Painless Podcast

Painless Podcast episode 34:

Rob Cressy (Founder, Bacon Sports & Cress Media)

Get fired up with Rob Cressy with his story of leaving digital media sales to go all in on living and creating great sports content.

To connect with Rob...

• Web: www.baconsports.com or www.cressmedia.com

• Twitter or Facebook: @RobCressy @BaconSports @CressMedia and @InfieldChatter

Please support our partners:

+NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA Careers page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers.

+The Hot Chocolate 5K & 15K are two of the largest races of their kind in the world. Painless listeners can take $5 off entry with the code “HCPAINLESS” when you register at www.hotchocolate15k.com! HURRY - race is Oct 29!

About the Painless Podcast: Get to know interesting people, jobs and places to work in and around sports, events, start-ups and cause marketing world. Hosted by Chris Hartweg (@chartweg). Focusing on how and why they landed where they are and the role of mentoring and networking to get there.

Sign up for your complementary Painless membership that includes Painless emails full of job and event postings TODAY at www.Painless.Network!

Other Painless links...

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/groups/73710

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PainlessNetworking

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PainlessNetwork

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PainlessNetwork

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 7

Stephen Bardo, Analyst, Big Ten Network / Founder, Point Guard Vision

College basketball has uncertainty surrounding it, with the FBI indicting a handful of assistant coaches and a shoe executive. Plus, Louisville’s Rick Pitino has been placed on administrative leave, essentially ending his tenure as head coach. Current Big Ten Network analyst, and former Flyin’ Illini, Stephen Bardo joins Deon and Eric to discuss what’s next for the NCAA, and will there be another shoe to drop. Plus, hear about the worst thing Stephen heard about when he was being recruited.

In addition to Stephen’s media work, he runs “Point Guard Vision,” which helps student-athletes and their parents maximize the sports experience. Learn more about Stephen and PGV by visiting www.stephenbardo.com.

The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon does TV studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis for Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball. Eric can be seen on the Comcast “Game of the Week,” and other sports and entertainment segments, for Comcast in Chicago.

Keep in touch with the FadeAway on the following social media channels:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/TheFadeAwayDeonEric

Twitter – www.twitter.com/TheFadeAwayChi

Instagram – www.instagram.com/thefadeawaychi

Thanks to Marty Casey for our music. His debut solo album, The Ground You Walk On, is available now on iTunes at www.smarturl.it/MartyCasey. You can also find it on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Play.

And big thanks to Chris Hartweg and Painless Networking for making us a part of the Painless Podcast Network! Visit the ALL NEW www.painless.network for more. Activate your free account today and #GetConnected.

Painless Podcast episode 33:

Jason Coyle (CEO, Stadium / Co-founder, 120 Sports)

To connect with Stadium...

• On the web: WatchStadium.com

• On broadcast television digital antenna in 50+ markets

• On Twitter: WatchStadium.Twitter.com

• On the Stadium app, available in the App Store, as well as on Apple TV

The full Teddy Roosevelt quote we talk about:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Please support our partners:

+NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA Careers page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers.

+Spikeball Nationals are this Saturday October 14 at Chicago’s Cricket Hill in Montrose Harbor. Go check out this fun sport and see over 230 teams compete! Visit www.usaspikeball.com for details.

+The Hot Chocolate 5K & 15K are two of the largest races of their kind in the world. Painless listeners can take $5 off entry with the code “HCPAINLESS” when you register at www.hotchocolate15k.com!

About the Painless Podcast: Get to know interesting people, jobs and places to work in and around sports, events, start-ups and cause marketing world. Hosted by Chris Hartweg (@chartweg). Focusing on how and why they landed where they are and the role of mentoring and networking to get there.

Sign up for Painless emails that include job and event postings at: http://eepurl.com/sOJcf

Key Painless links...

URL: www.Painless.Network

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/groups/73710

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PainlessNetworking

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PainlessNetwork

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PainlessNetwork

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 6

Adrian Burgos, Editor-in-Chief, La Vida Baseball

As the MLB playoffs are about to heat up, many players of Latino descent are poised to make an impact on which teams make it to the World Series. Being in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month, and with Puerto Rico on many of our minds due to Hurricane Maria, Deon and Eric get a chance to talk baseball with Professor Adrian Burgos, Jr.

Professor Burgos is the Editor-in-Chief of La Vida Baseball, a Professor of History at the University of Illinois, and a foremost scholar in Latino baseball history. He’ll share more about the history that Latinos have played in the Major Leagues, the difficulties they’ve faced in the game, and the challenges many have just trying to make it up the professional ranks. Plus, we’ll tell you some of the young players who’ll be making a difference in this year’s playoffs.

You can learn more by visiting www.lavidabaseball.com.

The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon currently does television studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis during Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball games. Eric can be seen on the Comcast “Game of the Week,” and other sports and entertainment segments, for Comcast in Chicago.

