One and One Podcast

Shay Knighten is a professional softball player for the USSSA Pride and an Assistant Coach for  the University of San Diego Softball Team.  Collegiately, she played for the University of Oklahoma from 2016-2019 and won 2 National Championships.  Shay talks about growing up in Buena Park, California, her athletic family, how she got into softball, and her great career at Sunny Hills High School.  She describes her recruiting process, why she chose Oklahoma, and what it was like to play for Head Coach Patty Gasso.  Shay details her successful Oklahoma career, getting to 4 College World Series, and winning back-to-back National Championships in 2016 & 2017.  She then talks about her current professional softball career with the USSSA Pride, her hopes to see professional softball grow, her coaching career at San Diego, and what it's like to coach with her older sister, MJ.

Marc VandeWettering is the Director of Operations for the University of Wisconsin Men's Basketball Team who recently came out as the first openly gay man on a Division I College Basketball staff.  He talks about growing up in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, how he got into basketball, and growing up as a huge Wisconsin Badgers fan.  Marc describes his great career at Kaukauna High School where he was an All-Conference player and class Valedictorian his decision to attend Wisconsin-Madison rather than play basketball at a lower division college, and why he became a student manager for the basketball team.  He then details the hard work student managers do, working for Bo Ryan and Greg Gard, and getting to back-to-back Final Fours in 2014 & 2015. He also talks about the internal struggle of accepting himself as a gay man and whether he belonged in the sport of basketball.  Marc discusses his coming out process, the Wisconsin staff accepting him, and Coach Greg Gard calling him back to Wisconsin in 2017 to become the Director of Operations because he was the best person for the job.  He describes the work that goes into the Director of Operations, how the article came about, why he decided to write it, and his hope that it helps others feel more comfortable about themselves and realize that there is a spot for them in the sport regardless of sexuality.  

Marc's Article: https://uwbadgers.com/news/2021/6/24/general-news-baggot-my-words-living-my-truth-by-marc-vandewettering.aspx

Julie Hubbard played soccer at Penn State from 2009-2010 and then transferred to UConn where she played from 2011-2014. Throughout her soccer career, Julie has overcome 4 ACL tears.  She talks about growing up in Waverly, PA, being a twin, how she got into soccer, her great career at Abington Heights High School, committing to Penn State, and tearing her ACL the first time as a Junior in high school.  She discusses how the first rehab process got her interested in physical therapy, her career at Penn State, her decision to transfer to UConn,  tearing her ACL 2 more times between 2011-2013, but not giving up on soccer.  Julie describes coming back for the 2013 season where she started every game, her great 6th season in 2014 where UConn won the American Athletic Conference Championship, studying physical therapy in college, and going through a 4th ACL tear when she was playing in a league in San Diego during her clinicals.  She then talks about why she started her business Just 4 Kicks Boston where she helps young women with ACL recovery and prevention.

Scott Merritt is the Associate Head Coach for the University of Wisconsin Women's Basketball Team.  He played basketball at Marquette University from 2000-2004, was a member of the 2003 Final Four Team, and then played 9 years professionally in the US and overseas.  He talks about growing up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, how he got into basketball, his high school highlights at Wauwatosa East, the recruiting process, and why he chose Marquette.  Scott details what it was like to play for Head Coach Tom Crean, having Dwyane Wade as a teammate, and his career highlights which included getting to the 2003 Final Four.  Scott then discusses his professional basketball career, what it was like to play overseas, why he retired, and how he got into coaching women's basketball.  He talks about his experience as an Assistant Coach for the Marquette Women's Basketball Team which included several Big East Titles, his time with the Illinois Women's Basketball Team, why he took the job at Wisconsin, and his excitement for the 2022 season.

Shane Clark played basketball at the Villanova University from 2005-2009 and was a member of the 2009 Final Four Team.  He talks about growing up in Philadelphia, his lifelong friendship with NBA star Kyle Lowry, how he got into basketball, playing AAU, and his great career at Cardinal Dougherty High School.  Shane describes his year at the prep school Hargrave Military Academy, what military school was like, his recruiting process, picking Villanova before de-committing and committing to Maryland.  He then details the transcript mistake at Maryland that led him back to Villanova, what it was like to play for Jay Wright, playing with his childhood friend Kyle, his career highlights, being a two-year captain, and the great run to the 2009 Final Four.  Shane discusses his professional career overseas, what he is up to in his life now, and his continued support for the Villanova basketball program.

