Episodes
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Steve Layman visits with Belmont Softball standout pitcher Maya Johnson, for a revealing conversation about her unique journey to Nashville. The pair discuss Johnson's childhood in her native Ohio, an early love of kickboxing, her competitive nature, how and when she turned to softball, and ultimately developed into one of the most accomplished pitchers in college softball. Johnson also shared personal stories of her own health and wellness journey, how a rare autoimmune condition nearly ended her college career before it started and how a reunion with Coach Laura Matthews has proven providential on and off the field. Johnson also delves into balancing athletics and her nursing degree studies and how she credits her teammates for team success.
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Steve Layman chats with Indiana Pacers/Indiana Fever beat writer Scott Agness for a compelling conversation about a variety of topics impacting basketball. The pair discuss Belmont legend Ben Sheppard and his rise in the NBA. How Sheppard expressed his Pacer teammates, coaches and front office with his optimism, work ethic and team-first approach. And how the wing earned a major role in the Pacers' NBA playoff run. Agness also shares his experiences covering Caitlin Clark, how she has transcended sport, and parallels in her approach to another Indianapolis sporting legend, Peyton Manning.
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Steve Layman sits down with Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones for an engaging, and wide-ranging conversation. The pair discuss Belmont legend Ben Sheppard and his rise in the NBA, embracing exciting partnerships and initiatives on campus, and staying rooted in Belmont's 'North Star' of Jesus Christ. Jones delves into his love of sport, his admiration for Belmont student-athletes and coaches and his relationships at Baylor and Duke, including Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Layman and Jones also discuss the state of college athletics, the present and future of higher education and Belmont's role in equipping and leadership formation.
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Steve Layman visits with Montana State assistant director of media and Belmont MSA alumnus Noah Syverson. The two discuss Syverson's upbringing as the son of a coach, his connections to Nashville, Georgia and Montana, and his personal journey from Berry College to Belmont and beyond. Syverson also shares about his enriching educational and professional experiences in the Belmont MSA program, the unique circumstances that led him to Montana State, and the Bobcats' remarkable ride during men's basketball season. Syverson also reflected on memories during March Madness and personal advice for aspiring professionals.
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Steve Layman visits with Boston Globe sports editor emeritus and NashvilleHoops.blog creator Joe Sullivan for an in-depth conversation on Championship Week and the state of college basketball. The pair discuss Belmont men's basketball, preview the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and share their thoughts on MVC all-conference awards with both serving on the voting panel. Sullivan also speaks to proposed NCAA Tournament expansion, reflections from his time covering Boston sports working with the likes of Bob Ryan and Jackie MacMullan, and what brought him to Nashville.
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Steve Layman visits with Big Ten Network and Fox Sports play-by-play broadcaster Connor Onion for a revealing conversation about his rapid ascension to calling national games and how experiences at Ball State shaped him. The pair discuss Missouri Valley Conference adding Belmont University as a member institution, Onion's thoughts on Belmont's current and future prospects and memories of calling Belmont Ohio Valley Conference championship games. Onion also offers advice for aspiring broadcasters, outlines his game preparation and shares reflections from calling major sporting events such as the outdoor volleyball game at the University of Nebraska and Caitlin Clark games.
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Steve Layman visits with CBS Sports anchor/reporter/host Emily Proud ('16) for an open conversation about her career ascension, experience as a student-athlete at Belmont, and future goals. The pair discuss Proud's time playing soccer at Belmont - and playing with her older sister, Katie - lessons learned from Belmont's acclaimed journalism and media studies' programs, and what her professional life looks like now. Proud reveals how she landed her current role with CBS Sports, memorable experiences in the field, her heart for storytelling, and how local news prepared her for a network assignment.
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Steve Layman visits with Belmont men's basketball head coach Casey Alexander for a revealing conversation about his life, career journey and expectations for Belmont Basketball - now and in the future. The pair discuss Alexander's upbringing playing multiple sports, lessons learned as a player and assistant coach for hall of famer Rick Byrd, and trusting his personal voice and leadership style in directing the Bruin program. Alexander opens up about Belmont legend and Indiana Pacers' guard Ben Sheppard, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference and what he enjoys to do away from the basketball court.
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Steve Layman visits with Utah Jazz Assistant Coach and former Belmont All-American Evan Bradds. The pair discuss Bradds' rise in the coaching ranks and experience serving as head coach of the Jazz during NBA Summer League. Bradds reflects on his playing career at Belmont, favorite games and memories, breaking into coaching through Rick Byrd and Brad Stevens, and lessons learned as a member of the Celtics' coaching staff. The Ohio native also opens up about being a part of the NBA Finals in 2022, transitioning from a wing player to one of the most efficient post scorers in college basketball history, his appreciation for Jazz head coach Will Hardy and how his role has evolved over the years.
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Steve Layman visits with former Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram. The pair discuss Ingram's nearly two-decade run at the mic of Belmont men's basketball, including reflections of the early days in Bridgestone Arena, Municipal Auditorium and Aquinas Gym while the Curb Event Center was being built, thoughts on hall of fame coach Rick Byrd, funny stories on current head coach Casey Alexander and Belmont's magical 2019 NCAA Tournament season and historic at-large bid. The Bowling Green native shares thoughts on his favorite venues to call games, impressions of Belmont's transition to the Missouri Valley Conference and place as a premier program for player development with NBA Champion Ian Clark and first-round selections Ben Sheppard and Dylan Windler.
