Summary:

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas interviews Gene Steratore, a former NFL referee and current rules analyst. They discuss Gene's journey into officiating, the challenges of managing multiple sports, and the importance of empathy in officiating. Gene shares insights on the evolution of officiating, the significance of mentorship, and the need to honor officiating legends. The conversation emphasizes the lessons learned through officiating and the impact it has on personal growth and sportsmanship.

Sound Bites:

"I was kind of born into officiating."

"Navigating travel was challenging."

"There's a beauty in being different."

Chapters:

00:00 Gene Steratore's Journey in Officiating

05:41 Navigating Dual Sports as an Official

08:38 The Role of an On-Air Rules Analyst

11:44 The Importance of Being a Multi-Sport Official

14:47 The Significance of Wearing the Stripes

17:26 Lessons Learned from Officiating

20:43 Top Moments in Gene's Officiating Career

35:16 Family Dynamics and Professional Rivalry

39:25 The Importance of Trust in Officiating

43:42 Navigating Challenges in Officiating

48:26 The Evolution of Officiating: Technology and Rules

53:36 Honoring Officiating Legends

01:05:12 Lessons from Officiating: Empathy and Growth

01:13:55 Outro

Summary

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas speaks with Alex Scandalis, CEO of United Umpires, about his journey in officiating, the mission of United Umpires, and the challenges and rewards of being an umpire. They discuss the importance of balancing life and officiating, the roles of conference coordinators, and provide valuable advice for new umpires. The conversation emphasizes the dedication of officials and the significance of building relationships within the officiating community.

#UnitedUmpires

Takeaways

Alex Scandalis started umpiring at a young age for extra money.

United Umpires serves the entire baseball community, not just umpires.

Balancing work and personal life is a challenge for officials.

New umpires should explore multiple sports to stay engaged.

The role of conference coordinators varies by level of play.

Young umpires need support from their families and communities.

Building trust is essential in officiating relationships.

Officials work hard and care deeply about their roles.

The journey of an umpire can lead to significant opportunities.

It's important to provide constructive feedback to officials.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of an Umpire

06:23 United Umpires: Mission and Structure

11:34 Balancing Life and Officiating

21:06 Advice for New Umpires

25:34 Roles of Conference Coordinators

30:37 Building Relationships in Officiating

34:33 The Evolving Role of College Coordinators

38:01 Advice for Young Umpires and Family Support

45:47 Challenges and Rewards in Umpire Training

54:15 Understanding the Human Side of Officiating

01:00:11 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

Summary

In this special edition of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas engages with football officials Lou Murphy, Joey Shelnutt, and Ken Washington to discuss the heart-stopping incident that occurred during a game, where Joey suffered a heart attack. The conversation explores their personal journeys into officiating, the immediate response to the emergency, the aftermath of recovery, and the support from the officiating community. The episode emphasizes the importance of health awareness and CPR training for officials, as well as the strong bonds formed within the officiating family.

Takeaways

Joey Shelnutt's journey into officiating began through encouragement from a friend.

Lou Murphy started officiating to stay involved in sports as his son played.

Ken Washington's officiating career took off quickly due to mentorship.

The incident on August 22nd was a life-changing moment for Joey Shelnutt.

Lou Murphy acted quickly to perform CPR on Joey during the emergency.

Community support for Joey came from officials across the country, including NFL referees.

Health checks and CPR certification for officials are crucial for safety.

The officiating community is a close-knit family that supports each other.

Joey plans to return to officiating after his recovery.

Lou emphasizes the importance of being proactive about health in officiating.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Heart of Officiating

02:47 Personal Journeys into Officiating

07:32 The Incident: A Life-Threatening Moment

12:56 Recovery and Medical Insights

17:58 The Officiating Community's Response

23:47 Reflections and Future Considerations

27:59 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

Summary

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and co-host Nate Acosta engage with Dr. Mercer Morgan III, a military veteran and officiating enthusiast. They explore the unique X-Factor that military experience brings to officiating, discuss Mercer's personal journey through cancer, and highlight the importance of mentorship and support within the officiating community. Mercer shares his insights on overcoming adversity, the significance of preparation, and the role of the officiating family in navigating challenges. His story serves as an inspiration for officials and listeners alike, emphasizing resilience and dedication in both sports and life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

10:18 The X Factor in Officiating

19:33 Overcoming Adversity: The Cancer Journey

28:16 The Role of Support Systems in Officiating

Summary

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage with MK McGee, a seasoned basketball official and advocate for female sports officials. They discuss MK's journey in officiating, the challenges faced by women in the field, and the importance of mentorship and community. MK shares insights from her platform, Her Call, which aims to elevate the stories of female officials and address the gender gap in sports officiating. The conversation highlights the intersection of teaching and officiating, the significance of relationships in the officiating community, and offers valuable advice for aspiring female officials.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

