The Rant
612 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 48 ratingsReferee's have a voice. We are always on the defensive. This is our avenue to be on the offensive. For, we have something to say.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Episode 261, The Rant: Mike Kaplan.
December 19, 2020 20:53 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBAnother Day at Susa Sports, another athlete doing Burpees, Squats, and Medicine Ball Work, all under Mike’s watch. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing Basketball, getting into coaching early, and training athletes from the Middle School Level, Collegiate Level, and Pro’s on t
Episode 260, The Rant: Ashlee Goode.
December 19, 2020 20:45 - 1 hour - 45.3 MBAbsolute, Ashlee Good is a Student of the Game. In this pod, we discuss her early life playing sports, in college, to transitioning to become a Varsity Basketball Coach. It came full circle where she took up the stripes, getting the attention of Joey Crawford, which fueled her passion to be at the highest levels of Collegiate Basketball. Further, it propelled her to give back to the ref community through SOTG. All that and more, my conversation with Ashlee, now.
Episode 260, The Rant: Ashlee Goode.
December 19, 2020 20:45 - 1 hour - 45.3 MBAbsolute, Ashlee Good is a Student of the Game. In this pod, we discuss her early life playing sports, in college, to transitioning to become a Varsity Basketball Coach. It came full circle where she took up the stripes, getting the attention of Joey Crawford, which fueled her passion to be at the highest levels of Collegiate Basketball. Further, it propelled her to give back to the ref community through SOTG. All that and more, my conversation with Ashlee, now.
Episode 276, The Rant: Rob Moses - Part 2, The Return.
December 18, 2020 14:06 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBIt’s been over 200 episodes since we sat down with Rob; that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been on his grind. In this pod, we discuss those early moments when the pandemic hit and the rims were taken down, how life is different not having a PSAL season and not having a summer, and using this time wisely to focus on family and himself. All that and more, Part 2 with Rob, now.
Episode 276, The Rant: Rob Moses - Part 2, The Return.
December 18, 2020 14:06 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBIt’s been over 200 episodes since we sat down with Rob; that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been on his grind. In this pod, we discuss those early moments when the pandemic hit and the rims were taken down, how life is different not having a PSAL season and not having a summer, and using this time wisely to focus on family and himself. All that and more, Part 2 with Rob, now.
Episode 272, The Rant: Stephen Ansari.
December 17, 2020 20:26 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBOn the same historic day Kamala Harris became the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, we chop it up with Stephan. In this pod we discuss his early life in, NYC, becoming an official unexpectedly, elevating to the collegiate side, and what it’s like to watch his daughter play basketball as a parent, and not a ref. All that and more, my conversation with Stephen, in bio, now.
Episode 272, The Rant: Stephen Ansari.
December 17, 2020 20:26 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBOn the same historic day Kamala Harris became the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, we chop it up with Stephan. In this pod we discuss his early life in, NYC, becoming an official unexpectedly, elevating to the collegiate side, and what it’s like to watch his daughter play basketball as a parent, and not a ref. All that and more, my conversation with Stephen, in bio, now.
Episode 271, The Rant: Christina Zazzaro
December 17, 2020 20:12 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBTiming is of the essence, and it was perfect timing to speak to a first responder like Christina. Amid a pandemic, we chop it up with Christina to talk about her early life and her love of sports, her officiating mentors that elevated her game to the collegiate level, juggling being a registered nurse as an official, and what it’s like to be one of the most important professions during the age of CoronaVirus. All that and more, my conversation with Christina, in bio, now.
Episode 271, The Rant: Christina Zazzaro
December 17, 2020 20:12 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBTiming is of the essence, and it was perfect timing to speak to a first responder like Christina. Amid a pandemic, we chop it up with Christina to talk about her early life and her love of sports, her officiating mentors that elevated her game to the collegiate level, juggling being a registered nurse as an official, and what it’s like to be one of the most important professions during the age of CoronaVirus. All that and more, my conversation with Christina, in bio, now. ...
Episode 273, The Rant: Joe Thompson.
December 17, 2020 19:09 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBI met Joe on a screen, in a Zoom call. We both long to be on the court once more. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing sports, his start in officiating, his ascendancy doing high level PSAL games and College, and what he’s been up to during the age of CoronaVirus. Along with my co-host Bernard Bowen Sr of B-ball Referees, our conversation with Joe, now.
