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.
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Episodes
Episode 234, The Rant: Maggie Tieman.
September 01, 2020 00:08 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBA fellow official once told me all about Maggie, and they were right. Whatever involved she attacks with alacrity and is tenacious in her pursuit of greatness. In this pod, we discuss how she’s holding up during the age of Corona Virus, her early life in Connecticut, her passion for Teaching, Coaching, and Field Hockey, and taking that same gusto and bringing it to the highest level of officiating Basketball and Mindset Matters. All that and more, my conversation with Maggie, now.
Episode 233, The Rant: Ray Donovan Mckie.
August 28, 2020 15:58 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBWe spoke earlier this summer with Ray Donovan Fit, one of the top trainers in Southern California. In this pod, we discuss his early life in Queens, his odyssey playing Basketball in the Catholic League, playing in college, pivoting into personal training, and how the industry has changed in the age of Corona Virus. All that and more, my conversation with Ray, now.
Episode 232, The Rant: Leroy Samuel.
August 25, 2020 23:09 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBIf it wasn’t for the Global Pandemic, I would have seen Leroy many times over in the summer. This summer, it’s still cause to celebrate as today is his birthday. In this pod, we discuss how he’s been holding up during the CoronaVirus, how he has made a hard pivot out of reffing, and what the uncertain future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Leroy, now.
Episode 231, The Rant: Anthony Freeman.
August 25, 2020 01:35 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBMomentum is real, and when it comes to Ant Freeman, he had it. No, he got it. In this pod, we discuss his early life, getting exposed early through officiating through his pops, his gains through his weight loss journey, and his pursuit to officiate at the highest levels possible. All that and more, my conversation with Ant, now.
Episode 230, The Rant: Roman Perez.
August 21, 2020 12:30 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBYou can’t help but get amped up when you talk to Roman. In this pod, we discuss his early life, growing up in Williamsburg, NY, how he discovered Basketball late, grinding his way to play college and pro, what it’s like coaching middle school and high school, and honoring his father with his Dudo Baez Basketball initiative. All that and more, my conversation with Roman, now.
Episode 229, The Rant: Asia Blume.
August 19, 2020 12:45 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBOn a Sunday, we pulled up to the secondary gym at the Boys & Girls Club to see what this #hotgymsummer was all about. In this pod, we discuss Asia’s love of sports growing up in Freeport, and trying to athletically catch up to her sister, her passion for kids and basketball, and combining that to becoming one of the most innovative and relentless Basketball trainers in NYC. All that and more, my conversation with Asia, now.
Episode 228, The Rant: Nicole Robinson
August 17, 2020 23:32 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBSo much has changed since the last time I saw Nicole, when we were on the Basketball court during the Christmas Holiday season. In this pod, we discuss with Nicole how life has been turned upside down because of COVID-19, not being on the court to officiate basketball, how she lost loved ones and her job, to make something out of nothing with her new apparel line, But Make it Fashion. All that and more, my conversation with Nicole, now.
Episode 227, The Rant: Crystal Hogan.
August 15, 2020 16:09 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBHappy Anniversary to Crystal - 2 years to the day she got a surprise correspondence, we chop it up with her to discuss her upbringing in Compton, CA, playing football with the boys, converting to Basketball in college, inexplicably finding officiating, getting to the highest ranks of the Men’s College Basketball, and what she’s up to during the age of Coronavirus. All that and more, my conversation with Crystal, now.
Episode 226, The Rant: Ralph Bednarczyk.
August 12, 2020 18:57 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBDuring the beginning of the shutdown, we sat down with Ralph to discuss the sporting world, and broadcasting world in limbo. In this pod, we discuss his early life watching sports, his affinity for broadcasting, how he gained knowledge of many subject matters to project his voice to many an audience, and working hard to get the most out of his career. All that and more, my conversation with Ralph, now.
Episode 225, The Rant: James Washington.
August 10, 2020 05:22 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBA few months ago, pre-pandemic, I would see Sergeant, somehow, someway, many times a week through officiating basketball games. Now we are united in fighting a different war, apart. In this pod, we discuss how he’s been holding up during the age of Corona Virus, his hope that games will fully come back soon, and how his military background got him ready for what was, and is to come. All that and more, my conversation with Wash,now.
Episode 224, The Rant: Kiersten Cote.
