WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment

Garrett Boorojian and Joe Maddon discuss relationship building in a team environment.

On relationship building: "It means everything." — Joe Maddon

Joe's feedback about his conversation with Garrett: "Thanks Garrett, great preparation, I really appreciate that too and good luck with the number 61."

Specifically, Garrett and Joe had an amazing conversation (Episode 60) about his (Joe's) youth / upbringing in Hazleton, Pennsylvania; growth, development, and leadership in baseball — as a player, coach, and World Series Manager and Champion; mentors / role models in the game; special connections with Joe Namath and fellow coaches and players over the deca...

Garrett Boorojian and Rick Vaughn discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Tampa Spring Training Tales, Florida: Rick Vaughn: 9781467156363: Sports: Paperback – Arcadia Publishing

"Tampa Spring Training Tales

Major League Memories

By Rick Vaughn

Publication Date: 11th March 2024

Since 1913, Tampa has provided the background for some of the Major League Baseball's most iconic spring moments led, of course, by the longest home run of Babe Ruth's career. Tampa was the scene of the Grapefruit League's first no-hitter and the only spring time All-star Game. It was the first ga...

Garrett Boorojian and Ken Khachigian discuss relationship building in a team environment.

https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Ken-Khachigian/219269121

https://www.reaganandnixon.com/bio

https://www.reaganandnixon.com/

"Behind Closed Doors

In the Room with Reagan & Nixon

Available Now

In Behind Closed Doors: In the Room with Reagan & Nixon, White House history is revealed like never before by Ken Khachigian as an eyewitness with two unprecedented perspectives: a unique, contemporary hands-on account of Ronald Reagan’s presidency and an exclusive chronicle of Richard Nixon’s emergence and...

Garrett Boorojian and Michele Steele discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Michele Steele - ESPN Press Room U.S.

"Michele Steele

Studio Anchor, Reporter

Michele Steele is a correspondent for ESPN based in Chicago. A versatile journalist, she has covered some of the biggest stories both in the Midwest and nationally for SportsCenter, NFL Live, Outside the Lines and ESPN’s digital platforms. She also currently serves as a fill-in anchor for ESPN’s franchise program, SportsCenter.

Over her career at ESPN, she has been based out of the...

Charles "Chuck" Todd | GW Alumni Association | The George Washington University

Biography

Chuck Todd is NBC News’ political director and the moderator of the #1 rated Sunday public affairs program, Meet the Press. Todd is a primary anchor for the network’s primetime political and election programming and spearheads NBC News’ political coverage across all its platforms and flagship news programs.

Todd was named moderator of Meet the Press in 2014 and the program has since become the #1 rated Sunday public affairs show for five straight years and won the 2019-2020 broadcast season across the board for th...

Garrett Boorojian and George Smith discuss relationship building in a team environment.

George Smith | WOODTV.com

"George Smith

Follow https://x.com/georgesmithtv

George Smith joined News 8 Daybreak as an anchor in August 2024.

He is no stranger to the Midwest. George’s broadcast career includes working for television stations in Cleveland, Chicago, and Madison, Wisconsin. His passion for news runs deep, but he’s also had the opportunity to work in sports, including 10 years as a correspondent for ESPN for “SportsCenter” and “Outside the Lines.”

George graduated from Columbi...

Garrett Boorojian and John Anderson discuss relationship building in a team environment.

John Anderson ESPN Joins Mizzou School of Journalism Faculty

John Anderson - Mizzou School of Journalism

"John Anderson

Professional Practice Professor

Endowed Chairs, Journalism Professions

Leonard H. Goldenson Endowed Chair in Radio and Television Journalism

205 Reynolds Journalism Institute Missouri School of Journalism Columbia, MO 65211

(573) 882-2360

John Anderson joined the University of Missouri School of Journalism’s faculty in January of 2025 after 25 years anchoring SportsCenter, ESPN’s signature news and info...

