The Rant

Continuing on Dan Grave’s appearance on #therant, we discuss Steve and his experience playing with him as well as myself. We also go back on his upbringing in sports, how he developed his jumpshot, our times at the Hofstra Rec Center, and what he’s up to now. All that and more, my conversation with Steve, now.

As a 16 year old, Dan Graves came to my life as a quiet unassuming high school student, we often used to pick up when we were one player short. In this pod, we discuss his experience playing sports as a kid, his experience in the AAU circuit and Kellenberg, as well as his most exhilarating time playing at Hofstra at the Rec Center. All that and more, my conversation with Dan, now.

With the striped shirt, I have a polarizing relationship with one Mike Mastro. Off it, we chopped it up for almost an hour about him growing up in Jericho, his experience playing in college, and living the phrase #neverretire in the Ultimate Hoops League at Lifetime Fitness. Along with my co-host Anthony Leo, my conversation with Mike, now.

Ken has always had an aptitude for refereeing. In this pod, he discusses his come up and getting exposed to the game early, his philosophy of being in the building, cutting hair and balancing it with officiating, and how he maintains his humble-yet-aggressive disposition. All that and more, my conversation with Kenny, now.

At a young age, Elliott got exposed to officiating before his teenage years begun. In this pod, we discuss his short stint playing baseball and basketball, how he stuck with football to bring him to college, and his wildly successful officiating career thus far. All that and more, my conversation with Elliott, now.

A thank you to all that have been supportive of the show. In this special episode, we have many recurring guests: some of my favorite guests from the Queens Board 119: Derek Maddrey, Tahree Kirkland, and Leroy Samuel. Coach T and Coach Francois, who discuss their first experience on the Boy’s Varsity Basketball side, Veteran Officials from Board 41 Terry Twibell and James Washington, and of course...

We got to give it up to young Emery, a man of many talents. In this pod, we discuss is upbringing, what sports meant to him growing up, how he got into officiating Football, Baseball, and Basketball, and his upcoming book, Remembering Me. I am. Congratulations on Emery, in making Men’s College Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Emery, now.

Charlie impressed me when I walked in with one of his pro work outs late one night at St. Francis de Sales, in Far Rockaway, Queens. In this pod, he discusses his love of sports, his work ethic that he got from his father, Coach Marquardt, his time in the G League and Overseas, and his pursuit of his next pro contract. All that and more, my conversation with Charlie, now.

In this pod, Kenny and Ralph the Ref talk about watching high school sports on Long Island, how he got into writing, his favorite events to be at, what his mentors taught him, and his new role at Lacrosse Magazine. All that and more, Ralph the Ref’s conversation with Kenny, now.

Anthony, has always had a unique relationship with sports and Basketball. It seems at every turn, opportunities fell in his lap. In this pod, we discuss his experience reffing rec league games when not certified, playing in college, his first and last pro-am game he officiated, his journey in getting his certification, and his current position as the FunSports Assignor in NYC. All that and more, m...

Mike Liander has traveled the world because of his jumpshot. In this pod, we discuss his aggression that made him a star at Cathedral Park, his development of his game, his experience in college and overseas, and his prospect of representing the US in the new Olympic Sport, 3x3 basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Mike, now.

Coach Drew always had a passion for the game of basketball. His high school career didn’t go as planned, but his fire for the game still burned. He sublimated that love to coach and train many successful high school, collegiate, and pro players. We talk about his journey in the game, how he gets the best out of everybody he coaches, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation wit...

I talked to my daddy about watching him ref, charging my iPad, playing sports, and being the smartest boy I can be. All that and more, me and my daddy on the rant, now.

On a special Veteran’s Day edition, we speak on our favorite episode, my first experience witnessing a podcast being recorded, meeting guests in real life, and being part of the process, now that I’m in the United States. We also discuss, transcribing the next 50 episodes, how the process was easier the second time around, and our favorite episodes. All that and more, Cassio and Ralph the Ref, on...

Smush has been around the world and back again. In this pod, we discuss his love of basketball that developed watching OG’s at West 4th Park, his journey to getting to the NBA, and his pursuit to get back to the league. Most importantly, he discusses his youth initiative Smush Inspires and his involvement with this church. All that and more, my conversation with Smush Parker, now.

Since #TheRant last caught up with Bernard, he had a busy-yet-successful summer. In this pod, he discusses his partnership with the NBA to bring a new flavor to Nike Pro City, his mindset of helping brand new basketball officials, and his rollout of his new teaching camps in the Metropolitan Area. All that and more, My conversation with Bernard Bowen Sr., now.

Steve Oh found his passion in cutting hair. In this pod, he discusses his early love of sports in Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball, how he got nice at styling hair, his days in and out at the shop, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Steve, now.

The common theme between Referee Rant and the Baller’s Journal are the sports we love and making art of it. In this pod, Erin and Lawrence talk about their respective relationship with sports, how they formulated the idea of The Baller’s Journal, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Erin and Lawrence, now.

African Ike is unique as much as he’s ubiquitous. In this pod we discuss his come up, how he does everything to help kids, his experience coaching and DJing, and most importantly his willingness to adapt and put in the work. All that and more, my conversation with Ike, now.

John Coleson is a polarizing figure in the biz that has a story to tell. In this pod, he discusses his serendipitous encounter with some of the top refs in NYC, his own come up being a college official, how he now officiates here and there, but is felt EVERYWHERE. All that and more, my conversation with John, now.

Pastor has a kind soul; yet can blow the whistle with the best of them. In this pod he discusses his come up officiating in a Football Crazed state in Texas, passing out on the Baseball diamond, his travels in Tennessee and Michigan, and cutting his teeth in New York City as a Basketball Official. He also discusses the importance of balance and being great in his ministry and refereeing. All that...

Fortuitously, I met Billy at a Volleyball Tournament. Little did I know he was a walking inspiration. In this pod, he discusses how he played Division 1 Basketball, but never played high school ball at Archbishop Molloy, how he became an elite high school coach at Half Hollow Hills West, and discussing his coming of age story and inspirational book, Last of the Redmen. All that and more, my conver...

Richie is a magician with the Basketball. In this pod, he discusses how tragedy fueled his indefatigable work ethic, his passion to be great at the game, his experience at Adelphi, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Richie, now.

I’m going to interview him and ask him about his journey on becoming a D3 Women’s College Official. He just reached 100 episodes on the podcast, and he’ll discuss what he’ll bring to us on the website. Episode 101, now.

As stubborn as it sounds, we reserved Episode 100 for this special guest. In this pod, we discuss our eerie similarities, what Basketball meant to him, how he loathed refs, and became one of them, to become one of the most respected of them all. Episode 100, my conversation with Tommy, now.