Former soccer standout Jazzmin Mancilla opens up about resilience, reinvention, and life after sports. After 15 years on the field, national titles, and two ACL tears, she’s now navigating motherhood, a big move to Tennessee, and launching her own soccer training business. Highlights: 2× national club champion (Arsenal & Legends FC)Cal State Fullerton: multiple Big West titlesOvercame 2 ACL tears & major injuriesCoached club & college soccer, then worked in financePlayed amateur s...
What happens when your biggest passion leads you to unexpected places and the search for what’s next? Dr. Kishi Smith-Rey’s journey started on the soccer fields of Southern California, where her love for the game carried her to Division I at Cal State Fullerton. Along the way, she faced injuries, setbacks, and the challenge of balancing athletics with academics as a first-generation college student. After retiring from competitive soccer, she explored new paths — from professional wedding pho...
- Former University of Memphis basketball player and overseas pro, Will Coleman, joins Sandy to share his inspiring journey from a late start in basketball to playing professionally in Europe—and now leading lower and middle school athletics at St. George’s Independent School in Memphis. Will opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the challenges of balancing fatherhood with a pro career, the struggles he had along the way and how he’s redefining success beyond the court. In this epi...
- On this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, I sit down with Jason Munz, the University of Memphis men’s basketball beat reporter for the Commercial Appeal. Jason grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, got his first byline as a high school student, and has since covered everything from Friday night football to the Super Bowl blackout in New Orleans. Since 2019, he’s been the voice Memphis hoops fans turn to for Tigers basketball coverage. We talk about what it takes to make it in sports journalism...
- Behind every game-day moment, there’s a team working off the field to make it possible. In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline Series, we sit down with Duvante Lane, Director of Development for the University of Colorado Buff Club. We talk about: His pathway into college athletics and the different roles that shaped his careerWhy development and fundraising matter for student-athletesHow NIL is changing the landscape of fundraising and career opportunities in spo...
- In this episode, Angie Allen shares how she went from multi-sport high school athlete in high school—never having rowed a day in her life—to becoming one of the fastest rowers in Kansas history. She opens up about: Growing up in a D1 football family and how that shaped her mindsetThe surprise recruiting journey that landed her on KU’s rowing teamWhat it’s like to lose your sport to injury and find purpose in the unknownPivoting her career from physical therapy to sport managementHer r...
- In this episode of The 5th Quarter, Sandy Adams sits down with former college football player and first-generation college graduate Emmanuel Orange. Born in Haiti and raised in Florida, Emmanuel shares what it was like adjusting to life in a new country, learning English through experience, and finding his voice—and purpose—through football. From his early years at Naples High School to his time as a team captain at Carson-Newman University, Emmanuel opens up about leadership, identit...
- Coach Courtney Burns, head coach women's basketball at Post University, joins The 5th Quarter Podcast to share her journey from athlete to coach and how she’s helping players grow on and off the court. From trust-building to teaching self-motivation and staying focused on the next step, Courtney opens up about the mindset behind her coaching and the resilience it takes to lead through change. Her story is full of lessons for anyone navigating a career transition or searching for purpose in ...
- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy Adams sits down with former NBA point guard and current Memphis Grizzlies color commentator Brevin Knight to talk about grit, belief, and finding your second act. Brevin opens up about growing up with a chip on his shoulder, being overlooked in high school recruiting, and how a chance viewing by Stanford changed everything. His story is one of relentless confidence and quiet resilience. In this episode: Growing up in New Jersey with somethin...
- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy Adams sits down with Geoff Mack, the public address announcer for the University of Memphis Tigers Football and Men’s Basketball teams. From growing up in Wyoming to becoming the iconic voice heard at every Tigers game, Geoff shares stories of family, legacy, and what it means to own the mic. In this episode: Following in his older brother’s footstepsWhat he wanted to be as a kidHow he landed in MemphisBecoming the voice of the TigersH...
