Ocean State Sidelines

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. We’re taking a trip down memory lane as our guest is former PawSox/Red Sox pitcher Trevor Kelley. Originally from Barrington, Kelley attended PawSox games at McCoy Stadium before moving to North Carolina and enjoyed a full-circle moment when he took the mound at the ballpark that used to serve as the home of the Triple-A affiliate of the Red Sox.   Currently, Kelley is pitching in independent ball in Mexico. Besides the Red Sox, he’s also appeared in MLB games with the Phillies, Rays and Brewers.   As a reminder, this podcast is sponsored by GLG Performance.   PODCAST BREAKDOWN (33 minutes, 4 seconds)   1:36 – Taking the mound at McCoy & why that was a big deal.   4:45 – Asking for autographs as a kid at McCoy.   5:35 – Now a pro, what it’s like to be asked for an autograph.   7:21 – Reaction to hearing that the PawSox planned to re-locate out of Rhode Island.   9:27 – Reaction to seeing the images of McCoy getting demolished.   11:38 – Playing winter ball on a team featuring former PawSox/Red Sox OF Izzy Alcantara on the coaching staff.   13:30 – PawSox memorabilia in the Kelley Man Cave.   14:37 – Getting the call up to Boston in 2019 after Pawtucket’s season had ended.   25:19 – Changes in Minor League Baseball post-COVID.   26:50 – Taking the mound knowing your kids are watching from the stands.   31:32 – As a North Carolina baseball product, the excitement for Bill Belichick to lead the Tar Heels football program.

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. Our guest is Duncan Powell, who became the latest college basketball player to commit to the Providence Friars via the transfer portal.   As always, this podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance PODCAST BREAKDOWN (14 minutes, 22 seconds) 1:10 – Recapping the decision to re-enter the transfer portal and saying yes to the Friars. 2:25 – Personal timeframe of looking to commit to a school.          2:43 – What ultimately sold Duncan on the Friars. 3:48 – Thoughts on joining the PC roster that’s been constructed. 4:38 – Forming a bond with new teammates. 5:21 – Reaction from the Providence fanbase. 6:00 – Recapping Duncan’s pre-college basketball journey. 7:36 – Heading to college while rehabbing a knee injury. 8:06 – Getting back in track while hooping it up at Sacramento State. 9:08 – The challenge of the rehab process. 9:40 – Transferring to a power conference. 10:15 – Improvement in three-point shooting. 11:00 – Importance of rebounding. 11:50 – Corner three-pointers. 12:22 – Nicknames.

We’re back with a freshman episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. Our guest is former Providence College basketball player A.J. Reeves, who recently wrapped up his second season in the NBA G League. A member of PC’s 2022 Big East regular-season title winner and Sweet 16 entry from the same year, Reeves talks about life as a pro, looks back his time with the Friars, and looks at the current climate surrounding college basketball. As always, this podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance. PODCAST BREAKDOWN (29 minutes, 54 seconds): 1:30 – Returning to the court this season after missing time due to injury that required surgery. 2:53 – Going down to Birmingham and re-connecting with family. 4:46 – Teaming up with fellow former Friar Josh Oduro on the Birmingham Squadron. 5:30 – The next step basketball-wise. 6:31 – Revisiting the “Grass isn’t always greener on the other side” quote & finishing your college career at the school where it begun. 10:00 – Looking back at the first conversations held about Name, Image & Likeness after it came online in 2021. 13:53 – The what-if scenario pertaining to the 2020 Friars and the season getting shut down due to the global pandemic. 15:38 – Adding Al Durham & Justin Minaya for what proved to be a memorable 2021-22 season. 16:55 – The importance of player retention & how that played a key factor in what PC was able to accomplish during the 2021-22 season. 19:21 – The importance of summer for a college basketball program. 21:31 – Rewinding to the atmosphere at the Amica Mutual Pavilion during the 2021-22 season. 23:40 – Reflecting on hitting some big shots in a Friar uniform. 24:35 – What it’s been like to follow the Friars after calling it a college career.

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. We welcome Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports and three-year member of Providence College’s men’s basketball program. Cordella talks about his rise in the sports broadcasting industry and what were some of the factors that led to NBC getting involved in the Big East’s television rights package. The Foxboro native also reflects on his time with the Friars, specifically with the memorable ’97 team that reached that year’s Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.   As always, we’re sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.   PODCAST BREAKDOWN (19 minutes, 8 seconds)   1:39 – Some of the factors that led to NBC wanting to hitch its wagon to Big East basketball   3:39 – For networks like NBC, why sports programming holds great appeal.   5:08 – Why making games available on streaming services is the wave of the future.   7:00 – Looking at Rick’s journey in sports broadcasting.   11:21 – Looking at NBC’s acquisition of Rotoworld in 2006.   12:23 – Reflecting on the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and why that represented a breakthrough in relation to working for NBC.   13:38 – Going back to the Big East and getting John Fanta as one of your PxP options for broadcasts.   14:27 – Lessons that Rick learned as a walk-on with the Friars and how they carried over with NBC.   16:07 – Favorite story regarding former Providence head coach Pete Gillen.   17:00 – Rise of Friar assistant Michael Malone to head coach of an NBA champion.   17:40 – Friar practices featuring four future NBA players (Austin Croshere, God Shammgod, Jamel Thomas and Ruben Garces) and coming together at the right time in 1997.

