The Dragon's Den

A podcast for those that bleed green and gold. In every episode I interview former UAB athletes to talk about their time at UAB, their big game memories and where they are now! Not produced or affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Music: Climb by Shane Ivers and Beat Symphony by Shane Ivers, https://www.silvermansound.com

Episode 50: Watson Brown, UAB Football Coach 1995-2006, Athletic Director 2002-2005

Join me as I talk with a legend in UAB athletics, coach Watson Brown. Watson shared some amazing stories about his start in football at an early age, his playing days at Vanderbilt which led to many years in coaching, and his time at UAB as head coach and athletic director. Some great behind-the-scenes stories that you won't want to miss. I truly enjoyed this conversation and I can't thank Watson enough for the discussion and all he did for the University. Hope you enjoy! Go Blazers!Be sure t...

09-14
01:16:33

Episode 49: Jordan Swing, UAB Basketball Guard/Forward 2011-2014

Join me as I talk with former UAB men's basketball guard Jordan Swing! Jordan has had a great career in basketball dating back to his high school years winning a state championship with Vestavia Hills High School. He played alongside some very talented UAB players and has been playing pro basketball overseas and in the NBA G League (including the Birmingham Squadron in 2022-2023) for over 10 years. He gave some great stories and in-depth analysis of his playing style. Thanks for listening!Be ...

07-13
42:32

Episode 48: Jakob Hornsby, UAB Club Hockey Forward 2016-2020, Current Head Coach

Join me as I talk with Jakob Hornsby, UAB Club Hockey forward from 2016-2020 and current head coach! Jakob gives great insight into the life of a club sport athlete and the amount of hard work that goes into making a season happen! The team is back from a brief hiatus that started around the pandemic. We also discussed his history playing hockey here in Alabama, his playing time with UAB, and what Blazer fans can expect from the current team and this year's schedule in the College Hockey Sout...

02-14
30:08

Episode 47: Bryant Turner Jr., UAB Football Defensive Lineman 2007-2010

Join me as I talk with former UAB football defensive lineman Bryant Turner Jr.! Bryant and I discussed many topics like his athletic participation at Daphne High School, his friendships with teammates at UAB, the many big environments he played in, his time playing in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions, his current career in real estate and more! Hope you enjoy the episode!Be sure to follow my social media pages! Just search @DragonsDenEFEL on Facebook, Tw...

02-03
45:35

Episode 46: Neena Speer, Daughter of Men's Basketball Center Donnie Speer 1978-1982

This is the first episode I've had with a family member of a former player! I talk with Neena Speer, daughter of the late former men's basketball center Donnie Speer. Donnie was a big part of UAB's very first basketball teams and of course the run to the Elite 8 in 1982. His legacy carried on beyond the hardwood as it lives on in the memories of UAB fans and his friends and family. Hope you enjoy! Be sure to follow my social media pages @DragonsDenEFEL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram...

09-30
39:14

Mini Episode: Butch Harris Tribute, UAB Super Fan 1962-2021

For this episode I pay tribute to the biggest UAB fan of all time, my dad Morris "Butch" Harris. Sadly, my dad passed away two years ago before I could have him on the podcast to share his stories as a UAB fan, so I thought I'd share some of them and my best sports memories with him. I also received some shared memories from his longtime friend and fellow UAB fan, Steve Rutherford. Thanks for listening. Go Blazers!

09-25
10:23

Episode 45: Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson, UAB basketball guard 2003-2006

Join me as I talk with one of the greats from the UAB men's basketball program in the early 2000s, Mr. Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson. Squeaky and I had a great talk about his UAB playing days, his pro career journey after UAB, life now, and more! Hope you enjoy! Be sure to follow my social media pages @DragonsDenEFEL on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram! Go Blazers!

09-23
24:49

Episode 44: Kevin Fehr, UAB baseball pitcher 1979-1980

Join me as I talk with former UAB baseball pitcher, Kevin Fehr! Kevin was on the very first UAB baseball teams and recounts his playing days with the upstart program. Kevin also went on to coach baseball at the high school and college level all while officiating high school and college basketball. This led to an 18-year career officiating in the NBA. Kevin and I talked about his time in sports with some of the greats like Harry "The Hat" Walker, Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, and so many o...

04-15
33:47

Episode 43: Quan Jackson, UAB basketball guard 2020-2022

Join me as I talk with one of the recent stars for the UAB men's basketball program, Quan Jackson! Quan and I had a great discussion about his two seasons at UAB, his leadership of the team, his current pro career in Finland, and so much more! Hope you enjoy! No This Week In Blazer History this week. To listen to the postseason history of UAB basketball in the NCAA tournament and NIT, check out Episode 35 and 16! Be sure to follow my social media pages @DragonsDenEFEL on Facebook, Twitte...

03-18
34:12

Episode 42: Kevin Drake, UAB Football QB/WR 1994-1997

Join me as I talk with one of the original pioneers of the UAB football program, Kevin Drake. Kevin has been a journeyman throughout his life in football and in his career. We had a great conversation about his playing days with UAB, his move from quarterback to wide receiver in his senior season, his life after football, and more! Be sure to stick around for another This Week in Blazer History segment going over some all-time great UAB men's and women's basketball games, Blazer birthdays, an...

