Season 05 Episode 10                                           30:55 Ron Yee is a partner and presenter for Wooden’s Wisdom, an organization focused on enjoying and sharing the wisdom of Coach John Wooden.  As an Alumni of the class of 1984, Ron is not only a proud graduate of UCLA but has also actively participated as a Bruin parent and with the UCLA Chancellor’s Society.  As we wrap up Season 5 dedicated to the Blue & Gold, this episode is filled with stories about the good old days at UCLA, along with lifelong lessons that are relevant not just on the court. 

Season 05 Episode 09                                          36:10 Tommy John was born May 22, 1943, in Terre Haute, Indiana, not far from After the Glory premiere guest, legendary Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine.  Tommy became an accomplished left-handed pitcher in the major leagues with one of the longest careers in history, due in no small measure to the historic elbow surgery first done on him that now bears his name.  And all for a simple reason: he loved playing the game.  Simple as that.

Season 05 Episode 08                                         29:06 Russell Stong is our first After the Glory guest who is a current athlete, wrapping up his four years at UCLA as a true student-athlete on the Bruins basketball team.  Russell is a walk-on guard who gained fame in 2022 as the player the fans most wanted to see come into the game.  His dream of coming in and setting the crowd ablaze came true in 2022.  After the Glory?  The sky’s the limit for this true academic achiever!

Season 05 Episode 07                                           36:17 Zoe Shaw was a nationally respected and honored softball player for the UCLA Bruins women’s softball team from 2015-2019.  At El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, CA, Zoe was second-team All-City and led her team to multiple championships.  At UCLA, Zoe improved her play each year, helping lead the Bruins to the National Championship in 2019.

Season 05 Episode 06                                          36:24 Alterraun Verner played college and professional football from 2006 to 2017 and was known not only for his success as an elite cornerback, but also for being one of the most academically gifted athletes in history.  Now age 33, he is a mathematics teacher at the middle school level and a philanthropist following his accomplishments on the field, in the classroom at UCLA, and in the NFL.

Season 05 Episode 05                                          34:07 Noelle Quinn, now age 37, is the head coach of the Seattle Storm of the WNBA.  Coach Quinn was a standout high school player, then starred at UCLA before playing in the WNBA for 12 years and then overseas.  Her pro career highlight was winning the WNBA championship in 2018 with the Seattle Storm.  Coach Quinn is an inspirational leader both on and off the Court.

Season 05 Episode 04                                          41:48 Amobi Okugo, a former professional soccer player, is now an entrepreneur and founder of the financial literacy platform, A Frugal Athlete.  He was a member of the US Youth National Teams from U14 to the U23 Olympic squad as a young soccer player and turned pro in 2010 after a stellar year at UCLA.  Amobi spent the next 12 years as an elite player in the MLS and other leagues while never abandoning his educational pursuits.

Season 05 Episode 03                                         37:30 David and Travis Wear were elite college and pro basketball players, now making their mark in the world of real estate lending.  As is so often the case, the Wear twins were a package deal throughout their athletic careers, bringing incredible skills as well as class to each level of their game. These UCLA standouts offer a unique insight into the world of competitive sports and the transition to life “After the Glory.”

Season 05 Episode 02                                           31:36 Jeff Locke is one of those incredibly gifted individuals, both athletically and academically, who achieved his dream of elite status as a college and pro football punter, and then, still young at age 32, moved seamlessly into the world of financial services.  Jeff Locke was a true “student-athlete” and another in a long line of UCLA Bruin successes off the field, as well as on.  

Season 05 Episode 01                                            39:17 John Sciarra is that rare elite athlete who achieved greatness as a star college quarterback for the UCLA Bruins, success as a defensive back in the NFL, all the while preparing himself for high achievement in the financial services field (retirement plans).  John is passionate about sports, business, and family, the ideal person to kick off Season 5 of our podcast devoted to UCLA athletics.