UVA and NOVA Legends Podcasts®

In our first high school basketball coaches' panel of 2025, I’m joined by a group of top NOVA coaches to provide an update on the local basketball scene and dive into all things prep hoops. Featuring: Tony Bentley, Wakefield Doug Craig, Woodson Michael Desmond, South Lakes David Houston, West Potomac Carlos Poindexter, Hayfield Sherman Rivers, Patriot Contents: 00:00 - Intro; Will new NCAA player...

National Gran Fondo champion and cycling coach Jill Patterson joins me to dive into a range of cycling and fitness topics, including updates on her own racing career. We explore her coaching approach, with a special focus on how age, diet, and gender influence her strategies and the results her clients achieve. Jill also shares her insights on indoor training, comparing popular platforms like Pelo...

After months of anticipation, I'm thrilled to finally be joined by Hayfield High School Football Coach Darryl Overton for an in-depth interview on the Hayfield/VHSL controversy, a story that has captured the attention of both local and national sports media. In this candid conversation, we explore the reasons behind Coach Overton’s surprising decision to leave Freedom-Woodbridge, where he won back...

Ethan Frazier, a former First-Team All-Met striker, took an unconventional route to pursuing his soccer dreams. Instead of playing college soccer, he made a bold decision to take a gap year at a professional soccer academy in Spain, where he immersed himself in the European game. Today, Ethan is thriving in Portugal's fourth division, continuing to chase his soccer dreams overseas. In this intervi...

Virginia Preps' Matthew Hatfield joins me on Christmas Eve to reflect on the 2024 Virginia high school football season and give us an update on the 2024-25 basketball season. It’s been a memorable year, and I’m excited to hear Matthew’s insights on the standout moments and key players. As an indispensable voice in VHSL sports, his perspective is always invaluable. Contents: 00:00 Intro 01:15 Class...

Williams & Connolly trial and antitrust attorney Mark Levinstein has spent nearly four decades addressing some of the most complex and high-profile issues in the sports industry. In today’s episode, Mark discusses the most pressing challenges facing sports today, with a particular focus on the collegiate realm, which has increasingly taken on the characteristics of professional leagues. A 1979...

In today’s episode, I recap the unforgettable 2024 6A state final between Madison and Oscar Smith (Chesapeake). This is a game that will be remembered for years to come. I’ll walk you through the journey that led to the final and share my insights on how this epic matchup unfolded.

Today's guests, Professors Preston and David Green, embody the ultimate American success story. Raised in the historic Black community of Gum Springs, Alexandria by a single mother, the Greens excelled both athletically and academically. As standout athletes at Fort Hunt and West Potomac High Schools, they were also top students who went on to attend prestigious universities—Preston to the Univers...

Today, I’m joined by Washington Post high school sports beat writer Nicky Wolcott to reflect on the remarkable football season that just wrapped up, including the Post's coverage of the Hayfield/VHSL controversy. We also dive into how the Post compiles its Top 20 rankings and All-Met team, and whether Virginia teams are getting the recognition they deserve. Finally, we wrap up by previewing the ex...

This week, The Washington Post named Madison football coach Justin Counts Coach of the Year, a well-deserved honor for the Warhawks' leader, who recently guided his team to a fifth consecutive Northern Region title and a thrilling championship game against the eventual winner, Oscar Smith. Coach Counts joins me to discuss his strategy for that game, his thoughts on how his team performed, some of...

This weekend, Kettle Run Coach Charlie Porterfield is attempting to lead his Cougars to become the first state football champions in Fauquier County history. Coach Porterfield joins me to discuss his journey from the Appalachian town of Jonesville to earning a football scholarship at Elon, and how he’s built a dominant program in Eastern Fauquier. We dive into the 2022 state final loss to a tough...

Jamie Gunderson has enjoyed one of the most remarkable starts to a coaching career in sports history. In 2021 his first year as a head coach, he led the Christopher Newport women to an NCAA Division III championship, earned National Coach of the Year honors, and remained unbeaten through his first 83 games across three seasons. This week, he takes his Captains to the Final Four in Las Vegas, aimin...

