Hall Call Podcast

Chesapeake native, Michael Cuddyer is a 2018 VSHoF inductee, and 2x MLB All-Star. No stranger to a baseball diamond, later this summer he will help lead the USA Baseball 18U National Team during the U18 World Cup in Florida. On this episode of the #HallCall Interview Series, we caught up with the Virginia native on his new role teaching the game to the next generation of superstars

1996 VSHF and 2021 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, made a career of dominating defenders in the low post. Now the Virginia basketball legend hosts his Center Court podcast, and focuses on charitable endeavors through his Sampson Family Foundation and Sampson Basketball Academy.

Minor League Baseball touches all corners of Virginia, yet our stadiums have sat empty for over a year as a result of the pandemic. Following a year without baseball and an overhaul of the minor leagues system, what can baseball fans in Virginia expect as we approach the first ‘first pitch’ since 2019? Minor League Baseball: On Deck features executives from 5 professional baseball teams in Virginia to discuss the past, present, and future of the sport in the Commonwealth.

The Director of Golf Operations at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg joined the Hall Call Interview Series to discuss the return of professional golf to the famed River Course, May 17-23 with the LPGA Pure Silk Championship. We also discussed the course's historical ties, and what makes it one of the great venues in Virginia golf.

Taking over as President of Richmond Raceway in 2011, Dennis Bickmeier, has overseen a renaissance for the legendary short track. One of the oldest tracks on the NASCAR circuit, now offers fans modern engagement opportunities. After a year without fans however, Richmond Raceway is ready to host one of the first large scale sporting events in the Commonwealth with eased COVID restrictions. Bickmeier joined #HallCall, to discuss all of the excitement taking place at Richmond Raceway as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary.

Roanoke native, Larry LeGrande, is one of the few remaining veterans who played in the Negro Leagues of Baseball. A .300 hitter during his time with the Memphis Red Sox, Detroit Stars, and Kansas City Monarchs, LeGrande was known for having one of the most accurate arms in the game. LeGrande will join #HallCall to talk about the history of the Negro Leagues and his time spent playing with the Satchel Paige All-Stars, among other topics.

2018 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Doug Doughty, recently announced his retirement from the Roanoke Times after 47 years. The 3x Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, has a unique perspective of sports in Commonwealth. We’ll catch up with the recently retired Doughty, and discuss some of his favorite memories from covering sports across 6 decades.

A native of Charlottesville, VA, Lindsay Shoop, joined the University of Virginia rowing team where she was an NCAA Division-I All-American. Following college, Shoop was selected for the U.S. National Team and over a 5-year period helped lead the Women’s Eight to 3 World Championships and a Gold Medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Shoop’s recently released memoir titled 'Better Great Than Never', details her unlikely introduction to rowing, her successes, as well as her mental health struggles through what she describes as “self imposed limitations”.

Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting. College football season lasts 4 months, but “recruiting season” is 365/24/7. With the early signing period beginning December 16th, we thought we’d get you up to speed on who’s going where, and the battles for in-state talent. Matt Hatfield from VirginiaPreps.com joined Hall Call to give us the inside scoop on all things recruiting in the Commonwealth.

In March 2020, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, like all others suspended athletic competition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nowhere was the ODAC’s impact felt more than here in Virginia, as 14 of the 16 member institutions call the Commonwealth home. In November, the ODAC announced its plans for a return to play beginning January 23, 2021 with men’s and women’s basketball. Additionally, ALL sports; fall, winter, and spring, will be featured during the spring semester. Conference Commissioner, Brad Bankston, joined the Hall Call Interview series to discuss the conference’s decision, and what sport fans can expect when play resumes in 2021.