We’re excited to have Christian Watson. From the hardwood to the gridiron and beyond, Christian’s journey is one that truly stands out in the world of officiating. Becoming an NCAA official in not just one, but three different sports is a rare feat—and we’re here to dive into how it all happened.

We’ll talk about the hustle, the discipline, the mentors who helped guide the way, and the defining moments that shaped his path. Whether you’re an aspiring official or just a fan of great stories, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

So grab a seat, settle in, and let’s get into it—Christian Watson, welcome to the Lounge!

Welcome to the Unofficial Lounge, Rick Jackson!

Grab a seat, relax, and enjoy the conversation. We're thrilled to have someone with your deep expertise in the room — from the Big 12 replay booth to your leadership across the CIP (Coastal, Ivy, and Patriot leagues), your perspective on officiating, technology, and the game itself is truly invaluable.

Whether it's sharing behind-the-scenes replay stories, insights on the evolution of video review, or just enjoying some light banter .

Dean Blandino is back in the unofficial lounge, and this time, he's diving into two intriguing topics: NCAA replay and the New York Knicks. As a former NFL Vice President of Officiating and a well-known rules analyst, Blandino brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the discussion on NCAA replay. He'll explore how technology and official reviews impact the game, the challenges faced by referees, and potential improvements to the current system.

Meanwhile, the conversation shifts to the Knicks, one of the most iconic franchises in NBA history. With their passionate fanbase and storied past, the Knicks always draw attention, whether for their on-court performance or front-office decisions. Blandino will delve into the team's strategies, recent performances, and what lies ahead for the Knicks as they aim to reclaim their place among the league's elite.

Please welcome basketball coach, personal development coach, and public speaker Eliot Davis to the UNOFFICIAL Lounge as he shares his story and inspiration.
You can find Eliot on his YouTube channel: @EliotDavisSpeaks

and his website: https://eliotdavisspeaks.com/

Welcome back, Frank Szczepanik, as we dive into a discussion about his various roles at the NFL replay office and his contributions to the USFL and B1G command center. Frank brings a wealth of experience and insights from his diverse engagements in the world of football. His expertise in managing and analyzing game-day operations has been pivotal in ensuring the integrity and smooth functioning of these high-stakes environments. Whether it's overseeing crucial decisions in the NFL replay office or strategizing in the command centers of the USFL and B1G, Frank's impact is undeniable.

Find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/unofficiallounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the host:

@805monty - Instagram

@thechefandtheref - Instagram

Join us as #NFL Back Judge Tyree Walton takes us on his inspiring journey from delivering pizzas to officiating on the field! Discover how passion and dedication propelled him into the world of professional sports officiating, where only the top 1% make it. From humble beginnings to the big leagues, Tyree's story is a testament to perseverance and ambition. 🍕🏈 #Football #RefereeLife #Inspiration #CareerTransformation #NFLLife #SportsOfficial #UNOFFICIALLounge #SuccessStory #FromPizzaToField #DreamBig

Find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/unofficiallounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the host:@805monty - Instagram@thechefandtheref - Instagram@CravonneB - X

We’re back in the vault for another well-deserved celebration! This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Andy Warner, who has officially been hired by the NFL as an official! 🏈💼

In this special replay, we revisit Andy’s original episode—where he shared the ups, downs, and everything in between on his path through the world of officiating. From early assignments to learning moments, Andy kept grinding and kept growing. And now, he's reached the top.

It’s only right we give him his flowers and replay his journey for new and longtime listeners alike. Andy’s story is one that reminds us: the process works when you work the process.

👏 Congratulations, Andy—welcome to Sundays.

🎧 Catch the replay now at unofficallounge.com
#TheUNOFFICIALLounge #AndyWarner #NFLOfficial #FromGrassrootsToTheLeague #StripesToSundays #BlackExcellenceInOfficiating #field2life

This week on The UNOFFICIAL LOUNGE, we’re hitting replay on one of our all-time favorite episodes to celebrate a major milestone for one of our own—Larry Smith has been hired by the NFL as an Umpire! 🏈🔥

In this replay, you’ll hear Larry’s journey from humble Friday night beginnings to grinding it out season after season, all the way to the League. His story is a masterclass in professionalism, passion, and perseverance, and it's even more powerful now knowing where the road has led.

We're beyond proud and honored to see him reach the pinnacle of football officiating. This episode isn’t just a replay—it’s a reminder that the grind pays off.

💼 Celebrate. Reflect. Be Inspired.

🎧 Listen now at unofficallounge.com
#TheUNOFFICIALLounge #LarrySmith #NFLUmpire #OfficialJourney #FromFridayToSundays #BlackAndWhiteStripes #field2life

Former #NFL officiating executive and current Monday Night Football Rules Aanalyst Russell Yurk joins the podcast. Russell tell his journey from being an attorney to becoming an NFL replay official.

#NFL #BIGTEN #Officiating #Sports #Legacy #Inspiration #unofficiallounge #unofficialpodcast #football #sports #NCAAFB #replay

Find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/unofficiallounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the host:

@805monty - Instagram

@thechefandtheref - Instagram

@CravonneB - Twitter

Marc Ratner's journey: From boxing fan to UFC VP of Regulatory Affairs.

#UFC #MMA #MarcRatner #Boxing #SportsJourney #FightingSpirit #Leadership #RegulatoryAffairs #CareerPath #Inspiration #CottonBowl #Football #Officiating #Sports #Legacy #Inspiration #unofficiallounge #unofficialpodcast #football #sports #NCAAFB

Find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/unofficiallounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the host:

@805monty - Instagram

@thechefandtheref - Instagram

@CravonneB - Twitter