Episode 273, The Rant: Joe Thompson.
December 17, 2020 19:09 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBI met Joe on a screen, in a Zoom call. We both long to be on the court once more. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing sports, his start in officiating, his ascendancy doing high level PSAL games and College, and what he’s been up to during the age of CoronaVirus. Along with my co-host Bernard Bowen Sr of B-ball Referees, our conversation with Joe, now.
Episode 269, The Rant: Chris Kelly.
December 17, 2020 18:53 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBIt was just a short year ago, where Chris came by one of my games, unannounced, to give me insight to improve my game. With no games going on, we sit down to talk about the state of the world, the state of officiating, and sports. We discuss her early life in Brooklyn New York, her relationship with sports serving in a multitude of different capacities, and what officiating means to her. All that and more, my conversation with Chris, now.
Episode 269, The Rant: Chris Kelly.
December 17, 2020 18:53 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBIt was just a short year ago, where Chris came by one of my games, unannounced, to give me insight to improve my game. With no games going on, we sit down to talk about the state of the world, the state of officiating, and sports. We discuss her early life in Brooklyn New York, her relationship with sports serving in a multitude of different capacities, and what officiating means to her. All that and more, my conversation with Chris, now.
Episode 275, The Rant: Riel Banaria.
December 16, 2020 21:47 - 1 hour - 52 MBRiel has a heart of gold. Right before the start of the Division I College Basketball season, we chopped it up at length about his early life in Upstate, NY, his love of sport, his start in officiating, and his long and winding journey, traveling far and wide in reffing, and making a greater impact in the greater Las Vegas area though his camps. All that and more, my conversation with Riel, now.
Episode 275, The Rant: Riel Banaria.
December 16, 2020 21:47 - 1 hour - 52 MBRiel has a heart of gold. Right before the start of the Division I College Basketball season, we chopped it up at length about his early life in Upstate, NY, his love of sport, his start in officiating, and his long and winding journey, traveling far and wide in reffing, and making a greater impact in the greater Las Vegas area though his camps. All that and more, my conversation with Riel, now.
Episode 274, The Rant: William Modeste.
December 12, 2020 02:18 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBIf anyone has had the pleasure to see Bill on the field or on the court, you know off it he’s no different. In this pod we discuss his early life growing up in NYC, how he discovered officiating in the 1960’s, his come up in the playgrounds, his ascension to the collegiate level, his experience during the age of CoronaVirus, and what he’s learned about himself in the decades of being an official. Along with my co-host Bernard Bowen Sr. from Bball Referees, our conversation with Modeste, in b...
Episode 274, The Rant: William Modeste.
December 12, 2020 02:18 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBIf anyone has had the pleasure to see Bill on the field or on the court, you know off it he’s no different. In this pod we discuss his early life growing up in NYC, how he discovered officiating in the 1960’s, his come up in the playgrounds, his ascension to the collegiate level, his experience during the age of CoronaVirus, and what he’s learned about himself in the decades of being an official. Along with my co-host Bernard Bowen Sr. from Bball Referees, our conversation w...
Episode 272, The Rant: Stephen Ansari
December 07, 2020 20:49 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBOn the same historic day Kamala Harris became the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, we chop it up with Stephan. In this pod we discuss his early life in, NYC, becoming an official unexpectedly, elevating to the collegiate side, and what it’s like to watch his daughter play basketball as a parent, and not a ref. All that and more, my conversation with Stephen, now.
Episode 271, The Rant: Christina Zazzaro.
December 04, 2020 15:01 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBTiming is of the essence, and it was perfect timing to speak to a first responder like Christina. Amid a pandemic, we chop it up with Christina to talk about her early life and her love of sports, her officiating mentors that elevated her game to the collegiate level, juggling being a registered nurse as an official, and what it’s like to be one of the most important professions during the age of CoronaVirus. All that and more, my conversation with Christina, now.
Episode 270, The Rant: Brandon Freeman.
December 02, 2020 12:18 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBYou ever recognize a face but don’t know from where? Maybe from a different context? Enter Brandon Freeman. I knew I recognized his voice from him yelling at me when reffing him in Flag Football. In this pod, we discuss his early life, his relationship with Basketball, the game that I reffed, and that he coached, that put me on the map, all on the same day that Joe Biden was elected President. All that and more, my conversation with Brandon, now.
