PitchSide From the Plex

This week we tackle the very important and timely topic of abuse prevention in sport.  The US Center for SafeSport was founded through Federal legislation in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal with USA Gymnastics.  Its mission is to act as the clearing house and adjudicator for abuse allegations within the Olympic movement sports within the US.  They also provide training and education for players, coaches, and parents on how to prevent and identify abuse.  We are joined by the CEO for the US Center for SafeSport Ju'Riese Colon.  Ju'Riese has a long history of working to protect children in various roles in numerous organizations.  Now she is leading the charge to prevent abuse in  sports.  She discusses with other the challenges her organization faces including educating people on the mission, funding, and the sheer volume of the work.  This is such an important topic today that this is a must listen episode.Presented byAdventist HealthCareAdventist HealthCareThe largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-installAmerican Red Crosswww.redcross.org/volunteer/Montgomery Collegewww.montgomerycollege.edu/

For todays celebration of Women In Sports Day, we take our second journey into CrossFit in this episode with Heather Lawrence-Benedict, their Director of Sport Operations.  Heather had a long career in college athletics going from operations and faciltiies, to Associate AD, and then to getting her PhD and teaching Sport Management to undergraduates and graduate students.  She jumped over to CrossFit just as the pandemic hit making her new job quite difficult.  Heather gives us the story behind wanting to teach as well as the importance that athletics plays in our lives.  Having been a professor she give great advice to young women starting out on their path to working in sports.Presented byAdventist HealthCareAdventist HealthCare The largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-installAmerican Red Crosshttps://www.redcross.org/volunteer/Baltimore 2026 - FIFA World Cup Bid Citywww.baltimore2026.usInstacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gThis post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This week Kim and I get to welcome back to the SoccerPlex Washington Spirit Captain, NWSL Players Association President, and NWSL CHAMPION, Tori Huster.  Tori talks about her journey from youth soccer, to Florida State University, Australian A- League,  and all the way to this past November's NWSL Championship.  Tori gives us insight into the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, social justice causes, and the harassment controversy that shook the NWSL this past year.  Tori talks about being a leader on and off the field as well as what she wants to be when she grows up!Presented byAdventist HealthCareAdventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-installBaltimore 2026 - FIFA World Cup Bid Citywww.baltimore2026.usThis post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This episode is a bit self serving as Matt just gets to hang out with his friends.  Matt and Kim are joined this week by Danielle Vincenti, Rachel Rogers, and Suzanne Cecil.  Each has served in several roles in the sports industry and are passionate advocates for sports tourism and professional development and advancement for women in sports.  They provide great life lesson from their personal journeys and some heart warming and funny stories from events.  I bet you never thought we would be talking about trash talking ventriloquist dummies on a sports podcast.   Presented byAdventist HealthCareAdventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-installBaltimore 2026 - FIFA World Cup Bid Citywww.baltimore2026.us

This week Matt and Kim talk about the curious path that Casey Take took to get to become the Director of Athlete Development for Ironman.  Some would say she took a non-conventional path to work in endurance racing but she will talk about how that path provided the necessary tools to get where she is now.    Casey provides some great insight for young women starting out in the industry and advice that she wished she would have received along her journey.  I hope everyone listens closely to her story about how she landed her first job in sports.Presented byAdventist HealthCareAdventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-install

This week we speak with Jana Brooks, Manager Event and Tenant Services, Maryland Stadium Authority.  We talk through her journey from facility management at a law firm, to S.A.F.E, to dealing with both the Ravens and the Orioles at the Camden Yards Stadium Complex.  Jana has some fun stories about managing events, challenges, in the job, and why she loves it.  Jana also talks about one of the most rewarding things she has done, in managing the Mass Vaccination Site at M&T Bank Stadium this year.Presented byAdventist HealthCareAdventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-installMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comInstacartinstacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gThis post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

Matt and Kim are back for a new season and will be focusing on Women in Sports.  In this season's first episode we are speaking with Andrea Travelstead, the Assistant Director for Youth and Development at USA Basketball.  We get to talk about her journey in sports which includes 2 college National Championships, one as a player and one as a coach, her time in Australia, and her move to USA Basketball.  Andrea give some great advise for young women looking to work in sports and some of the struggle she faced in her own career.Learn more about USA Basketball athttps://www.usab.com/Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-installInstacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gThis post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

Pitchside from the Plex is back.  This season Kim and Matt are focusing on Women in Sports.  We will host a series of female guests to talk about their journey in sports, challenges they have faced, what can make women better suited to work in sports, and provide advice for young women looking to get started in the sports industry.  We will talk with college ADs, representatives from various sports organizations such as USA Basketball, USA Football, Ironman, plus venue managers, and someone from the C-Suite of the LA Olympics.  It should be a fun season.

