On Your Sidelines

After not playing in 2020, the Columbus Lions are back for the 2021 National Arena League season, including their starting Quarterback, Mason Espinosa. Espinosa has had two stints with the Lions, with both teams finishing as runners up in the NAL. On this episode of On Your Sidelines, Rex Castillo and Jack Patterson chronicle Espinosa’s journey from Nashville to Ohio and eventually to Columbus. They also talk about his other stops in his career, including being a part of the final ArenaBowl champions and how that is connected to the Lions’ 2021 season opener.

The On Your Sidelines podcast is the official podcast of the News 3 Sports team, and is hosted by Sports Director Rex Castillo and Weekend Sports Anchor Jack Patterson. On Your Sidelines will introduce viewers to the backstories behind the athletes, coaches and media personalities that call Columbus home. The podcast airs live every other Tuesday at 3pm Eastern at wrbl.com. Replays can be found in the Podcast Play Zone.

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Rex Castillo: Facebook | Twitter

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On April 30th, the Columbus River Dragons won the first hockey championship for the Fountain City in 9 years. There was plenty of excitement when the new hockey franchise was launched in 2019, but this was the pinnacle moment for the players, coaches and fans.

In the newest edition of the On Your Sidelines podcast, Sports Director Rex Castillo and Weekend Sports Anchor Jack Patterson sit down with player/coach Jay Croop about his journey to the 2021 Ignite Cup Championship and how he knew that this version of the River Dragons had the talent to win it all from the very beginning.

We’ll also talk about Jay’s journey as professional hockey player, which was a dream of his since he was just 2 years old. Croop dubbed Columbus as the “Hockey Town of the South”, he absolutely loves playing in front of the fans here in the Fountain City. He now calls Columbus, GA his hometown and wants this hockey franchise to be a permanent part of this community.

“You know I plan on staying here forever. I never want this team to move and I hope that it never does. You know we’ve created something here, you know the front office and everyone involved, has created something that I cherish and love personally. I’m going to do everything that I can to keep the team here.”

JAY CROOP, COLUMBUS RIVER DRAGONS PLAYER/COACH

The On Your Sidelines podcast is the official podcast of the News 3 Sports team, and is hosted by Sports Director Rex Castillo and Weekend Sports Anchor Jack Patterson. On Your Sidelines will introduce viewers to the backstories behind the athletes, coaches and media personalities that call Columbus home. The podcast airs live every other Tuesday at 3pm Eastern at wrbl.com. Replays can be found in the Podcast Play Zone.

Follow us on Social Media:

News 3 Sports: Facebook | Twitter

Rex Castillo: Facebook | Twitter

Jack Patterson: Facebook | Twitter

In episode 2 of On Your Sidelines, Rex Castillo and Jack Patterson sit down with one of the coaches of the Columbus Hurricanes swim team, Leah Gingrich. Gingrich is not only a coach, but a competitor with dreams of representing the U.S. in the Tokyo Olympics later this year.

In this episode, Rex and Jack chronicle Leah’s career in and out of the pool, including her time swimming for the University of Texas, competing and coaching in the era of COVID-19 and when she walked away from competing full-time.

The On Your Sidelines podcast is the official podcast of the News 3 Sports team, and is hosted by Sports Director Rex Castillo and Weekend Sports Anchor Jack Patterson. On Your Sidelines will introduce viewers to the backstories behind the athletes, coaches and media personalities that call Columbus home. The podcast airs live every other Tuesday at 3pm Eastern at wrbl.com. Replays can be found in the Podcast Play Zone.

Follow us on Social Media:

News 3 Sports: Facebook | Twitter

Rex Castillo: Facebook | Twitter

Jack Patterson: Facebook | Twitter

On the latest episode of On Your Sidelines, Rex Castillo and Jack Patterson sit down with Glenwood Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Tim Fanning. Fanning is a multiple time AISA State Champion on the diamond, and has coached hundreds of athletes over the years at Glenwood. In addition, Fanning has worked with the “More Than a Game” foundation for years, as well as written two books: “Serve to Lead” and Serve to Lead 2.”