August 08, 2020 21:56 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBKellenberg Volleyball is a legacy. Enter Kiersten Cote. In this pod, we discuss her love of sport growing up in East Rockaway, NY, her love of family and Volleyball, how we crossed paths her final years of high school, and what it’s like being a junior during COVID-19, and her upcoming senior year as a collegiate athlete. All that and more, my conversation with Kiersten, now.
Episode 223, The Rant: Nell Wesemann
August 06, 2020 21:48 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBAttending College is a tough time in 2020. Enter Nell. In this pod we discuss her early life playing soccer, what led her to K State, her experience in the marching band at a big school, and her ambitions to ref and find her footing as a professional. All that and more, my conversation with Nell, now.
Episode 222, The Rant: Mason Fornoles Returns. Part 3.
August 04, 2020 14:26 - 32 minutes - 22 MBEpisode 222! The Rant: Me! I talk about the computer, how I begged for an app on the App Store, and how I turned into a monster with the mic. Along with Uncle Jeremy, Uncle Joey, and Daddy, my 3rd time on #therant,now.
Episode 221, The Rant: Victoria Mercado.
July 31, 2020 13:03 - 1 hour - 53 MBIt wasn’t too long ago we pulled up to my home park of Coes Neck Park to chop it up with Victoria. In this pod, we discuss her early life, and how she got into playing basketball, her pursuit of outworking everyone to become a stand out at South Side High School, her injury riddled Junior College Career, her by chance encounter at NYIT, and where she plans on furthering her education and Basketball career. All that and more, my conversation with Victoria, now.
Episode 220, The Rant: Donald Williams Jr
July 29, 2020 13:48 - 40 minutes - 27.5 MBBack in the day, Don and I used to play Basketball. How surprised was I when I saw him take up officiating? In this pod, we discuss his early beginnings in Roosevelt, NY, going to Kellenberg, his first abrupt year in reffing, and his new passion: woodworking. All that and more, my conversation with Donald, now.
Episode 219, The Rant: Coach Mega, Arnell Milton.
July 27, 2020 14:09 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBAlbeit the Corona Virus is front and center, Coach Mega is still in the lab, working. In this pod, we discuss how the pandemic preempted what we normally would do and the pivot, his early life falling in love with the game, coaching at an early age, and training the youth, high school ballers, collegiate athletes, and pros with the same tenacity. Along with my cohost Jaquam Bodden from Hoop Dreams NYC, our conversation with Coach Mega, now.
Episode 218, The Rant: Justin Joseph.
July 24, 2020 12:52 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBThere’s been so many nights, spent with Justin laughing, joking while he was doing stats in adult leagues. There’s been others where he was on the court, where I’ve been at the wrath of his passion, and witness to his love of the game. In this pod, we discuss how he found basketball in Queens at an early age, his state championship days at St. Mary’s High School, his odyssey playing ball in college, and what the future holds in the age of the Corona Virus. All that and more, my conversation w...
Episode 217, The Rant: Joey Mandarino.
July 22, 2020 12:56 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBJust like many American’s, no, Citizen’s of the World, his life got upended by COVID-19. On Juneteenth, we sat down, at the beach, like we do every sunny day as we discuss how we met as officials on Flag Football, his transformation from a young college student to a budding adult, his move back from NYC to Long Island, and what he’s been up to during the pandemic. All that and more, my conversation with Joey, now.
Episode 216, The Rant: Kareem Green.
July 21, 2020 02:14 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBFirst they love you then they hate you then they love you again; they love you again. Enter Kareem Green, who has a story to tell. In this pod, he discusses his passion of playing ball, playing in the PSAL in high school, landing in Texas in college, going through tragedy and heartbreak, only to pick the pieces together and find meaning through Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Kareem, now.
Episode 215, The Rant, Andre Vanterpool.
July 17, 2020 01:17 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBNew York has changed since the last time we sat down with Drepool; no - the world. On #therant, we sit down with my brother to discuss how much the world has transformed before our eyes. The state of basketball, his school season that was, how he had to pivot his photography, his thoughts on the social injustice, and his own mental well-being. All that and more, my conversation with Drepool, now.
Episode 214, The Rant: Rob Chin.
