Just in time for college football season, legendary West Chester University football and baseball coach and University of Delaware alum Bill Zwaan visits with Coach Rapczynski to talk Philly sports and the impacts coaches can have on athlete's life. Coach Zwaan helped more than 4,000 student athletes through the course of his career, with a winning record of 217–90 in football and 60-101-1 in baseball. Most importantly, his community work through the Promise program and his support of the autism community are even more legendary.  

Coach Rapczynski talks with legendary coach Pat Knapp about the changing face of college basketball. Both coaches grew up in the Philadelphia Catholic League coaching ranks, coming from North Catholic and McDevitt respectively. They talk about the legendary North-McDevitt playoff game in 1968 where the North JV beat the McDevitt Varsity in the Catholic League playoffs. Seems unthinkable today in a world of AAU, NIL and the transfer portal. The coaches ask the question -- can you still develop basketball players today?

Coach Spatola and Coach Rapczynski compare notes about growing up in Long Island and Philadelphia and their legendary coaching careers and what it's like to learn from legendary coaches like Duke's Coach K.  

About Mike Spatola

Mike Spatola coached basketball, baseball, and football and taught history, geography, and physical education at Trinity Prep from 1977 to 1987. He held the position of Trinity’s athletic director from 1984 to 1987. During his time coaching, his teams won a district title in basketball, and his players were recognized as All District, All County, and All State selections in basketball and football. He coached sixteen of the previous Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Mike was named Boys Basketball Coach of the Year at Lawrence Academy and participated in the AAU Nationals as coach of the South Shore Warriors in Long Island, NY.

Mike has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida Southern College and a master’s degree in social studies education from Nova Southeastern University. After leaving Trinity, he coached and taught at  Lake Howell High School, Lawrence Academy, St. John the Baptist High School, and Friends Academy in Locust Valley. His many accolades include selection as graduation speaker at Friends Academy, being chosen Teacher of the Year at Trinity Prep in 1984, and chairing the history department at Lawrence Academy. Before retirement, he coached and served as athletic director at Durham Academy, where he received the Distinguished Faculty Award. He and his wife Pam live in Durham, NC. They have four children and nine grandchildren.

Source: Trinity Prep

Coach Rapczynski speaks this week with Wilmington University Head Men's Basketball Coach Dan Burke, who in 10 years at WilmU, has taken his team to the CACC playoffs 8 of 9 years - a tremendous accomplishment. He talks about the rise of AAU, the transfer portal, and its impact on the game of basketball. Listen in on these two ball coaches connect. 

Learn more about Dan and the Wilmington University basketball teams here - https://wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu/sports/mbkb/coaches/DanBurke?view=bio

In this special Father's Day edition of Philly Sports Rap, Coach Rapczynski speaks with legendary local news executive Mike Archer, who spent more than 40 years in TV news, including 30 years in Philadelphia. Why Father's Day edition? Well, Coach Rapczynski's daughter Beth is married to Mike's son, Terence. They share two granddaughers, who they love spending time with. While Mike's wife, two sons and granddaughters are diehard Philadelphia sports fans, he remains loyal to his Brooklyn upbringing and continues to root for New York sports teams in good times and bad. Here Mike shares legendary Yankee and St. Bonnaventure stories.  

"One of the best coaches timeout to timeout in Philadelphia history" Dave Pauley joins Coach Rap for this episode of Philly Sports Rap where two passionate coaches discuss the evolution of youth sports, which feeds into high school and collegiate sports. And of course, it wouldn't be a Philly Sports Rap without a few North Catholic and Markward Club references. #neverletgo

Legendary basketball coach Bob Clark joins Coach Rapczynski to discuss his journey from the Philadelphia Catholic League to the NCAA. He shares valuable insights on what it takes to work your way up the ranks. 

Coach Rapczynski talks to long-time friend, University of Delaware alumnus, and 1991 Delaware High School State Basketball Championship Coach at the Sanford School Thom Schumosic ... They connect over the changes to college basketball including the influence of the NIL ... and what it takes to grow as a coach.

Legendary St. Joe's Prep, University of Maryland, and NBA basketball player ... and most importantly, all-around wonderful and kind community contributor Mo Howard joins the Philly Sports Rap to talk hoops with longtime friend and host Joe Rapczynski. Mo dives into transferring from Roman to St. Joe's Prep where he went from playing for legend Speedy Morris to playing for legend Eddie Burke. ... He shares stories of his time playing for Lefty Driesell at the University of Maryland. ... And the documentary "The Game that Changed College Basketball." ... Which makes you wonder, was that the best basketball game ever played?

Just in time for baseball's opening day, Bristol and Temple graduates and Phillies alum Jeff Manto joins host Joe Rapczynski as two multi-hall of famers talk about what's its like to make it to the Big Leagues, play internationally and coach professionally ... and what traits are most important to get to the next level of sports.