The Sunbirds Sports Show with Paul Meadors

It’s a special summer episode of the Sunbirds Sports Show that was recorded live earlier this week from Belmont Country Club at the 30th Annual Sunbird Golf Classic!  Host Paul Meadors was joined by Director of Athletics Kyle Ferguson, and new FPU head men’s basketball coach Daniel Dyck.

Kyle gets things started with a state of the program and recap of what could only be considered as the Sunbirds greatest season in their NCAA history.  Then, Fresno native, former FPU assistant coach, and now head coach Daniel Dyck joins the show to talk about his recent appointment following C.J. Haydock’s decision to step away from coaching, as well as his vision for the program he now leads.  We hope you enjoy this midsummer check-in from the Sunbirds!

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With Finals and Commencement coming up next week, this will be the final episode of season 2 of the Sunbirds Sports Show! Joining host Paul Meadors in the ESPN Studios will be former Sunbird pitcher and local entrepreneur Aaron Lynn along with frequent contributor, FPU Men’s Basketball Head Coach and Assistant Athletic Director C.J. Haydock.

Donors can be the lifeblood of small universities like Fresno Pacific, and the Sunbirds’ Athletic Department relies heavily on fundraising to accomplish their goals. After graduating from FPU, Aaron began serving his community through organizing and executing fundraising initiatives for schools across the Valley. Aaron’s contributions to the Sunbirds’ fundraising efforts have revolutionized their Week of Giving and more.  Then, as not just a coach but also an AD in charge of enriching the student-athlete experience, C.J. discusses the specifics of where and how donations have transformed FPU Athletics as well as the impact that collective, targeted efforts such as the Week of Giving can do to improve everything from travel budgets to facility upgrades and more. It’s a peek behind the scenes of a function of college athletics administration that isn’t measured necessarily on wins and losses, but ultimately will play a huge role in the dictating the long-term growth and development of FPU’s many athletic programs.

Coming up on June 22nd is the 30th Annual Sunbird Golf Classic at Belmont Country Club.  Don’t miss this fun day on the links supporting the Birds.  Visit fpusunbirds.com/golf to learn more and register today!

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It’s a special episode of the Sunbirds Sports Show live on location at the Raising Cane’s on Kings Canyon near campus to recap Tuesday’s Flight Night – FPU’s annual awards celebrating the year that was for the Sunbirds. Host Paul Meadors – last night’s co-emcee with Scott Bemis - relives this amazing night for the FPU student athletes.

With Jackson Paramo alongside and dozens of student-athletes in attendance, Paul is joined on the mic by Comeback Athlete of the Year TJ Smith, Newcomer of the Year Titus Wheelock, and Aaron Martinez, who along with Smith and Wheelock combined to win Play of the Year for the Sunbirds baseball team. Then, Sunbird of the Year Geneva Elliott of the Volleyball team joins the show with coach Kelsee Montagna. This fun episode is then closed out by the Men’s Track & Field trio of Senior of the Year Shemar Palmer, Best Individual Performance winner Shane Bagley, and Grace & Glory Award winner Malachi Carrasco.

**Special thanks to our wonderful partners at Raising Cane’s for hosting this episode on-location and preparing 200+ chicken tenders for our hangry fans in the audience**

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You’ve heard them both here as co-hosts of the Sunbirds Sports Show and as co-commentators on the PacWest Network. Joining host Paul Meadors in the ESPN Studios as guests this time are FPU Men’s Track & Field student-athletes and broadcasters Jackson Paramo and Zach Sims, along with The Voice of the Sunbirds, FPU’s own Eric Bentley.

It’s been a fun year for Eric , who’s been sharing a booth with Jackson and Zach during volleyball and baseball seasons, respectively. Hear a bit about everything that’s gone into developing these guys for the mic and what they’ve brought to FPU gameday experience. Plus, as active Track & Field student athletes, learn a bit more about their crafts and their ambitions heading into next week’s PacWest Championships.

This was a conversation that could’ve lasted another hour if we had the time – enjoy!

After taking a week off due to programming conflicts, the Sunbirds Sports Show on 790 ESPN returns with another episode highlighting a respected alumnus and community member.  Host Paul Meadors is joined in the ESPN Studios by former Sunbirds women’s soccer player and current local non profit director Erin Obwald.