July 15, 2020 15:20 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBRob is up and coming, it’s evident when you see him on the Basketball court. In this pod, he discusses his early beginnings in the Upper West Side of Manhattan and the Bronx, his playing days, playing in the corporate league, West 4th, and Dyckman, to his transition in being an official. Don’t get it twisted he still plays. We also get his thoughts on the Corona Virus, and the peaceful protests. All that and more, my conversation with Rob, now.
Episode 213, The Rant: Dr. Ajaya Williams.
July 13, 2020 23:26 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBThe Doc has been around the academia world and back. In this pod, we discuss what she’s been up to during the pandemic, her special relationship in officiating, as she is married to an official, her come up from Stoney Brook to Hofstra, to Columbia, to Florida State, all the way to the U in Miami, and her pursuit to educate all athletes alike on their health and wealth. All that and more, my conversation with Dr. Williams, now.
Episode 212, The Rant: Jon Levinson. Part 3 of 3. The Finale.
July 11, 2020 02:47 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBIn anticipation of MAGBO’S Summer Series, with Jon, we post his last of a 3 part series on #therant. In this pod, he discusses his mentors and peers, his experience being the secretary rules editor, if he’d ever come back on the court and ref, and what officiating has given to him in his life, and what it means. All that and more, part 3, Jon Levinson, now.
Episode 211, The Rant: Jim Grillo
July 08, 2020 17:07 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBIn this podcast, we sit down with the President of MAGBO to discuss what he’s been doing during the Coronavirus, going down memory lane officiating for a hot dog and a soda, to umpiring college kids before he was in college, and his mission of teaching people in the high school classroom, as well as the officiating classroom through MAGBO. Along with my special co-host Kerry Donahue, our conversation with Jim, now.
Episode 210, The Rant: Mic Larry.
July 06, 2020 16:25 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBThere will be an after this. But this is now. A lot has changed since the last time I saw him in March at the Crunchtime All Star Basketball Event. The spring has become summer, and here we are. Mic Larry gets back on the pod to discuss how his pandemic has been, how he’s been staying sharp on the mic virtually, and his thoughts on Summer Basketball being cancelled. All that and more, Mic Larry, part 2, the return, now.
Episode 209, The Rant: Jon Levinson Part 2 of 3.
July 03, 2020 18:07 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBIn part 2 of my sit down with Jon, we get to know more about the end of his officiating career and the start of his current. From his final Division 1 game, his glass half- full mentality, to his love for his daughter that made her travel with him during games on the road, and of course, how he got to applying all the way to the excitement of becoming the the NCAA Women’s Basketball Secretary - Rules Editor. All that and more, part 2 with Jon Levinson, now.
Episode 208, The Rant: Jeff Lescouflair.
July 01, 2020 21:26 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBIn an unexpected recording session to the beach, we sat down with Jeff for his second appearance on #therant. A lot has changed since the first episode we’ve ever done. We see what he’s up to, how he’s been coping with COVID-19 Global Pandemic, his thoughts on the racial injustice, and what’s next when this is all said and done. All that and more, my conversation with Jeff, now.
Episode 207, The Rant: Justin Bailey.
June 29, 2020 16:36 - 24 minutes - 17 MBIt’s been a year and a birthday ago when we last sat down with Justin, CEO of Ref’s Corner. In this pod we discuss how he’s been holding up during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, his experience at a rally on Juneteenth, the state of officiating now, and what the future holds for Ref’s Corner. All that and more, my conversation with Justin, now.
Episode 206, The Rant: Jon Levinson, Part 1 of 3.
June 26, 2020 13:23 - 1 hour - 45 MBMany people know the title - yet don’t know the man. Enter Jon Levinson. In collaboration with MAGBO NYC, we talk to Jon about the state of officiating during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, his early beginnings officiating, and his love of umpiring baseball. All that and more, part 1 of Jon Levinson, now.
Episode 205, The Rant: Malcolm Connor.
June 24, 2020 12:51 - 36 minutes - 25 MBAs a kid from Crown Heights, Malcolm would have never imagined he’d be the coach of a high level varsity team in NYC. We discuss where he got his passion for basketball, his journey in playing, how he became the Brooklyn Collegiate coach, and how COVID-19 preempted his team to getting a bid to play at Madison Square Garden. This is the Pandemic Preempt. Along with my special co-host Jaquam Bodden from Hoop Dreams NYC, our conversation with Coach Connor, now.
