Athletes As Educators

For this first episode of 2017 Angie discusses what she learned from having over 80 interviews in 2016. Although the podcast started with the goal of helping parents and student athletes understand the college recruiting process, it grew into to much more in a way Angie could not have predicted. Due to the success of last season Angie and the team created a new format for 2017 that will be exciting for listeners. Moving forward Athletes as Educators will release four segments per day based on four themes that emerged from theEach segment will have a specific theme based on what Angie learned from the interviews last year. There are four groups that most of athletes and sports professionals were a part of that Angie interviewed last year, authors, business/entrepreneur, social justice, and philanthropy. Each segment will be dedicated to bringing dynamic athletes or sports professionals who have this specific. The first segment at will focus on books by athletes or sports professionals, second segment will focu

On this episode, Angie interviews Bradley Beal, of the Washington Wizards to discuss his desire to be one of the NBA's best players and help younger players from his hometown St. Louis. He discusses his legacy and advice for young players wanting to play at the highest level.  The NBA star and former Chaminade College Prep star has decided to partner with the St. Louis Eagles, his former NIKE EYBL team, resulting in a new name for the high school boys teams, Bradley Beal Elite. This new partnership includes Beal working directly with players, assisting with program expansion, training for coaches, coaching when time permits and community service initiatives.  Beal was the 2011 Gatorade National Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American. Beal was selected by the Wizards with the third overall pick in the 2012 draft from the University of Florida. He played with the St. Louis Eagles from 2008-2010 in Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League competing against the top prep basketball players in the country. Conn

Nakia Sanford is a former professional basketball player who is passionate about giving back to her community. Her mission is to give young people the tools they need to live mentally, emotionally and physically healthy lives through her non-profit programs. As a money management coach, her mission is to impact generations of families by teaching financial literacy. Her devotion grew from being able to relate to the struggles of growing up in poverty. Living in public housing in Decatur, Ga., she experienced first-hand what a lack of information, opportunity and direction looks like. Therefore, everyday of her life, she pursues a dream of helping other people elevate their situation financially and creating legacies in their families. As an athlete, she learned leadership and work ethic. She has transferred her lessons of integrity and teamwork into her new profession. In business, she will help train an army of informed, capable, educated entrepreneurs one family at a time. She believes our country has becom

Sefu Bernard has cut his teeth over the past 15+ years working in the NBA (domestically and internationally), WNBA, NHL; and, within an international context with Canada Basketball and FIBA.  From three-year olds to 30+ year olds, North America to Asia (and in between), able-bodied to wheelchair bound, male and female; also, those with varied learning capabilities, Sefu’s experiential background affords him a unique – and practical – global perspective on athlete and team development.  A graduate of the University of Windsor with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics and Sports Management, he is currently an assistant coach for player development with the WNBA’s Washington Mystics.  From 2012 to 2014, Sefu was the Senior Director of Basketball Operations for the NBA in Asia; overseeing the management and continued growth of the NBA’s coach and player development initiatives throughout Asia and Oceania. As National Development Coach and National Head Coach for Canada Basketball’s Centres for Performance (C

Stacey Ward is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Young Boxing Woman Project located in Perth, Australia.  Energetic, compassionate and fierce, Stacey is the driving force behind YBW and her favourite motto is "no sorries". Her experience includes BHP, Rio Tinto, Airbus and more recently in the not-for-profit space, Dismantle Inc. She is fierce about challenging the status quo and challenging the stereotypes. Stacey also competes in boxing and is current novice state title runner up.    website: www.theyoungboxingwomanproject.com 

Jeremy excelled on the football field at Georgetown University earning All-Conference three (3) years and the coveted title of being an All-American cornerback. He is also an initiate of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Jeremy Moore is a graduate from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, majoring in marketing and management while obtaining a Business Certificate in Entrepreneurship.   He graduated from Columbia University obtaining a Masters of Science in Sports Management with a specialization in sports marketing and finance. Currently he works at Octagon, where he manages Bank of America’s national sports sponsorship portfolio for campaigns (MLB, NBA, Local Campaigns) which includes all digital extensions, social media platforms, consumer interactive programing in-stadium, signage and hospitality. As a student athlete at Georgetown he founded G.A.M.B.L.E (Georgetown Aspiring Minority Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs) Sports, Georgetown University’s first ever-undergraduate sports o

Anita Maxwell is a native of Dallas, Texas by way of Rome, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, where she was a stand-out volleyball, basketball, track athlete and honor student. Her basketball potential earned her a full scholarship to New Mexico State University. While at NMSU, Anita became the first player in NCAA history, including men and women, to score 2500 points, 1000 rebounds and record 300 steals in a career. Following graduation, Anita played professionally overseas in Israel, Turkey and competed against other European country basketball clubs. She was drafted by and played for the Cleveland Rockers of the WNBA during the inaugural season. Anita has over 15 years of professional career experience including various senior management level positions with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She has the ability to connect with people on a level where they can understand and process information, leading her to be a sought after community relations professional, as