Emory Coach Sue Patberg has guided her high-flying Eagles back to the Division III Final Four, building on a legacy that includes a finals run in 2012, where they fell narrowly to Messiah. In this episode, Coach Patberg reflects on her 30-year journey as a D1 and DIII college head coach and Emory's remarkable 2024 season, defined by four consecutive one-goal victories en route to the semifinals in...

Michael Burnett, head coach of Briar Woods football, leads the Falcon into a showdown with LC Bird this weekend, aiming for his sixth Virginia state final appearance. Coach Burnett joins me to share his journey from practicing law to pursuing a career in teaching and coaching football, and his transition from California to Virginia, his wife’s home state. We explored his coaching experiences at Br...

Lake Braddock football coach Mike Dougherty led the Bruins through a whirlwind season, winning three games in nine days to secure a spot in the state semifinals against perennial powerhouse Madison. Coach Dougherty joined me to reflect on the challenges of a tumultuous season marked by Hayfield’s withdrawal from the postseason, weeks of uncertainty, and the team’s remarkable effort to rebuild and...

Today, I had the privilege of sitting down with five of the top local high school basketball coaches on the eve of the 2024-25 season: Doug Craig (Woodson), Mike Desmond (South Lakes), Konstantine Papastergiou (Woodgrove), Carlos Poindexter (Hayfield), and Sherman Rivers (Patriot). Our conversation covered key topics shaping today’s game, including building a strong school/program culture, assembl...

Today, I'm joined by Cardinal administrators and officials Scott Bach-Hansen and Adam Brick to discuss, among many other things, recent rule changes, the state of participation numbers as we approach a new season, and the ongoing challenges organizations like Cardinal face in retaining young officials. Always a great discussion when we get together!

Patriot High School's head football coach, Sean Finnerty, exemplifies resilience and determination. Having overcome personal tragedies, including the loss of his mother at a young age and battling through significant injuries and illness, he earned a football scholarship to Clarion University (now PennWest Clarion) and built a successful coaching career. This week, Coach Finnerty leads his Pioneer...

Today, I’m joined by local prep football experts Jason Sterling and Brian Westhoff to dive into the implications of Hayfield's withdrawal and provide updates on recent results as well as upcoming matchups in the local football scene. Contents: 00:00 Hayfield drama; Impact going forward; Fairfax County Times 21:40 6C Update; Lake Braddock v West Springfield; Fairfax gets a bye? 28:35 6D Update; Was...

Georgetown's Emma Davis recently had a viral moment: a 35 yard game winner over St John's on national television. We discuss that goal, Georgetown's terrific start to the 2022 season, her productive career at Princeton, and much more! Support the channel: www.patreon.com/julianbrown Contents: 00:00 Intro of guest and the viral game winner 02:51 Background; Getting into sports; Playing against boys...

Barry Meadow, who wrote two of the most important books about horse race betting, "Money Secrets at the Racetrack," and "The Skeptical Handicapper," joins me to discuss his remarkable career at the racetrack. Barry shares the keys that allowed him through wagering to support his family and to enjoy a comfortable retirement. It was a pleasure and an education to spend some time with one of most imp...

Bishop O'Connell High's Michael Egge ('84) was a determined though undersized quarterback for the Knights and chased his football dreams at William & Mary, playing for legendary Tribe coach Jimmy Laycock. Mike for years has been one of the top antitrust attorneys in the nation and joins me to discuss his latest ground-breaking win and his philosophies on life, family and the practice of law. C...

Charlie Scott was the first African-American star of the ACC, winning two ACC tournament championships for Coach Dean Smith at UNC and leading the Tar Heels to the Final Four. We discuss his amazing basketball journey from trailblazer in the ACC to Olympic and NBA champion. Contents: 00:00 Intro; Playing in Harlem and New York City 07:23 Going to Laurinberg Institute in North Carolina for high sch...

Gus Gerard was one of the most talented players in UVA history, having two electrifying years in Charlottesville before joining the legendary St. Louis Spirit of the ABA in 1974. Gus has played with and against some of the most memorable characters in basketball history, and it was amazing to follow along his improbable basketball journey. Contents: 00:00 Intro 02:30 Growing up and playing in Faye...