Coach Fanning speaks about his upbringing in Columbus, as well as the people who have made a impact in his life. You’ll also hear about Fanning’s battle with colon cancer, and how that experience opened his eyes to a lot of things in his life. You definitely don’t want to miss this episode of On Your Sidelines.

The On Your Sidelines podcast is the official podcast of the News 3 Sports team, and is hosted by Sports Director Rex Castillo and Weekend Sports Anchor Jack Patterson. On Your Sidelines will introduce viewers to the backstories behind the athletes, coaches and media personalities that call Columbus home. The podcast airs live every other Tuesday at 3pm Eastern at wrbl.com. Replays can be found in the Podcast Play Zone.

Follow us on Social Media:

News 3 Sports: Facebook | Twitter

Rex Castillo: Facebook | Twitter

Jack Patterson: Facebook | Twitter

On episode 3 of On Your Sidelines, Rex Castillo and Jack Patterson sit down with Columbus State Director of Golf and CBS Sports Golf Analyst Mark Immelman. Immelman was a part of multiple National Championships as a player on the CSU Golf team before taking over the reigns of the Cougars’ program in the early 2000s.

Rex and Jack talk with Mark about his career in golf, both as a player and a coach, being the older brother to 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman, and the many things that can be done to help grow the game of golf, locally and beyond. You’ll also hear Immelman’s inspiring journey from South Africa to Columbus, Ga.

The On Your Sidelines podcast is the official podcast of the News 3 Sports team, and is hosted by Sports Director Rex Castillo and Weekend Sports Anchor Jack Patterson. On Your Sidelines will introduce viewers to the backstories behind the athletes, coaches and media personalities that call Columbus home. The podcast airs live every other Tuesday at 3pm Eastern at wrbl.com. Replays can be found in the Podcast Play Zone.

Follow us on Social Media:

News 3 Sports: Facebook | Twitter

Rex Castillo: Facebook | Twitter

Jack Patterson: Facebook | Twitter

In May 2019, Ignite Sports officially brought hockey back to Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley, unveiling the River Dragons. That’s when the Valley was introduced to Scott Brand, the teams’ President and General Manager. The Columbus sports scene change forever from that point forward.

In the debut edition of the On Your Sidelines podcast from News 3 Sports, Sports Director Rex Castillo and Sports Anchor Jack Patterson sit down with Brand to talk about all things River Dragons, including a behind the scenes look at the FPHL shutdown last year, his time at USA Hockey and the one time he left hockey to work in pro wrestling.

We’ll also talk about the process of bringing baseball back to the “Fountain City” with the Columbus Chatt-A-Hoots. You’ll hear Scott’s stories about getting access to Golden Park and the history behind the ballpark. You’ll also learn about Scott’s previous stops in the Midwest, bringing baseball back to several cities, being in charge of the referees across the country and what makes running the River Dragons and Chatt-A-Hoots so much fun.

I was so exhausted, but I was exhausted because I am happy exhausted. I haven’t even enjoyed the fact that we have a winning hockey team. It’s been a blast. It’s like when you’re a little kid, and you don’t get the keys to the candy store, but they say go build the candy store. You get to build whatever you want in the candy store.

SCOTT BRAND ON HIS JOB BEING FUN

The On Your Sidelines podcast is the official podcast of the News 3 Sports team, and is hosted by Sports Director Rex Castillo and Weekend Sports Anchor Jack Patterson. On Your Sidelines will introduce viewers to the backstories behind the athletes, coaches and media personalities that call Columbus home. The podcast airs live every other Tuesday at 3pm Eastern at wrbl.com. Replays can be found in the Podcast Play Zone.

Follow us on Social Media:

News 3 Sports: Facebook | Twitter

Rex Castillo: Facebook | Twitter

Jack Patterson: Facebook | Twitter