Hall Call Podcast

The #HallCall Interview Series begins anew in 2023, with a look at the past, present, and future of the National Pastime in the Commonwealth. We caught up with David Driver, author of From Tidewater To The Shenandoah: Snapshots From Virginia's Rich Baseball Legacy. Driver’s book provides a deep-dive into a state that has produced 5 Cooperstown inductees, numerous World Series stars, and continues to be a pipeline for MLB level talent. We’ll also discuss the rich history of the minor leagues here in Virginia. Be sure to join us on the Hall of Fame’s Facebook Live for this discussion that is sure to scratch the baseball itch for those eagerly awaiting pitchers and catchers reporting!

Whether it was Powell Valley High School, the University of Virginia, or the National Football League, 2018 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Thomas Jones, knew how to run the football. The record setting running back from Big Stone Gap, VA is one of just thirty-one players in NFL history to rush for over 10,000 yards. 11-years removed from a stellar NFL career, Jones is now tackling life after football and putting a spotlight on the challenges and change in mindset many of his peers face once their playing days are over. Jones has served as Executive Producer on Amazon Prime’s “Life After” docuseries, which follows twelve retired NFL players as they face a new chapter of their lives following their professional football careers. The 8-part series premiered on October 18 and tackles many topics such as mental health and identity struggles, all while showing the strength of the human spirit. Jones joined the #HallCall Interview Series to discuss the series, and his own transition away from the playing field.

Mental wellness in the military veteran and first responder communities is a growing challenge. Many within these ranks suffer daily with conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress, as they transition to civilian life. On this episode of the #HallCall Interview Series, we’ll learn about a new program based here in Virginia aimed at tackling this issue through the power of SPEED. Luke Ryker is a decorated AirForce veteran and founder of Track Heroes, a program that uses High Performance Driver Education events at Virginia based racetracks to improve the mental wellness outlook for this vital community. On this edition of the #HallCall Interview Series, we learn more about the link between power and speed, and mental wellness.

As the dog days of summer wind down, millions and millions of sports fans are gearing up for their favorite season…Fantasy Football Season! As training camps come to a close, and kickoff to the NFL season approaches, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame wants to make sure you are armed with knowledge as you prepare for your fantasy draft or drafts (plural). Join the Hall of Fame as it continues its #HallCall Interview Series, with award winning fantasy sports writer, Jake Ciely. Jake is an award-winning Senior Fantasy Sports Writer for The Athletic and he’ll join us to help get you prepped for your fantasy football draft! You can follow Jake on Twitter @allinkid

Apple TV+ hit series, “Ted Lasso”, tells the tale of an American college football coach transitioning to English football, when he takes the reigns of AFC Richmond. The series has become a critical and commercial success through 2-seasons with its combination of humor and storytelling. While the series has gained notoriety around the world, a group of Richmond (VA) based businesses want to bring AFC Richmond to the capital of the Commonwealth. The 288 Group along with The Richmond Kickers, Virginia Film Office, Richmond Region Tourism, and Virginia Tourism Corporation, are pitching the creators of Ted Lasso, on a unique exhibition featuring the hometown Kickers and AFC Richmond. On the next edition of the #HallCall Interview Series, we’ll catch up with representatives from the Richmond, VA group including VSHF inductee, Rob Ukrop, Brian Edmonds from The 288 Group, and former broadcaster Jon Laaser, to learn more on the development of this idea, and how they hope to get Richmond vs AFC Richmond on the pitch.

The Hall Call Interview Series rolls on, as we catch-up with 2010 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Ducibella. Ducibella was named Virginia Sportswriter of the Year 6-times during his time with the Virginian-Pilot. Known for his extensive coverage of the Washington Commanders and golf, Ducibella can provide perspective on both as they find themselves entrenched in the current news cycle. The Commanders find themselves embroiled in continuous scandal as they look to find a home for a new stadium, and the sport of golf has been turned upside down as LIV vs PGA takes center stage.

The Hall Call Interview Series returned in July, with baseball as the focus! The game of baseball is known as the national pastime, but here in Virginia current interest is extremely high. Over the past two decades, MLB fields have been filled with players that call the Commonwealth home, and for a group of players from Hampton Roads, they all have one thing in common, coach Towny Townsend. Townsend, an elite prospect once himself, used a combination of unique viewpoints and methods to develop a golden generation of baseball stars. The Splendid 6 as they became known, would go on to play in over 8,000 games and receive 15 All-Star nods. Townsend passed away in 2007, but his legacy lives on through the Splendid 6: Michael Cuddyer, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, B.J. and Justin Upton. On this edition of the Hall Call Interview Series, we catch-up with Pat Montgomery, author of the new book The Baseball Miracle of the Splendid 6 and Towny Townsend.

As we look ahead to 2022 Induction Weekend, our next edition of the #HallCall Interview Series will feature one of our Class of 2022 inductees, Jon Lugbill. Lugbill is a legend and pioneer in the whitewater canoe slalom discipline. Out of Oakton High School in Northern Virginia, Lugbill is the only paddler ever to win 12 World Championship gold medals in the sports. The University of Virginia graduate is not only considered to be the best paddler ever, but also one of its greatest innovators through his boat design work which revolutionized the sport of slalom racing.

2022 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Anthony Poindexter, is widely known as one of the best football talents to come out of the Commonwealth. The Forest, VA native was a dominant force for both Jefferson Forest High School and the University of Virginia. While injuries may have derailed further accolades, the 3x All-ACC selection will be recognized by the official sports Hall of Fame for the Commonwealth of Virginia this coming April. The current Co-Defensive Coordinator for Penn State Football will join #HallCall and look ahead to the upcoming induction.

Maia Chaka made history prior to the 2021 NFL season, when she became the first African-American woman hired as an on-field official for NFL games. The Norfolk State University graduate began her climb to the NFL in 2007 by officiating high school games, eventually making her way to NCAA Division-I fields, and ultimately NFL stadiums. When she is not making split second decisions on the football field, she is back home in Hampton Roads molding young minds with An Achievable Dream Academy. Chaka will join #HallCall to talk about her first year with the NFL and her continued commitment to community.