. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Charlotte Independence defender Hugh Roberts talks about athletes' reaction to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, activism in Charlotte and addressing housing insecurity. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley talks about the NWSL Challenge Cup, COVID-19 and building a championship legacy with some of the world's best soccer players. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Davidson College Athletics Director Chris Clunie talks about working with alumna Makayla Binter on a mural saluting Wildcats of color, the school's commitment to diversity and inclusion and the demands of athletics and academic success on campus. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Charlotte Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller opens up about the Jacks' condensed USL Championship campaign and the mental and physical challenges of playing during a pandemic. He gives his expectations for the season and opines about the state of professional soccer in Charlotte. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

The Charlotte Independence defender talks about the shortened USL Championship season, social activism, philanthropy and the state of professional soccer in Charlotte. Host: Ashley Mahoney.

Randi Neal, an All-Region guard/forward who led South Pointe High to a pair of South Carolina 4A girls' basketball title games, committed to Johnson C. Smith. Her criteria? Culture, proximity and playing for a contender for the CIAA title.

Queens University of Charlotte graduate Mystique Ro is one of America's top skeleton racers and a contender for a spot on the 2022 Olympic team. Ro talks about her journey to Queens, how she transitioned from track and field to skeleton and training in Charlotte.

Myers Park High School softball was off to a 5-0 start when the Mustangs' season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two days later, in-person school instruction was closed. Whittney Barringer, who plays third base, was suddenly without her favorite sport and the rites of passage for high school seniors: No prom, no graduation, no games. "I felt like crying," she said.

Charlotte 49ers football reached historic milestones in 2019 with the program's first winning season and a bowl berth. Can they top it in 2020 if and when games can be played? Second-year coach Will Healy weighs in on football and how COVID-19 has changed his life and program. Host Herb White.

Johnson C. Smith basketball coach Steve Joyner talks about the 2019-20 season, exceeding expectations and how COVID-19 has changed recruiting for the 2020-21 season.

The coronavirus pandemic forced Johnson C. Smith University to cancel all campus activities, including spring football drills. Coach Kermit Blount talks about losing valuable practice days as well as the 2020 class of commitments.

Former Charlotte 49ers defensive end Alex Highsmith talks about the process of preparing for the NFL Combine and the draft. It's been a long climb for Highsmith, who went from a walk-on with the 49ers to Charlotte's all-time sacks leader.

Charlotte MLS Technical Director Marc Nicholls talks scouting, coaches, staff and building an academy program a year before their inaugural campaign in 2021.