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Mount St. Charles President Alan Tenreiro. The arrival of the 2024-25 academic year meant the ushering in of a new era for Mountie athletics, as the Woonsocket-based Catholic school made the move to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). Recently, Mount held a dedication ceremony for Sacred Heart Field, a multi-purpose turf surface, and announced a partnership regarding the status of Adelard Arena. We also look back at the time when Tenreiro was the principal at Cumberland High and current New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek starred on the hardwood. PODCAST BREAKDOWN (21 minutes, 46 seconds): 1:16 – What spurred the move to enter into an agreement with Black Bear Sports to manage Adelard Arena. 3:30 – The possibility of breaking ground for a second sheet of ice adjacent to Adelard Arena. 5:20 – The addition of an on-campus turf field to the Mount community.            6:50 – How life as a NEPSAC participant has been going. 9:10 – Factors that led to enrollment being capped for this current school. 11:00 – The balancing act a school strives to achieve when it comes to supporting athletics versus other aspects of school life. 12:52 – Forming relationships with NEPSAC schools. 13:39 – Looking back and recalling the decision that led to Mount St. Charles charting a new course for its athletic teams. 16:44 – Upon making the Mount-to-NEPSAC announcement, the preparation that went into making sure everything was up and running once it was officially go time. 18:14 – What’s next for MSC athletics? 19:28 – Memories of watching Tyler Kolek when Tenreiro was Cumberland High’s principal.

We’re back with a fresh episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast. This episode’s guest is Kevin Randall, who spends his winters coaching boys basketball at Burrillville High School. Randall is also heavy into the sports card trading/selling world and experienced a viral moment last month when he sold cards to Tom Brady at a show in NYC. PODCAST BREAKDOWN (31 minutes, 1 second) 1:05 – Tracing the origins of Kevin’s passion for collecting. 2:50 – Touching up some hobby trends. 4:44 – Making the switch from full-time high school teacher to full-time collector & why Kevin’s wife Melissa deserves a ton of credit for giving her blessing to make a career change. 13:39 – Building a collection of Tom Brady cards that in many ways has become the envy of the collecting industry. 15:40 – Learning that Brady might be stopping by to check out the collection at a show sponsored by Fanatics. 19:44 – Interacting with TB12 with so many crowding around the table and helped create a “viral” moment. 21:30 – A second wave of attention after Brady linked the video of him buying cards to his Instagram account. 22:07 – Thanking Tom Brady and not messing up the dab. 23:49 – Origin behind “dacaptain37” 26:37 – Pivoting to high school basketball, the challenges of scheduling games under the RPI format.

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Sharaud Curry, who scored over 1,600 points during his five seasons with the Providence College men’s basketball program (2005-10). After a 13-year pro career overseas, Curry has launched Worldwide Basketball Academy, a hoops school located in Pawtucket. As always, this podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.  PODCAST BREAKDOWN (20 minutes, 53 seconds) 1:15 – Where the inspiration came from to launch a basketball school. 2:52 – The perks of having your own space to conduct workouts. 3:55 – Calling Worldwide Basketball Academy a basketball school where you’re the teacher and the clients are the students.   5:36 – Placing an emphasis on footwork, shooting & ballhandling. 6:50 – How you’ve been able to expand your client base over the past calendar year. 9:05 – Does teaching/instructing represent the potential to be your calling card post-playing career? 11:09 – At the end of the day, how neat it is to have a business that’s on your terms. 12:20 – Looking back at your Friar career, what was it like coming to PC after growing up in Georgia. 13:44 – Reflecting on 2007-08 season, a year that saw you deal with a foot injury and a coaching change.  15:18 – Staying at PC after the coaching change was made. 16:45 – Looking at your final season with the Friars (2009-10) and how that helped you from a leadership/giving-back perspective that proved instrumental during your pro career and what you’re doing today. 18:16 – Thoughts on today’s college landscape, from NIL to the becoming immediate eligible via the transfer portal. 19:37 – How to get in contact to receive instruction through Worldwide Basketball Academy. 

