Stories from the Center of the Universe

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.

Episode 136: Marcus Williams

Marcus Williams joins the podcast mainly via Kevin, but Marcus, Paul and Kevin have all worked at the same RVA based company. Marcus’ parents were both born in Indiana, but he grew up in Glasgow, KY.  His dad wanted a better place to raise his family and his dad was a benefactor of affirmative action and got a job in Glasgow. Marcus talked about his big brother being his best friend and their adventures growing up. Basketball and football were both important growing up. He was recruited for both sports and he decided to play football at Vanderbilt. He talked about one particular play where he faced off against a future 14 season NFL player. The podcast ended with Marcus talking about his family, wife Annie, daughter Mya and his son Tyson, aka T-Money.

Episode 135: Liz Phillips

Liz Phillips is a former colleague of Paul’s. Liz and Paul talked about her early years in South Bend, Indiana and Liz gave some insight into what South Bend is famous for besides Notre Dame. She talked about her big family, a move to Florida in the middle of high school and how she had to become an adult when she was a teenager due to her Mom getting sick. Liz and Paul had a great chat about her daughter Alina who is thirteen. Liz told Paul what her unusual craving was while she was pregnant and details about the party that occurred at the hospital before Alina was born. They ended by talking about Liz and Alina’s next adventure - where they’ll move to and what Liz wants to build and develop when they get there.

Episode 134: Growing Up in Ashland (1970s and 80s)

Duke, Rob and Paul have known each other almost 50 years. On this unique episode, we discussed growing up in Ashland in the 1970s and 80s. We had fun reminiscing and recording stories from our childhood. We hope you will enjoy it as well.

Episode 133: Nick Shedd

Nick Shedd is the head of Strength and Conditioning for the Houston Astros and comes to the podcast via a connection through Kevin Flippen. Paul, Kevin and Nick discussed him growing up in Northern Virginia, playing football in college and his education including currently pursuing his PhD. Nick’s career has taken him many different places and has allowed him to work with military personnel and athletes of all levels and sports as well. They talked about his current job with the Astros organization and Nick fielded some rapid fire questions from Paul and Kevin. They finished by talking about his wife Jackie and their dog Cusco.