SSDL NewsFlash!

July 17, 2020

Pillsbury Rocks the Vote at Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out / Quarterfinals begin July 18th

90045 - Rock Pillsbury, athletic director of Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), who has built the nations top high school athletic program, pulled off the biggest upset yet at the Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out, repelling the power of the armed forces and overcoming the leader in worldwide sports to advance to the quarterfinals.  

The event matches up Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) video podcast guests pre-interview basketball shots against one another in a 12-team single elimination tournament.  The championship team (guest and charity) of the event, which will conclude on August 7th, will receive a $1000 Eastbay gift card for the charity.

Vote on Twitter

@StportsStoriesDL

The #11 seeded Pillsbury flexed his considerable network of muscles, attracting the highest number votes to date with an opening round win over the Heroes’ Movement founder, #6 seed Mike McKay.  The Navy veteran McKay called on the “Mother Ship” of sports networks, ESPN, to buoy his teams’ cause.  Popular sports anchor Neil Everett made an appeal to a worldwide audience on his ESPN Radio show , but it was the strength of “Team Rock”, which includes the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation, that won the matchup by a 76% to 24% advantage.

The winners of the opening round each have submitted post-matchup video interviews, which are available on Patreon.  Go to www.patreon.com/DennyLennon for this free content, which not only includes sportscaster Randy Rosenbloom’s accusatorial tirade, but additional related content from @TheBoxCobbler, an Eastbay promo video and other extras.  The Patreon link is also available on our website www.SportsStoriesPodcast.com

Now it is on the “Elite Eight” of the tournament. Quarterfinal matchups will continue to take place on twitter @SportsStoriesDL, one vote per matchup per supporter.  Links to the SSDL video podcast interviews of each of the quarterfinalists have been included below, which will further educate our twitter followers and Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out legion of fans.  

Winners of the quarterfinal matchups will appear July 24th and July 31st on the SSDL5 YouTube Live Friday “Happy Hour Show” to promote their team accomplishment of making the “Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out Final Four”.

NOTE:  All voting takes place on Twitter @SportsStoriesDL

Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out “Elite Eight” Matchup’s:

July 18-20: (1) Chris McGee vs. (8) Scott Rice

Chris McGee - Lakers Broadcaster

Link to SSDL Interview: https://youtu.be/YP6jl-6XyRc

Charity:  Stillpoint Family Resources

Website: https://www.stillpointfamilyresources.org/

Email: info@stillpointfamilyresources.org

Twitter: @FamRes

Scott Rice - #GirlDad

Link to SSDL Interview: https://youtu.be/41_jrL3y1xs

Charity:  Friends of Westminster

Website:https://www.friendsofwestminster.com/

Email: friendsofwestminster@gmail.com

Twitter: @WestminsterElem

July 21-23: (4) Mike Boehle vs. (5) Randy Rosenbloom

Mike Boehle - 2x VBC Champ

Link to SSDL Interview: www.patreon.com/dennylennon

Charity: My Stuff Bags

Website: https://www.mystuffbags.org/

Email: info@mystuffbags.org

Twitter: @mystuffbags

Randy Rosenbloom - HOF Sportscaster

Link to SSDL Interview: https://youtu.be/o3f16YiFQ8w

Charity: Make a Wish Foundation

Website: https://wish.org/

Email: https://wish.org/contact-us

Twitter: @makeawishla

July 24-26: (2) Lynn Guerin vs. (1) Wayne Boehle

Lynn Guerin - The John R. Wooden Course

Link to SSDL Interview: https://youtu.be/rC7d88HfpXI

Charity: Joni and Friends Disability Ministry

Website: https://www.joniandfriends.org/

Email: https://www.joniandfriends.org/about/contact-us/

Twitter: @JoniandFriends

Wayne Boehle - LMU Athlete, Lawyer

Link to SSDL Interview: https://youtu.be/QvNoCVOKIdc

Charity: My Stuff Bags

Website: https://www.mystuffbags.org/

Email: info@mystuffbags.org

Twitter: @mystuffbags

July 27-29: (3) Jimmy Lennon Jr.  vs. (11) Rock Pillsbury

Rock Pillsbury - Athletic Director, Sierra Canyon

Link to SSDL Interview: https://youtu.be/BinlJjuZ_eg

Charity: Harold and Carole Pump Foundation

Website http://haroldpumpfoundation.com/

Email:info@haroldpumpfoundation.com

Twitter: @Dana_Pump

Jimmy Lennon Jr - HOF Ring Announcer

Link to SSDL interview: https://youtu.be/SORhK18lN1g

Charity: Union Rescue Mission

website: https://urm.org/

Email: thewayhome@urm.org

twitter: @URM

Link to ESPN Radio Show: http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=29475925

More information: info@SportsStoriesPodcast.com.