Garrett Boorojian and George Mumford discuss relationship building in a team environment.

About | George Mumford

"George Mumford’s deeply moving personal story is unforgettable. An aspiring basketball player at the University of Massachusetts (where he roomed with Dr. J, Julius Erving), injuries forced Mumford out of the game he loved. The medications that relieved the pain of his injuries also numbed him to the emptiness he felt without the game and eventually led him to heroin.

After years of making meditation on and off the cushion the center of his life and getting cl...

Garrett Boorojian and Joe Seldner discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Joseph Seldner - Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute

"Joseph Seldner

Writer/Producer; Founder, Senior Poverty Prevention Project Princeton, NJ

Joseph Seldner has more than 35 years of experience in journalism, entertainment and non-profits. He began his career as a journalist, earning a Pulitzer Prize nomination, then moved to the entertainment world, at Columbia Pictures, then as creative executive for Tom Hanks, and later producing the HBO film “61*” (Billy Crystal, director) and other independent projects, and starting the news department for the larg...

Garrett Boorojian and Terance Mathis discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Terance's relationship with his family, especially his late mother, and the relationships he forged during his football playing days and post–NFL career, make Terance an elite relationship builder admired by so many of his peers, friends, and fans in the state of Georgia, across the country, and around the world.

A native of the state of Georgia, Terance went to college out of state and played for the University of New Mexico Lobos where he was named Third–team All–American in 1987 and Co...

Garrett Boorojian and Michael Lombardi discuss relationship building in a team environment.

"I think the only form of currency that matters today is, are you willing to share your knowledge." – Michael Lombardi

Garrett interviewed Michael prior to Michael becoming the General Manager of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Football program. Michael joins head coach Bill Belichick who'll lead the Tar Heels with a five-year deal starting in 2025. Full circle: Bill’s father, Stephen Belichick, was an Assistant Coach for a few seasons at North Carolina in the 1950s when Bill was a todd...

Garrett Boorojian and Jennifer Lynne Williams discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Jennifer Lynne Williams - USA Basketball

"Former Alabama State University director of athletics Jennifer Lynne Williams was announced on May 25, 2021, as the chief development officer of the USA Basketball Foundation. Williams will begin her duties on July 1.

As chief development officer of the USA Basketball Foundation, Williams is responsible for all aspects of the USA Basketball Foundation, including developing a holistic fundraising platform to support various USA Basketball national team programs and youth and sport development initiatives.

Named...

Garrett Boorojian and Matt Doherty discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Doherty Coaching

"Meet Coach Doherty

Matt Doherty is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, best-selling author, media personality, and executive coach. His season with New to the Street on Bloomberg TV aired in 2023-2024. He currently appears weekly on The FirstTV and WBT Charlotte.

In addition to his keynotes and trainings, he guides corporations, C-suite managers, sales executives, and sports coaches to develop their leadership skills, culture and team dynamics.

As a starter of the 1982 National Championship team...

Garrett Boorojian and Jeannine Edwards discuss relationship building in a team environment.

https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2017/12/cotton-bowl-marks-end-jeannine-edwards-remarkable-career/amp/

"Cotton Bowl marks end of Jeannine Edwards’ remarkable career

Edwards was hired by ESPN as a horse racing analyst in 1995, then later branched into college football and basketball sideline reporting. She added general reporting nine years ago and later became a fulltime SportsCenter bureau reporter."

"There have been so many stories and interviews that Edwards found it hard to pick career highlights. But she said the opportunity to cover Duke versus North Carolina in...

Garrett Boorojian and Larry Beil discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Larry Beil Bio:

Larry Beil | ABC7 KGO News Team - ABC7 San Francisco (abc7news.com)

"At a fairly young age, it became clear that my dreams of playing point guard in the NBA or tailback in the NFL were a longshot. So I decided the next best thing would be talking about sports. I started my journalism career at the University of Hawaii, working on the student newspaper and campus radio station. Through my years in the islands, I covered...

