Tech of Sports

Danielle M. Donehew is only the third person to lead the WBCA in its 40-plus-year history. She was named Executive Director on July 2, 2014.

As Executive Director, Donehew administers all operational affairs for the WBCA, oversees all marketing endeavors, manages the non-profit organization’s $2.5 million annual budget, oversees all WBCA programs and services, and directs the office staff. She also oversees the WBCA’s external affairs, taking on active roles with affiliate organizations such as the NCAA, USA Basketball, the WNBA, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Donehew represents the WBCA as a non-voting member on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, which oversees all aspects of the sport on the NCAA Division I level.

Donehew is the past president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, having concluded a three-year term as its president on June 10, 2020. She serves on the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees as well. She is also an International Women’s Forum Foundation Fellow, completing in June 2016 the leading women’s executive development program in the world.

Donehew continues to give back to athletics and the community through her service on other non-profit boards. She serves on the board of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, dedicated to the fight against women’s cancers. She is a co-founder and advisory board member of the Pat Summitt Foundation, which is dedicated to bringing awareness and funding to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. She also serves as an advisory board member for the Pat Summitt Leadership Group.

Before coming to the WBCA, Donehew was the American Athletic Conferences’ associate commissioner for women’s basketball, serving as the primary conference leader for women’s basketball initiatives. Her responsibilities at the American included managing the conference’s regular season scheduling and television processes for women’s basketball; representing and promoting the interests of American women’s basketball programs at the national level with NCAA, corporate, and television partners; and administering the annual American Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament. Donehew also served as the primary contact for IMG, the conference’s partner for the management of corporate sponsorship activation, including strategic partnerships and their fulfillment for all sport championships. Prior to her position at the American, Donehew served as associate commissioner for women’s basketball for the Big East Conference from 2009 to 2013.

Donehew has worked at multiple levels in the game including the WNBA. In 2007, she served as consultant to a private investment group of community leaders in Atlanta to build the business case to bring a WNBA franchise to the city. In 2008, after the league charter was granted, Donehew was named Executive Vice President for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream expansion team, where she led finance, operations, television, contract negotiations, and community development. During the two seasons under Donehew’s leadership, the Dream was in the WNBA’s top 5 for attendance and the team earned a playoff berth in its second season. The franchise continues to be strong and competitive in postseason play

Prior to joining the Atlanta Dream, Donehew worked directly with legendary head coach Pat Summitt and the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball program for seven years (2001-2008). While she was at Tennessee, the Lady Vols earned trips to six Women’s Final Fours and won two national championships. Donehew began her career as a graduate assistant for the Lady Vols while completing her master’s degree in sport management. In her second year with the program, Donehew accepted the position of director of basketball operations where she handled all operational and logistical tasks. Over time, her responsibilities increased and she was promoted to assistant athletics director for basketball operations, where she continued her mastery of operational duties with a larger role in the area of donor relations.

In 2013, Donehew was named an ACC Legend for her contributions to Georgia Tech and the Atlantic Coast Conference during her collegiate basketball career from 1996-2001. During her playing career at Georgia Tech, Donehew was the recipient of numerous accolades including an ACC Post Graduate Scholarship. In 2009, Georgia Tech recognized her with the Woman Out Front Award.

As a student-athlete, Donehew was an active member of Phi Mu Sorority; held executive offices on the Georgia Tech Student Athlete Advisory Board; represented Georgia Tech on the ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Board; and was named the 1999 Georgia Tech Homecoming Queen.

She joins Rick this week!

Rick is joined by a legend this week, in Gil Reyes

Gil Reyes is an American fitness trainer who spent seventeen years as the strength and conditioning trainer for retired tennis player Andre Agassi, from 1989 until Agassi’s retirement in 2006. He was also considered one of Agassi’s closest friends and confidants.

Gil Reyes was the strength and conditioning coach for the basketball program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas before meeting Agassi in 1989. Reyes was their strength coach when they won the 1990 NCAA championships.

Reyes’s approach transformed Agassi into a well-conditioned strong athlete.

Reyes currently runs the Gil Reyes Fitness Center in Las Vegas. It was great to record this interview at Gil’s gym.

Learn How to Prepare Your Home and Finances for Wildfires; Hear Science-backed Action Steps to Help Prevent Ember Ignition and Why It’s Important to Contact Your Insurer to Make Sure You Have the Right Coverage.

Joined by:

Karen Collins; Vice President at American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA)

Anne D. Cope, PhD, P.E., Chief Engineer at Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

Wildfire risk is increasing due to several factors, such as more homes and communities in wildfire-prone areas and changing environmental conditions that result in wildfires igniting more easily, spreading more rapidly, and burning more intensely. A new 2025 report by Cotality says nearly 2.6 million homes in the western U.S. face moderate or greater wildfire risk with a combined reconstruction cost value of $1.3 trillion. The massive January wildfires in Los Angeles County are the latest example of how conflagration can severely devastate communities.  The Eaton and Palisades wildfires damaged or destroyed 18,298 structures and tragically killed 30 people making it the costliest insured wildfire loss event in U.S. history.  

