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.

Day two of DGA week. Stay hydrated, people. The Pod welcomes Mark Fox on the eve of his recognition as part of the 2026 Distinguished Graduate class. Fox joins us to reflect on a lifetime of leadership, service, and the lessons learned from his journey following graduation from Annapolis. Chris and I also break down the football season opener and discuss Coach Brian Newberry's press conference as Navy prepares to take the field. We share our thoughts on the team's outlook, key storylines heading into the season, and what fans should be watching as Navy begins its campaign.And because no Navy football weekend is complete without a trip downtown, we highlight a few new Annapolis businesses that alumni and fans can check out before or after Saturday's game. Whether you're back in town for reunion season, visiting the Yard, or simply looking for a new favorite spot, we've got you covered. That, plus updates from around the alumni community and much more on the best alumni podcast in the land.Listen, subscribe, and share. Beat Army. Always.

It's a big week! We honor four new Distinguished Graduates this week. And where else are you going to get an exclusive interview with each one? Sing Second. We have Daily Drops this week with each DG. Our featured guest today is ADM Patrick Walsh ’77, USN (Ret.), one of the most accomplished naval leaders of his generation. A Naval Academy graduate, former Blue Angel, combat aviator, and four-star admiral, Admiral Walsh capped off more than 34 years of service as the 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, responsible for operations across the vast Indo-Pacific region. He also served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet. In a wide-ranging half-hour conversation, Admiral Walsh reflects on leadership lessons learned from the cockpit, the importance of character and trust in high-performing teams, and how the Naval Academy prepared him for a lifetime of service. Chris and John also catch up on all things Alumni Association & Foundation, talk about what’s happening around the Yard this week and start previewing the first football game of the year against Towson. Whether you're a Midshipman, graduate, active-duty officer, veteran, or simply interested in leadership at the highest levels, this is an episode you won't want to miss. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Let’s get after it. Chris and John talk about this past weekend’s road trip to San Diego for Men’s Soccer, the new Volgeneau Auditorium in Mahan Hall and our excitement for the upcoming football season. Don’t forget our first “Alumni Pre-Game” 1130-1330 Sept. 5th before the Towson game! Our alum interview this week is with Stephen DiBartolomeo ‘16. Stephen graduated, served in the Intel/Crypto community and is now making his own way as an Entrepreneur and business leader in the tech space with Chiplytics. We have a great conversation about the challenges in that sector and how making that transition worked out for Stephen. And we shout it out to Run To Honor as we approach this weekend’s big Annapolis 10 Miler. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. We…are….OUT. Beat Army. Always.

Here we go. As we recorded Ep. 2, the first day of classes of the 2026-2027 academic year were just getting underway. So, Plebe Summer is done. Athletic competitions are underway. And the first football game and Distinguished Graduate weekend is just around the corner. Chris and John talk about welcoming the class of 2030 to the FAC to engage them about membership, the Class of 2028 and their 2 for 7 experience last week and the Class of 2027 and challenges that await them this year and in the Fleet and Marine Corps that awaits them. We also talk about the new Leadership Institute Director position at USNA, which was advertised last week. We also break down "YP Next" and the autonomous training and collaboration USNA worked into its summer training regimen. And we're way excited to talk about the new "Alumni Pre-game," our pre-game get-togethers for every home game this season. Up first - September 5th from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the FAC for the Towson game. We'll have a live pod with guests from the two reunion classes ('81 and '96) and some other awesome guests. And, as always, there will be food and drink. So come be a pre-gamer at the FAC and help us usher in the new season. And our alum interview this week is with Nathan Getty '08. Nathan and his wife, Lindsay, join the pod to talk about their company, Story Sprouts. Find it at storysprouts.co for more info, but Lindsay and Nathan are making books as collectibles for your life events and memories. It's an awesome concept and a great way of having paper remembrances if you're trying to get Out of the digital world. They're giving a discount code - SINGSECOND - on your order. Check out their site and listen to their interview. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. We…are….OUT. Beat Army. Always.

We're back, people! What started as something to kill time during Covid has turned into an amazing engagement opportunity for all of us as we bring you the stories BEHIND the stories of how our alums make In happen from the Fleet to the C-Suite. Men and Women of character and consequence sharing their visions...their perspectives...and their leadership advice on this Ted Talk-like pod. This week...Chris and John bring the pod back where it all started - Dry 85. We chat about Plebe Parents Weekend and the upcoming Ac Year. And our guests this week break it down on the impact of giving back. Setting the "BLUE AND GOLD STANDARD" is the great class of 1972. Jeff Beard and John Dillon join the pod to talk about class giving and their thoughts on what makes USNA special today. That and more on Sing Second. Beat Army. Always.