Keep in touch with the FadeAway on the following social media channels:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/TheFadeAwayDeonEric

Twitter – www.twitter.com/TheFadeAwayChi

Instagram – www.instagram.com/thefadeawaychi

Thanks to Marty Casey for our music. His debut solo album, The Ground You Walk On, is available now on iTunes at www.smarturl.it/MartyCasey. You can also find it on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Play.

And big thanks to Chris Hartweg and Painless Networking for making us a part of the Painless Podcast Network! Visit www.painless.network for more.

Painless Podcast episode 32:

LIVE Big Data & Sports Innovation Panel with...

Gabe Ottolini (CRO, Block Six Analytics)

Nathan Frank (Data Scientist, STATS)

Lotika Pai (Co-founder, POWWFUL)

Dezeree Christman (VP of Digital, PCGSportsDesk)

To connect further via web / Twitter:

www.blocksixanalytics.com / @Block6Analytics

www.stats.com / @STATS_insights

www.powwful.com / @POWWFUL

www.pcgsportsdesk.com / @PCGSportsDesk

And find our co-host WISE Chicago at https://www.facebook.com/WISEChicago / @WISEChicago

Please support our partners:

+NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA Careers page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers.

+Spikeball Nationals are October 14 at Chicago’s Cricket Hill in Montrose Harbor. Want to get in? Sign up a team TODAY at https://usaspikeball.com/e/2017-usa-spikeball-roundnet-national-championship. Use code “PAINLESS” and get 50% off your entry fee.

+The Hot Chocolate 5K and 15K are two of the largest races of their kind in the world. Painless listeners can take $5 off entry with the code “HCPAINLESS” when you register at www.hotchocolate15k.com!

About the Painless Podcast: Get to know interesting people, jobs and places to work in and around sports, events, start-ups and cause marketing world. Hosted by Chris Hartweg (@chartweg). Focusing on how and why they landed where they are and the role of mentoring and networking to get there.

Sign up for Painless emails that include job and event postings at: http://eepurl.com/sOJcf

Key Painless links...

URL: www.Painless.Network

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/groups/73710

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PainlessNetworking

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PainlessNetwork

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PainlessNetwork

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 5

All-TIme Illini Great, NBA Star, pro boxer and TV analyst Kendall Gill

Kendall Gill is one of the all-time great Fighting Illini basketball players, and a 15-year NBA veteran. One of the stars of the ’89 Flyin’ Illini joins Deon and Eric to talk about his college time, playing with Nick Anderson, how he thought the Illini would have been in 1990 had Deon not redshirted.

As a current NBA analyst for CSN Chicago, Kendall also shares some of his predictions on where the Chicago Bulls are headed and some of his observations of the many new faces Bulls fans will see this season.

The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon currently does television studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis during Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball games. Eric can be seen on the Comcast “Game of the Week,” and other sports and entertainment segments, for Comcast in Chicago.

Keep in touch with the FadeAway on the following social media channels:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/TheFadeAwayDeonEric

Twitter – www.twitter.com/TheFadeAwayChi

Instagram – www.instagram.com/thefadeawaychi

Thanks to Marty Casey for our music. His debut solo album, The Ground You Walk On, is available now on iTunes at www.smarturl.it/MartyCasey. You can also find it on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Play.

And big thanks to Chris Hartweg and Painless Networking for making us a part of the Painless Podcast Network! Visit www.painless.network for more.

Dave Zimmer (Co-owner and CEO, Fleet Feet Sports Chicago)

Steve Ginsburg (Owner and CEO, RAM Racing)

Meet two of the most successful players in running and endurance sports, Dave Zimmer from Fleet Feet Sports Chicago (www.fleetfeetchicago.com) and Steve Ginsburg from RAM Racing www.ramracing.enmotive.com). How did they build their respective businesses? And how exactly did these two competitors become friends and collaborators?

The Hot Chocolate 5K/15K are two of the largest races of their kind in the world. Painless listeners can take $5 off entry with the code “HCPAINLESS” when you register at www.hotchocolate15k.com!

To connect further on Twitter:

@FFdavezimmer

@FFChgo

@HotChocolate15k

@RamRacing

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/fleetfeetchgo/

https://www.instagram.com/ramracingorg/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/fleetfeetsportschicago/

https://www.facebook.com/HotChocolate15K/

https://www.facebook.com/ram.racing.7

PAINLESS/WISE EVENT SEPT 20!

Join us TONIGHT (9/20) from 6-8p at Brickhouse Tavern at Wrigley! Tickets: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/painlesswise-sports-tech-event

Please support our sponsors:

+A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. Interested in helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities? Visit www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers.

+Enter Spikeball Nationals October 14 in Chicago at https://usaspikeball.com/e/2017-usa-spikeball-roundnet-national-championship. Use code “PAINLESS” and get 50% off!

ABOUT Painless Podcast: Get to know interesting people, jobs and places to work in and around sports, events, start-ups and cause marketing world. Hosted by Chris Hartweg (@chartweg). Focusing on how and why they landed where they are and the role of mentoring and networking to get there.

