John was the offensive coordinator for the University of North Carolina football team from 2007 to 2011. During that time, the program and university were rocked by an academic scandal that lead to players suspensions, NCAA bans, and the whole coaching staff being fired. Our hosts begin a two-part look back at that time with their guest Bob Orr, a retired North Carolina Supreme Court justice whom they first met during the scandal when he represented one of John's players in a fight against the

The men's and women's basketball Final Fours take place Easter Weekend in San Antonio and Columbus. They culminate what has been an eventful college basketball season - one that started with an FBI investigation into payments to players and finishes with a memorable March Madness. The Shoops look to put all of this in perspective with their typical sharp insight and wit. This episode was originally recorded as a Facebook Live video on the Blue Ridge Public Radio page. (Music featured includes Come As You Were by Blue Dot Sessions)

The men's and women's basketball Final Fours take place Easter Weekend in San Antonio and Columbus. They culminate what has been an eventful college basketball season - one that started with an FBI investigation into payments to players and finishes with a memorable March Madness. The Shoops look to put all of this in perspective with their typical sharp insight and wit. This episode was originally recorded as a Facebook Live video on the Blue Ridge Public Radio page. (Music featured includes

Super Bowl 52 on February 4th, 2018 between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will conclude a tumultuous 2017 NFL season. From the Take A Knee protests to increasing questions of how seriously players concussions are being treated to Jerry Richardson announcing he'll sell the Carolina Panthers following numerous allegations of misconduct in the workplace, it was a season with major headlines that weren't focused on plays. The Shoops discuss the future of the NFL in this episode,

Super Bowl 52 on February 4th, 2018 between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will conclude a tumultuous 2017 NFL season. From the Take A Knee protests to increasing questions of how seriously players concussions are being treated to Jerry Richardson announcing he'll sell the Carolina Panthers following numerous allegations of misconduct in the workplace, it was a season with major headlines that weren't focused on plays. The Shoops discuss the future of the NFL in this episode, which was recorded originally as a Facebook Live chat on the BPR News Facebook page. (Music featured includes Prarie Mountain by Ryan Andersen)

The 'Take A Knee' protests have continued throughout the 2017 NFL season, becoming so widespread that President Donald Trump even weighed in on them. The Shoops examine the history of protests by black athletes in the U.S. and find 'Take A Knee' is the latest in a long line of such demonstrations throughout the country's history. Their guest - columnist and ESPN & NPR contributor Kevin Blackistone - says this is because sports are one of the few arenas where African-Americans are taken seriously in the U.S. (Music featured includes Xanadont by Mystery Mammal)

The 'Take A Knee' protests have continued throughout the 2017 NFL season, becoming so widespread that President Donald Trump even weighed in on them. The Shoops examine the history of protests by black athletes in the U.S. and find 'Take A Knee' is the latest in a long line of such demonstrations throughout the country's history. Their guest - columnist and ESPN & NPR contributor Kevin Blackistone - says this is because sports are one of the few arenas where African-Americans are taken seriously in the U.S. (Music featured includes Xanadont by Mystery Mammal)

In September, the U.S. attorney for southern New York announced indictments against several assistant basketball coaches at some of the most prestigious programs in the country, as well as against representatives for Adidas. The announcement rocked the sport, but the Shoops say what's alleged has been going on in college sports for decades, and should not come as a surprise. Their guest is current Bloomberg View and former New York Times writer Joe Nocera. (music featured includes Real One and Offset by Fleslit)

In September, the U.S. attorney for southern New York announced indictments against several assistant basketball coaches at some of the most prestigious programs in the country, as well as against representatives for Adidas. The announcement rocked the sport, but the Shoops say what's alleged has been going on in college sports for decades, and should not come as a surprise. Their guest is current Bloomberg View and former New York Times writer Joe Nocera. (music featured includes Real One and

Colleges and universities are spending more and more money to recruit athletes to their campuses. The Shoops look at what is fueling the 'recruiting arms race' and how it affects the very athletes it's supposed to impress. In particular looking at the lavish lockers the University of Texas just built for its football team. Each locker costs more than $10-thousand dollars. (Music featured includes Next Level by Audiobinger)