Garrett Boorojian and Kevin Negandhi discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Source: https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/kevin-negandhi/

"Kevin Negandhi is an anchor for the 6 p.m. ET SportsCenter. In 2017, he joined the ESPN on ABC College Football studio team.

In addition to being a part of an Emmy nominated SportsCenter, Negandhi has hosted NFL Live, Baseball Tonight, Outside the Lines, College Football Live, NBA Tonight and the women’s NCAA basketball Final Four. Negandhi has also hosted the Special Olympics World Games since 2015. He has been a part of special projects th...

Garrett Boorojian and Peggy Grande discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Peggy speaks fondly of her time as former President Ronald Reagan's Executive Assistant to Reagan's Chief of Staff and then directly Reagan's Executive Assistant during the first 10 out of the former President's 15 years of his post—presidency.

As a recent college graduate from Pepperdine University, in 1989, Peggy embarked on a unique and an incredible journey that led her to be an integral part of the former President's inner circle of staff members and assistants who served on behalf of the former President — managing his...

Garrett Boorojian and Christopher Helfrich discuss relationship building in a team environment.

During his conversation with Garrett, Christopher speaks about his close friendships with Stephen and Ayesha, his passion to help the Currys lead and grow their Eat. Learn, Play. Foundation, their need to expand its footprint, and their desire to never stop impacting numerous Bay Area children’s lives from nutrition, education, and condition (exercise) standpoints.

Christopher's Professional Background:

Garrett Boorojian and Gus Ramsey discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Gus is the Program Director at the Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Gus is also a graduate of the prestigious Rollins College (class of 1989), which is located in Winter Park outside of Orlando, Florida. At Rollins, Gus was the Founding Father of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Gus became a member of the Rollins College Hall of Fame in 2018 for Alumni Athletic Achievement.

On the podcast:

Gus talked about his close friendship with...

Garrett Boorojian and Harold Shelton III discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Garrett and Harold are former ESPN colleagues who worked together on the ABC / ESPN College Football Live studio production team during the 2011 college football season at ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. Garrett was the in–studio production assistant while Harold was one of the in–studio researchers for the nationally acclaimed show. They worked with on–air talent, producers, and directors on 13 Saturdays from 12:00pm to 1:00am EST.

Originally from Michigan, Harold is a Michigan State University graduate whose first job out of col...

Garrett Boorojian and Gary Reasons discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Gary is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He won two Super Bowls, 21 and 25, as a member of the NFL's New York Giants.

Gary played for legendary coaches, Bill Parcels and Bill Belichick, as one of the top linebackers for the Giants in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Unintentionally, Gary was a part of the harrowing sack (along with his former Giants' teammates' Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson) that ended former quarterback great and fellow College Football Hall...

Garrett Boorojian and Fred Whitfield discuss relationship building in a team environment.

They reconnected after 17 years in 2022, and a short time later in 2023 had an in–depth conversation about the importance of building relationships on Garrett's podcast.

Garrett explained in the Bonus Episode of his podcast that his time spent with Fred, Michael Jordan, and Seth Bennett, at the Hooptee Celebrity Golf Classic – 2022 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2005, had a very profound impact on his life. Garrett identifies this event as the bridge between his teenage and adult years – a defining, pivota...

Garrett Boorojian and Scott Howard-Cooper discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Scott Howard-Cooper | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster (simonandschuster.com)

Scott's next book is arriving in the Spring of 2024: "Kingdom on Fire: Kareem, Wooden, Walton, and the Turbulent Days of the UCLA Basketball Dynasty." Garrett interviewed Scott about his latest book, "Steve Kerr: A Life," that was published back in 2021.

Steve Kerr is a 5x NBA Champion Player (Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs) and 4x NBA Champion Head Coach (Golden State Warriors). Steve is one of the Top 15 Coaches in NBA...

