The Sunbirds Sports Show with Paul Meadors

We’re back!  Host Paul Meadors kicks off season two of the Sunbirds Sports Show with frequent contributor and FPU Director of Athletics, Kyle Ferguson, and FPU Vice President of Student Development, Jake Gilbertson.

It was a busy summer at on the campus of Fresno Pacific, and Kyle and Jake will walk you through it.  From significant facility upgrades to landmark donations and gifts, those behind the scenes at FPU stayed pretty busy all summer.

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It’s still summertime in Fresno, but the Sunbirds Sports Show returns for a special episode to discuss the big news from earlier in the week – FPU is joining the CCAA, the most successful Division II conference, in the fall of 2026.  Host Paul Meadors is joined by Fresno Pacific Director of Athletics Kyle Ferguson, and CCAA Commissioner Allen Hardison.

First up, Kyle joins Paul in the ESPN Studio to go into more detail on the two-year process that led to this moment, as well as the many of positive opportunities that will come from being members CCAA members – from increasing their regional footprint, decreasing their time on the road, and what it will be like to be the only private, Christian university in the new conference.

Then, CCAA Commissioner Allen Hardison joins by phone from SoCal to talk about their expansion process and what excited them about the prospect of adding the Sunbirds to the conference.  From expanding into the growing Fresno market to bolstering their central valley presence along with UC Merced and Stanislaus State, the conference envisions a bright future with Fresno Pacific now on board.   

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Host Paul Meadors is back on the FPU campus this week for the last episode of the season and is joined by grad student and FPU water polo legend Tatum Benson, men’s basketball head coach CJ Haydock, and new Sunbirds swimming and diving head coach Ray Eggert.

Tatum just finished up her graduate degree and her fifth and final season playing water polo for the Sunbirds as FPU’s all-time leading scorer and a three-time all-conference first teamer.  As her FPU career comes to a close, she tells us what’s next for her.  Then, frequent contributor to the Sunbirds Sports Show, Coach CJ, drops by to catch up with his old friend Paul to talk about everything from offseason team bonding and incoming transfers to the overall optimism and forward progress of FPU athletics.

Ray Eggert, a former Sunbird swimmer and national champion, is up next to discuss the recent news of his appointment leading the swim program, what it’s like being back on campus, and how excited he is to be leading the program that helped shaped him as a coach, teacher, and follower of Christ.  And finally, communications intern and Sunbird of the Year Pablo Zubieta puts Paul on the Five Questions hot seat… at least while time permits!

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This week, host Paul Meadors recaps Flight Night – FPU’s annual awards celebrating the year that was for the Sunbirds.  Paul co-hosted the night with Scott Bemis and relives all the wonderful moments from an unforgettable night.  He is joined in the ESPN Studios by Female Senior of the Year, Brianna Green, and Male and Female Sunbirds of the Year, Pablo Zubieta and Lydia Manu.

The three accomplished seniors all recap the evening through their eyes, describing what it felt like to be recognized in front of their teammates and peers for their accomplishments on and off their fields or courts.  As this era of their lives is nearly complete, the trio reflect on their FPU experience as well and what the last few days of being on campus will look like for them.  Plus, Paul highlights some of the major winners at last weekend’s PacWest Track & Field Championships and Brianna talks about her preparation for the upcoming NCAA national championships.

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FPU is hosting this weekend’s PacWest Track & Field Championships, so host Paul Meadors begins the show catching up with PacWest Conference Assistant Commissioner Joe Reinsch – who called in to the studio from the PacWest Golf Championships in Las Vegas – about the event and all the work that goes into planning these full-scale conference events, and also talks about the unique passion and competitiveness of Division II athletics.

Then FPU’s Director of Track & Field, Dr Ray Winter, joins Paul in the ESPN Studios to talk about the nationally ranked #7 (men’s) and #9 (women’s) Sunbirds’ chances this weekend, and how optimistic they are at attempting to knock off reigning men’s and women’s champions Azusa Pacific.  Coach Ray also spends some time praising all the hard work and dedication of many of his incredible student-athletes.

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Host Paul Meadors is back in the ESPN Studios after being on-location at FPU last week, and he's right in his element talking video games!  The big-time gamer is joined by members of FPU’s inaugural Esports team: Coach and program founder Chris Carlson, seniors Julian Bloemhof and Devin Kelly, and sophomore Juryel Vega.

Chris starts the conversation by walking Paul through the early days of the program and how the team came to be before Juryel from New York City and Valley locals Juju and Devin talk about FPU Esports’ first competitions in Super Smash Bros, Rocket League, and Overwatch 2.  The guys also talk about their favorite games and consoles growing up, the current buzz and hype of Esports locally in Fresno, and their on-campus gaming “arena”. This was a fun one!

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Fresno Pacific unveiled Dan Martin Stadium this week, and the Sunbirds Sports Show was on campus to capture all the excitement from a memorable and historic night for FPU athletics.  Host Paul Meadors is joined by a variety of guests including Mayor of Fresno Jerry Dyer, FPU President Dr. André Stephens, FPU Athletic Director Kyle Ferguson, and FPU Baseball’s Oscar Hirschkorn, Gabe Henderson and Jordan Smith.

Mayor Dyer kicks things off discussing with Paul the value of Fresno Pacific and the importance of what Dan Martin Stadium will bring to not only southeast Fresno but the entire valley.  Dr. Stephens and Kyle talk about how this facility is all part of a bigger, collective vision for the university, and – since this is a sports show after all – Coach Oscar and the boys close out the show expressing their excitement for this stadium and what it means to the proud Sunbird baseball program.

This is an important and insightful hour that touches on all the unique and special reasons that make Fresno Pacific University such a vital part of our local community.

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This week, Women’s Soccer is back in the ESPN Studios.  Host Paul Meadors is joined by Head Coach Roberto Hernandez along with juniors Madisyn Anderson and Katelyn Gonzalez, sophomore Celene Corona, and freshman Gizelle Aguirre.

Roberto was recently elevated from associate head coach to head coach, and discusses with Paul what the future of FPU women’s soccer holds with him fully at the helm.  Plus, the women talk about their recruitment to FPU, the spring exhibition schedule they’re currently dominating, and their hunger for the fall season to begin!

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The Sunbirds Sports Show is back after taking last week off, and Paul sits back down with women’s basketball Head Coach Tim Beauregard and “super seniors” Anisa Rillo, Joleen Corona, and Lydia Manu in the ESPN Studios.

It’s been an amazing run for the nine graduating Sunbirds in Coach Tim’s squad, but the future is bright for them as they enter their next adventures in life.  Tim discusses with Paul the impact this class has left on him and the program, and then Anisa, Jo, and Lydia – who are all about to earn their MBAs – reminisce on some of their greatest achievements together, how their experience as Sunbirds has shaped them, and what they hope to accomplish after FPU.  From the video game industry to pro sports management and beyond, the sky’s the limit for these three dream chasers.

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The Sunbirds men’s soccer crew is back in the house with Paul Meadors in the ESPN Studios.  Head Coach Cameron Shahrokhi is joined by juniors Chris Macias, Elmer Carballo and Ernesto “Ernie” Aguilera.

With both soccer teams gearing up for the spring exhibition season, Paul and the guys discuss Coach Cam’s recent elevation to Head Coach after previously serving as Associate Head Coach.  Plus, they reflect on last season’s run to the PacWest Championship game and what to expect this fall from the returning players, newcomers, and incoming transfers.

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