Stories from the Center of the Universe

Episode 146: COL(R) William Coffin

Bill Coffin and Paul served together in the Army National Guard. Bill is from Boston area and one of the first things they discussed was how big a fan Bill is of the Boston professional teams. They agreed that after some lean years, Bill and other Boston fans have had a great run the last twenty years! Bill and Paul talked about his Army journey which started when he enlisted right out of high school. He did very well on the ASVAB and that led to an unexpected and unique opportunity. From active duty, Bill went to the National Guard and he and Paul shared some stories of their time together which included an overseas deployment. They also discussed some of Bill’s fondest memories during his 30+ year career in the United States Army. He and Paul finished by talking about his wife Rebecca and his children Rachel and Billy.

Episode 145: Jeff Uerz

Jeff Uerz comes to the podcast via Paul’s father-in-law Al Draper. Jeff is from upstate New York and grew up hunting, fishing and trapping. Jeff told Paul that this led him to having a particular type of transportation before he even had a car. He also told Paul about a particular skill that he and his high school classmates were required to have before they were allowed to graduate. Jeff knew pretty early that he wanted to work as a state Game Warden. He looked for jobs across the United States and Virginia was the first agency to call. Jeff worked for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for twenty-seven years, rose through the ranks and was appointed Chief of Law Enforcement at the very young age of thirty-five. Jeff was in that role for fifteen years, retired at age fifty and has been serving people in a different way ever since. Jeff, through his church, serves those in need of food, shelter and compassion and loves to cook for various church events. Jeff finished by taking about his family, wife Maureen and kids, Jennifer and Christopher. 

Episode 144: Andre Buckner

Andre Buckner, a.k.a. Buck, is from and grew up in the historic Berkeley town area of Ashland, Virginia. Buck played all the sports growing up and he and Paul reminisced about playing Little League basketball together. They talked about their great coach who has been on the podcast as well (Episode 9). After high school, Buck enlisted and spent six years of active duty in the United States Navy. After he came back home, he spent another 4 1/2 years in the active reserve. Football became Buck’s main sport and Paul, Kevin and Buck discussed his football journey. This started when he played for the Ashland Vikings and culminated with tryouts with the Falcons, Panthers and the Jets. Buck has been a coach for 25 plus years and continues to pass on his football and basketball knowledge to this day. They finished by discussing what type of work Buck does and his family. 

Episode 143: Matt Pulisic

Matt Pulisic grew up in Long Island, NY and had a great time growing up in a small neighborhood playing all the sports. Matt’s father immigrated to the United States from Yugoslavia (now Croatia) and met his mom at a dance in NY City. Family was a very important part of Matt’s life growing up - large family gatherings and lots of good food, mostly from his Italian mother’s side! Matt’s best sport was soccer and it brought him south to Randolph-Macon College where he had an interesting recruiting weekend trip. Paul and Matt talked about RMC from the culture change he experienced upon arriving to how he is still involved to this day. They also discussed Matt’s education, career choice and turning his career and passion into becoming an entrepreneur. They also talked about how Matt and brothers still maintain a unique connection to their dad’s place of birth. Matt finished by talking about his wife Jen and their four children, Thomas, Joe, William and Allison.

Episode 142: Matt Goff

Matt Goff joins the podcast courtesy of Paul working with his sister. Matt is from northern Virginia and played all sports growing up and then mainly focused on football, wrestling and soccer in high school.  He faced another podcast guest several times during their high school careers (hint - episode #133.) Matt went to JMU where he played football and majored in Sports Management.  This led to internships with the NCAA, the Detroit Lions and jobs at American University, the U.S. Naval Academy and currently at Virginia Tech where he is a Major Gift Fund Raiser.  Paul and Kevin talked to Matt about what a typical work week is like and what skills you need to do the job. They discussed Enter Sandman, why VT has an advantage over UVA in their football rivalry towards the end. Matt also gave some sage advice to young people about a lost skill that is needed for most of today’s jobs. They also discussed the effects that the transfer portal and the new name, image, likeness issue has had on the athletes and college sports. They ended with Matt talking about his wife Chelsea, kids Camden and Kinsley (+ one due in August) and why they love Blacksburg.

 

Episode 141: Robert Pratt

Robert Pratt was born in NY, but moved to Richmond at a very young age. Robert played all sports growing up and he particularly loved baseball as a kid.  He even had a future Supreme Court Justice as his little league baseball coach one year. He went to St. Christopher’s for high school where he excelled in football and went on to play college football at UNC. Paul and Robert reminisced about St. Christopher’s and he told Paul what it was like to play college football in the early 1970’s. Robert was drafted in 1974 by the Baltimore Colts and played for the Colts from 1974-1981 and the Seattle Seahawks from 1982-1985. He played 170 NFL games (started 150). Robert is the owner of Sycamore Creek Golf Club and ended by telling Paul about his family. Robert is married to Jane and they have three kids (Beau, Liz and Caroline) and four grand children. 

Episode 140: Luqman Jaaber

Luqman Jabber is a former college basketball player, coach and National Champion. Luqman played at Virginia State, but transferred to Virginia Union where he played for Hall of Fame coach Dave Robbins and won a national championship his senior year.  He played professionally overseas, coached in the ABA and also returned to his alma mater to coach.  Luqman now runs his own player development business. He talked to Paul about his basketball journey and where he went his junior year in high school to travel and play basketball. He talked about his Muslim faith and the famous person’s funeral that his grandfather organized and oversaw. Luqman also spoke to Paul about his wife Delores and their five kids.

Episode 139: Jack Luck

Jack Luck is an Ashland icon and he joins Paul along with his oldest son, Ross. Jack talked about growing up on a farm in Ashland which is now part of the I-95 interchange. Jack told Paul about how he and his brother went to Randolph-Macon Academy and how he got a nickname that even Ross had never heard before. They discussed his time at Randolph-Macon College where he played football, was inducted in to the RMC Athletic Hall of Fame and his consistent support of the college. Ross talked about the family business, Luck Motor Company, as well as what it was like growing up with Jack as his dad. Jack also talked about his wife Shearer, their four kids and their seven grandchildren.

Episode 138: Donnie Morris

Paul and Rob have known Donnie Morris since the early 1980’s. Donnie is a former Virginia State Football Player of the Year and he tells Paul and Kevin about his football journey with some great stories along the way. Paul told a story about an encounter he had with Donnie on the middle school football field and will be the first to admit that Donnie won the day. The three of them talked about Donnie’s four daughters and the early influence his elders had on him, especially his grandmother. They discussed his love for music whether it involves playing, teaching, writing or being the Minister of Music at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hanover. They finished by chatting about his family and the over 35 basketball league they all played in … a decade or more ago!

Episode 137: The Whistle Stop Theatre Company (Louise Keeton)

Louise Keeton joined us to talk about her non-profit, The Whistle Stop Theatre Company. Along with their educational goals, they also produce family entertainment by local artists of all genres. Check them out at https://whistlestoptheatre.weebly.com to learn more.