UVA and NOVA Legends Podcasts®

Today I sit down with Ellie Mujushi—better known as "Ellie Majelly" on social media—to discuss her remarkable journey from college soccer player to corporate professional to full-time content creator. After leaving the United States to build a new life in Australia, Ellie now travels the world with her Kiwi boyfriend, professional tennis player James Watt, documenting the realities of li...

Today I sit down with Mount St. Mary's men's soccer coach Brett Teach to discuss the NCAA's new five-year/five-season eligibility rule and what it could mean for college sports. We explore how it may reshape recruiting, transfers, roster construction, and opportunities for both soccer players and athletes across the NCAA. We also discuss recent changes to roster limits, the NIL cap, an...

Tonight I'm joined by members of the 2026 Westfield state championship soccer team: head coach Drew Wiltse, forward Ethan O'Connor (James Madison), midfielder Joel Geraban (Bridgewater), and center back Reyes Torres (Shepherd).We discuss the Bulldogs' remarkable season, one that began with major graduation losses and plenty of questions but ended with a Class 6 state championship. Alon...

In this episode, I’m joined by members of the defending Virginia Class 5 state champion Lightridge Bolts: Dylan Conti (‘27, Midfielder), Pranabh Malla (‘27, CDM), Brayden Moyssiadis (‘26, CB), and Caden Perkins (‘27, CB).We reflect on Lightridge’s remarkable championship run, revisit key moments from both this season and last year’s title campaign, and discuss the challenge of trying to go back-to...

On this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Davis, whose Yorktown High School Patriots completed an undefeated regular season and enter the postseason among the favorites to compete for a state title. We discuss how this year’s side compares stylistically and emotionally to some of her other outstanding teams, the chemistry and selflessness of the current group, and why positional versatility has become...

In this episode, I’m joined by defending Virginia Class 5 state champion Independence Tigers as they prepare for a new challenge: moving up to Class 6 while attempting to repeat as state champions. Joining me are three-time state champion head coach Ann Vierkorn, Emily Marlovits (‘26, CM), Kendall Bronaugh (‘26, CB), Kimi Zoder (‘27, CM), Morgan Blelloch (‘28, Wing), and Addy Frazzetti (Jr., CM).W...

This episode features Riverside’s senior leaders from the Class of 2026 — Reid Bancroft (UVA), Thomas Ryan (Auburn), Jake Stavrou (Virginia Tech), and Jake Winans (JMU).We revisit last year’s heartbreaking state semifinal loss, discuss how this year’s team has forged a new identity, and preview a massive showdown with defending state champion Lightridge. We also talk rivalries, culture, leadership...

In this episode, I sit down with the 2026 Yorktown Patriots following an undefeated regular season, with everything still ahead of them as the postseason begins — including the possibility of a return to the state semifinals, where last year’s run ended against Deep Run. I’m joined by senior co-captains Elyse Markowski (Emory), Claire Scott (Belmont), Elena Schultz (Virginia Wesleyan), and Jessie...

On the eve of the Oakton–Madison showdown, I’m joined by Oakton midfielder Ella Dennis and Madison’s Shelby Smith to discuss one of Northern Virginia soccer’s premier rivalries and the proud traditions behind both programs. We talk about the coaches, teammates, and influences that shaped their soccer journeys, their goals as the postseason approaches, and their plans for college and beyond. A thou...

On this episode of the NOVA Legends Podcast, I’m joined by three of Northern Virginia’s top high school soccer coaches: Bo Amato (Langley), Sean Patrick Burke (Woodson), and John Millward (Lewis).We break down the top teams across each district and look ahead to the postseason—highlighting the players and matchups to watch as the regular season winds down. The conversation also tackles the controv...

On today’s episode of the NOVA Legends Podcast, I’m joined by newly appointed Bishop Ireton head coach Chris Wright to discuss his new opportunity and his remarkable basketball journey. Coach Wright grew up in Bowie before starring at St. John’s and Georgetown, where he played under John Thompson III and helped lead the Hoyas at the highest level of college basketball. He then went on to a profess...

On this episode of the NOVA Legends Podcast, I joined by Oakton High School standout Sophie Toole, one of the area's most impressive multi-sport athletes. Sophie just led the Cougars' basketball team to the state semis, earning Northern Region and Northern District Player of the Year honors along the way. Now, she’s headed to play Division I softball at Lafayette College—but not before mak...

