No Place I'd Rather Be …

Send us Fan Mail

We're back with part two of our feature on ‘79 grad Pat McKenzie! Today’s episode focuses on his 35-year tenure as the head team physician for the Green Bay Packers. If for some reason you haven’t listened to part 1 where we cover the good doctor’s formative years at SJU you should definitely head back and give it a listen … it comes highly recommended. Today we shift focus to Pat McKenzie the doctor, whose career caring for NFL players spanned three and a half decades. A career which included recognition in March 2011 as the physician of the year for his work during the 2010 season, the Bob Harlan Leadership Award at the Packer’s Hall of Fame induction banquet in 2022 and culminated in February 2026 with the NFL Physician’s Society and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society Presidents’ Award for his decades of service. As you can see, it’s no coincidence we were only able to find the time to sit down for these interviews after he retired. We have a lot to get to today … Rodgers, Favre, Holmgren, McCarthy … so let’s get to it!

Send us Fan Mail

Our featured guest today is ‘79 grad Pat McKenzie. That’s the recently retired head team physician of the Green Bay Packers Dr. Pat McKenzie. A 1978 Second Team Academic All-American – one of seven Johnnie basketball players in program history to receive such a distinction – as well as a two-time all-conference player his junior and senior seasons. He played a huge part in the success the Johnnies saw through the late ‘70s and was on the floor for much of the storied Mankato State game that propelled the ‘79 team on to the national tournament. After his college days, he went on to become the head team physician for the Green Bay Packers in 1991 and remained in that role for 35 years, officially retiring just in time to sit down with us for this interview. There was so much to talk about we’ve split this one into two parts with today’s episode focusing primarily on the elder McKenzie’s journey to SJU and his playing days. In part two we get into his career and stories from his days as the team doctor for the Packers … and maybe even what it’s like having his son running the program for his alma mater these days. We hope you enjoy!

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back, Brandon! Today, the guys caught up with 2024 grad Brandon Adelman about his journey post SJU, which includes a successful season in Kosovo and then a run with the Iowa Wolves of the G League. Thanks for making the time, Brandon!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Find our podcast, take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

Today, the boys caught up with senior assistant coaches Danny Quinn and Zach Filzen. Thanks, guys, for making the time!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group for the use of their beautiful facilities 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Find our podcast, take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

Today, the boys caught up with senior Thomas Menk. Thanks Thomas for making the time!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group for the use of their beautiful facilities 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Find our podcast, take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

Today on the program the guys caught up with freshman Jack Gross, Brayson Sawyer and Deonte Meeks. Thanks guys for making the time!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group for the use of their beautiful facilities 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Find our podcast, take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

Today, the boys caught up with sophomore Gavin Olson and freshman Noah George and Max Spanier. Thanks guys for making the time!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group for the use of their beautiful facilities 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Find our podcast, take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

Today, the boys caught up with freshman Tommy Auge and junior Jamison Lien. Thanks guys for making the time!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group for the use of their beautiful facilities 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Find our podcast, take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back! Today, the boys caught up with managers C.J Cummins, Harisson Kreft, Logan Schad and Justin Holden (4 for 4 on celebrity shots) who talked with the guys about all things managing, how they ended up with the team and much more. Thanks guys for making the time!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

Today, the boys caught up with freshman Peyton Podany and Hudson Hochstedler along with a quick midseason visit with the head coach. Thanks guys for making the time!

...

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group for the use of their beautiful facilities 

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

- Klerissa and John Church

- Margaret and Paul Judge

Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible …

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.

"No Place I’d Rather Be" is a Benchwarmers Media production in association with Nine Pines Podcasts.