Episode 204, The Rant: Terrell Holloway
June 22, 2020 04:09 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBWhen it comes to organization, Swinger is one of the best. In this pod, we discuss his journey growing up in the south to moving to Long Island, his career in Basketball, his affinity for organizing events in the community, and raising a pro basketball player. Along with my special co-host Ryan Walker we pull up where to I learned how to play basketball, Coes Neck Park. Our conversation with Swinger, now.
Episode 203, The Rant: Mark Gracie Jr. - Visuals By Prime
June 19, 2020 15:38 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBOn #therant, we always respect the shooter. Enter Prime, who since the tender age of 13 has had a Digital SLR in his hand. In this pod, we discuss his early life in Sugar Hill, how a Christmas in 2013 changed his life, and some of his favorite places to make art on the Basketball Court, and his other passion, shooting recording artists. All that and more, my conversation with Prime, now.
Episode 202, The Rant: A-Game Podcast
June 17, 2020 14:45 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBYou never know who’s going to pop up on the show - and there’s nothing like Ron’s head nod with a live interview on Instagram . Enter A-Game Podcast, something that along with K. Jamal, exudes the passion of the game I love myself, the game of Basketball. In this pod, we discuss them, how they met in Brooklyn, their come up playing Basketball, what planted the seed to start the pod, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Ron and K. Jamal, now.
Episode 201, The Rant: DJ CEO
June 15, 2020 16:55 - 2 hours - 83.7 MBLife with the Coronavirus is just: different. Enter DJ CEO. In this pod we discuss his early life in Brooklyn, NY, his exploits on the basketball court, how he got fixated with turntables, and how he made it a full time career. We also discuss his pod, The Loop, and what it’s like rocking virtually, through zooms and Instagram Live. All that and more, my conversation with DJ CEO, now.
Episode 200, The Rant: Special Bicentennial Edition.
June 12, 2020 15:46 - 1 hour - 49.8 MBNever in my wildest dreams that I thought a conversation with my friends would push me to make art and go as far as I can go. We celebrate the 200th recording of the podcast with my forever collaborator Bernard Bowen Sr. on our experience making virtual Roundtables and The Camp About a Camp Series; what’s next for the next 100 episodes, and a very special conversation with a guest from the highest levels of officiating Basketball. All that and more, my conversation with Bernard,now.
Episode 199, The Rant: Special Baldwin Edition.
June 10, 2020 14:36 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBThe number 99 always was special to us collectively. Enter this special edition, where I talk to my two best friends from my hometown, Baldwin, NY, about the state of the world, before the massive protests occurred. We discuss what life is like in NYC during the pandemic, what being an essential worker means to the other other Ralph, and life being changed as we know it. All that and more, our conversation on the Rant, now.
Episode 198, The Rant: Brenda Hilton
June 08, 2020 13:36 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBReferee Rant has always been predicated on making officials human. It meant to be that our visions would align. Enter Brenda. We discuss her husbands affinity for sports, how she stumbled upon working with the NCAA, empathazing with the officials, to build a conglomerate to humanize them. All that and more, my conversation with Brenda, now.
Episode 197, The Rant: Bball Referees and Referee Rant Present To You: The Camp About a Camp
June 08, 2020 12:34 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBBernard Bowen Sr. and Bball Referees continue their pandemic-long collaboration with us to bring you this virtual camp. Bernard and I saw opportunity as most camps have great guests with limited interaction. We flipped that, bringing along with us clinicians from the NBA, WNBA, and the Highest Levels of Men’s and Women’s NCAA Basketball. The Camp About a Camp. Session 1, Part 1, now.
Episode 196, The Rant: Lenny Breton.
June 05, 2020 14:33 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBLenny and I can relate in so many ways. Earlier in the year, we tried to connect with Lenny, but it wasn’t the right time; now is. In this pod, we discuss what he thinks of the Corona Virus, his views on Racial Tensions in the US, and our mutual love of the place that started it all, Kellenberg Memorial HS. All that and more, my conversation with Lenny, now.
Episode 195, The Rant: Philippe Francois,
June 04, 2020 19:22 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBEven though we speak everyday, it was important, to me, to get him on. For he has something to say. In this pod, we discuss what he’s been up to during the Corona Virus, his thoughts on the peaceful rallys and protests for George Floyd, and his experience coaching on the Varsity Level, overseeing the development of his son, and his newborn that’s on the way. All that and more, my conversation with Phil, now.