The Voice of Consistency: Jeff Brightwell on Longevity, Preparation, and Evolving in Broadcasting In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline, host Sandy Adams interviews Jeff Brightwell, a veteran play-by-play broadcaster and proud University of Memphis alum. With a career spanning nearly 30 years across radio, TV, and digital platforms like ESPN and CBS Sports Network, Jeff brings a wealth of insight not just into sports—but into the power of showing up, evolving, and stayi...
- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, I sit down with Nate Brown—former college athlete, longtime coach, and now a leader in athletic administration. From the field to the front office, Nate’s career has been built on leadership, resilience, and helping the next generation of athletes grow into their potential. In this conversation, we dive deep into: ✅ The transition from player to leader – How his experiences as a student-athlete shaped his leadership approach. ✅ Navigating ca...
- In this episode, we sit down with Grace Cave, a standout D1 athlete from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as she reflects on her record-breaking college career. From growing up in Weeping Water, Nebraska, to winning a state championship, to navigating college basketball during COVID, Grace shares the highs, the struggles, and what’s next. She also dives into the state of women’s sports, the challenges female athletes still face, and what she’d tell young girls chasing the same dre...
In this episode, Sandy sits down with Gwendolyn Sanders Woods, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis. Gwendolyn shares her incredible journey from growing up in Memphis, navigating childhood adversity, and discovering her passion for track & field through the mentorship of a middle school coach. Episode Highlights: Overcoming childhood adversity in Memphis.Finding track & field through mentorship.Competing at the University of Memphis.Transitioning from athletics to her ...
- In this special episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, host Sandy Adams honors National Girls & Women in Sports Day by exploring the history, achievements, and future of women in athletics. From Title IX’s impact to the record-breaking success of female athletes in 2024, this episode is all about celebrating progress—and recognizing the challenges still ahead. Episode Highlights: The Evolution of Women in SportsMajor Wins in 2024A Few of the Pro Athletes Transitioning to New Careers:Shouto...
- In this episode I talk to Brandon Branch about his unconventional journey to becoming a successful basketball coach. Starting with non-traditional high school and college basketball experiences, Brandon’s path is a powerful example of turning passion and perseverance into impact. Highlights from the episode: Unconventional Start: Brandon didn’t play traditional high school basketball and only played one year of college ball.Transition to Coaching: He became a student manager at the Un...
- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline series, I sit down with sports executive and agent Travis King to explore how faith, hard work, and a little Memphis grit can turn dreams into reality. Travis opens up about his journey from Memphis roots to sports industry success, sharing powerful insights on mindset, perseverance, and purpose. Key Highlights: Faith as a Foundation – How staying grounded in faith shaped Travis's career decisions.The Power of Relationships ...
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The 5th Quarter, Sandy Adams sits down with Coach Regina Smith, Morgan State’s inaugural Head Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach, to explore her incredible journey from competitive athlete to pioneering leader. As the head coach of the first and only HBCU Division I acrobatics and tumbling program, Regina shares how her faith has been a cornerstone of her life, guiding her decisions and providing strength throughout her career. Key Highlights Early ...
In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, we sit down with Jason Staub, a former pitcher for Eastern Connecticut State University and now the interim Head Baseball Coach at Pomona-Pitzer Colleges. Jason shares his incredible journey from a standout high school and college athlete to a coach leading his team to unprecedented success. Key Highlights: Athletic Journey: Jason reflects on his 14-year baseball careerOvercoming Adversity: A torn labrum in his freshman year of college reshaped his...
- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Sandy sit's down with former MLB pitcher, Drew Hayes, to explore his inspiring journey from small-town Tennessee to life in professional baseball and beyond. Drew shares insights into the MLB draft process, the mental toughness required for life in the minors, and the pressure of pitching on the biggest stage. He reflects on navigating setbacks, learning to move past performance highs and lows, and realizing his worth beyond the game. From winning...