03-04
58:52

Episode 41: Ty Long, UAB Football Kicker 2011-2014

Join me as I talk with former UAB football kicker Ty Long! Ty and I discuss his time at UAB, his playing career in the Canadian Football League and the NFL, his current life as an NFL free agent, and more! Hope you enjoy!Be sure to follow my social pages @DragonsDenEFEL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Go Blazers!

11-05
23:59

Episode 40: Caitlin Attfield, UAB Softball Shortstop 2013-2016

Join me as I talk with one of UAB Softball's all-time greats, Caitlin Attfield! Caitlin shares great insight into her approach to the game, her adjustment to the college level, her playing days, and her special memories from her time at UAB! I really enjoyed the conversation! Thanks for listening! Be sure to check out my social pages @DragonsDenEFEL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Go Blazers!

09-24
28:16

Mini Episode: Chris Giles Announces New Book!

Join me as I welcome Chris Giles (UAB Men's Basketball Forward 1979-1982) back on the podcast to promote his new book! The book is titled, Birmingham Golden Years of High School Basketball. It discusses great historical accomplishments by former and current basketball players that have gone on to the pros, great basketball coaches, highlights high schools in the Birmingham area and more! You can buy the book from Chris Giles (details in the recording) or you can buy it at the Birmingham ...

08-23
19:20

Episode 39: Jack Kramer, UAB Basketball Guard 1988-1991

Join me as I talk with one of the all-time greats from UAB basketball, Jack Kramer! Jack shares a lot of great stories about his friendships with his former teammates including Andy Kennedy, Barry Bearden, Alan Ogg, Carter Long, and many others! Jack also goes into great detail about the lives of his kids, two of which are division 1 NCAA athletes. Jack does a great job setting the scene of what it was like playing with the team and a couple of great moments from games in that era. I learned ...

07-23
01:29:22

Episode 38: Frantrell Forrest, UAB Football WR/KR 2007-2010

Join me as I talk with former UAB football wide receiver and kick returner, Frantrell Forrest. This has been one of my favorite episodes so far! Frantrell was 100% real in his discussion about the highs and lows of his playing days and life in general. He is one of the most dynamic players to ever step foot on the field for UAB football. We discussed everything from his life before college, his big game moments, what it was like on the field with some other UAB greats that played alongside hi...

06-18
01:19:07

Episode 37: Paul Delaney III, UAB Basketball Guard 2004-2009

Join me as I talk with one of the greats from the UAB basketball program in the early 2000s, Mr. Paul Delaney III! Paul had a fantastic career at UAB and his name is still all over the Blazer record book. We discuss his role on the team as a leader during the transition from Mike Anderson to Mike Davis, his clutch baskets, battling back from injury, and his current career playing basketball overseas in Israel! Also stick around for another This Week in Blazer History segment! Be sure to ...

05-21
30:49

Episode 36: Holly Holland-Berry, UAB Women's Basketball Forward 1996-2000

Join me as I talk with Holly Holland-Berry! Intrigued by the opportunity to play in the upstart Conference USA, Holly came to UAB from her hometown near Tampa, Florida and provided a spark for the Blazers. She was one of the greatest sharp shooters from three-point land played alongside some of the greatest Blazers in the history of the program. Holly played a big role in the Sweet 16 run by the UAB women's basketball team in the 2000 season, including 21 points in the Round of 32 game agains...

05-07
42:40

Episode 35: NCAA Tournament Postseason Special

Longtime Blazer fan Steve Rutherford and I collaborate to recap the NCAA tournament appearances for the men's and women's teams in UAB's basketball history! The 1981 first appearance and the 1982 Elite 8 run for the men's team will be left out due to my last episode with Chris Giles going into great detail about both of those appearances! UAB has a rich history of basketball, and this episode breaks down all of those special moments! At the time of recording, the UAB-Houston men's NCAA tourna...

03-19
36:04

Episode 34: Chris Giles, UAB Basketball Forward 1979-1982

Join me as I talk with one of the pioneers of UAB basketball, Mr. Chris Giles! Chris came to UAB through an unusual way and was there from the beginning! I was so impressed by his attention to detail in his stories about in-game situations, life on campus and around Birmingham, coach Gene Bartow, off the court memories with teammates, and so much more. Giles also came back and coached at UAB both as a grad assistant and later during the Mike Anderson era after a long stay at Jackson State. He...

03-12
01:35:46

Episode 33: Joe Henderson, UAB Football Linebacker 2005-2008

Join me as I talk with former UAB football linebacker Joe Henderson! Joe was one of the most tenacious defenders in UAB football history and now has his name in several top 10 defensive statistical records at UAB! We discuss some of his favorite memories, his playing career, and friendships with teammates. Hope you enjoy and stick around for the This Week in Blazer History segment! Go Blazers! Be sure to follow my social pages @DragonsDenEFEL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

02-19
32:15

Recommend Channels