Adam Cheek's Sports Week

"The Sports Movie Showcase" is the podcast's new miniseries: each month, one episode will be dedicated to me sitting down with someone who's a fan of (or who might even be involved with) a specific sports movie. We'll talk about the film itself, its impact on us, its legacy and more.

This week, I'm joined by Pat Brennan, who recently had me on his podcast to do a commentary track for "La La Land". In this edition, we chat about 1989's "Field of Dreams" and what makes it so special -- from how it tugs on the heartstrings in just the right way, to the incorporation of baseball into its structure, to its impact on the sports movie subgenre & more ⚾

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3
Follow Pat: @pattbb8

Check out his The Commentary Podcast here -- also available on Spotify and Apple 🔊

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Intro music: "Organ Nation New Land"
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Outro music: "Hockey Nite Organ"
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We're back from a short break, one that was filled with being glued to the TV for all SEVEN games of the Stanley Cup Final 🏒

The Florida Panthers held on to win their franchise's first Stanley Cup (and avoid a historic and embarrassing collapse after being up 3-0), taking down the Edmonton Oilers in seven games and winning the seventh in an absolute 2-1 nailbiter.

Ryan Brown joins me once again to recap the series we previewed a few weeks back, from the performances off the ice to whether Connor McDavid and his overall subpar stat line really should've been awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. We also talk about Sergei Bobrovsky's legacy now that he finally has a ring, the Corey Perry curse hitting a fourth team in five years, the NHL outshining the NBA in terms of finals competition & more.

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3
Follow Ryan: @SportsRebo

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Intro music: "Monster Rock"
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Outro music: "Skulduggery"
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Ryan Brown joins the podcast once again, this time to preview the Panthers-Oilers matchup in the Stanley Cup Finals 🏒

We talk about whether Sergei Bobrovsky or Connor McDavid will finally hoist the Cup, if Corey Perry will lose out on (yet another) title and if the Panthers will continue last year's run of first-time champions thanks to their ability to crash the net on Stuart Skinner more than the Dallas Stars were able to.

The discussion also includes an overview of how we got to this point and most of the matchups: the Canucks' surprise run and if they can continue that success next year; the Rangers' seeming run of destiny until Igor Shesterkin was outdueled in the conference finals; the Golden Knights' ousting in the first round in their title-defense campaign; the Capitals' last-gasp entry into the playoffs and subsequent sweep at the hands of the Rangers; the Hurricanes bowing out early; and much more.

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3
Follow Ryan: @SportsRebo

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Intro music: "Asphalt Quake"
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Outro music: "Jammed"
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I'm joined by my good friends, fellow VCU grads and former "Beyond Basketball" podcast hosts Jason Boleman and Cameron Quinn to talk all things Celtics-Mavericks ahead of the NBA Finals 🏀

We preview the championship matchup, but also look back over the playoffs, including the Timberwolves and Pacers' Cinderella runs to the conference finals; the emergence of the Magic and Knicks; what's gone wrong for the Suns and Nuggets; and what it'll take for teams like the Thunder to get things together for a title run.

And, of course, we talked some VCU hoops too -- specifically the performances of Bones Hyland and Vince Williams this season, as well as which current or recent Black and Gold roster members might be the best NBA fits. 🐏

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3
Follow Jason: @jasonboleman_

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Intro music: "MOUNTAINTOP", HYMN
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Outro music: "Sweeter Than All"
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As Memorial Day weekend approaches, and the "Greatest Day in Motorsports" with it, I called on three of my compatriots at Frontstretch to help me break down and preview the trifecta of races this weekend. Michael Massie, Alex Gintz and Tom Blackburn all join me to look ahead to Formula One's Monaco Grand Prix, IndyCar's Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on this coming Sunday (May 26). 🏎️

- For Monaco, we break down the history of the track and why it might not carry as much prestige from a racing perspective, as well as if anyone can dethrone Max Verstappen atop the podium.
- Ahead of the Indy 500, we talk dark horses, recap a record-breaking qualifying weekend and Alex outlines the possibility of the Team Penske drivers turning on each other in the waning stages of the race.
- And for NASCAR, we talk about Kyle Larson attempting "The Double" with 1,100 miles of racing in one day ahead of him and if mile-and-a-half tracks will continue to deliver. 🏁