Dr. Cara Wright has experience in the sport industry as a student-athlete, an administrator, trainer, consultant, coach, and as an instructor and fundamentals coach for the girls’ NBA Basketball Without Borders Basketball Camp held in South Africa 2011 and 2012. She also have experience in compliance, marketing, ticket sales, fundraising, event planning, and execution. Dr. Wright played college basketball at the University of Dayton and received Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Management. She holds a Master’s of Science degree in Athletic Administration from IUB, as well. She earned a doctorate in athletic administration/sport management with a minor in cognitive and behavioral psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington in May 2012. At IU she was an Associate Instructor in the IU Undergraduate Sport Management Program, as well as the Programs Assistant for the Student Support Services Program, and a doctoral student at Indiana University (IUB). Contact: wright.cara@gmail.com

Dr. Damien Hodge is a former college athletes who overcame tremendous obstacles to become leader in higher education. He is the Coordinator of Graduate and Professional Studies at Tennessee State University. He's an elite mentor and educator, equipped with a well-deserved reputation for being a forward thinker and positive change-agent in the lives of student and staff within the classroom and beyond. He loves to collaborate with others to improve academic and student outcomes.  He is passionate about mentoring underrepresented students on techniques in persisting to graduation. His dissertation topic was Balancing Accountability for Persistence Unto Graduation: Perspectives of African-American Male Undergraduate Students on Mentoring, Self-Determination, and Locus of Control. As a result he found that mentoring was the most important factor in the success of these students.  email:dhodge01@tnstate.edu

Isaiah Mares played football at Yale University before his career ended with a series of concussions. He was forced to stop playing football that was devastating for him as he tried to figure out how to best utilize his time since football ended. As member of Yales' black male initiative, Isaiah started a mentoring program for teenagers in the surrounding neighborhood to give them access to Yale's campus and inspire their lives. This program is one of Isaiah's greatest accomplishments and his commitment to youth continued beyond college.  Isaiah started Mares Management where he negotiated marketing contracts and scheduled all appearances for professional athletes. He coordinated all community service and non-profit work for each client while building social media brands. Initiated the language for, developed, and managed non-profit organizations on behalf of clients. In addition, he maintained corporate relationships for clients to build their brand and create new business networks.  He now works with HUDL,

Layshia Clarendon played for the Indiana Fever for three seasons before Atlanta drafted her this year. An outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, Clarendon was named 2015 Outsports Female Hero of the Year.  Clarendon developed her candid nature and her playing ability at California after growing up in San Bernardino. As a point guard for the Bears, she served as a major piece in the team’s rejuvenation. After the team barely went .500 her sophomore season, the team won 57 games in her final two seasons, which included a Final Four run in her senior campaign. Basketball wasn’t the sole focus for Clarendon at Cal. She started going to church early on and took to heart the words of her pastor, who told her everyone has a story to tell. She became an active voice to those around her and was a member of the Gay Straight Alliance at Cal as well as Athlete Ally, which works to end homophobia in the sports world, on the national stage. She has had many speaking engagements thanks to her activism, which has included pane

Jamael "Horse" Lynch grew up in the Williamsburg projects and went on to play national and international basketball in France and Germany, as well as with teams such as the Erie Bayhawks and LA Defenders of the NBA D-League, and the North Dallas Vandals. Lynch had a stellar college basketball career at SUNY Cobleskill, University of Rhode Island and University of Massachusetts Lowell. After much success on the court he was determined to give back to inspire youth. Lynch, started the Big and Little Skills Academy (BALSA), a 501c3 certified non-profit, dedicated to elevating the lives of young people through the game of basketball. Launched in 2012 in New York City, BALSA has evolved into a premier, nationally-reaching youth development organization inspiring a holistic healthy lifestyle and mindset for the children it serves. The Academy currently runs a network of basketball camps that teach leadership skills, self-esteem building, time management skills, peer relations skills, healthy habits, stress relief,

Elizabeth Williams plays for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream and plans on attending medical school once she finishing playing basketball. She has played overseas in Turkey and will play in Russia after the current WNBA season. Williams is currently having a breakout season with the Atlanta Dream in her second and year averaging 11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game including a seven-block performance earlier this year. Williams has been very active in the Atlanta community, helping support the local youth and various education programs. She has volunteered at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, the Conyers Public Library, and Meadowcreek High School to help stress the importance of education and literacy to students. Elizabeth Williams had a tremendous career for Duke Women’s Basketball, earning numerous accolades with the Blue Devils including the 2012 NCAA Freshman of the Year, a four-time All-American, the four-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year and all-conference team selection, and the 2015 Natio

