AIR FORCE GRADCAST

For 23 seasons, Fisher DeBerry led Air Force football, becoming the winningest head coach in Academy history. His accomplishments on the field earned him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame. But his greatest legacy can be found in the lives of the cadets, players and countless others he influenced along the way.

In this edition of the Air Force Gradcast Special Feature, host Vince Greco sits down with Coach DeBerry on the day the Air Force Academy dedicated a statue in his honor outside Falcon Stadium. Their conversation goes beyond football to explore the lessons Coach DeBerry worked to instill in his players, the importance of leadership and mentorship, and the relationships that have endured long after the final whistle.

And when Vince asks what he hopes future generations will remember when they see his statue, DeBerry's answer reveals what has always mattered most to him.

Gradcast Special Feature is part of the Air Force Gradcast and is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network, presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation.

The October Air Force GradCast covers a lot of ground. In this month’s episode:

USAFA earns recognition among the nation’s top public schools.

Coach Fisher DeBerry returns home as the Academy honors its winningest football coach with a statue outside Falcon Stadium.

Cadets take on the 350-mile Memorial to Memorial Ride alongside senior military leaders and wounded warriors, turning four days on a bicycle into an extraordinary leadership experience.

NextGen continues connecting graduates through career conversations, webinars and networking events.

The Boise AOG chapter demonstrates the difference a graduate community can make.

One episode. Lots of ways to connect with the Long Blue Line.

FULL COACH DEBERRY CONVERSATION WITH VINCE GRECO

Plus, the NextGen community is growing — with career webinars, an entrepreneur group and more opportunities for grads to learn from and support one another.

Listen to the latest Gradcast and share it with a fellow grad today.

NextGen Connect host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 is joined by David Harris ’17,  the NextGen Advisory Council member behind their webinar series. David talks about how he's working within the council and what the group has accomplished over the past six-seven months. The needle is moving and NextGen is working hard to meet USAFA grads where they live or serve.

What happens when you reconnect with the Air Force Academy nearly three decades after graduation?

In this edition of Chapter Check-In on Air Force Gradcast, Chris Bennett ’93 talks with Umar Rafi ’90, president of the Association of Graduates Northern California Chapter. One of the first two Pakistani cadets selected to attend USAFA, Rafi went on to serve as a pilot in the Pakistan Air Force before building a career in computer science. Years later, returning to the Academy for his 30th reunion rekindled friendships that felt as though no time had passed—and inspired a renewed commitment to give back to the Academy community.

Today, Rafi helps graduates throughout Northern California stay connected through chapter events, Academy visits, football gatherings and partnerships with the local parents' group, while also supporting prospective and incoming cadets. His message to fellow graduates is simple: stay connected, get involved and, when the opportunity comes, give back.Whether that means joining a chapter, volunteering or stepping forward to lead one, Rafi's story is a reminder that belonging to the Long Blue Line doesn't end at graduation.

The Air Force Gradcast is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation 

What can philanthropy make possible when universities, national security leaders and industry work together?

In this edition of Donor Impact Spotlight on Air Force Gradcast, Col. (Ret.) Paul Huffman ’86 joins host Vince Greco P’17 to share the early impact of the Front Range Consortium, a multi-university partnership made possible through support from The Anschutz Foundation. With the motto “From the Front Range to the Front Lines,” the FRC is bringing together expertise across Colorado’s Front Range to advance national security research, strengthen STEM and policy education and prepare the next generation of the defense workforce.

For the second consecutive year, the FRC’s National Security Scholars Program is giving  two students/cadets from each participating school access to national security experts, visits to NORTHCOM and SPACECOM, and firsthand exposure to Congress, the Pentagon and the State Department. Seed funding is also supporting Air Force Academy faculty research in areas including scramjet propulsion and critical infrastructure modeling. These are early examples of what becomes possible when philanthropy provides the resources to connect ideas, institutions and people around a shared mission. 

The Air Force Gradcast is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation 

The Air Force Academy is entering a new chapter.

In this month's Air Force Gradcast, we discuss the confirmation of Lt. Gen. Paul Moga ’95 as the U.S. Air Force Academy's 23rd superintendent, the dedication of the Distinguished Graduate Award Memorial and Yost Plaza, the unveiling of the class ring replica outside of Wecker Hall, and so much more.

 - 00:35:45 Donor Impact Spotlight and Paul Huffman '86, Director, Front Range Consortium

 - 00:49:00 - NextGen Connect and NextGen Advisory Council member, David Harris '17

There's a lot happening across the Long Blue Line - and we've got it all in one place. This month's Air Force Gradcast highlights the Distinguished Graduate Award Memorial, the Class of 2030, graduate networking, donor impact, upcoming events and the stories that continue to unite the USAFA community. Stay connected to your Long Blue Line family!

The Air Force Gradcast is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation 

In this edition of Gradcast, updates on Academy milestones, graduate engagement and upcoming events, including:

Appointee & Family Welcome Day

NextGen Advisory Council initiatives

Chapter activities from New Hampshire

New heritage and memorial projects across campus

And much more!

Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation

The May Air Force Gradcast is filled with big news and insightful conversations. From marking 50 years of female cadets to welcoming a new commandant and recapping 1Day1USAFA — get an inside look at what’s happening across the Long Blue Line.

The Air Force Gradcast is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Springs Airport