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon” 

July 14, 2020

Wayne Boehle Bags Big Win at Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out

90045 - Wayne Boehle, a Loyola University athlete in the 60’s and the Los Angeles school’s lead attorney in the 90’s when faced with the Hank Gathers Case, recorded the first upset of the tournament in record fashion to advance to the quarterfinals of the Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out.  

Propelled by the push from his charity partner My Stuff Bags, the #10 seeded Boehle’s 94 point margin win over Windward School (West Los Angeles) Athletic Director Tyrone Powell set up a July 24th “Elite Eight” matchup with #2 seed Lynn Guerin of the John R. Wooden Course (charity: Joni and Friends Disability Ministry).

Next up in the final matchup of the opening round of the 12-team (player and charity) single elimination tournament, #6 seed Mike McKay vs. #11 seed Rock Pillsbury.  McKay, a Michigander and founder of the Heroes’ Movement, will need the backing of the entire armed forces to defeat Pillsbury, who as the athletic director of Sierra Canyon School has built the nations top high school athletic program.  Pillsbury, a native Texan, has partnered with the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation.  The matchup starts July 15th at 12 noon (PT), ending on July 17th.

The champion of the event, which will conclude on August 7th, will receive a $1000 Eastbay gift card for their designated charity.  All voting takes place on Twitter @SportsStoriesDL

More information:  Marlee Rice info@SportsStoriesPodcast.com.

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

July 11, 2020

Randy Rosenbloom Rolls in Record Route at Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out

90045 - Los Angeles City Section and Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame broadcaster Randy Rosenbloom garnered a record amount of votes and margin of victory to advance to the quarterfinals of the Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out.  

The #5 seeded Rosenbloom’s 90% to 10% win over “Wooden’s Wisdom” Craig Impelman, grandson-in-law to legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, looked a lot like the 1968 UCLA NCAA semifinal redemption victory over the University of Houston.  

Rosenbloom, who has linked with Make a Wish as his charity for the tournament, raised concerns in a post match-up interview about a potential controversy in the next round.  The HOF sportscaster will face the #4 seed, two-time VBC champ Mike Boehle, in the “Elite Eight”.  Randy suggested that Boehle’s charity, My Stuff Bags, who’s CEO is Janeen Lennon Holmes, combined with the fact that he is cousin to the Lennon family will create a major disadvantage for him.  

More controversy rears its ugly head in the next match-up, which begins at 12:00pm (PT) on July 12th and ends at noon on July 14th.  #7 seed and Windward School (West Los Angeles) Athletic Director Tyrone Powell, who’s charity partner is Westside Children’s Center, faces #10 seed Wayne Boehle, the former standout athlete for Loyola Marymount University who represented the school as lead attorney in the Hank Gathers case.  Boehle, father to Mike Boehle, has also partnered with My Stuff Bags as his charity.  But that is the least of the controversy in this match-up.

As it turns out, Powell has served as the president of North Venice Little League, which happens to be located across the street from the Boehle family home.  Over the years, Wayne has successfully resisted NVLL in the leagues attempt to expand and install lights.  We will see if it is Wayne or Tyrone who gets the green light to advance in the Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out.

The champion of the event, which will conclude on August 7th, will receive a $1000 Eastbay gift card for their designated charity.  All voting takes place on Twitter @SportsStoriesDL

More information:  Marlee Rice info@SportsStoriesPodcast.com.

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

July 8, 2020

Carlos Gets Cooked by Rice in Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out

90045 - Restaurateur Carlos Haro just couldn’t handle the Rice, as in, #GirlDad Scott Rice, who rolled to a 67% to 33% victory in the opening round of the Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out.  It marks the biggest margin of victory in the history of the event, and moves Rice into the “Elite Eight” of the prestigious tournament.  It was a surprising thrashing in what was supposed to be a close match-up, considering it was a #8 seed vs. #9 seed contest.

Haro, manager of Casablanca Restaurant in Venice, partnered with the Concern Foundation as his official charity.  But Carlos never was able to motivate the membership of the Los Angeles based cancer fighting group that was founded in 1968.  It was surprising that Carlos, a top athlete as a youngster who won the St. Mark Athlete of the Year Award in 1990, was unable to build a “team atmosphere”, given the strength of the charity and his respected position in the world of fine Mexican food restaurants.  