03:41 MK McGee's Officiating Journey

06:19 The Importance of High School Officiating

09:07 Teaching and Officiating: Parallels and Challenges

12:03 The Evolution of Officiating Education

14:38 The Launch of Her Call: A Community for Female Officials

17:19 Addressing the Gender Gap in Officiating

20:06 The Impact of Female Officials in Sports

22:42 The Growth and Success of Her Call

25:08 Common Themes Among Female Officials

28:03 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

31:45 Navigating Minority Experiences in Officiating

33:41 The Importance of Relationships in Officiating

35:03 Balancing Motherhood and Officiating

37:42 Support from Male Allies

40:33 Challenges of Female Officials

42:29 Overcoming Gender Disparities in Officiating

49:05 Advice for Aspiring Female Officials

51:12 Elevating Women's Stories in Officiating

55:02 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

Summary

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta interview Kelly Elliott Dine, a trailblazing female umpire in baseball. Kelly shares her inspiring journey from coaching her sons to becoming a prominent figure in officiating, breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport. The conversation explores the challenges she faced, the importance of professionalism, and the role of allies in supporting women in officiating. Kelly also discusses how her military background has shaped her approach to officiating and encourages other women to pursue careers in this field.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Women in Officiating

02:54 Kelly's Umpiring Journey

07:41 Highlights of Kelly's Season

14:33 Challenges Faced by Women in Officiating

24:27 Breaking Barriers in Officiating

28:55 The Journey of Female Officials

31:57 The Impact of Military Experience on Officiating

37:06 Encouraging Women in Officiating

40:44 Celebrating Achievements and Future Aspirations

Summary

In this episode of the From A To Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage with executive directors Rob Cuff and David Jackson to discuss the value of officials in interscholastic athletics. They explore the challenges faced by state associations, the importance of recognizing and valuing officials, and strategies for retention. The conversation emphasizes the need for strong relationships, support, and resources to enhance the officiating experience and ensure the sustainability of interscholastic sports.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

02:27 Career Journeys of Executive Directors

04:45 Day-to-Day Responsibilities and Challenges

07:34 The Value of Officials in Interscholastic Athletics

10:07 Recognizing and Valuing Officials

12:53 Building Relationships with Officials

21:01 Appreciation and Recognition for Officials

23:07 The Importance of Relationships in Retaining Officials

24:46 Compensation and Recognition for Officials

26:30 Creating a Culture of Belonging for Officials

30:28 Educational Resources and Support for Officials

34:10 The Value of State Associations to Officials

39:51 The Impact of Officials on Young Athletes

46:06 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

Summary

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and co-host Nate Acosta engage with Kristi Moore, a softball umpire who became a voice for officials after experiencing an unexpected assault during a game. Kristi shares her journey into officiating, the shocking incident that changed her life, and the aftermath that followed, including legal consequences and the importance of accountability in youth sports. Despite the challenges, Kristi highlights unexpected positives that emerged from her experience, including advocacy for better protection for officials and the support she received from the officiating community. The conversation emphasizes the need for respect and understanding towards officials and the importance of fostering a positive environment in youth sports.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kristi Moore's Journey

04:45 The Unexpected Incident: Assault on the Field

07:36 The Aftermath: Legal Consequences and Community Response

10:21 Reflections on Safety and Security in Youth Sports

12:57 The Impact of Parental Behavior on Youth Sports

15:46 The Role of Officials: Humanizing the Umpire Experience

18:48 Unexpected Positives: Advocacy and Awareness

21:17 Lessons Learned: Safety Protocols for Officials

31:28 Courtroom Drama and Consequences

32:51 Speaking Out and Opening Doors

34:10 The Impact of Advocacy on Officiating

35:52 Community Support and Brotherhood in Officiating

38:16 Resilience and Moving Forward

41:49 Empowerment and Inspiring Future Generations

48:03 The Role of Officiating in Sportsmanship

50:03 Excitement and Passion in Officiating

54:34 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

Summary

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta engage with Mark Stroia, a seasoned official with over 35 years of experience across multiple sports. The conversation delves into the transformative nature of officiating, exploring Mark's journey from a three-sport athlete to a dedicated official and educator. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing officiating with family life, the rewards and challenges of being a multi-sport official, and the critical role of mentorship in recruiting the next generation of officials. Mark shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the emotional connection to officiating and the impact it can have on individuals and communities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Officiating and Mark's Journey

07:26 Balancing Officiating with Family and Career

11:52 Teaching and Officiating: A Shared Skillset

13:55 Rewards and Challenges of Being a Three-Sport Official

18:22 The Value of Officiating: Income and Recruitment

23:30 Transformative Power of Officiating

25:29 The Transition from Sports to Life After Competition

27:48 The Reality of Student Athletes' Futures

29:17 The Transformative Power of Officiating

31:30 Mentorship and Growth in Officiating

38:15 Recruiting and Retaining New Officials

43:04 Educating, Elevating, and Exciting Future Officials

46:35 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

Summary

In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, hosts Dana Pappas and Nate Acosta welcome Charlie Obermayer, an NCAA men's lacrosse official, to discuss the importance of taking care of your crew in officiating. The conversation delves into Charlie's officiating journey, the legacy of Gordon Corsetti, and the significance of mental health awareness within the officiating community. The episode emphasizes the need for empathy, connection, and support among officials, highlighting how these elements can elevate the officiating experience and foster a stronger community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Officiating and Personal Journeys

09:44 The Story of Gordon Corsetti and 'Take Care of Your Crew'

17:18 The Impact of Mental Health in Officiating

28:15 Reflections on Loss and Community Support

32:58 Continuing Gordon's Legacy

33:53 Mental Health in Officiating

35:46 Resources for Mental Health Support

38:43 De-stigmatizing Mental Health Conversations

41:37 Remembering Gordon Corsetti

48:58 The Impact of Gordon's Story

51:55 Elevating the Officiating Community

55:59 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4