Virginia Preps' Matthew Hatfield joins me on Christmas Eve to reflect on the 2024 Virginia high school football season and give us an update on the 2024-25 basketball season. It’s been a memorable year, and I’m excited to hear Matthew’s insights on the standout moments and key players. As an indispensable voice in VHSL sports, his perspective is always invaluable.

Williams & Connolly trial and antitrust attorney Mark Levinstein has spent nearly four decades addressing some of the most complex and high-profile issues in the sports industry. In today’s episode, Mark discusses the most pressing challenges facing sports today, with a particular focus on the collegiate realm, which has increasingly taken on the characteristics of professional leagues. A 1979 graduate of UVA and a 1982 Harvard Law alum, Mark began his career working alongside the legendary litigator Edward Bennett Williams, contributing to landmark cases that made headlines. It was a privilege to hear Mark’s insights into this dynamic and evolving practice area, as well as his perspective on the current and future challenges facing big-time sports.

In today’s episode, I recap the unforgettable 2024 6A state final between Madison and Oscar Smith (Chesapeake). This is a game that will be remembered for years to come. I’ll walk you through the journey that led to the final and share my insights on how this epic matchup unfolded.

Today's guests, Professors Preston and David Green, embody the ultimate American success story. Raised in the historic Black community of Gum Springs, Alexandria by a single mother, the Greens excelled both athletically and academically. As standout athletes at Fort Hunt and West Potomac High Schools, they were also top students who went on to attend prestigious universities—Preston to the University of Virginia ('89) and David to Boston University ('91). Preston, now an attorney (Columbia Law '92), serves as the John and Maria Neag Professor of Urban Education at UConn, while David has spent the last 20 years as associate professor at UVA in Mechanical and Chemical Engineering. In this conversation, we explore the circumstances that shaped their remarkable success and discuss whether today’s students with similar talents could achieve as much. We also touch on the challenges faced in secondary and higher education, while reflecting on their formative years, competing in sports, and growing up in Northern Virginia. It was an insightful and inspiring discussion.

Today, I’m joined by Washington Post high school sports beat writer Nicky Wolcott to reflect on the remarkable football season that just wrapped up, including the Post's coverage of the Hayfield/VHSL controversy. We also dive into how the Post compiles its Top 20 rankings and All-Met team, and whether Virginia teams are getting the recognition they deserve. Finally, we wrap up by previewing the exciting new high school basketball season, which is already in full swing!

This week, The Washington Post named Madison football coach Justin Counts Coach of the Year, a well-deserved honor for the Warhawks' leader, who recently guided his team to a fifth consecutive Northern Region title and a thrilling championship game against the eventual winner, Oscar Smith. Coach Counts joins me to discuss his strategy for that game, his thoughts on how his team performed, some of the crucial decisions he had to make, and the controversial calls made by the officials. It was a game that will remain unforgettable for everyone who witnessed it, and it was a privilege to relive it with Coach.

This weekend, Kettle Run Coach Charlie Porterfield is attempting to lead his Cougars to become the first state football champions in Fauquier County history. Coach Porterfield joins me to discuss his journey from the Appalachian town of Jonesville to earning a football scholarship at Elon, and how he’s built a dominant program in Eastern Fauquier.

Jamie Gunderson has enjoyed one of the most remarkable starts to a coaching career in sports history. In 2021 his first year as a head coach, he led the Christopher Newport women to an NCAA Division III championship, earned National Coach of the Year honors, and remained unbeaten through his first 83 games across three seasons. This week, he takes his Captains to the Final Four in Las Vegas, aiming to further cement his incredible legacy. Coach Gunderson joins me to discuss this year's team, the upcoming challenge against top-ranked Washington University, and his journey at the only school he’s ever coached. It’s an honor to connect with one of the game’s brightest rising stars.

Emory Coach Sue Patberg has guided her high-flying Eagles back to the Division III Final Four, building on a legacy that includes a finals run in 2012, where they fell narrowly to Messiah. In this episode, Coach Patberg reflects on her 30-year journey as a D1 and DIII college head coach and Emory's remarkable 2024 season, defined by four consecutive one-goal victories en route to the semifinals in Las Vegas. We delve into the standout players and pivotal moments that have made this Eagles' season one to remember.