Sports Spectrum Podcast

James Donaldson is a former professional basketball player who played 16 seasons in the NBA with Seattle, San Diego/LA Clippers, Dallas, N.Y. Knicks and Utah. He was originally selected in the fourth round of the 1979 NBA Draft by Seattle and after playing one year of pro ball in Italy, he made his NBA debut on October 10, 1980 with Seattle.  Most known for his time with the Dallas Mavericks, Donaldson played six seasons with Dallas and led the NBA in field goal percentage in 1984-85 and played in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago. Donaldson holds the record of the most games ever played in the NBA without an attempted three-point shot.  Today on the podcast, we talk to James Donaldson about his basketball career, why his game wouldn't translate to today's NBA, playing in the 1988 All-Star Game, guarding Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Shaquille O'Neal, Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and other legendary centers. Then the conversation turns to James post-playing career and his struggle with mental health and depression and how God has helped him overcome it.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Jonathan Tjarks passed away from cancer at the age of 34 on September 10, 2022. He leaves behind his wife Melissa and son Jackson. Tjarks was a staff writer with The Ringer, where he covered the NBA and other sports. Today, we bring back the powerful words of Jonathan Tjarks from his conversation with us on Sports Spectrum in October 2021 to talk about how his faith in Christ helped him during his battle with cancer.  Donations to his family can be made through their GoFundMe account here.  You can read Jonathan's piece "The Long Night of the Soul" here.  You can read Jonathan's piece "Does My Son Know You?" here. 

Tim Craft is the men's head basketball coach for Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. Prior to taking the head coaching position in 2013, Craft spent time as an assistant coach at East Carolina, Auburn and Gardner Webb.  In his nine seasons with Gardner-Webb, he has 156 victories and in 2018-19, led his team to a 23-12 record and a berth into the NCAA tournament.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Tim Craft about his journey of coaching, why he chose Gardner Webb, coaching at a Christian school and his heart and desire for adoption and foster-care.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Today on the podcast, our Sports Spectrum Managing Editor Jon Ackerman joins host Jason Romano to preview the 2022 Fall edition of the Sports Spectrum Magazine with New Orleans Saints All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis on the cover.  SIGN UP HERE for Sports Spectrum Magazine. Use the code SS15OFF to save 15% on a one-year subscription.

Randall Cunningham played 16 seasons in the NFL as quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. During his career, he was a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time Bert Bell award winner for the NFL's player of the year.  The UNLV grad was selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Eagles and played 11 seasons in Philadelphia and in 2009, was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Randall Cunningham about being called to be a pastor, how the progression of his faith intersected with the progression of his football career, and the joy he finds watching his children participate in sports.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here. 

Annika Schmidt is a professional soccer player with the Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In college, she was a three-year starter at Butler University and selected to the All-Big East First-Team three consecutive years. In 2020, she signed to play soccer overseas in Sweden with Goteborg FC and then in January 2021, she signed with the Houston Dash and the NWSL. In May 2022, she tore her ACL and meniscus while training for the upcoming season and missed the entire year. Today on the podcast, we talk to Annika about her soccer career, her faith in Jesus, the knee injury she suffered in May 2022 and how she's trusting God to guide her in he midst of this setback. Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here. 

Carlos PenaVega is a actor and singer and a member of the group Big Time Rush. He starred in the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush from 2009-2013 and has been a part of multiple television and film roles in his eighteen year career. After appearing on multiple albums with Big Time Rush, PenaVega pursued a solo career and released his first solo single, "Electrico" in 2014. That same year, he married his wife Alexas and in 2022, wrote their first book together, "What if Love is the Point: Living for Jesus in a Self-Consumed World?" Today on the podcast, we talk to Carlos about his love for sport, meeting his wife at a Bible study, living out his faith in Hollywood, and staying true to yourself. Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here. 

Welcome to the Sports Spectrum Minute featuring a short clip of inspiration from a previous Sports Spectrum Podcast interview. Today we hear from ESPN NFL Host Samantha Ponder.  She appeared on Sports Spectrum's Podcast in October 2018. You can listen to the entire interview here.  Receive our Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Joe Kim is the Director of Skill Development with the New England Patriots. He is a member of the 2018 Patriots championship team that beat the Rams 13-3 to win Super Bowl LIII.  Prior to his time in New England, Kim has been a part of multiple teams as a skill coach including Chicago, Washington, Kansas City, Buffalo, Denver, Green Bay, Miami and Dallas. He got his start as an assistant coach in the NFL with Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns in 1992. Today on the podcast, Joe Kim shares about his football journey, lessons learned from Bill Belichick, the attitude of gratitude and why he made a decision in his 40's to follow Jesus Christ.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here. 

Bryce Young is the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. In 2021, he won the Heisman Trophy and was named AP College Football Player of the Year after throwing for 4,872 yards and 48 touchdowns, leading Alabama to 13 wins and a berth in the College Football National Championship Game.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.