Sign up for Painless emails that include job and event postings at: http://eepurl.com/sOJcf

Key Painless links...

URL: www.Painless.Network

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/groups/73710

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PainlessNetworking

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PainlessNetwork

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PainlessNetwork

Painless Podcast episode 30:

Carey Pinkowski (Executive Race Director, Bank of America Chicago Marathon)

Tim Hadzima (General Manager, Abbott World Marathon Majors)

The 40th Bank of America Chicago Marathon (www.chicagomarathon.com and @chimarathon) is just a few weeks away. Hear from race director Carey Pinkowski (@careyrunschi) on how they turn 26.2 miles of urban roadway into a world-class endurance event for 45,000 runners. Tim Hadzima (@timmyhad) from Abbott World Marathon Majors (www.worldmarathonmajors.com and @wmmajors) joins as well to talk about the collaboration between the world’s top six marathons, including Chicago.

PAINLESS/WISE SPORTS & TECH EVENT SEPT 20!

Join us from 6-8p on Sept 20 at the new Brickhouse Tavern at Wrigley Field! Tickets are selling fast – get yours here TODAY: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/painlesswise-sports-tech-event

Please support our sponsors:

+NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA Careers page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers.

+Spikeball Nationals are October 14 at Chicago’s Cricket Hill in Montrose Harbor. Want to get in? Sign up a team TODAY at https://usaspikeball.com/e/2017-usa-spikeball-roundnet-national-championship. Use code “PAINLESS” and get 50% off your entry fee.

About the Painless Podcast: Get to know interesting people, jobs and places to work in and around sports, events, start-ups and cause marketing world. Hosted by Chris Hartweg (@chartweg). Focusing on how and why they landed where they are and the role of mentoring and networking to get there.

Sign up for Painless emails that include job and event postings at: http://eepurl.com/sOJcf

Key Painless links...

URL: www.Painless.Network

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/groups/73710

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PainlessNetworking

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PainlessNetwork

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PainlessNetwork

The FadeAway with Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt - Episode 4

Former Illinois Assistant and UIC Head Basketball Coach Jimmy Collins

Going back in Illini history, Deon and Eric sit down with Jimmy Collins, former Assistant Coach for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Coach Collins also made a name for himself in the Final Four as a star guard at New Mexico State, and is the University of Illinois at Chicago’s all-time leader in coaching wins.

In this episode, Coach Collins tells us how he found his way into coaching, and his thoughts on how he successfully recruited Chicago during the Flying Illini days. He also shares who his toughest “sell” was to convince to come to the University of Illinois.

The FadeAway is hosted by Deon Thomas and Eric Schmidt. Deon currently does television studio work for the Big Ten Network and radio color analysis during Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball games. Eric can be seen on the Comcast “Game of the Week,” and other sports and entertainment segments, for Comcast in Chicago.

Keep in touch with the FadeAway on the following social media channels:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/TheFadeAwayDeonEric

Twitter – www.twitter.com/TheFadeAwayChi

Instagram – www.instagram.com/thefadeawaychi

Thanks to Marty Casey for our music. His debut solo album, The Ground You Walk On, is available now on iTunes at www.smarturl.it/MartyCasey. You can also find it on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Play.

And big thanks to Chris Hartweg and Painless Networking for making us a part of the Painless Podcast Network! Visit www.painless.network for more.

Painless Podcast episode 29:

Scott Paddock (President, Chicagoland Speedway)

Hear from the head of Chicagoland Speedway as NASCAR is about invade town. Check out www.chicagolandspeedway.com for track and event info. For opportunities to join their team scroll down to “Join Our Team” at the bottom of their homepage.

PAINLESS/WISE SPORTS & TECH EVENT SEPT 20!

Join us from 6-8p on Sept 20 at the new Brickhouse Tavern at Wrigley Field! Tickets selling fast here: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/painlesswise-sports-tech-event

This week’s sponsors:

+NCSA: A tech company with a sports mindset, NCSA emphasizes the importance of their staff team, and has been recognized for its culture initiatives, benefits and workplace environment, winning multiple awards. If you’re interested in joining the NCSA team and helping student-athletes connect with college coaches and opportunities, visit the NCSA careers web page at www.ncsasports.org/who-is-ncsa/jobs/careers.

+Spikeball Nationals are October 14 at Chicago’s Cricket Hill in Montrose Harbor. Want to get in? Sign up a team TODAY at https://usaspikeball.com/e/2017-usa-spikeball-roundnet-national-championship. Use code “PAINLESS” and get 50% off your entry fee.

About the Painless Podcast: Get to know interesting people, jobs and places to work in and around sports, events, start-ups and cause marketing world. Hosted by Chris Hartweg. Focusing on how and why they landed where they are and the role of mentoring and networking to get there.

Sign up for Painless emails that include job and event postings at: http://eepurl.com/sOJcf

MORE: Key Painless links...

URL: www.Painless.Network

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/groups/73710

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PainlessNetworking

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PainlessNetwork

Instagram: www.instagram.com/PainlessNetwork