As a result, large urban conflagration fires are occurring in more states, for example the 2020 Labor Day fires in Oregon, 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado and 2023 Lahaina Fire in Maui. These massive fires ignited and spread because these dangerous factors came together: dry conditions, high winds, along with flammable materials and vegetation near structures. Over the last five years, inflation has increased the cost of repairing and rebuilding homes. Construction labor has increased 36 percent and building materials are up 42 percent (source: APCIA Analysis of US Bureau of Labor Statistics data). It is more important than ever to call your agent or broker to complete an insurance checkup.  Make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your home.   

While wildfire has become a year-round threat, there are research-based actions to reduce the chance your home ignites during a wildfire. Taking a system of research-based actions can mitigate the most vulnerable areas of the home to meaningfully reduce the risk of ember ignition

What to do:

Have a noncombustible 5-foot zone around your home. The good news is that you do not have to compromise curb appeal! Top landscape pavers or river stones with ceramic flowerpots or planters that can easily be moved indoors during Red Flag Warnings for a beautiful landscape that also acts as a fire-resistant buffer.

A wildfire prepared home includes: a Class A fire-rated roof, ember resistant vents, gutters free of debris and the last six inches of vertical space on exterior walls made from noncombustible material. 

Call your agent to update your insurance and ensure your finances are protected.

Make a home inventory to account for your property and valuables.

Anne Cope, IBHS chief engineer will provide critical research-based guidance on what to do in the five feet around your home to help prevent it from catching fire during a wildfire as embers can travel miles ahead of the fire front. Karen Collins and Michael Richmond-Crum, property insurance and natural disaster experts at American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) will be available to discuss tips on preparing your finances for wildfires that you can use as well as share with friends and family.

For more information please visit: www.ibhs.org/wildfireready and www.apci.org/wildfire

Karen Collins serves as Vice President, Property & Environmental in the Policy, Research, and International Division for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). APCIA is the largest property and casualty insurance trade association with over 1,200 member companies nationwide. APCIA’s members write nearly 60 percent of the property and casualty insurance in the U.S. Karen provides thought leadership on property and catastrophe issues, with emphasis on risk mitigation and resilience to natural catastrophes such as flood, hurricane, and wildfire. She provides policy expertise on legislative and regulatory issues at the state, federal and international level, on behalf of the trade association and its membership. Prior to joining APCIA, Karen acquired 20 years of insurance experience with several major insurance carriers, in varying roles and responsibilities spanning Product, Sales, I.T.

Dr. Anne Cope joined IBHS in 2009 just a few months before the groundbreaking for the construction of the IBHS Research Center in Richburg, South Carolina. As the Chief Engineer, she leads the development of research programs to improve the performance of structures in hurricanes, wildfires, severe thunderstorms, and hailstorms as well as the team of engineers, scientists, and skilled craftsman who conduct research on full-scale homes and commercial buildings. She is responsible for the team’s implementation of research findings into building codes and standards. Prior to joining IBHS, Dr. Cope was a project manager and structural engineer with Reynolds, Smith & Hills, Inc., designing projects for NASA, Department of Defense, and commercial launch operations. Dr. Cope’s research encompasses topics ranging from the full-scale simulation of wind effects on buildings to detailed studies of the vulnerabilities of buildings to natural hazards and the development of damage prediction models. She is also a proud veteran of the United States Army.

LaMont Jones joins Rick to discuss this year’s rankings and the methodology used by U.S. News, offer helpful tips for prospective students, and more.

Topics:

1. U.S. News just released its annual College Rankings. This is year 41! Tell us about this year’s results.

2. How does U.S. News determine the Best Colleges? You have rankings for public schools, veterans, by state and more!

3. What sets U.S. News’ rankings apart compared to other “best” school lists out there?

4. What advice do you have for prospective students and parents? How can they use U.S. News’ Best Colleges rankings during college application season?

5. Where can our listeners go for more information?

For more information please visit: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges

MORE ABOUT LAMONT JONES:

As managing editor for education, LaMont oversees a team of reporters, editors, bloggers and other freelancer contributors who produce advice and news content on K-12 and higher education. He has more than 35 years of journalism experience as a writer and editor. LaMont came to U.S. News in September 2019 and served four years as senior editor for education before becoming managing editor for education. Prior to that, he worked as senior writer, senior editor and co-editor at Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. Earlier in his journalism career, he was a copy desk editor at the Courier-Journal in Kentucky, a suburban reporter at the Pittsburgh Press, and a higher education reporter, race relations writer, and teen page creator and coordinator at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Rick is joined by Brian Farrell, Big Green Egg Sales Manager, this week.