On today’s episode, I sit down with Billy Davis, a standout three-sport athlete from Mount Vernon who went on to star at Clemson and reach the NFL.Billy shares stories from his journey — growing up in Northern Virginia, playing for legendary coaches Bruce Patrick and Don McCool, winning a national championship at Clemson, and what it felt like to step onto an NFL field. We talk about the moments t...

On this episode of the NOVA Legends Podcast, I sit down with two of Northern Virginia’s most accomplished high school soccer coaches — Langley’s Bo Amato and Woodson’s Sean Patrick Burke — to break down the 2026 season. We start with updates on new rules and how they may impact the game this year, then dive into each program’s outlook and what to expect from their teams. From there, we zoom out to...

On the eve of the Division III National Championship, I sit down with Marcus Kahn, head basketball coach of Mary Washington Eagles, as they prepare for their showdown with Emory Eagles. Coach Kahn shares a thoughtful and detailed look at the current state of the college game before taking us inside this year’s Mary Washington team—how it has evolved from last season, the defining moments of their...

Today I’m joined by an outstanding panel of Northern Virginia high school basketball coaches — David Houston (West Potomac), Sherman Rivers (Patriot), Carlos Poindexter (Hayfield), Doug Craig (Woodson), and Mike Desmond (South Lakes) — to wrap up the 2025 Northern Virginia high school basketball season. We break down a hypothetical All–Northern Virginia team, discuss the structure of the VHSL post...

Today I’m joined by Chris Jollay of NOVAhoops to preview the 2026 regional basketball tournaments across Northern Virginia. We break down which teams are best positioned to reach the state playoffs, revisit the moments that got them here, and highlight the players and coaches who could shape this pivotal week. Contents: 00:00 Intro 06:15 Class 6C — Occoquan Region Boys 24:15 Class 6D — Northern Re...

On today’s episode I’m joined by Spotswood High School head coach Chris Dodson, one of Virginia’s most accomplished basketball coaches and a six-time state champion. Coach Dodson reflects on his journey from growing up in Page County to attending Bridgewater College and ultimately building a powerhouse program at Spotswood in Rockingham County. We talk about the mentors and lessons that shaped his...

On this episode, I’m joined by five of Northern Virginia’s top basketball coaches for a wide-ranging, mid-to-late-season look at Loudoun County hoops, the kind of conversation that only happens once the games have accumulated enough truth to tell a story. Joining me are Ben Farquhar (Heritage), Jeff Hawes (Potomac Falls), Michael Newkirk (Tuscarora), Jacob Krogh (Broad Run), and Konstantine Papast...

Today I'm joined by longtime friend, fellow UVA alum, and writer Maggie Light, whose debut novel Polar Opposites is a smart, warm, and unexpectedly deep young-adult rom-com set against the realities of modern adolescence and climate anxiety. A 2001 graduate of the University of Virginia and now an Assistant Professor at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, Maggie’s path has been anyt...

In my third conversation with ESPN Investigative Reporter TJ Quinn, we start with the latest wave of gambling scandals and the question at the center of modern sports:Can you trust what you’re watching? TJ connects today’s moment to the Black Sox scandal, explains why prop bets are especially risky, and why concerns about sports betting and integrity aren’t going away anytime soon. We then turn to...

Today we catch up on the Northern Virginia boys basketball scene with Chris Jollay of NOVAhoops. We break down the hottest players and teams as the postseason approaches and take a closer look at which programs are positioned to make deep runs and contend for postseason honors. Contents00:00 Heritage v Broad Run08:00 6D Liberty District14:22 6D Concorde District22:20 6C Patriot District29:30 6C Na...

On today’s episode, I’m joined by a panel of top Northern Virginia high school basketball coaches for a wide-ranging conversation on the NOVA hoops landscape. We break down the top teams and players in the area, look ahead to the stretch run of the season, and tackle several hot-button issues impacting the local game. Topics include:Unrealistic expectations placed on players by parentsThe impact o...

Today I’m joined by first-year UVA students Titus Powars (McLean HS), Andrew Kennedy (W-L), and John Poplawski (Oakton) to talk about their transition from Northern Virginia soccer standouts to club players and students at the University of Virginia. We discuss the academic and soccer adjustments they’ve faced in their first few months on Grounds, the lessons they’ve learned early on, and how life...

Today on NOVA Legends, we close out 2025 with two of the most plugged-in local voices in Northern Virginia sports — and then we go big with bold predictions for 2026.Joining me:Ramine DashCo-host of All Hitches, the podcast covering Class 6 football across Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria — and now expanding into Prince William County. Chris JollayFounder of NOVA Hoops, the indispensable basketball...