Kim and Matt sit down with Jason Clement the CEO and Founding Partner of The Sports Facilities Companies.  We discuss what goes into developing new sports facilities, why communities are looking to add sports venues, and why youth sports are so important to a healthy community.  Jason talks about the holistic benefits to children from sports in terms of physical, mental, and spiritual well being.  We also discuss the economics of sports venues and youth sports itself.  Jason discusses the growing crisis of reduced access to sports programs and how The Sports Facilities Companies are working to address it.   Learn more about The Sports Facilities Companies at https://sportadvisory.com/Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgMid-Atlantic CrossFit Challengehttp://www.midatlanticcrossfitchallenge.comMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

Kim and Matt sit down with Wilson Pak, the Director of the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge.  Wilson explains the concept of CrossFit and what competitive CrossFit looks like.  We explore the challenges presented by COVID to the industry.  Wilson also talk about the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge which is moving to Knoxville Tennessee this year as well as the NOBULL CrossFit Games in Madison Wisconsin.  Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgMid-Atlantic CrossFit Challengehttp://www.midatlanticcrossfitchallenge.comMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

Matt and Kim speak with Skye Eddy, mom, coach, and former player, who founded the Soccer Parenting Association.  Skye provides resources for coaches and parents to help provide a better playing environment to youth soccer players.  She speaks about problems we see on the sidelines from parents, coaches, and players.  Skye talks about how to identify issues and how to address them to make soccer fun again for your kids.www.SoccerParentResourceCenter.comwww.SoccerParenting.comPresented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This week Kim and Matt broaden our horizons and learn about the Gaelic Athletic Association.  Brittany Walsh the Mid-Atlantic Division GAA Chairperson joins us to teach us about Gaelic Football, Hurling, and Camogie.  If you have every had a chance to watch any of these games played they are fast paced and high scoring affairs.  They are simply exciting to watch.  Brittany taches us about the games themselves, the history of GAA in America, as well as talks about new programming including youth teams and collegiate teams.    Check out Wicked Shamrock Photography to see what  GAA looks like as well as this video from Jerome Quinn Media to see what the National Finals looked like in 2018.Mid-Atlantic Division GAA https://www.midatlanticgaa.com/ Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This week Matt and Kim speak with the last three Head of Grounds and Environmental Management of the Maryland SoccerPlex, who have all go off to higher profile gigs.  Our most recent Dir. of Grounds, Mitch Litz recently left to take over as Director of Grounds at FC Cincinnati in the MLS.  He is joined by his predecessor,  Ryan Bjorn, Superintendent of Fields for the New England Patriots and New England Revolution  and Jerad Minnick, Lead Advisor of the Natural Grass Advisory Group.  We talk wth them about why the SoccerPlex is so special to them, the challenges of working here, and how those challenges lead to leading their profession in pro sports.  Most importantly we got a chance to catch up with Boyd our former Head of Geese Chasing at the SoccerPlex who is now a star for the Patriots in the NFL.    Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

Matt and Kim speak with Matt Robinette, President of Capital Rugby Union and Events Director for National Collegiate Rugby about the growth of rugby in the US pre-pandemic and the devastating toll the pandemic has had on the game.  Matt Robinette breaks down the different levels of the game, various governing bodies, and what the future holds for the sport.Capital Rugby Unionhttps://rugby.org/National Collegiate Rugbyhttps://ncr.rugby/Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