Big Green Egg is the world’s leading manufacturer of the premier ceramic outdoor cooking system, renowned for its durability, passionate customer base, and exceptional culinary results. From humble beginnings in a single store in Atlanta, it has expanded to a global live-fire cooking phenomenon in over fifty countries. Ideal for both home cooks and culinary enthusiasts, The Big Green Egg is the top choice worldwide because of its commitment to eco-friendly live-fire cooking with 100% all-natural lump charcoal.  For more information, visit www.BigGreenEgg.com.

Brian talks with Rick about new accessories and where Big Green Egg is going.

Notes:

Experience live-fire flavor with the Big Green Egg Large Rotisserie. Compatible with your Large Egg, the Rotisserie transforms your Egg into a self-basting, hands-free roaster, delivering crispy, juicy, and evenly cooked meats with rich, live-fire flavor. Made from premium marine-grade stainless steel, this accessory ensures juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked meats every time.

Experience It Lid-Open or Lid-Closed: Invite your guests to experience the joy of cooking over live-fire with the Rotisserie. When enjoying a lid-open Rotisserie experience, keep draft door & rEGGulator closed and use less charcoal.

Great to be joined by Theresa Steven of VisitScotland this week. Direct from the VisitScotland exhibit at IMEX in Las Vegas.

Scotland is a great destination for sports and outdoors enthusiasts and fans.

Scotland doesn’t need much introduction. It’s a country steeped in traditions and history, yet firmly rooted in the modern age. It’s a land of majestic munroes and dramatic landscapes, often within easy reach of vibrant cities. At every turn, you’ll find myths and legends (if you know where to look) alongside centres of innovation, sustainable business practices, cutting-edge science and technology, and some of the world’s most respected academic institutions.

Planning a conference, incentive trip, or business meeting?

Maybe want to play historic golf courses or just explore?

They had12 incredible partners on stand E1705 at IMEX, showcasing what makes Scotland a standout destination for business events:

2B UK DMC Scotland

Our team will also deliver Destination Presentations throughout the show, ideal for gaining an overview of what Scotland offers MICE groups. Alongside engaging on-stand activities, you’ll also learn how hosting your event in Scotland can create meaningful legacies and memorable experiences for both you and your delegates.

Thanks to Theresa for coming on and the entire VisitScotland team.

Rick talks to Naomi J. Brown, MD, pediatric sports medicine specialist about injuries in youth sports.

While playing sports can be important for both physical and mental health, injuries are bound to happen, landing millions of young athletes in the ER each year. Contact and collision sports like football, basketball, hockey and soccer often cause injuries, but so can other sports like baseball, gymnastics, bicycling and even ballet.

Experts say establishing a healthy training routine is the key to preventing most injuries. This includes stretching and cooling down, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. Experts also say it’s important to avoid comparison, as every child is different in terms of growth, muscle strength and bone density.

Topics:

How common are injuries in young athletes?

Naomi J. Brown, MD, is a pediatric sports medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) focusing on sports injury prevention, overuse injuries and pain management. Her areas of expertise are dance medicine, hypermobility, injury prevention, pediatric injuries, pediatric sports medicine, repetitive strain injuries, skiing and snowboarding injuries and sports injuries.

Great to catch up with Richard Terry of Inspired at G2E.

A lot going in with Inspired in sports.

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (“Inspired” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading provider of B2B gaming content and systems, is set to showcase its latest advancements at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). The Company is excited to highlight how Inspired’s content drives opportunities and success for operators across its diverse digital and retail portfolio.

One of the highlights includes Inspired’s proven Hybrid Dealer® line, which innovatively combines live dealer elements with RNG efficiency. This solution eliminates the need for physical studios by utilizing CGI, green screens, and authentic footage to create a seamless, captivating experience. Inspired has launched this pioneering line with numerous operators, including BetMGM with MGM Bonus City, Caesars Entertainment with Caesars Palace Wheel of Wins, and more recently, FanDuel with FanDuel Tailgate Takeover, a football-themed Hybrid Dealer game. The portfolio, customer base, and geographic reach are expanding rapidly, demonstrating strong market momentum.

Building on this momentum, Virtual Sports takes a leap forward with the unveiling of Soccer 3.6. This new release introduces Bet Builder mechanics that offer customized, multi-outcome wagers, enhancing interactivity. At the same time, Inspired broadens the scope of Virtuals, with differentiated content designed for both retail and online audiences, such as Fortune Flyer, a fast-paced, crash-inspired racing game. Fortune Flyer provides multiple betting opportunities, quicker event cycles, and a broader range of volatility.

