Sports Connections with David Smale

Episode 44: Andy Lopez - Who Needs a Resume?

Andy Lopez never applied for a job in his life. After graduating from UCLA, where he was an All-American baseball player, he kept being asked to take new coaching positions, beginning as a high school volunteer coach and working his way through the college ranks. At each stop, he over-achieved others’ expectations. He won the national championship at Pepperdine—the only team championship in school history—and at Arizona 20 years apart.

Episode 43: Jimmy Nielsen - Feeding Off the Crowd

Jimmy Nielsen went out a winner. When Real Salt Lake’s Lovel Palmer’s shot hit the cross bar above Nielsen’s head, he and his Sporting Kansas City teammates claimed the franchise’s second MLS Cup and the city’s first championship of any kind in nearly 30 years. Nielsen retired after that match. While most athletes will tell you that they tune out the crowd and the elements, Nielsen admits the crowd kept him motivated in the coldest MLS Cup final in history.

Episode 42: Ryan Krzykowski - Coaching with Purpose

Sports is the universal barrier breaker. Sports can cross racial barriers, socio-economic barriers, political barriers and national barriers. Roll a ball onto a field and a game will break out. Many organizations use sports to reach target groups. Kansas City’s Community for Coaches is a great example. Ryan Krzykowski, director of CFC, joins Sports Connections to talk about the organization that reminds coaches why they got involved in coaching and helps them restore the joy of coaching.

Episode 41: Alan Hendricks - One of the 'White Hats'

Alan Hendricks, and his brother Randy, formed Hendricks Sports Management nearly 50 years ago. They actually got their start representing pro football players, but switched to baseball early on. They have helped many of the game’s great stars set records for contracts, but it’s not just about the money. They will only take players who let them guide their future, knowing full well the number of athletes who squander their wealth. Alan joins “Sports Connections” to talk about how they have been considered among the “White Hats” in the business for years.

Episode 40: Verne Lundquist - The Pause

Verne Lundquist has been in broadcasting for well over 60 years covering a wide variety of sports, all with his silky, smooth delivery. He was there for Christian Laettner’s shot to beat Kentucky in the 1992 East Regional Final. He was there for Jack Nicklaus’ magical putt to all-but clinch the 1986 Masters. And he’s been there for so many others. Verne joins Sports Connections to talk about many of the iconic moments his calls have chronicled, and what it’s like to be perched above the 16th green in this weekend’s Master’s.

Episode 39: Sam Mellinger - Keeping It Real

Sam Mellinger is on a very long list of well-known sportswriters who have toiled their craft with The Kansas City Star. Sam has been with The Star for almost all of his award-winning career, starting by covering high school sports all the way to becoming one of the best columnists in print journalism. Sam joins Sports Connections to talk about how he keeps the job simple, and how he’s just living the dream he had early in life.

Episode 38: Ron Blomberg - Designated in History

Ron Blomberg never wanted to be known as strictly a designated hitter. As a first-round draft pick by the New York Yankees, he envisioned himself as another in the long run of Yankee greats. But an injury in Spring Training in 1973 gave him the opportunity to be the very first player in MLB history to step to the plate as a DH. Ron joins “Sports Connections” to talk about his playing days in the “Bronx Zoo,” his love of teammate Thurman Munson and the fact that he will always be the answer to one of the great sports trivia questions.

Episode 37: Bill Raftery - 'The Kiss' of Greatness

Bill Raftery was a pretty good college coach, but he found his niche when he moved over a few chairs to the broadcast position. His catchy expressions and enthusiasm make him a fan favorite. With tonight’s championship game, people will listen to hear who has “onions” and who gets called for the “nickel-dimer.” Bill joins “Sports Connections” to talk about his years in basketball, including being the best player in the country in high school.

Episode 36: John Higgins - A Real Love-Hate Relationship

America’s most-respected—and yet most hated—college basketball officials takes it all in stride. A man who has officiated 24 NCAA tournaments, he doesn’t get too amped up in a big-game situation. And he doesn’t let the criticism of fans who feel like his calls have cost their team a victory get him upset. He even refers to his roofing business as “the rooferees.” John joins “Sports Connections” to talk about the intricacies of officiating and what keeps him sane when everybody in the building thinks he’s crazy.

Episode 35: Bob Davis & Jeff Bolig - The Dream is Real

Bob Davis spent 50 years broadcasting sports in the Midwest, including Fort Hays State, the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas City Royals. Jeff Bollig worked in sports information for the Jayhawks and for the old Big 8 Conference. Together they wrote a book about Bob’s career as a broadcaster, with some great behind-the-scenes stories. Bob and Jeff join Sports Connections to talk about the book and their friendship that started back in Hays, Kansas.