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Jaylen Harrell, a Class of 2025 high school prospect joining Call/Times sportswriter Brendan McGair. Harrell supplied the Providence Friars with a verbal commitment earlier this summer. PODCAST BREAKDOWN (13 minutes, 33 seconds) 1:15 – On a personal level, how much has your life changed since committing to the Friars. 2:00 – With your recruiting process behind you, talk about how much you’re looking to build your relationship with Kim English and the staff before arriving on campus next summer. 2:57 – How important it was to announce your college choice before heading to Peach Jam. 3:40 – How Peach Jam went in your final go-around on the AAU circuit with Expressions Elite. 4:40 – How Peach Jam represented a chance to get to know fellow Friar ’25 verbal commit Jamier Jones even better. 5:27 – Describe the first time you had a conversation with Coach English. 6:04 – Reaction to getting an offer from the Friars. 6:36 – Thoughts on the environment at the Amica Mutual Pavilion and interacting with Friar fans on social media. 7:53 – Seeing the Friars in a new light after deciding to push back your commitment date. 8:40 – Being a community guy and knowing that as a local person, you can expect to have a strong rooting section during Friar home games at the AMP. 9:57 – How much you’ll be keeping an eye on Friar players whose positions could be the ones you step into beginning with the 2025-26 season. 11:18 – Connecting with Class of ’25 & ’26 prospects. 12:20 – Goals heading into your final high school season with CATS Academy.  

The latest Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Christ Essandoko, who hopped out of the NCAA transfer portal last week and joined the PC Friars. Essandoko originally committed to Providence in high school before spending the past two seasons at St. Joseph's.   The interview was conducted by Call/Times sports writer Brendan McGair. The podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast features Call/Times sports writer Brendan McGair catching up with former Friar Ed Croswell, a member of the program's memorable 2022 squad that captured the Big East regular-season title and reached the Sweet 16. Presently, Croswell is in his first season playing professional basketball in Turkey.   PODCAST BREAKDOWN (29 minutes, 41 seconds): 1:21 - Sorting through the many different facets of pro life in Turkey. 11:06 – Following the Friars from afar. 13:50 – Thoughts on Providence not getting selected to the NCAA Tournament.  15:45 – The NBA Draft process that potentially awaits Devin Carter.  17:08 – The bond that was struck with current PC head coach Kim English. 20:15 – Looking back on Ed Cooley’s departure from PC. 21:45 – Playing with no fans in the stands during the 2020-21 season.

By BRENDAN McGAIR Call/Times Sports writer The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Dave Goucher, a graduate of Tolman High and current TV play-by-play announcer for the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. Before heading out west, Goucher was the longtime radio voice of the Boston Bruins and also served in the same capacity with the Providence Bruins.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast - sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance - welcomes Cumberland native Zach Fogell, who's currently down in Fort Myers, Fla. experiencing his first spring training as a member of the Red Sox organization. Hear from the lefthanded pitcher about the road he's traveled to get to this point in his baseball journey. 

The latest "Ocean State Sidelines" podcast makes the turn in the direction of the prep school ranks. Sports writer Brendan McGair (Woonsocket Call/Pawtucket Times) welcomes Joseph "Ladi" Odugbela, who was recently named boys' basketball head coach at Mount St. Charles, as the Woonsocket-based Catholic school prepares to transition its sports programs to the NEPSAC beginning with the 2024-25 school year. Hear from Coach Ladi about his vision for Mount and watching one of his AAU players (Erhunmwunse Oswin) get recruited by Providence College. 

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Kayla Baptista, a Smithfield native who is entering her third season as a player development coach with the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. Hear from Baptista about being part of the best MLB club in 2024 and why coaching means a great deal to her.   This podcast is sponsored by GLG Athletic Performance.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines Podcast coincides with the Big East basketball opener between Providence and Marquette. Joining Ca//Times Sports Writer Brendan McGair on the podcast is Ben Steele, who covers Marquette hoops for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ben gives his thoughts on Marquette making a strong statement during non-conference play, how Tyler Kolek has grown as a player after being named last year's Big East Player of the Year, and some of the matchups to keep an eye on between the Friars and Golden Eagles.

Breaking down the four RIIL Super Bowls that will be taking place Saturday (11/18) and Sunday (11/19) are sports writers Brendan McGair (Woonsocket Call/Pawtucket Times) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent Emeritus). Schedule of Games: Saturday, November 18 Noon - Division II, Barrington vs. Cumberland 3 p.m. - Division III, Middletown vs. West Warwick 6 p.m. - Division IV, Davies Tech vs. West Warwick Sunday, November 19 Noon - Division I, Bishop Hendricken vs. North Kingstown

It's time to gear up for the RIIL football playoff semifinals, which are being contested over three days. Sports writers Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent Sports Editor Emeritus) talk about the eight matchups that are on the docket.

The latest episode of the Ocean State Sidelines podcast welcomes Nicole Menner, who covers the New England Patriots for NBC10. Nicole talks about returning home to R.I. after previously working in Green Bay where she covered the Packers. Plus, Nicole and sports writer Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) talk about the current state of the Pats, plus Nicole weighs in on Jrue Holiday joining the Boston Celtics.

It's the final weekend in September and sports writers Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) and Will Geoghegan (The Independent) size up the Friday-Saturday gridiron slate. Plus, how do Division I teams approach their non-leaguers against D-II teams?

It's Week 3 of the RIIL high school football season and Brendan McGair (Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call) Will Geoghegan (Sports Editor Emeritus of The Independent) talk about some of the big games on the docket this week plus the need for Thursday night football in response to the referee shortage.