Episode 268, The Rant!
November 27, 2020 00:35 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBAs much as it’s been a crazy year, we’ve had a knack for making lemonade out of lemons. In this pod, we discuss some of my favorite people that have helped me with the irREFutable, and of course Referee Rant. We talk to a few of my friends that have super special power on what they are doing for Thanksgiving, and what they are thankful for. All that and more, The Thanksgiving Pod Special, right now. Featuring: Kevin Sparrock of the irREFutable Magazine, Mason Fornoles, Mike Kaplan of East ...
Episode 267, The Rant: Anthony Rizzo.
November 24, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBMuch to the chagrin of Anthony, I’ve been holding this pod. In this pod, we discuss his early life playing sports, his bench warming days on the basketball team, how he got into coaching and his philosophy, and what he’s learned in the age of the CoronaVirus. All that and more, my conversation with Anthony, now.
Episode 266, The Rant: Corey Powell.
November 20, 2020 12:34 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MBIn August, I was pleasantly surprised to see Corey, wearing a striped shirt. Isn’t he a Basketball player? Come one, come all - in this pod, we discuss his early life playing sports, playing at a high level in high school, taking up officiating, and being on pause because of a pandemic. All that and more, my conversation with Corey, now.
Episode 265, The Rant: Marty Chiffriller.
November 18, 2020 13:48 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBIt was only 11 long months ago since when we last were on the court together for the first time. But, the CoronaVirus. In this pod, we pull up to a park in Massapequa, NY to talk of his early life playing sports in Elmont, his legendary LAX team, the technical foul he deserved on court to fuel him to become an official himself, to his acendency to becoming one of the top basketball refs on Long Island. All that more, my conversation with Marty, now.
Episode 264, The Rant: Vinny Aiello.
November 16, 2020 23:38 - 17 minutes - 12 MBOn a warm sunny day, we pulled up to Eisenhower Park on Long Island to talk about the season that was, his shock with the CoronaVirus spreading world-wide rapidly, with no sports in sight. Regardless, Vinny keeps a sunny disposition on the matter, ready when the green light is lit. All that and more, my conversation with Vinny, now.
Episode 257, The Rant: Sean Brunson
October 30, 2020 13:26 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBBaltimore, Maryland. Sean puts it on for his city, and Summer 2020 was no different - until it was. We spoke to Sean, in his first full-length interview right before Memorial Day, to discuss his early life, his passion for sports, how he started the league, and having those plans halted during the Corona Virus. All that and more, my conversation with Sean, now.
Episode 256, The Rant: Michael Diamond-Hunter.
October 28, 2020 17:06 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBIt’s been a pleasure to meet Michael this summer, all the way from across the Atlantic. In this pod, we discuss his early life in California, making it all the way to the UK, Officiating and Educating in both places, and laying down his roots in his refereeing digitally, connecting through Zooms, Meets, and the Internet. Along with my special co-host Bernard Bowen Sr., my conversation with Michael, now.
Episode 254, The Rant; Jalyn Brown
October 24, 2020 00:35 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBJalyn is no stranger to work. In this pod, we discuss her early life on Eastern Long Island at Riverhead, putting her high school on the map, playing as the now defunct LIU Post, and her new post as the Suffolk Community College Head Coach. All that and more, my conversation with Jalyn, now.
Episode 253, The Rant: Malik Almanor.
October 21, 2020 12:25 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBMalik took his talents all around NY, across the country, and around the world. The Corona Virus preempted all of that. In this pod, we discuss his early life in NYC, playing in the final days of Rice HS, then boarding school, playing Juco to D2, how he got to the pro level, all the while waiting for the pandemic to end, yet still training people all around NYC. All that and more, my conversation with Malik, now. * “Your greatness is not what you have, it’s what you give.” - Unknown
Episode 252, The Rant: Danny Basile, Part 2, The Return.
October 19, 2020 17:29 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBA lot has changed since Episode 35. This would have been a celebration for all the hard work that Danny has put in to get to the Division 1 on the Men’s side of College Basketball, but Corona Virus lingered. In this pod, we discuss his season that was, his experience during the age of Corona Virus, and focusing on his two brands, Mpire inc, and Just Ref. All that and more, our conversation with Danny, now.