Garrett Boorojian and Greg Buckner discuss relationship building in a team environment.

After Garrett interviewed Greg, since 2024, Greg has been an Assistant Coach of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. Greg and the Bucks won the 2024 NBA Cup Championship when they beat the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.

Regarding Hall of Fame Basketball Coaches Del Harris and Don Nelson at the NBA's Dallas Mavericks:

"We called him (Coach Harris) the professor, right, he was a genius... a match made in heaven. He was a genius on defense and Nelly (Coach Nelson) was a genius on offense." – Gr...

Garrett Boorojian and Paul Tesori discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Paul Tesori Professional and Collegiate Backgrounds:

Garrett Boorojian and Jim "Jimbo" Covert discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Jim is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 1985 Chicago Bears franchise of the National Football League that won Super Bowl 20 and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. At Pittsburgh, Jim played alongside my former ESPN colleague and Pittsburgh legend Mark May (also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame) and Pittsburgh legend Dan Marino (who's a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame).

Garrett Boorojian and Renee Washington discuss relationship building in a team environment.

As an undergraduate at LaSalle University, Renee competed in two NCAA Division I sports, soccer and track & field. While playing on the Women's Soccer Team, she was a 2x Capital One Co–Sida Academic All–American, NSCAA Academic All–American and NSCAA All–American. Renee was also a 4x All–Conference Player in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Also, at LaSalle, she was the University's Student Athlete of the Year in 2014. That same year, Renee was nominated as the NCAA Woman of the Year.

To learn more...

Garrett Boorojian and Richard Yeargin III discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Richard is a 2x National Champion (2016 and 2018) as a former member of the Clemson University Tigers' NCAA Division I Football program. Richard was on his way to becoming a top NFL Draft pick but, while he was at Clemson, he sustained a serious neck injury in a terrible car accident that changed his life forever.

Richard was able to turn his tragedy into a triumph.

Richard started the two-year rehabilitation process and when he attempted a comeback to play collegiate...

Garrett Boorojian and Ryan Harris discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Ryan Harris' Professional Career Accolades:

Garrett Boorojian and Lionel Hollins discuss relationship building in a team environment.

This interview took place when Lionel was an Assistant Coach of the NBA's Houston Rockets.

Lionel talked to Garrett about the key elements of relationship building and how they have applied in the NBA from his experiences as a former NBA player, head coach and assistant coach.

Lionel discussed the similarities and differences from a basketball perspective of several players, teams and coaches, the style and manner in which the game is played today, the emphasis on less structure and more...

Garrett Boorojian and Jacques McClendon discuss relationship building in a team environment.

At the time of the interview, Jacques was the Director of Football Affairs at the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. After this episode aired, Jacques became an Agent at WME Sports in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jacques McClendon's Professional Career History:

- Agent at WME Sports

- Director of Football Affairs and Super Bowl LVI Champion at the NFL's Los Angeles Rams

- Director of Player Engagement at NFL's Los Angeles Rams

- Management Council Player Benefits Steering...

Garrett Boorojian and Nancy Lieberman discuss relationship building in a team environment.

"The Greatest Religion of All is Love and Kindness... that's what Muhammad Ali taught me." - Nancy Lieberman

“Great show. She is without doubt one of a kind. The best.” – Del Harris

Nancy talked about her love for basketball and the conversations she had with her former players when she was the Assistant Coach at the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and as the current head coach at Power in the BIG3.

Nancy talked about how she grew up, as a woman...

Garrett Boorojian and Lisa Borges discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Lisa graduated from Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts, with a B.A. in Political Science, received a Certificate in Nonprofit Management (Nonprofit / Public / Organizational Management) from Clark University in Worchester, Massachusetts, and her J.D. from New England Law in Boston, Massachusetts.

Although Lisa never practiced law professionally, she explained to Garrett that her law school background has been very helpful in her professional career.

After her first two career roles outside of the nonprofit space, she became the Executive...

