Give Me A Sense with Mike Yam

UCLA’s John Wooden is the greatest college basketball coach of all time. The “Wizard of Westwood” won 10 national titles in a 12 year span with the Bruins. Former UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin was mentored by Wooden. Current women’s coach Cori Close was introduced to Wooden by Lavin. The two coaches are the latest guests on the Give Me a Sense podcast. 

Lavin and Close had special relationships with Wooden and explain what made him a great coach, but also reveal some of the private moments they had with him that shaped them not only professionally, but personally. 

 

Steve Lavin on Twitter and Instagram: @SteveLavin64

Cori Close on Twitter and Instagram: @CoachCloseUCLA // @CoachCori_UCLAWBB

Mike Yam on Twitter and Instagram: @Mike_Yam

Facebook: Mike Yam

Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle is the latest guest on the Give Me a Sense podcast.  A captain for the Kansas Jayhawks and teammate of Danny Manning, Boyle puts into perspective how great a player and teammate Manning was. Playing for iconic coach Larry Brown, had a huge influence on Boyle. Tad said, “it was not easy to play for him,” but reflects on the impact Brown had on him as a player and now as a coach.

Boyle has had historic success in Boulder with the Buffs. In his Boyle 6 seasons he owns 5 of CU’s 9, 20 win seasons. He talks recruiting philosophy, his favorite recruiting moment and what he would change about college basketball fan.

Colorado Twitter: @CUBuffsMBB

Mike Yam Twitter and Instagram: @Mike_Yam

Facebook: Mike Yam

Utah Men’s basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak is the latest guest on the Give Me a Sense podcast. The former 2nd round NBA pick relives what it was like to get drafted and explains why in some ways the night was a “nightmare” according to him. Krystkowiak spent time around some of the greatest players of all time (Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaq, and Penny Hardaway) and shares how those players impacted him. In some ways Phil Jackson, who won 11 NBA titles as a coach, in many ways is the reason why Larry is a coach and you’ll hear why. 

Host Note:

The passion for the game is clear when you hear Larry speak. I’m a huge NBA fan and I found myself caught up in throwing out names just to hear stories about players he either coach or played with. 

I think any basketball fan will enjoy this show.

 

Utah Men’s Basketball: @Runnin_Utes

Larry Krystkowiak: @LKrystkowiak

 

Mike Yam: @Mike_Yam Twitter and Instagram

Facebook: Mike Yam

Jay Dobyns has been called the toughest player in Arizona football history. He is the latest guest on the Give Me a Sense podcast and shares a life that is made for the movies. Dobyns tells the story of his NFL combine experience with Jerry Rice and Andre Reed, his tryout with the Chicago Bears as Mike Ditka watched on and how he became a federal agent with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fireams. Dobyn is known for infiltrating the Hells Angels gang. He takes us through the life of an undercover agent, explains the toughest times he faced trying to stay connected with who he was as a person, the difficulty living two separate lives, being worried about the safety of his family and what it was like to face death threats to himself and his family. Dobyns is brutally honest about his experience and his story is as compelling as any you will ever here.

The show is for mature audiences as it deals with violent content.

Jay Dobyns: www.jaydobyns.com

Twitter: @JayDobyns

 

Mike Yam: Twitter and Instagram: @Mike_Yam

Facebook: Mike Yam

14 year NFL veteran Eric Allen is the latest guest on The Give Me a Sense podcast. He takes listeners through an amazing career that includes 6 pro bowls, being a major piece to one of the NFL’s greatest defenses in Philadelphia and interactions with WR’s Michael Irvin, Keyshawn Johnson, Isaac Bruce, Cris Carter and Jerry Rice. EA, explains what hurts the most about not being in the Hall of Fame yet, and why film study can separate good players from great ones. He has amazing stories about being around John Gruden and why leaving the Eagles was ultimately a great decision.

Host Note:

I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many former professional players and Eric Allen is on the short list of classiest guys ever. His stories about his time with the Eagles, being a teammate with Reggie White, what it was like to try to keep in check WR’s he grew up watching was fascinating. Selfishly, hearing stories about guys I grew up fans of was a great experience for me. I hope you enjoy listening to this show as much as I did hosting it.

Eric Allen: @EricAllen619

Mike Yam: @Mike_Yam on Twitter and Instagram

Beto Duran is a Los Angeles based bilingual sports broadcaster who has covered Southern California sports since 2005. He goes through his amazing journey from passing out shirts and bumper stickers to being on air.

Duran’s path is unlike most in the business. He’s the first guest on the Give Me a Sense podcast whose primary gig for most of his career was radio. He has amazing stories of his break through moments to get into the business, why he was able to land an on air job from just answering calls at a radio station, and why relationships might be the most important aspect of broadcasting. 

Beto also explains why being bilingual has become an asset will covering teams and after spending years covering the Lakers, he’ll reveal his favorite Kobe Bryant Stories.

 

Beto Duran: Twitter: @DuranSports and @LTDpod

Instagram: @Betovision

Check out Beto's Living the Dream Podcast.

 

Mike Yam: Twitter @Mike_Yam

Instagram: @Mike_Yam

Facebook: Mike Yam

ESPN anchor Kevin Connors is the latest guest on the Give Me a Sense podcast. From making 17k to becoming one of the faces of SportsCenter, his story is one of resiliency. Connors, explains how he was able to land his job at ESPN, what his audition was like and how he’s been able to rise to one of the more prominent roles at the network. 

It isn’t always easy for broadcasters and Kevin talks candidly about some of his low points and how he was able to push through rejections. The show is a must listen for anyone who watches ESPN and wants to peak behind the curtain of SportsCenter.

Kevin Connors: @KevConnorsESPN

Facebook: Kevin Connors

Instagram: @KConnors13

 

Mike Yam: @Mike_Yam

Facebook: Mike Yam

Instagram: @Mike_Yam

John Middlekauff is a former scout for the Philadelphia Eagles. He explains how he was able to land the job despite not playing football in the NFL or even college. Middlekauff goes through what its like to be apart of an NFL organization and the highs and lows of the job.

His experiences are unique in that he worked for 2 different regimes, starting with Andy Reid and ending with Chip Kelly. Find out the differences of both and what potentially was Kelly’s downfall. 

John has some great stories about Peyton Manning and Tom Brady that you haven’t heard before, plus he goes through some of the most jaw dropping talents he evaluated and what made them great.

John Middlekauff on Twitter and Instagram: @JohnMiddlekauf

Mike Yam on Twitter and Instagram: @Mike_Yam

Former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer is the latest guest on the Give Me a Sense podcast. Plummer was an All American at Arizona State University and shares how a skinny kid from Boise landed in Tempe. The 2nd round draft pick played his first few years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. Plummer explains why he didn’t initially didn’t want to play in Arizona and why it ended up being a great experience. The pro bowler who lived through free agency reveals why he decided on Denver over Chicago. If you’re a football fan, it’s a great listen for anyone who wants to know what life in the NFL is like and what is actually happening around the game when you are a franchise QB.

Jake Plummer: @Snakestakes

Mike Yam: @Mike_Yam on Twitter and Instagram.

Facebook: Mike Yam

The latest guest on the Give Me a Sense podcast is former University of Arizona football player Glenn Parker, who played in 5 Super Bowls and shares his memories of playing on the games biggest stage. Parker remembers his favorite teammates, relives the agony of defeat and explains what still hurts the most about the losses. 

Glenn Parker on twitter

@Glenn_Parker62

Mike Yam on Twitter and Instagram:

@Mike_Yam

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