Episode 251, The Rant: Jeremy Arthur.
October 16, 2020 13:35 - 1 hour - 59 MBI remember Jeremy in HS, he doesn’t remember me. Then he did, while chopping it up about his early life, his love of playing Basketball with his older brother, his hops in high school, and his injury riddled collegiate career. He’s a new man, and he’s looking to take his talents overseas in the Phillipines. All that and more, my conversation with Jeremy, now.
Episode 250, The Rant: Tamar Adams, Part 2, The Return.
October 14, 2020 05:44 - 1 hour - 47 MB250 is a milestone for me. 2020 has been a milestone for one Tamar Adams. Perfect Your Skills never stopped during a pandemic; he never forgot about the youth. In this pod, we discuss how his 2019 wrapped up, those early days of no rims, finding the nets that weren’t taken down, and his Friday Night Hoops that was a raving success in my hometown of Long Island. All that and more, my conversation with Coach T, now. P.S. - I want to take the time to thank everybody that has inspired me to ma...
Episode 249, The Rant: Sean Crawford.
October 12, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 53.7 MBIn failure & success, there’s always a lesson. Sean has bet on himself time and time again, only to win consistently. In this pod, we discuss his early life in Queens, NY, his poor behavior leading him to limited minutes on the court in high school, having a freakish senior year at Cardozo HS, playing in college, and leading a new crop of players to become a humble leader. All that and more, my conversation with Sean, now.
Episode 248, The Rant: Grace Martinez-Espina
October 09, 2020 20:56 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MBWe reserved episode 248 for Grace in honor of Kobe Bryant. In this pod, we discuss her humble beginnings in Freeport, NY, tenaciously learning the game of Basketball from her Dad, being first off the bench at Kellenberg, and leaving the game momentarily to appreciate the game rounding out her career at Brooklyn College. All that and more, my conversation with Grace, now.
Episode 247, The Rant: Makiko Kobayashi @soru503_.
October 07, 2020 15:53 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBMakiko has a vision, something she can only see. In this pod, we discuss her early life in her native Japan, her freak accident that changed her life for the better, moving to NY, and connecting with Cha-ching to be one of the hottest, most sought-after photographers in NYC. All that and more, my conversation with Makiko-san, now.
Episode 246, The Rant: Marissa Flagg.
October 06, 2020 00:06 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBThe highest form of expertise in any subject matter is teaching it. Enter Coach Flagg. In this pod, We discuss her early life in Queens, NY, playing at a high level in the PSAL and in Division 1, and transitioning to being a bright young coach to a new generation of ballers. All that and more, my conversation with Marissa, now.
Episode 245, The Rant: Sergio Guiteau.
October 02, 2020 20:33 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBI couldn’t be more proud of one of my dearest friends, Serge. In this pod, we discuss his early life in Freeport, NY, his experience being coached by myself in Volleyball at Kellenberg, taking the MCAT a multitude of times, to starting his own practice and becoming a Sports Physician in the NBA Bubble. All that and more, my conversation with Serge, now.
Episode 244, The Rant: Matt Polizzi.
September 30, 2020 12:50 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBUpon taking the Girl’s Lacrosse Officiating Class, Matt was eager to learn more not just about Lax, but about Officiating. In this pod, we discuss his early life in Massapequa, his time at Kellenberg, and coaching young, his interest in officiating and what his uncertain future holds teaching in NYC. All that and more, my conversation with Matt, now.
Episode 243, The Rant: Kelly Dempsey.
September 29, 2020 00:42 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBWhy am I not surprised to find Kelly, on this day, in a gym with a Basketball in her hand? In this pod, we discuss her early life with her father and Basketball, her improbable run at Hicksville High School, her injuries that led her to coaching, and impacting the youth one kid at a time. All that and more, my conversation with Kelly, now.
Episode 242, The Rant: Kristyne Esparza.
September 25, 2020 22:50 - 49 minutes - 34 MBIt’s been a pleasure to speak to a pro like Kristyne - in this pod, we discuss her early life in LA County, how she tapped into herself during the pandemic, where she was when it happened, how she ended up officiating rec games that got her on the radar to the elite levels of reffing, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Kristyne, now.