Delivering across multiple segments, Inspired’s Valiant cabinet continues to outperform with fun, engaging games featuring graphics, mechanics, and math profiles specifically tailored to resonate with North American players. One of the most anticipated games on display at G2E is Jaguar Gems, which embodies the “familiar but fresh” philosophy by taking Wild Mighty Tembo, a player favorite, and enhancing gameplay with pseudo-persistence, a feature that maintains game state across sessions. Additionally, seasonal titles will be introduced, promising to put everyone in a festive mood.

Central to Inspired’s diverse portfolio is its omni-channel content, which ensures seamless engagement across digital and retail platforms. At G2E, the Company will showcase the breadth of its iGaming lineup, highlighting high-performing franchises, seasonal slots, and innovative features.

Among the key titles is Wolf It Up! Again, from the popular Wolf It Up! franchise, which continues to grow in strength and brand appeal across North America. Seasonal titles such as Werewolf It Up! (arriving in time for Halloween) and Wolf It Up! Christmas will also be introduced, emphasizing Inspired’s commitment to seasonal and engaging content.

In addition, another key iGaming reveal is Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel, which features a new multiplayer persistence mechanic called Player Link (US patent application no. 63/880). This industry-first mechanic allows players on the same stake to share a single Super Wheel across all games, along with a never-before-seen bonus game, further demonstrating Inspired’s innovation in creating engaging, player-centric experiences.

Additional information can be found at www.inseinc.com.

Rick is joined by junior tennis player and PPA Pickleball player, Chloe Zigliara of Georgia.

Chloe is a top junior tennis player and is being recruited by top colleges. She is also dabbling and experiencing success in Pickleball.

Tough decisions ahead, but Chloe is doing it the right was and was a delight to talk to at a Pickleball event in Las Vegas.

Listen and learn more about Chloe’s journey.

Sports and bad weather don’t mix.

Rick is joined this week:

DR. IAN GIAMMANCO; Lead Research Meteorologist, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

The U.S. is entering the most active part of hurricane season, which typically begins to peak between mid-August and mid-October. Now is the time to strengthen your property to limit potential damage and check your insurance coverage to make sure you are financially prepared if a storm damages your property.

Natural disasters in recent years have caused billions of dollars in damage, which is a key reason why insurance costs have risen. To help ease the cost of insurance long-term, it is critical to increase the resiliency of homes and communities and reduce costly damage from severe weather. Costs to repair and rebuild homes and businesses after a natural disaster have risen significantly due to inflation. In the last five years, the cost of construction labor has increased 36.3 percent while the cost of building materials are up 42.7 percent. Homeowners should take time to review their insurance policy and verify with their insurer or agent that their coverage is keeping pace with these cost increases to help prevent being underinsured after a disaster.

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) researches ways to strengthen buildings from severe weather and wildfire. The nonprofit provides property owners with science-backed guidance to prepare buildings to better withstand a severe weather event and helps inform future building codes to make our homes and businesses stronger. Adopted and enforced modern building codes are critical to improving resilience against storms.

With an active hurricane season expected, now is the time for homeowners to understand the risk of their community and evaluate ways they can reduce the potential for damage to their home if disaster strikes. In this segment, Dr. Ian Giammanco and Michael Richmond-Crum will be available to offer tips to guide property owners as they prepare for a potentially active peak hurricane season, including:

Upgrading to a FORTIFIED roof the next time you re-roof. This beyond-code standard will help keep your roof deck attached to your roof structure by using things like 8D ring shank nails that increase the uplift strength of your roof. A FORTIFIED roof will also keep you covered in the event that high winds blow off your shingles and underlayment, which exposes cracks in your roof deck and allows heavy rain to enter into your home. With a FORTIFIED roof, those cracks will be covered with flashing tape that IBHS research shows will keep up to 95% of water out of your home.

IBHS’s Roofing Roadmaps is a first-of-its kind tool to educate homeowners about the expected performance of roof covers, including asphalt shingle, metal and tile roofing systems, in relation to where they live and the natural hazards they face. (Roof 101) (Hazard 101)

When windows and doors are broken by flying debris, wind pressures can enter your home and push on your house from the inside out like a balloon, leading to structural damage. Installing impact-rated windows and doors that can withstand impacts from flying debris will help prevent this.. Alternatively, installing storm shutters over your windows can also help protect them from flying debris, keeping wind and water out.

Low-cost ways to strengthen your property to reduce potential damage.

Clogged gutters can lead to water damage. Remove leaves and debris so water can flow freely away from your home.

Topics:

This is predicted to be an active hurricane season. What steps can property owners take to make their home stronger and prevent potential storm damage?

For more information please visit: IBHS Hurricane Ready Guide: https://ibhs.org/hurricaneready/