The Sports Mecca Podcast

Austin Peay Governors defensive back Demetries Ford joins the show. He talks about his historic 2022 season, path to Austin Peay, playing in FCS, and advice to younger defensive backs. 

University of Kansas student and Jayhawks super fan Noah Ginsberg joins the show. Noah talks about his love for the university, the reason behind his "Plunger Boy" nickname, building his brand, favorite fan moments, and more. 

Campbell Camels pitcher Cade Kuehler joins the show. Cade provides insight to what he's doing now, his recent 2022 season, and what he looks forward to accomplishing in 2023. 

Colorado School of Mines cross country and track & field runner Dillon Powell joins the show. Dillon talks about winning the individual national championship at the 2022 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in December, overcoming heat exhaustion, his favorite courses, and advice to younger runners. 

Mark LaSota, Clinical Assistant Professor in Sport Management at Texas A&M University, joins the show. Mark talks about his sports management class, his previous stint at Emporia State University, as well as other sports topics. 

Western Kentucky University women's soccer player Kenlee Newcom joins the show. Kenlee talks about completing her redshirt sophomore season one month ago, coming back from 4 ankle surgeries, playing in Kentucky, and more. 

Long Beach State University women's soccer player Lena Silano joins the show. Lena talks about graduating from LBSU, her favorite moments this season, and what it now means to be an alumni. 

Arizona State Sun Devils gymnast Hannah Scharf joins the show. She talks about starting her gymnastics career at 4 years old, competing as a youth in Canada, moving to Tempe, plus misconceptions about the sport. 

Marquette University track & field athlete Jared Humphrey joins the show. Jared talks about how he's felt mentally and physically during a 2-year break of competing. In addition, he speaks on his decision to transfer plus his excitement to finally compete again in 2023. 

Basketball development coach Ryan Deppen joins the show. Ryan talks about his work developing youth basketball players, from middle school level to the NBA, within the Kansas City area. He also provides insights into the game, past players he's trained, and more. 

Texas Tech University cross country and track & field runner Matthew Maki joins the show. Matthew talks about his long college career which includes four seasons competing at the Division-II level for the Emporia State University Hornets. In addition, he details his favorite venues where he's competed and what the sport of cross country has meant to him. 

Former podcast guest Kaden Carbajo joins the show to talk about the Kansas City Chiefs coming off the bye week. We discuss topics such as: the team's ceiling, strengths and weakness, and potential pitfalls in the AFC and rest of NFL. 

Kansas native and former MLS player Michael Thomas joins the show. Michael talks about his time playing professionally with Sporting KC, Oklahoma City Energy and overseas in Sweden. 

University of Georgia track and field athlete Kyle Garland joins the show. Kyle talks about his growth in the decathalon and heptathalon, what's it been like breaking college records, and also insights of his "Freight Train" nickname. 

Oklahoma State University track & field sprinter Tori Ortiz joins the show. Tori talks about competing in the Big 12, transferring from Illinois State to Stillwater, teaming with Tyreek Hill in the NIL space, and more. 

Long-time voice of the Independence Community College Pirates Jeff Carpenter joins the show. Jeff talks about covering the program for many years as well as details stories of being featured on Netflix's hit series Last Chance U.

University of Tulsa women's basketball player Jessika Evans joins the show. Jessika talks about her upcoming junior season, growing up 2 hours from the Tulsa campus, and the lessons she's learned as a college athlete so far. 

University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball player Antoine Davis joins the show. Antoine talks about why stayed for a 5th season in college, what it's like playing for his dad, and his pursuit to becoming college basketball's all-time points leader. 

Syracuse University women's hockey player Tatum White joins the show. Tatum talks about her upcoming 2022-23 season, spending this past summer in her hometown of Ontario, growing up on the ice, and more. 

Former Kansas Jayhawk and current color commentator for the Jayhawks men's basketball team Greg Gurley joins the show. Greg updates us on his summer, what it was like covering the 2022 National Champions and other topics regarding KU basketball. 

Northern Arizona University cross country and track runner Nico Young joins the show. Nico talks about his first two seasons competing in Flagstaff, his excitement for the upcoming fall season, and his favorite surfaces to run on. 

Former University of Kansas football equipment manager Andrew Edrington joins the show again to preview the upcoming Kansas Jayhawks football season. 

Former Colorado Buffaloes basketball great and all-time leading scorer Richard Roby joins the show. He talks to us about playing in Boulder, his time playing overseas, and his new career as a broker and financial advisor in Las Vegas. 

We speak with University of Oregon women's soccer player Jordan Snyder. Jordan is embarking on her senior season with the Ducks. She talks about her excitement for the upcoming season, playing in Israel over the summer, college recruitment and future endeavors after soccer. 

Jerry Quickel, the owner of nearly 450 football helmets; spanning from high school, college and NFL, joins the show. Jerry stores every one of his helmets in his Olathe, KS basement. He talks to us about how he started his collection, his favorite ones plus his rise to social media fame.