Rebekah Allick was an All-Big 10 and All-American Volleyball Player for the University of Nebraska, and now she plays professionally for LOVB Madison.

This conversation with Rebekah celebrates the last episode of year 1 of the Virtuous Athlete podcast, and we close out this first year with a special conversation.

While Rebekah was growing and developing on the volleyball court at Nebraska, she was also growing in her faith through a great community she found on campus through a Bible Study.

Ultimately, Rebekah joined the Catholic Church in 2023 after a powerful experience at the SEEK Conference. Since then, she has shared her conversion story more and more and is not afraid to use her platform to share her love for Christ and her beliefs.

It is inspiring to see a young athlete who is not afraid to stand for what she knows is true and is also willing to share her story to help others.

Brooks Treadway is a member of the 2026 Ohio High School Division 3 State Championship Baseball Team and a soon to be pitcher for Marietta College.

Brooks was the starting pitcher for the 2026 State Championship game, which 30 years prior, when Badin won their last State Championship; it was Brooks's dad and head coach of Badin, Brion Treadway, who was the starting pitcher for the game. He was also a member of the All-Greater Catholic League and also All-State.

While at Badin, Brooks also took on a faith leadership role, attending Viri Christi before school. He also led Kairos as well as becoming Rector for his last Kairos to attend.

For this monumental episode 50 of the Virtuous Athlete, I sit down with my dad, Don Hoendorf. He is the biggest influence in my love of sports and coaching, and the best example of a strong Catholic husband, father, friend, and mentor I know.

Don was a member of the 1970 State Championship team for Chaminade High School; he played collegiately at Wright State University, where he was a member of their first-ever NCAA Tournament Team; and he coached youth sports for over 30 years.

Don has been married to his wife Patty for almost 44 years, and he credits her for helping him take his faith more seriously and for the model she has been for him, me, and all three of my siblings.

This is a special one for me, while also being another great conversation of the importance of blending faith and sports!

Britta Curl - Salenne is a professional hockey player and member of the 2026 USA Women's Hockey Gold Medal Team. She was also a part of 3 National Championships at Wisconsin and won the Walter Cup with the Minnesota Frost of the PWHL.

Britta grew up in Bismarck, ND, in a strong Catholic and sports-loving family. She credits her parents' example in her faith and the homemade ice rink her dad built in their backyard as key reasons she has had the opportunities she has had in life.

During our conversation, Britta shares how her faith has been key in all of the exciting moments and accomplishments, but also in those moments of struggle and heartbreak.

Britta is an amazing example for other athletes to follow in chasing their dreams without compromising their faith and commitment to their relationship with Christ.

Garrett Bernardo is the CEO and co-owner of NOVUS, a premium sportswear company created as a side hustle while Garrett and his brother Nick were playing baseball at the University of Maine.

After going on their own individual journeys following college, Garrett, Nick, and eventually their friend Scott reunited to officially launch NOVUS as a full-time brand in 2019. Which brought their first business challenge: navigating 2020 and all sports being shutdown.

During our conversation, Garrett shares the importance of James 1:12, and how the Lord had plans for NOVUS long before Garrett and Nick started the side hustle.

We also discussed how growing up in a baseball-loving and faith-focused family helped shape him into the man and CEO he is today.

NOVUS is not your typical brand, as it is a mission-driven organization that looks to deliver premium products while giving back and helping others to "Claim Their Crown!"

I sat down for a short conversation with Sr. Bernadette to discuss their relationship with the Spurs and how they view athletics as a key way to evangelize youth and young adults.

This week, I sat down with members of our college baseball faith community who are participating in the NCAA Division 1 Baseball Tournament. This group has met weekly on Zoom to discuss the upcoming Sunday Gospel and how to connect their faith to what they are dealing with in their day-to-day lives of the college season.

Those present on the call:

1. Roman Martin - UCLA Third Baseman
2. Camden Kozeal - Arkansas Shortstop
3. Charlie Hoagland- East Carolina Pitcher
4. Brayden Robinson - West Virginia Pitcher
5. Owen Hull - North Carolina Centerfielder

During the call, we discussed moments throughout this NCAA season, what they learned, and what they are most excited for during this tournament.

We also discussed the role their faith has played in individual moments as well as their overall seasons. In particular, how their faith helped them through those moments of struggle.

Dan Duddy is an accomplished football coach and sports minister from New Jersey.

Dan was a State Champion high school quarterback who went on to teach and coach football in public and Catholic high schools.

During our conversation, Dan shared some very meaningful and impactful stories about the impact a coach can have on an athlete's life, as well as from player to coach. He also shares how and why he created the mentorship program he did while he was the head football coach at Donovan Catholic in Toms River, NJ.

Dan also shared about his experiences working with the Catholic Athletes for Christ's Cathlete program, and helping it to grow to over 100 schools across the country about a decade ago. The Cathlete program is based in Virtue Development, and continues to serve many schools across the country and the entire Trenton, NJ Diocese.

Dan is an amazing Christ-centered man who has impacted thousands of lives through his coaching and ministry work.

Larry Weber is an accomplished runner and now a running coach from Washington. He has created a coaching philosophy that is focused on helping his runners find their "Why?" they run and growing their relationship with Christ first, so they have the foundation in their running to know there are bigger things in life than winning a race. He believes  Athletes don't need more motivation; they need formation.

Larry was a very successful high school runner, and then he was a two-time Big Sky 800-meter champion, conference record holder, and school record holder at the University of Montana.

He set the all-time record at the 1985 Original Ultimate Runner Competition, a one-day event in which athletes competed in five races back-to-back: a 100 meters, a 400 meters, a mile, a 10K, and a marathon. That race no longer exists, but it shaped everything he has taught since about endurance, pacing, and what the body and spirit can do when both are asked to keep going.

After his successful running career, he became a running coach. He coached several runners to the USA Marathon Olympic Trials, as well as some Master Athlete American and world records.

He then coached Tony Volpentest, a Paralympian, to two gold medals and a world record. He also volunteered as a remote coach for Kenyan athletes who didn't have access to or couldn't afford professional coaching, including the former NCAA 800-meter champion, Edward Kemboi, as a post-collegiate athlete.

He then began coaching high school runners and has gone on to win 13 State Championships and 3 Academic State Championships. This led him to be a member of the 2026 Class of Washington State Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame.

Larry states, "The wins matter. The state titles matter. But the athlete walking out of high school with a deeper relationship with Christ, a sense of who they are in God's eyes, and the spiritual tools to handle hard days — that's the only win that lasts."

Larry has written two books: Jesus on the Track: A Christian Athlete's Guide to Handling Hard Days, Building Mental Toughness, and Growing in Faith and Mile Three

Logan Allen just completed his fifth season as Chaminade Julienne High School's Women's Basketball coach, during which he led them to their first State Championship in over 20 years!

Prior to coaching at CJ, he coached and was the President of the nationally known Dayton Lady Hoopstars.

In Part 2 of this conversation with Logan, we dive into their State Championship run in more detail. We discuss with Logan why the virtue of Gratitude from their opening team retreat played a role in their season success, and why he appears so calm on the sidelines, no matter the situation.

We also continue the discussion on why relationships matter so much.