Erin and her family’s story started long before FPU but it was her time as a Sunbird that set them on their journey as servants to Christ both locally and abroad.  After founding the FPU women’s soccer club, she helped transition the program into a fully fledged NAIA program before playing for the Sunbirds in her final year of eligibility.  Since graduating, Erin and her husband, David – a fellow FPU grad and former RD on campus – have become diligent servants to their community through their non profit work while also raising five children. This is a fun conversation you don’t want to miss.

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After taking last week off, host Paul Meadors is back in the ESPN Studios for another episode of the Sunbirds Sports Show.  This week he is joined by members of the Men’s Tennis team: senior Angel España, junior Cedric Kaufman, sophomore Joaquin Salinas and freshman Ezra Betancourt.

On a team that’s largely comprised of international student-athletes, Angel (from Valencia, Spain), Joaquin (Quito, Ecuador) and Cedric (Mannheim, Germany) each tell their unique stories that led them to Fresno. Then, Ezra – from Reedley – explains how his experience joining this tight-knit squad has been. Plus, hear Cedric – who is deaf – describe competing in the Deaflympics for Team Germany last fall and winning the bronze medal.

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Both basketball programs join host Paul Meadors in the ESPN Studios for a pair of season recaps and overall reflection on the year as well as their final stand as members of the PacWest Conference before departing for the CCAA.  Women’s head coach Tim Beauregard kicks things off with his local freshmen duo Sienna Evans and Alexa Perryman, followed Men’s head coach C.J. Haydock bringing us home with New Zealand sophomore Nick Davidson and local graduate student Jaden Geron.

From the highs and lows to the challenges and successes and even some best and worst moments, enjoy this look back on the year that was for Sunbird Hoops.

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Get ready for that Sunbird Spirit!  The latest episode of the Sunbirds Sports Show is all about the FPU Cheer team. Joining host Paul Meadors in the ESPN Studios is former Cheer coach Rayna Harris, junior Jaslin Saephanh, sophomore Jahayra Romero, and new Director of FPU Cheer & Dance Devin Balbach.

Paul kicks things off with Rayna – who led the program since 2020 – and FPU Cheer vets Jaslin and Jahayra talking about their recent 4th place routine at the US Collegiate Cheer competition, the rigors of being a student-athlete, and the memories and friendships made.  Rayna gives an overview of the program, its history, and praises the athleticism and dedication of the FPU cheerleaders who she’s coached and led for seven years.

Then, new director Devin joins the show to talk about her experience coaching cheer and directing spirit, as well as share her vision and aspirations for the program under her leadership.

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Tennis season is now in full swing for the Sunbirds, and host Paul Meadors is joined in the ESPN Studios by members of the women’s tennis team: senior Malia Mitchell, juniors Yume Ueoku and Halle Faherty, and freshman Fabiana Gonzalez.

Coming off a challenging season with a small squad, the Lady Birds have reloaded in 2026 with six new additions to the roster and a strong 3-1 start. For a program that thrives on culture and chemistry, this year’s team is stronger than ever.  Junior duo Halle and Yume kick things off by describing their intercontinental journeys that brought them to Fresno from New Zealand and Japan, respectively, as well as their differing opinions on the local sushi scene.  Then, ITA west region #2 ranked singles player and true freshman Fabi details the start of her college career as well as her family’s story of immigrating from Venezuela to Utah, while senior Malia reflects on her entire FPU experience, team dynamics, and what’s next as she departs from Fresno with her degree later this spring.

The men’s team was in action against Fresno City College at the time the show went live, so head coach Sam Gaeddert was unable to join, but - as you’ll hear - the four Sunbird ladies held it down on ESPN Radio.

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For the 50th Sunbirds Sports Show, host Paul Meadors welcomes in to the ESPN Studios a true volleyball legend of FPU, Alyssa “Bissie” DenHartog.

A four-year starter from 2013-2016, Bissie is one of the greatest setters to ever wear the navy and orange, with her name all over the FPU volleyball record books.  The high school mathematics teacher is also the varsity girls’ volleyball coach at Immanuel High School, where she’s led the team to back-to-back state championships.  Bissie is a proud alum, educator, coach, and follower of Christ who embodies truly what it means to be a Sunbird.  In this episode Bissie covers everything from being a multi-sport athlete to following in her mother’s footsteps as not only a Sunbird legend but a teacher, and then into establishing herself as one of the preeminent high school volleyball coaches in the region.

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