Timestamps:
Intro -- 0:00
F1 -- 5:00
IndyCar -- 22:20
NASCAR -- 48:30

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3
Follow Frontstretch: @Frontstretch
Follow Michael: @m_massie22
Follow Alex: @AlexGintz1
Follow Tom: @TomBlackburn42

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Intro music: "Sludge Bucket"
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Outro music: "Feral", Johnny Moore
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In Part 2 of my conversation with VCU Gold Rush Dance Team coach Vicki Wells, we talk about what it's like seeing those who performed under her guidance make it to the professional -- be it to the NFL or NBA or even outside of sports entirely -- level, her audition process and the progression of the season.

Vicki also details how the team gets rolling as the basketball schedule begins, starting with the Black and Gold Game, what's next for the team in 2024-25 and how she looks back at the most recent season. Part 1 debuted on May 14! Check that out here.

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3

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Intro music: "Settling", Birdo
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Outro music: "Scratching  Post", Johnny Moore
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Track: "Fire Hiss"
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I sat down again with Vicki Wells, head coach of the VCU Gold Rush Dance team, to talk about her 25th season at the helm of the program. In Part 1 of a two-parter this week, we talked about the origins of the team under her leadership, her own background in dance and what goes into choreographing routines -- be it on the floor or the sidelines.

We also chat about her custom design of the team's Christmas uniforms (and how it got the attention of the NFL and NBA), plus how she goes about choosing music for the team's performances and so much more. Stay tuned for Part 2 this Thursday, 5/16!

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3

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Intro music: "Bring The Pain"
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Outro music: "Roll Out"
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Track: "Fire Hiss"
Music provided by https://slip.stream
Free Download / Stream: https://slip.stream/tracks/a7fed099-2236-486a-a825-64dd4d3eb787?utm_source=attribution

For the 40th episode of the podcast, I just took a few minutes to look back on the installments I've done over the past eight or nine months since I started the podcast last year, preview some content in the near future and more. Random little celebration episode -- stay tuned for the Vicki Wells interview next week!

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3

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Intro music: "Sm Americana Rock"
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Outro music: "CLARITY", Mifune
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I sat down with SiriusXM and FantasyGuru's Justin Fensterman, a former guest of my radio show, to talk all things NBA playoffs. The first round was about halfway done when we sat down for this (April 26), but Fensty and I discussed everything from whether this is the last year of the Celtics' window to why he thinks the Thunder are being disrespected.

Fensty gives some great insight into how the Timberwolves put together a great season and earned the No. 3 seed, as well as where in the world the Magic came from and if Denver can secure a repeat as NBA champions. Also, for you VCU fans, he gives some analysis of Bones Hyland playing alongside stars like Kawhi and PG3 in Los Angeles.

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
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Follow Fensty: @FenstySports

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Intro music: "Senior Year"
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Outro music: "Breather"
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Richmond Flying Squirrels voice Blaine McCormick and I reunite after I produced games for the team frequently the last few years, and we discuss a variety of things revolving around the beloved tenants of the Diamond -- right before this past weekend's special River City uniforms and back-to-back deep no-hit bids from Richmond's pitching staff.

We discuss Blaine's return to the booth for his fourth season in RVA, plus upcoming promotions the team has for the fans and the immense turnout in attendance just a few weeks into the season. Blaine also breaks down the roster -- from the returns of familiar faces to some of the new additions to those who went pro last season, like Tyler Fitzgerald and Wade Meckler.

Follow me on X: @adamncheek
Follow me on Instagram: @adamcheek3
Follow Blaine: @McCormickPxP
Follow the Flying Squirrels: @gosquirrels

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Intro music: "Easy", GUM
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Outro music: "Growing Up", Johnny Moore
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Listen on Spotify: https://go-stream.link/sp-johnny-moore