No Place I'd Rather Be …
A podcast about St. John’s University (MN) basketball that features legendary coach Jim Smith as well as head coach and Johnnie alum Pat McKenzie ‘04. Hear from notable players and personalities that make this program one of the very best in all of Division III athletics. Whether a long-standing Johnnie basketball fan, a relative newcomer, or just a student of history, there's sure to be something for everyone on "No Place I'd Rather Be…"
Fr. Roman vs. The Rats
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Hello and welcome back! Today, we revisit a fairly notable piece of the legacy of one of our previous guests this season … Fr. Roman Paur and his relationship with The Rats. Along the way we have some contributions from Joe Deignan, Troy Bigalke and Mike Dady along with the usual crew. Thanks to those guys for their contributions!
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Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:
- Sixth Man Enterprises
- The Sexton Family Foundation
- Bobbi and John Augustine
- Maggie an...
On the Court with senior guards Andrew Wagner, Kooper Vaughn and Zach Longueville
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Hello and welcome back! Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming back Andrew Wagner, Kooper Vaughn and Zach Longueville to the program to talk about their senior season. Thanks guys for making the time!
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Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:
- Sixth Man Enterprises
- The Sexton Family Foundation
- Bobbi and John Augustine
- Maggie and Marty McCaslin
- Steve Cummings at Nova Group
- Matt Johnson
- Rick DesLauriers
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The Voice -- 25 Years Courtside with Mark Lewandowski
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Hello and welcome back! Today, we feature the voice of Johnnie sports over the last quarter century -- Mark Lewandowski -- who talked with the guys about his start in radio, his transition to St. John's and some of his observations as he's had a front row seat for some memorable moments over that past 25 years. Thanks Mark for sitting down and talking with the guys!
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Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:
- Sixth Man Enterprises
- The Sexton Family Foundation
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On the Court with Ryan Thissen, Blake Berg and Connor Schwob
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Hello and welcome back! Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming back Ryan Thissen, Blake Berg and Connor Schwob to the program to talk about their collective decision to return for a fifth year. Thanks guys for making the time!
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Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:
- Sixth Man Enterprises
- The Sexton Family Foundation
- Bobbi and John Augustine
- Maggie and Marty McCaslin
- Steve Cummings at Nova Group
- Matt Johnson
...
The Transition
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Hello and welcome back! Today, we focus on the tail end of Smitty’s incredible run as head coach of St. John's basketball and welcome the only other person to occupy the coach’s office since 1964 Head Coach Pat McKenzie. Which ties directly to the very first episode of this podcast. Some of this might sound familiar, but this time with some fresh perspective from longtime voice of Johnnie football and basketball -- Mark Lewandowski -- who had a front row seat to the changing of the guard. Not much more to say that...
On the Court with Jim Smith and Steve Fritz
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Hello and welcome back! Today, we pulled from the archives to find some never before heard parts of our conversation with Smitty and longtime thorn in the Johnnies side, legendary St. Thomas coach Steve Fritz where they get into some of the finer points of their coaching philosophies, other coaches around the conference and some of the insights they gained while athletic directors at their respective institutions. Let’s get to it. Here’s Coach Steve Fritz with Coach Smith, Tom Connell and John Russett.
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The View From Carpet Row
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Hello and welcome back! Today, there’s a bit of a different bent in store as we shift the perspective from the court to carpet row as we welcome ‘71 grad Mike Dady, who played for coach smith during his student days and served as Board of Regents chair from 1992-1995 as well as President of the Alumni Association and is the founding partner of Dady and Gardner PA, along with Fr. Roman Paur, who received both an undergrad and masters of divinity from Saint John's, was ordained in 1966, completed graduate degrees in clinical and...
On the Court with senior manager Andrew Nerud
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Hello and welcome back! Today, senior manager Andrew Nerud joins the show to talk about his decision to come to St. John's, the transition from player to manager and some of the unique insights he has gained from seeing the game from a different perspective. Thanks Andrew for making the time!
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Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:
- Sixth Man Enterprises
- The Sexton Family Foundation
- Bobbi and John Augustine
- Maggie and Marty McCaslin
- Steve...
The 2001 Team (carpe diem coffee cups and Chinese menus)
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Hello and welcome back! Today, we have one of the most successful teams in St. John's history in the same room to turn back the clock and reminisce about their time together. Usually reserved for later in the episodes, we’re going straight to the source for some context before we begin. From The Record, Thursday March 1, 2001, page 14.
"Basketball Success Leads to Windfall of Awards. In the wake of its recent 15-game winning streak and conference titles, several members of the SJU basketball team received awards Monday. Junior forward Mike Nester was na...
On the Court with Head Coach Pat McKenzie (mid-season update)
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Hello! Today, we're back with Coach McKenzie for our mid-season update.
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Thanks to Coach McKenzie for taking the time to talk with the guys.
Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:
- Sixth Man Enterprises
- The Sexton Family Foundation
- Bobbi and John Augustine
- Maggie and Marty McCaslin
- Steve Cummings at Nova Group
- Matt Johnson
- Rick DesLauriers
- Sue and Jim Bowe
- John Sc...