Rice, on the other hand, brought years and years and years and years of sports experience to the competition.  From a standout athlete in Michigan to time as a #GirlDad to his high-achieving daughters to his position as the host of the CEE ShuffleBoard Classic, Scott used his ultra-competitive drive to win with ease.

#8 seed Scott and his charity, The Friends of Westminster, now will face the #1 seed in the event, Chris “Geeter” McGee on July 18th.  Not only does McGee have a catchy nickname, but as a broadcaster for the Los Angeles Lakers he will be able to mobilize the LakerNation around him.  “Geeter” has partnered with the Stillpoint Family Resources of West Hills, a group that will add additional strength to the #1 seed.

Up next in the tournament is #5 seed Randy Rosenbloom, a HOF broadcaster, against the Grandson-in-law of John Wooden, #12 seed Craig Impelman.  Voting begins at 12pm (PT) July 9th, concluding July 11th.

The winner of the event, which will conclude on August 7th, will receive a $1000 Eastbay gift card for their designated charity.  All voting takes place on Twitter @SportsStoriesDL

More information:  Marlee Rice info@SportsStoriesPodcast.com.

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

• SSDL Presents “The Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out”

• Karch Kiraly Video Podcast Series

• SSDL Poll Winners

July 6, 2020

90045 - The Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out has arrived.  “Kiraly July” is here.  The SSDL Poll results are in.  Let’s do this…

The Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out

 Today, July 6th, at 12 noon (PT) the month long event begins.  The winner will receive a $1000 gift card from Eastbay for their designated charity.

- All voting takes place on Twitter @SportsStoriesDL  -

• The Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out pits video footage of twelve SSDL guests’ pre-interview basketball shots against each other in a single-elimination tournament on Twitter (@SportsStoriesDL) determined by online votes.

• The twelve basketball shots have been evaluated and seeded into a single-elimination bracket (attached).

  1. The video that receives the most online votes in each “match-up” advances to the next round.  Voters are allowed one vote per "match-up”.  

  2. Please note:  Voting takes place only on Twitter @SportsStoriesDL

  3. The voting period for each “match-up” will last three days and will be promoted on SSDL social media platforms.

  4. The Eastbay 7428 Shoot-Out will run from July 6th to August 7th. 

“Kiraly July”

Anaheim, CA - Each Thursday in July, SSDL will present an episode in a five part series with volleyball great Karch Kiraly, an interview recorded on January 17th at the USA Volleyball National Team Center.   The 3x Olympic gold medalist, widely considered the best player in the history of the game, discusses his youth, playing career and current position as the USA Womens Olympic head coach.  Episodes available at: YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL Poll Results

Results from recent polls taken on twitter @SportsStoriesDL:

• ’97 “Bite Fight” wins (46%) over “Tupac” and “Upset” as “Most Culturally Significant” Mike Tyson fight with HOF ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. as the MC.

• ’68 Bob Beamon long jump wins (88%) over ’56 Charles Dumas high jump as the “Greater Athletic Feat” .

• ’84 LA wins (67%) over ’04 STL, ’32 LA and ’96 ATL as “Most Historically Significant” Summer Olympics hosted in the United States.

• ’80 “Miracle on Ice” wins (71%) over ’56 “Blood in the Water” as “Most Politically Charged” Olympic event.

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #39 available now, #40 drops July 9th:

Guest:  Karch Kiraly, 3x Olympic Games Volleyball Gold Medal Winner (’84 and ‘88 indoor, ‘96 beach), USA Womens National Team Head Coach.

All SSDL programming can be viewed at:  

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

June 19, 2020

90045 -  Season 1 of SSDL5 Live has concluded!   Please continue to tune in and watch as we choose "Feature Videos” in the coming weeks. We will be back soon with new live content.

We will continue to produce our flagship video/audio podcast, which is published every Thursday.  June 25th will conclude our series on Norm Bass.

July 2nd will begin a “Kiraly July,” as we sit down with Karch Kiraly for a five-part conversation.  The 3x Olympic gold medalist, widely considered the best player in the history of the game, discusses his youth, playing career and current position as the USA Womens Olympic head coach.

August will bring a story of a Midwest football team, their coach Tim Willis and the culture of 212, a unique motivational program.  We look forward to presenting the four part series, “Madison 212”, beginning August 6th.

As a final note, please consider tuning into the “Marked Men Madness” on Monday, June 20th, as they welcome SSDL host Denny Lennon on the show, beginning at 5:00pm.  Listen at blogtalkradio.com “Marked Men Madness” or call into the show #347-205-9631.