Episode 194, The Rant: Michael Grant
June 02, 2020 13:22 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBBefore the sky fell, the sky was falling. Michael and I have our original conversation on what he has been up to since the sports industry does not exist, his life being married and moving to Philadelphia, and his thoughts on what’s next in lieu of the Corona Virus. All that and more, my conversation with Michael, now.
Episode 193, The Rant: Michael Grant, The Return.
June 01, 2020 12:24 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBMichael Grant stopped by the second time in as many days, in lieu of what has been happening in the streets all across the nation. In this pod, we discuss human injustice, why it has angered so many and caused them to speak out, and how being undecided is to DECIDE. All that and more, Michael Grant returns, Part 1, now.
Episode 192, The Rant: Hector Martinez of Moving PIctures.
May 30, 2020 20:39 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBFounder of Moving Pictures. Behind the lens, Hector Martinez paints vivid stories. Pictures. Moving Pictures. In this pod, he discusses his early life, his unexpected introduction to photography, going viral off one jpeg, being the go to photographer for some of The Who’s who of the top basketball talent that NYC has to offer, all while bringing his daughter, to watch him make art. All that and more, my conversation with Hector, now. ::This is dedicated to Clarence Ricketts: "Changing th...
Episode 191, The Rant: Dwight Jackson - Also known as Whyte.
May 29, 2020 16:22 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBThis isn’t Whyte’s first foray into the podcast, as he was part of the Crunchtime team with Rev and Moe. This is about him. He discusses the last event, Crunchtime All Star Weekend, what he’s been doing since Covid-19 came, discusses what he’s learned since he’s lost his Mom, and his new projects, all in memory of Cynthia E. Jackson. All that and more, my conversation with Whyte, now.
Episode 190, The Rant: Coach Anwar Gladden.
May 28, 2020 21:54 - 1 hour - 51 MBCoach Gladden got robbed of the chip game at Madison Square Garden not because they lost in a hard fought game; but because of the Novel Corona Virus. On top of the magic season that was, he speaks on his early life, his stint as a collegiate baseball player, and what it’s like being at the helm of “The Machine.” All that and more, my conversation with Coach Gladden, now.
Episode 189, The Rant: Ray Bullock Jr.
May 27, 2020 18:08 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBYoung in age, wizened in experience. Enter Ray Jr. In this pod, he discusses watching his Dad officiate, his early break in the college ranks, his stint in the NBA Replay Room, Officiating a 4 Person Crew in a g ame, and discussing his Elevated Mentor initiative, and his new upcoming book, Mental Mountains Vol 1: The Elevated Mind. All that and more, my conversation with Ray, now.
Episode 188, The Rant: Dave Cordova
May 26, 2020 01:54 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBFrom afar, I’ve always admired the work of Dave’s Joint. Enter Dave Cordova. In this pod, we discuss his affinity for Basketball, his love for NYC, and combining both of those loves to make art for the world to see. If you love New York City basketball, at all levels, you can’t not know he is. All that and more, my conversation with Dave, now.
Episode 187, The Rant: Fabian Jara.
May 23, 2020 19:30 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBOn the eve of everything getting shut down, Fabian and I found ourselves on the court, one last time. And on the eve of his life changing from having no kids to having twins, we pulled up in his backyard to see what he’s been up to in anticipation. We discuss the season that was, how he’s been holding up during the Coronavirus, and his thoughts his identity as a referee, an educator, and being a new father. All that and more, my conversation with Fabian, now.
Episode 186, The Rant: Ant Cox
May 22, 2020 19:09 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBRaw and Uncut, we sit down with Ant at his alma mater, Malverne High School. Socially Distanced, we discuss a myriad of topics including what he’s been doing since the Covid-19 craziness has transpired, his identity without basketball, reliving Dyckman Chip last year, and the unforeseeable future with Basketball that we find ourselves in. All that and more, my conversation with Ant, now.
Episode 185, The Rant: Eric Weaver. An Official’s Official, A Venerable Veteran Referee, Giving Streetball Officials a Voice
May 20, 2020 23:12 - 49 minutes - 34 MBhow he got into officiating, what Dyckman Park mean’s to him, and what he’s up to during quarantine. All that and more, my conversation with Eric, now.