Episode 241, The Rant: Steve Ross
September 23, 2020 18:36 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBIf there’s an adult league, or little kids running around playing basketball on Long Island, chances are, Steve Ross is in the building. In this wide-ranging interview taped late 2019, we discuss his early life in Glen Cove, playing Tennis at an elite level, and his love that started young and went late in his life, officiating Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Steve, now.
Episode 240, The Rant: Evan Mohammed.
September 21, 2020 19:57 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBEvan has done a lot of soul searching in this uncertain time. In this pod, we discuss his early life in Queens, his come up at Holy Cross, playing college ball, his experience at a G League Tryout, and what he’s learned during the time of COVID-19. All that and more, my conversation with Evan, now.
Episode 239, The Rant: Ray Valeriano.
September 18, 2020 19:28 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBTo his credit, Ray was an early adopter of Referee Rant, on the ground floor when it was just a passing idea. In this pod, we catch up with Ray, on what he learned during the pandemic, our Spring Baseball school season being wiped out, and salvaging through summer ball - not behind the plate, but behind the pitchers mound. All that and more, my conversation with Ray, now.
Episode 238, The Rant: Patrick Cherilus
September 16, 2020 16:22 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBLast month, Patrick caught up with #therant about taking inspired photos in this uncertain time. In this pod, we discuss his early life in his native Haiti, his affinity for cameras, angles, and perspectives at an early age, capturing moments now, all in the midst of a pandemic. All that and more, my conversation with Patrick, now.
Episode 237, The Rant: Ken Stevens.
September 14, 2020 16:15 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBWhen you think of Dyckman Basketball and Park, you think of Ken. This would have been a special summer for Dyckman Basketball, yet it was memorable, nonetheless, because it was the summer never was. In this pod, we get to know the man, his early life, how he grew up with Basketball, how he got involved with Dyckman and coaching, and what he expects when Dyckman plays summer ball once again. All that and more, my conversation with Ken, now.
Episode 236, The Rant: Omari Lawrence.
September 11, 2020 21:05 - 39 minutes - 27 MBFrom Manhattan, KS to Manhattan, NY, Omari has been through a lot. The Rant caught up with him to discuss his early life, playing ball at St. Raymond’s HS in the BX, his Division 1 experience balling as a Wildcat at Kansas State, his pro career, and his training Trust the Process. All that and more, my conversation with Omari, now.
Episode 235, The Rant: Bria Jackson.
September 09, 2020 20:20 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBLast month, I got to speak to Bria about how life is during the age of Corona Virus. In this pod, we discuss her early life in upstate New York, her time playing Division 1 Basketball, rounding out her collegiate career at Queens College, and her experience coaching at Hofstra University. All that and more, my conversation with Bria, now.
Episode 3, The irREFutable: RIP KOBE & Chadwick Boseman.
September 08, 2020 13:54 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MB2020 was the year of the falling sky. We’ve lost so many due to untimely deaths, and of course, the Corona Virus. I’m joined with my co-host and co-editor and design Kevin Sparrock to discuss Black Panther, and how Marvel brought justice into translating comics to the theater, and where we were when Bryant was memorialized in death. This is The irREFutable.
Bonus: The irREFutable Podcast, Episode 2: Matt Polizzi
September 04, 2020 13:13 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBAs a school teacher in NYC, Matt would take his commutes all the way from Long Island to Brooklyn, New York. I always found that interesting since Brooklyn is on Long Island. In this pod, this newly minted Flag Football official talks about the challenges and experiences of the shut down in March as a teacher, his experience all the way until the final day, and what it’s like being in limbo as school is on the cusp of starting. This is: the irREFutable. therant will be back, to normal, aft...
The irREFutable Magazine Podcast.
September 02, 2020 20:23 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBAS MY MACBOOK is being quarantined at the Apple Store (USB-C Ports don’t work), I have no ability to publish the pods, as scheduled. * * Fret not; we have something to announce any way. I am pleased and honored to embark on this endeavor with my brother in officiating, my soul mate in making this art, Kevin Sparrock to our own creative brainchild, The irREFutable Magazine! * Irrefutable means impossible to deny or disprove. * We know that Referee Rant and Foulss.com are an extension of us...