Sing Second Alumni

Mid-October is here in Annapolis. The Power Boat Show came and went…and so did 4 inches of weekend rain. But, hey, before the heavens opened up, Navy Football got a big win vs Tulsa. John and Chris break down the win and preview the awesome tailgates and alumni roadshows that are coming your way in San Antonio this coming weekend. The boys chat about the upcoming Homecoming weekend festivities and some other Star matches we have on the horizon. And our Alumni interview this week is special. October 12th marked the 26th anniversary of the bombing of the USS Cole (DDG 67). Kirk Lippold ‘81 was the CO on that fateful day. Kirk joins us to remember the 17 sailors who died that day, his lessons learned and the leadership choices he made in the immediate aftermath that kept the ship from going down. AN amazing conversation on a solemn day. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Special LIVE Sing Second Podcast from Naval Bagels featuring Denny Moynihan '86 and Zach Guerra '00. We welcomed Navy Football back to Annapolis after a month-long hiatus with an AMAZING live pod from Naval Bagels in Annapolis.Chris and John ushered in Founders Day with some of our favorite Annapolis fans. We talked about big star wins for Men's Soccer and Women's Volleyball. And we previewed the big game vs Tulsa that ended up (spoiler alert) as a big win. Denny Moynihan joined the pod yto update us on Navy Golf and to talk about what makes the Naval Academy special as we celebrated our 181st Founders Day. And Zach Guerra ran it back to the old Naval Bagels pod scene to talk about his new venture - Revolutionary VP Studios. Check them out here - https://www.revolutionaryvp.com. Zach joined the pod to talk about what RVP is and will become, which is the premiere Virtual Production studio in the DMV. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Welcome to October, party people. The Sing Second Pod steams into our favortie month with a great conversation about the upcoming President's Circle weekend, a difficult weekend for Navy Football vs Air Force, a new remembrance to Jimmy Carter on the Yard and a big star win for Jimmy Stobs and Navy Men's Golf. We also interview Wayne Rogers '76. The movie Atonement hit the theaters this past Friday. AN incredibly moving story about a tragedy from the Iraq War and how lives continue to be affected by its events years later. Starring Kenneth Brannagh, this marks Waynbe Rogers' return to movie producing. The Annapolis resident dishes about how to produce (hint - It's harder than "Get Shorty"), the leadership lessons he learned from being a SWO to being a successful executive in the Hydro Power game...to producing a Hollywood movie. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

The last pod of September hits like a freight train. John and Chris chat about an up and down week for Navy sports. A big star win for Rugby was offset by a star loss for Sprint Football and a loss to UAB for Brian Newberry's guys. We also have a great conversation with Alberto Desterac '23. Alberto lost his sight during his firstie year to a rare condition, but that didn't stop him from getting 4.0 and graduating with his class. Now he's using the challenges life threw at him and crafting solutions for vision-limited people around the world. And we preview the big game vs Air Force this weekend with a great conversation with Air Force cadet and football stud Isaac Hubert. Isaac plays for Troy Calhoun's boys, but he was raised by two USNA parents. We talk to him about his unique story and his thoughts on the rivalry with Navy. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

September keeps rolling along, and so do John and Chris with this week's Alumni Association & Foundation Podcast. We break down what you might see from Navy Football Friday night in Birmingham. We chat about Friends of Navy Golf and the amazing momentum behind this organization's effort to support the ecosystem of Golf Excellence at Navy through alumni philanthropy and support. We also announce the 2026 Thriving as Leaders awardees, an amazing group of women and men who represent what the Naval Academy is all about - excellence. And our alumni interview this week is with Karl Darden '84. Karl is a fellow podcaster and supporter of the Naval Academy physical mission. Through the Navy Sports Central Podcast, Karl provides a unique perspective into the high performing collegiate athletic program that is USNA. That and More on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Mid-September brings the return of your favorite Alumni Association & Foundation Podcast. Chris and John break down the first road game of the year. The football result wasn’t what we wanted, but the tailgate was 200+ strong. We had astronauts and Thriving as Leaders awardees in attendance…and that was just the Class of ‘77! Either way, great connections down in Boca. Next up…Birmingham. We also wrap up our historic 9/11 coverage last week, which included our multi-media features which provided the alumnus a sneak peak of the new shipmatemagazine.com. And our featured interview this week is with Jeff McLean ‘04. Jeff joins us from “Sconny” and chats up his time as a fighter pilot, his transition to the civilian world of leadership and his role as a new member of the Alumni Association Board of Trustees. Jeff has amazing leadership lessons and stories. Be sure to listen in! That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Welcome to Sing Second’s special commemoration of the 9/11 25th Anniversary. We remember the 14 alumni who passed away on that fateful day, and Chris and John discuss how we are still touched and haunted by what 9/11 was and is. And we remember that day from several perspectives with a four-pack of interviews. VADM John Ryan recounts what it was like to lead the Academy as the Supe in the hours and weeks after the tragedy. Chris Hoffman ‘96 was the Officer of the Watch that day on the yard. Chris lends his perspective on the leadership and logistical challenges of “standing the watch” that day. Ed Malinowski was a firstie and the Football team captain when the planes hit. Ed recounts how it impacted him and the football team during a particularly challenging season. And there was only one American not on earth on 9/11…Frank Culbertson ‘71. Frank gives us his perspective on learning of the events from the space station and how it impacted him and his crew. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Well...that's a wrap on an amazing week. We wrap up Thursday's Distinguished Graduate ceremony, preview Saturday's big game and provide all the good updates on 2/c Parents Weekend on the yard. We also chat with AD Michael Kelly about the new stadium renovations in the South End Zone at Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. We also called into Coach Brian Newberry's press conference before the Towson game to get his thoughts. And do you want to know about the weather for tomorrow's big day? We are ecstatic to bring back WBAL weather expert Ava Marie. Ava likes the outlook Saturday. So do we. 100% chance of fun and a Navy win. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Let’s keep it rolling, people. We’re arrived at DGA Day…and our last pod drop is a special crossover event. Do you remember when Magnum PI and Simon & Simon did the crossover on TV? It was a special moment. Well, that special moment returns with the first ever Sing Second and Voices from Orbit podcast crossover. Capt. Cassidy sat down with Shipmate Editor-in-Chief Jimmy DeButts for a wide-ranging conversation on the Voices from Orbit podcast presented by the Alumni Association. Cassidy reflects on his time as a SEAL, an astronaut and his feelings on being selected for the DGA. The interview took place earlier this week and is a “can’t miss.” Chris and John also chat about the DGA ceremony and preview a big pod dropping Friday when we welcome Athletic Director Michael Kelly, Head Football Coach Brian Newberry, and a special weather report for the Alumni Pregame and the Football game from WBAL Baltimore Meteorologist, Ava Marie. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

What a week it’s been, friends! We get to mid-week with a motivational YUT. We talk to Lt. Gen. David Beydler ‘81 about his career, his selection as a Distinguished Graduate, his time on the Alumni Association Board of Trustees…and much much more. General Beydler loves the Naval Academy, and it remains a great honor to give interviewees the megaphone they need to talk about their affection. Congrats to the Marine in the group on being a DGA and an overall great American. Chris and John also dish a little bit on the new amenities and features at Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this season. Of note - the new Naval Academy Athletic Foundation Tower in the South End Zone. They’re painting it now…so it has to be ready by Saturday!That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.