Garrett Boorojian and Kenny Albert discuss relationship building in a team environment.

"Well Garrett, it's great to be with you. I know you've had a pretty illustrious list of guests so it's an honor to join you..." – Kenny Albert

Kenny Albert - Fox Sports Press Pass

"Bio

Versatile five-sport broadcaster Kenny Albert marks his 31st season with FOX Sports in 2024, the longest-tenured FOX NFL play-by-play announcer. He has been calling NFL games for FOX Sports since its 1994 inception and currently is the only broadcaster handling play-by-play for all four major U.S...

Garrett Boorojian and Jade McCarthy discuss relationship building in a team environment.

About — Jade McCarthy

"Jade McCarthy is an ESPN alum who hosted the network’s flagship show, SportsCenter. She reported feature stories for NFL Sunday Countdown and hosted a variety of shows for the World Wide Leader in Sports. Jade is an Emmy award-winning 20-year veteran of the sports broadcast industry who you may hear on Sirius XM NFL Radio.

Jade has covered New England Patriots Super Bowl championships, the 2011 Boston Bruins Stanley Cup championship and welcomed viewers to SportsCenter after the Bost...

Garrett Boorojian and Lauren Sisler discuss relationship building in a team environment.

"I truly think that my experiences have given me such a deep level of gratitude." – Lauren Sisler

Lauren is an ESPN Reporter based in Birmingham, Alabama, which is a role that she has served since 2016. Lauren has reported on college football and gymnastics for the Network. When she joined ESPN, Lauren was also hired as the SEC Network's SEC Nation Reporter.

She also works for AL.com as a Sports Reporter and Host. Before ESPN and the SEC Network, Lauren worked as...

Garrett Boorojian interviews Steve Kirschner about relationship building in a team environment.

Steve Kirschner - Senior Associate Athletic Director/Sports Information & Media RelationsMen's Basketball (primary), Men's Golf, Women's Golf, Carolina Basketball Museum, Football & Men's Basketball Credentials - Staff Directory - University of North Carolina Athletics

"The 2024-25 season is Steve Kirschner's 41st in athletic communications, including 36 at the University of North Carolina, where he has been a member of the Tar Heel staff continuously since 1990.

A native of Bristol, Conn., Kirschner is Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Information and Media Relations. He...

Garrett Boorojian and Peggy Kusinski discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Peggy is a 12–time Emmy Award winner as a sportscaster. Her professional career in the broadcast industry started in 1992, which was a pivotal time as the Internet became available to the public the following year.

As a Chicago based sports journalist, she covered Michael Jordan's last three NBA championship years (known as the Chicago Bulls' second three–peat from 1996 to 1998).

During her great journalistic career, Peggy interviewed Super Bowl–winning and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Mike Ditka. She also covered former...

Garrett Boorojian and Whit Watson discuss relationship building in a team environment.

Whit graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in English with a Concentration in Communications. Whit was a National Merit Scholar, Cornell National Scholar and part of WVBR–FM. Whit has won four Emmy Awards (10 nominations).

Whit's Professional Career:

- Television Reporter and Radio Producer at the NBA's Orlando Magic

- Anchor at ESPN (SportsCenter; ESPNEWS; ESPN2; Guest Host on ESPN Radio; Columnist for ESPN.com); Covering events: Host of NBA Matchup, Indy 500 and the Boston Marathon

...

Garrett Boorojian and Roland Lazenby discuss relationship building in a team environment.

The movie Air, by Hollywood Oscar–winning actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, was recently released in the United States. There's brief overlap in Garrett's interview with Roland when Roland brought up Sonny Vaccaro (portrayed by Damon) who signed Michael Jordan to his first Air Jordan shoe deal at Nike. Roland discussed his version of storylines that were featured in ESPN's and Netflix's The Last Dance.

Roland's first-hand experience, knowledge and conversations during the Bulls' and Lakers' dynasties surrounding their dominant and influential fi...