Sam Sesay is a former NCAA Division 1 All-American track and field athlete, knows what it is like to be a student-athlete as well as the commitments needed to excel athletically and academically. From seeing firsthand and hearing countless stories of athletes struggling to transition to life after sports, Sesay was determined to help change that narrative for future generations. His passion for youth empowerment and sports, led Sesay to form Game Plan, Inc., a 501 (c)(3). Game Plan Inc.’s mission is to assist student athletes with strategies to be 1st PLACE on and off the field. He also serves as the organization’s President and is responsible for leading a committed team of coaches, mentors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and former athletes to guide current student athletes to score big in life. Prior to Game Plan, Inc., Sesay co-founded Future Leaders and Young Entrepreneurs (FLYE) where his main focus was creating and directing FLYE’s programs. During his time at FLYE, the organization was recognized by

Bernell Hooker is the founder and executive director of Images of Us (IOU) Sports whose mission is to Empower Girls to Achieve Their Best through Sports. She is also the owner of the Milwaukee Aces and the commissioner of the Global Women's Basketball Association. The league is in its inaugural year and with the goal to provide additional profession playing opportunities to women in the US. From IOU sports to the Milwaukee Aces, she Bernell knows the impact of sports of the lives of young women. Her overarching goal is to empower girls using education through sports as an avenue that instills discipline, teamwork and physical fitness to create well-rounded individuals. IOU Sports believes in the education, cultural awareness, diversity and growth of young girls and women in the professional sports arena.  Her organization is committed to providing education opportunities, internships, and seminars to women to help them augment the skills they already have. IOU Sports envisions programs created by women, for w

Richard Burgunder is an internationally acclaimed adventurer, entrepreneur, and professional extreme athlete. Burgunder is most known as a renowned competitor and the founder of Kurjax, an Extremus company. Burgunder is a five-time Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run Series Regional Champion and is the only runner in XTERRA Trail Run Series history to earn titles in four different regions. Burgunder was selected as the first athlete to the XTERRA Trail Run (XTR) Ambassador Program and a featured speaker at Paul Mitchell XTERRA University trail running clinic at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 XTERRA Trail Run Nationals at Snowbasin Resort in Ogden, UT. Burgunder has been globally recognized as one of the winningest athletes in XTERRA Trail Run Series history. Burgunder was selected five times by the New York Road Runners (NYRR) to compete as an elite athlete in the internationally prestigious Empire State Building Run-Up, known as the stair climbing world championships. Only a couple hundred athletes out of thousands of

Megan Hughes Perry played college basketball at Cornell University and helped lead her team to the NCAA Tournament in 2008.She has eight years of sports and entertainment industry with the NBA. Her primary focus is the WNBA in which she works to support the best women’s basketball players in the world! As a member of the WNBA Basketball Operations & Player Relations team, she is responsible for scouting top college prospects in preparation for WNBA Draft, Rookie Orientation programming, and managing player appearances for all league events.  Outside of the office she shares the talents and stories of these remarkable athletes with the fans and followers of the game. You can find her in front of the camera on national and regional broadcasts as a basketball analyst, covering games on ESPN3, CBS Sports Network, A-10 Network, and NEC Front Row.  If you are looking for experienced personnel in athlete development or on air-talent to share compelling athlete stories please reach out and connect with Megan Hu

Leslie Bottrell is a Family & Sports Medicine Physician working in Shanghai, China. She  also had the role of assistant program director of the Emergency medicine fellowship and faculty member of the family medicine  education program at United Family Hospital, China.    Leslie played basketball in high school and was recruited for university in Canada. At 18 years old she tore her ACL (& medial meniscus and strained MCL) on her left knee playing soccer in the basketball offseason.She underwent rehab (deferred surgery for a chance to play her final year of high school basketball). After that season she had ACL replacement and meniscectomy. She went on to play 5 years of varsity basketball during which time she had an another ACL reconstruction and several meniscectomies.   Leslie  taught PE, coached and refereed high school basketball. After college she went  to Australia and worked at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. In 2002 she studied medicine at the University of Sydney and played a further 4 years of

Garry Cox has a passion for running, writing and was a long time educator. Garry started running as a child and held track records at his high school.  He recognized a gift of being faster than most when he was young and he throughly enjoys running daily. While in his 50's Garry joined a track club and started running competitively. Garry is also a women's basketball fan and a season ticket holder of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. From the very firs season he has attended every home game. In the interview he speaks candidly about the league, why he loves women's basketball and how the league can grow even more. As a writer, Garry has a blog and chronicles his experience running along with interviews from olympic hopefuls he has met over the years and looks forward to sharing their stories. For more information visit www.garrycox.com

Jayme Callahan has over a decade of college coaching experience and has coached at every level from high school to NCAA Division I basketball. Most recently she was an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin.  Prior to Wisconsin she served as an assistant coach at Clemson University for one season. The St. Louis native also served as the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at La Salle University in 2010-11. Callahan also spent two seasons at Southeast Missouri as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2008-10 and was also a head coach at Division III Webster University for two seasons. Callahan's other coaching stops have included one year as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (2005-06) and three seasons as a head coach at two prep programs. In her only season at Putnam County High (Unionville, Mo.) she was named Tri Rivers Conference and District Coach of the Year (2002-03) and she was at Trinity Catholic High School (St. Louis) for