AJ Burgett is a professional basketball player who currently plays for Etzella in Luxembourg.  Collegiately he played for the University of Notre Dame from 2012-2016.  He talks about growing up in Avon, Indiana, how he got into basketball, playing AAU, his great career at Avon High School, his recruiting process, and why he chose Notre Dame.  AJ describes what it was like to play for Mike Brey, getting his body ready for college basketball, playing in the Big East and ACC, highlights which include an  ACC Tournament Championship and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, and some injuries he faced.  He details his time away from basketball after college, interning for Notre Dame, his role in the Matt Farrell/Bo Farrell reunion, and re-discovering his love for basketball while working games at IU.  AJ then talks about the process to get overseas, playing for several teams in Europe, his current team Etzella, and how well he has been playing as a professional. 

Michael Catalino played lacrosse at Duke from 2006-2010, went to 4 Final Fours, and was a member of the 2010 National Championship team.  He talks about growing up in Webster, New York, how he got into lacrosse, playing with his brother Grant, who went on to play at Maryland and professionally, and his great career at Webster Schroeder High School.  Michael describes the recruiting process, why he chose Duke, and being interested in their medical program.  He details his Freshman year in 2006 where the "Duke Lacrosse Scandal" happened, how he felt during that time, and getting through it with the bond he and his teammates had.  Michael then talks about the comeback year in 2007, being one of the best teams his entire career, winning multiple ACC Championships, and how he balanced the rigorous academics with Division I lacrosse.  He details the great 2010 season where Duke wins the National Championship, ending his career as a champion after the way it started, his journey to medical school, his current training in neurosurgery, and the beautiful wife and children he has.  

Taylor Schwarz played softball at the University of Florida from 2013-2016 and was a member of the back-to-back National Championship teams in 2014 and 2015.  She talks about growing up in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, coming from an athletic family where her father played professional baseball and her brother JJ is currently playing professional baseball, how she got into softball, and playing on a club team with girls from all over the country.  Taylor discusses her great Palm Beach Gardens High School career, the recruiting process, and why she chose the University of Florida.  She then describes her incredible Gator career, playing 1st Base, her love for defense, making it to the College Softball World Series 3 times, winning 2 National Championships, and  what she's been up to since graduating in 2016.

Kevin Tangney played soccer at the University of Maryland from 2005-2009, was a member of 2 National Championship teams, and was then drafted 35th in the 2010 MLS Draft.  He talks about growing up in Newtown, Pennsylvania, getting into soccer through his father, and playing club & ODP.  He discusses his great career at Council Rock North High School, playing with his older brother, and winning a few league titles.  Kevin details his recruiting process, why he chose Maryland, and the transition to college soccer.  He then talks about winning the 2005 National Title as a Freshman, tearing his ACL as a Sophomore, and then again as a Junior, the struggles he faced, and his hard work and determination to get back on the field.  Kevin explains what it was like to come back as a Senior, win the 2009 National Championship, returning for a 5th year where he had his best season, being drafted in the 2010 MLS Draft, and what he's been up to since his soccer career ended.

Maria Lubrano played soccer at the University of North Carolina from 2007-2012 and was a part of 3 National Championships.  She talks about growing up in an Italian household in High Point, North Ca   rolina, how she got into soccer, her successful club & ODP career, and her excellent high school career at Wesleyan Christian Academy where she excelled at basketball and soccer.  Maria describes the recruiting process, her final two choices being UNC and Duke, why she chose UNC, the powerhouse soccer program that UNC has, and what it was like playing for Hall of Fame Coach Anson Dorrance.  She then details her great 6 year career at North Carolina where she struggled through injuries, had to redshirt twice, and persevered to end her career with a National Championship- her 3rd in 6 years.  Maria talks about playing professionally in Italy, retiring early due to injury, and her career as a soccer trainer.