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Steve Layman visits with Bally Sports Southwest/New Orleans host and reporter Madison Blevins Hock. The pair discuss Hock's career ascension in broadcasting, lessons learned as a student-athlete at Belmont and memories from being part of multiple conference championship and NCAA Tournament teams with women's basketball. The Knoxville native reflects on her journey to covering professional teams, what it was like to cover the unforgettable 2022 NCAA Tournament game between Belmont and Tennessee, a "pinch-me" moment covering a Thunder-Pelicans game with former teammate Paris Lawson, being a long-distance newlywed with husband Colton, who pitches in the Miami Marlins' organization.
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Steve Layman visits with Cleveland Cavaliers guard and legendary Belmont men's basketball player Dylan Windler. The pair discuss Windler's rise to national prominence at Belmont and the magical 2019 season. The Indianapolis native reflects on his journey to the NBA, navigating the draft process, memories from NBA Draft night and advice for fellow Belmont standout Ben Sheppard as he embarks upon his professional playing career. Windler also opens up about maintaining optimism through challenges, the support of his family and his confidence level heading into a fifth NBA season.
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Steve Layman visits with former Belmont men's basketball standout Taylor Barnette. The pair engage in a wide-ranging conversation, discussing his journey from Lexington, Kentucky to Charlottesville, Virginia and ultimately Nashville. Taylor reflects on what it was like to play for two coaching legends in Rick Byrd and Tony Bennett, the present state of college basketball, and his memories from the unforgettable 2015 OVC Championship game. Taylor shares about transitioning from player to coach, and how he nearly became part of Steve Prohm's staff at Murray State. Really. Taylor opens up about his new role within the Belmont program, sport ministry, and sharing his faith with current student-athletes.
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Steve Layman visits with Belmont women's basketball head coach Bart Brooks. The pair cover a lot of ground, including the changing landscape of college athletics, how basketball programs are navigating the transfer portal, and how teams have not decompressed from the season given the urgency to address roster needs. We get into Bart's coaching philosophy, his leadership style and how he navigated a season full of adversity; again directing Belmont to a conference championship. We also discuss the state of NCAA women's basketball, the rise in popularity and overwhelming interest and viewership numbers during the NCAA Tournament, Caitlin Clark's impact on the game, and next steps to seize on this opportunity. Bart is also candid about his family, his upbringing in Wyoming, his love of the outdoors and how those experiences shaped who he is today.
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Steve Layman visits with New Orleans Pelicans Director of College Scouting Adam Barnes for a compelling conversation about his unique path to an NBA front office, lessons learned from his parents, being part of a military family and how he values his Belmont family and the brotherhood of his former teammates. Adam shares what it was like to play for Hall of Fame head coach Rick Byrd, transitioning from a career path in finance or accounting to pursue his NBA dream, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers' organization at the height of LeBron James' successes and stories from the road in his role in college scouting.
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Steve Layman visits with NBA Skills Development Coach and Pure Sweat Basketball CEO Drew Hanlen for a revealing conversation about his meteoric rise from St. Louis prep basketball to the preeminent basketball skills coach in the world. Drew shares about his journey to Belmont University, playing for Hall of Fame coach Rick Byrd, how close he remains with his Belmont teammates, and how a binder and a workout with NBA All-Star David Lee changed his life. Hanlen also goes in depth about his daily routine during the NBA season vs. offseason, his business model, working with Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid and a lengthy list of lottery picks and max contract players, his process to select clients, how he has expanded into keynote speaking and publishing and his future goals.
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Steve Layman visits with Oklahoma City Thunder host/reporter Paris Lawson for an uplifting conversation about how she turned adversity into triumph, transitioning from student-athlete to on-air personality, how Belmont University and its media studies program prepares students to pursue their career aspirations with confidence, an assessment of the current NBA landscape, how the Thunder shape up in the Western Conference, favorite aspects of her job and what's next in Paris' career ascension.
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Steve Layman visits with Nashville Sports Council President & CEO Scott Ramsey to discuss a wide range of topics. How did this year's Music City Bowl matchup of Kentucky and Iowa come together - and all the dominoes that had to fall in place to bring that game together. Also how Scott manages his time from bowl season to the SEC Tournament and other huge events in town. Plus how the new Titans' stadium will impact future events in Nashville, such as the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl. And finally his dealings with Belmont Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Corley and Belmont's respected place in the Nashville sports landscape.
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Steve Layman visits with CBS Sports lead broadcaster Jim Nantz for a candid, revealing conversation about the 2022 NFL season, his thoughts on the Tennessee Titans, his connections to Belmont University and hall of fame basketball coach Rick Byrd, the futures of professional golf and college athletics, his love of Nashville and its prospects to hold major sporting events with a new multi-purpose stadium and his decision to make the 2023 Final Four in Houston his final call as lead broadcaster.
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Steve Layman visits with CBS Sports College Basketball Insider Matt Norlander to preview the 2022-23 college basketball season, how he turned his love of writing and college basketball into a career, how he first got connected with Belmont and hall of fame coach Rick Byrd, his thoughts on Belmont's transition to the Missouri Valley Conference, the future of college athletics and the NCAA Tournament, and his love of music.
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