The Rant

You ever recognize a face but don’t know from where? Maybe from a different context? Enter Brandon Freeman. I knew I recognized his voice from him yelling at me when reffing him in Flag Football. In this pod, we discuss his early life, his relationship with Basketball, the game that I reffed, and that he coached, that put me on the map, all on the same day that Joe Biden was elected President. All that and more, my conversation with Brandon, now.

It was only 11 long months ago since when we last were on the court together for the first time. But, the CoronaVirus. In this pod, we pull up to a park in Massapequa, NY to talk of his early life playing sports in Elmont, his legendary LAX team, the technical foul he deserved on court to fuel him to become an official himself, to his ascendency to becoming one of the top basketball refs on Long Island. All that more, my conversation with Marty, in bio, now.

Scott Berkins is an official’s official. In this pod, we discuss his early life watching his father umpire Baseball, his first experience calling balls and strikes, his brief stint reffing Ice Hockey, his ascension in Collegiate Basketball, and what it’s like having a newborn during the age of Corona Virus. All that and more, my conversation with Scott, in bio, now.

2019-2020 - After a preempted breakout season, Blake set his sights on collegiate camps as a Basketball Official. In this pod, we discuss his season that was, how COVID-19 derailed his goals, pivoting to new goals as a personal trainer, and what the uncertain future holds. All that and more, my catch up in conversation with Blake, in bio now.

It was a Sunday, at Island Garden. Normally, I’d be reffing on a court, and she would be in season with her team. This isn’t normal times. In this pod, we discuss her early life playing Basketball, her success on the Lightning team at the AAU level and what it means to her, her success at Our Lady Of Mercy Academy in high school, and playing at the next level. All that and more, my conversation with Lauren, now.

Another Day at Susa Sports, another athlete doing Burpees, Squats, and Medicine Ball Work, all under Mike’s watch. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing Basketball, getting into coaching early, and training athletes from the Middle School Level, Collegiate Level, and Pro’s on t

Absolute, Ashlee Good is a Student of the Game. In this pod, we discuss her early life playing sports, in college, to transitioning to become a Varsity Basketball Coach. It came full circle where she took up the stripes, getting the attention of Joey Crawford, which fueled her passion to be at the highest levels of Collegiate Basketball. Further, it propelled her to give back to the ref community through SOTG. All that and more, my conversation with Ashlee, now.

It’s been over 200 episodes since we sat down with Rob; that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been on his grind. In this pod, we discuss those early moments when the pandemic hit and the rims were taken down, how life is different not having a PSAL season and not having a summer, and using this time wisely to focus on family and himself. All that and more, Part 2 with Rob, now.

On the same historic day Kamala Harris became the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, we chop it up with Stephan. In this pod we discuss his early life in, NYC, becoming an official unexpectedly, elevating to the collegiate side, and what it’s like to watch his daughter play basketball as a parent, and not a ref. All that and more, my conversation with Stephen, in bio, now.

On the same historic day Kamala Harris became the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, we chop it up with Stephan. In this pod we discuss his early life in, NYC, becoming an official unexpectedly, elevating to the collegiate side, and what it’s like to watch his daughter play basketball as a parent, and not a ref. All that and more, my conversation with Stephen, in bio, now.