In this episode we speak with Bethany Henderson the SEO of DC Scores and the President of the America Scores Network as well as Tom Gross the League Administrator for DC Scores.   America Scores is a program founded in Washington DC that combines poetry and service learning with the game of soccer.  The program aims to provide meaningful physical and educational activities and coaching to children in areas where access to sports is an issue.  Bethany discusses the history of the program, the successes and growing pains, and how you can get involved in an existing Scores program, (They are in 12 cities already) or help start a new chapter in the network in your own city.Kicker, America SCORES annual poetry magazineOur Words Our Cities documentary website (note that the film will be released on Amazon in late February)Soccer in the City documentary DC SCORES' YouTube channel.  I particularly direct your attention to this 5 minute video story titled A Poet-Athlete and his Coach.  2.5 minute piece featuring our coaches talking about DC SCORES' impact during the pandemic.For more information about volunteering with DC SCORES (including coaching), visit https://www.dcscores.org/volunteer/ For more information about DC SCORES fundraisers, see: One Night One Goal - annual gala at Audi Field SCORES Cup - annual corporate charity soccer tournament For more information about how companies can get involved or partner with DC SCORES, contact Tony Francavilla, afrancavilla@dcscores.org Brave Spaces program for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presented byAdventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.com SAM Soccer Recreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Maryland www.samsoccer.org MBS Performance Counseling Mental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling "Discover How To Perform With Purpose" www.mbsperformancecounseling.com Pitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex" https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/ This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This week we Matt and Kim speak with John David, Chief Strategy Officer for USA BMX.  John talks about how he got involved in the sport and how it continues to grow.    John talks about the different levels of racing from Age 5 to 65.  We also talk about the importance of Sports Tourism and how BMX fits into both an economic and community asset.  Lastly he talks about the positive impact COVID has had on BMX membership and how they weathered the storm, as well as some funny storied from events.   Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This week we Matt and Kim speak with Ryan Defibaugh, owner and counselor from MBS Performance Counseling.  We discuss the mental aspects of sports on children, the effects of COVID on mental health, and the stigma around mental health.  Ryan provides tips and discussion points to have a conversation with children about maintaining good mental health as well as the importance of working on the mental aspect of sports not just the physical.Pitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comThis post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

In this episode we are joined by Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz. Gabe discusses the importance of youth sports as a whole and how we can reach out to underserved communities with youth sports. Gabe discusses specific legislation that has been implemented here in Montgomery County, Maryland, the Youth Sports Initiative, that is aimed to provide team sport activities to places within the county that have historically been “sports deserts.” We also discuss the importance of understanding the communities and culture within an area and how it can affect participation and access to sports. Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  https://www.adventisthealthcare.com SAM Soccer Recreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Maryland http://www.samsoccer.org Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4g This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This week we broadcast live from the Bethesda Premier Cup, an all-girls soccer tournament hosted at the Maryland SoccerPlex and operated by Bethesda Soccer Club (www.premiercuptournament.com).  We sit down with Brad Roos the Tournament Director to talk about the effort that went in to host a tournament during a pandemic. We also talk with Kelly Groff, President and CEO of Visit Montgomery (www.visitmontgomery.com), to discuss the economic impact of this event and the recovery of the economy through tourism.   Brian Parker, the head coach of Frostburg University talks about the struggles of recruiting in the COVID era and how he is happy to return to live events to evaluate players.  We also get insight from players and parents  from Beach FC, FC Revolution, Ellicott City SC, and Bethesda SC.This is also the first episode featuring a new segment called "Your Health Goals with Adventist HealthCare"  This episode they will be discussing staying safe this fall and winter during the pandemic.  Remember to wear your mask and wash your hands!Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  https://www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandhttp://www.samsoccer.orgInstacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gThis post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks

This week, we talk with Terry Hasseltine, the Executive Director of the Maryland Sports Commission.  Terry talks about the role of the Sports Commission in sports tourism for Maryland and importance of the youth sports as part of economic development.  Terry also heads up the Baltimore 2026 Local Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cup.  Terry discusses the different pieces that go into the bid, how the process works, and why it is important to Baltimore and Maryland.  The World Cup is more than just soccer, and this provides a chance to change the narrative of Baltimore’s identity.  Check out www.baltimoremd2026.us for more information about Baltimore World Cup Host City BidPresented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  https://www.adventisthealthcare.com SAM Soccer Recreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Maryland http://www.samsoccer.org Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4g This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks