Episode 12 - Finding God in Golf and Business with John Solheim

Frank Kelly was a member of the first FCA Lacrosse Team in 1992 and played a major role in the founding and growth of the FCA Lacrosse ministry and FCA in Maryland. Kelly was FCA Maryland’s first board chairman, even before a full-time staff member was hired, and went on to serve in that role for 20 years. 

A former professional lacrosse player (National Lacrosse League’s Baltimore Thunder) and two-sport athlete at Cornell, Kelly walked us through the times in his life when sports were an idol and what changed when he put God above everything.

Useful Links:

One Foot in Business Another in Ministry

Mason Plumlee won a national championship at Duke in 2010 and now plays as center and power forward for the Denver Nuggets. We got to sit down with him and talk Coach K, the Cameron Crazies, and his experience transitioning to the NBA. 

But that’s not all. He talked to us about his entrepreneurial ventures, his investing philosophy, and his faith. We loved our conversation and think you will too. 

Useful Links:

Mason Plumlee

Mason Plumlee on Investing in Start-Ups

Mason Plumlee Career Duke Highlights

Founder Fridays

No one ever prepares to speak at their spouse’s funeral. But after a tragic car accident, Coach Monty Williams found himself burying his wife long before they had a chance to grow old together. 

But what happened in that moment was something powerful and unforgettable—he offered forgiveness to the driver who had killed his wife. 

Monty took us through this story, every painful detail, but he also talked about the hope he has found on the other side of tragedy and what he loves about coaching in the NBA.

Sports is a billion dollar industry. And while we all watch our favorite team on TV, few of us really know all the work that is going on behind-the-scenes to make that happen. 

Today, we’re talking to two professors who are preparing students for jobs in the professional sports world. Darin White is the Executive Director of the Center for Sports Analytics and Samford University and Kirk Wakefield is the Executive Director of the Sports, Strategy, and Sales program at Baylor University. 

Together, they’re going to walk about the money behind the game and the future men and women who are about to enter this profession…

Useful Links:

Darin White Twitter

S3 Major at Baylor

Samford Center for Sports Analytics

Ever wonder what it would be like to coach one of the most storied programs in NCAA football ever? Clay Helton can tell you. 

He’s the head coach of USC, and after growing up under a father whose coaching career took their family all over the country, it’s no surprise that Clay found himself full of a love for the game. 

He talked to us about life as a coach, dealing with unexpected injuries, and what it means for him to trust God, even when he has no idea what next season might look like…

Useful Links:

• Clay Helton Has His Priorities in Order
• Clay Helton Twitter
• Clay Helton Maintains Ties to Texas

If you’re at all familiar with college football, today’s guest needs no introduction, but here one is anyway. Mark Richt coached the Georgia Bulldogs for 15 years as one of the longest-tenured coaches in the conference where he won two SEC Championships. 

He then went to the University of Miami where he led the team to three consecutive bowl games before announcing his retirement in 2018. 

Coach Richt talked to us about the ups and downs of his career, transitioning from coach to analyst, and what his faith looked like along the way.

Today's podcast guest was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year—the only award that recognizes greatness on and off the field. And after talking with Sam Acho, we can assure you that he wasn't just a great football player, he's a great person. 

We covered a lot with him today—his early life growing up in Dallas, his football career, and what it means to be authentic in a world full of fakes. His story is one you won't want to miss.

Useful Links:

The Home Team Podcast

Sam Acho Website

Sam Acho on Faith and Fatherhood

Sam Acho on Social Justice

Hard to argue that there is a better halftime show than the NBA on TNT crew with Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and today’s guest, Ernie Johnson. 

Ernie shared with us just what makes that show so special (and so fun), as well as his personal story, which includes calling MLB games with his dad and his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ernie is an incredible man of faith, and he shared both the hilarious and the serious sides of his life with us today. 

You won’t want to miss this one…

Useful Links:

Ernie Johnson’s Faith Story

Ernie Johnson on Faith and Fatherhood

Unscripted

You’ve probably heard of the Pony Express. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the Pony Excess. Either way, there’s no doubt that the SMU football team of the 1980s was unforgettable. 

Today, we’re talking to one of their stars—Craig James. He talked to us about life during SMU’s hayday, the subsequent fallout over the bribery charges, life as a College Football analyst, why he chose to go to seminary, and what the future might look like. 

We covered a lot, so sit down, turn it up, and let’s hit the ground running...

Today we’re sitting down with the QB brothers Josh and Luke McCown, who have both travelled the NFL, playing for a combined 18 different teams. 

They talked to us all about that, what their sibling rivalry looks like, and how their passion for faith and football has guided their life stories. As always, thanks for listening.

Useful Links:

One Heck of a Journey

Friday Night Flights

What Are You Measured By?

Luke McCown Journey of Sports and Faith