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #38 drops June 25th:

Guest:  Norm Bass,  1960’s Professional Baseball and Football, 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games Bronze Medalist, Table Tennis (Part 4).

All SSDL programming can be viewed at:  

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Mon: Documentarian Bryan Cahill on Sports Legend Norm Bass.

FBL5 Tue:  VBC Champ Kevin Lennon presents “Men of the VBC Calendar” review part 2.

FBL5 Wed: AAU Beach VB Commissioner Gino Grajeda with National Events update.

SSDL Podcast Thu: 1960’s Pro Sports Pioneer Norm Bass, Part 3.

FBL5 Fri:  Special Episode with SSDL Guests 

All SSDL programming can be viewed at:  

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

June 14, 2020

90045 - Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) presents another week of sure-fire award winning programming.  Documentarian Bryan Cahill, VBC designer Kevin Lennon, AAU Beach volleyball commissioner Gino Grajeda, and a spotlight show on special SSDL guests join the drop of part 3 on the undeniably fascinating life story of Norm Bass.

On June 15th, SSDL5 Monday “Sports Storytellers” welcomes filmmaker and documentarian Bryan Cahill.  Cahill spent two years putting together a the framework of a documentary on the life of Norm Bass, the subject of the SSDL four part series that is in play now.  We will  and review exclusive archival footage as well as interviews with those that knew Norm best, including his brother, Los Angeles Rams all-pro running back Dick Bass.

SSDL5 Tuesday brings on “The VBC Show” for the re-telling of the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC), a legendary volleyball tournament played in the backyards of Venice, CA from 1983-1996.  Show #8 will be the second in two part series on the making of the “Men of the VBC Calendar”.  This June 16th episode promises to be another one to remember and will be produced by 1988 VBC Champ Kevin Lennon.

SSDL5 Wednesday, which puts the focus on “Preps to Olympians”, will bring a return to the show of AAU Junior Beach Volleyball commissioner Gino Grajeda.  The AAU Beach program is the largest and most comprehensive in the nation.  Each July, the AAU hosts two National tournaments in Southern California that exceed 500 teams each, with athletes from 10 to 18 years old coming in from 40 states.  It appears that the Los Angeles area will not be ready to host these tournaments in July, so plans have been made to adjust dates and locations.  That information will be revealed on the June 17th broadcast to an anxious country of young athletes and their families.

On Thursday, June 18th, we drop the flagship SSDL Podcast, the critically acclaimed “Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”.  Buckle up part 3 of 4 with the first post WW2 Black-American professional baseball and football player, Norm Bass.  After being forced into retirement with severe rheumatoid arthritis, Bass resurfaced later in life as a Paralympic tennis table athlete, winning the bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.  SSDL is proud to tell this incredible story.  The interview, presented in four parts, was recorded on February 27th at The Coffee Company in Westchester, CA.  Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.

Finally, June 19th at 5pm (PST) brings SSDL5 Friday, the “Happy Hour Show of Record”.   This week we highlight SSDL guests that have taken a stand, overcome obstacles and broken barriers.  

YouTube Live Shows at 5:00pm PT (SSDL5):  

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #37 drops June 18th:

Guest:  Norm Bass,  1960’s Professional Baseball and Football, 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games Bronze Medalist, Table Tennis (Part 3).

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

ALL PROGRAMMING on YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL5 Mon: Author Dan Coonan, “Presidential Spirits”.

SSDL5 Tue:  ’88 VBC Champ Kevin Lennon produces “Men of the VBC” calendar review.

SSDL5 Wed: BVCA Update from Jeff Smith, “Vault” series with Jake Downey.

SSDL Podcast Thu:  1960’s Pro Sports Pioneer Norm Bass, Part 2.

SSDL5 Fri: Bucks assistant coach Sidney Dobner and “30 fo 30” producer Will Lennon.

June 7, 2020

90045 - This week, Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) returns with a full week of programming.  We follow up with author Dan Coonan, Kevin Lennon produces VBC Show #7, Jeff Smith of the BVCA provides an update, Jake Downey presents more from the “Vault”, we continue with the remarkable story of Norm Bass, score on an interview with Sidney Dobner of the Milwaukee Bucks and present producer Will Lennon of an upcoming  ESPN 30 for 30 documentary.

On June 8th, SSDL5 Monday “Sports Storytellers” welcomes back author Dan Coonan of the book “Presidential Spirits”.  Coonan, an accomplished athletic administrator, will get a chance to discuss the book in the long form interview.  “Presidential Spirits”, describes as a “political field of dreams”, does include baseball as a through line but it primarily serves as a relevant and important work for our country at just the right time.

SSDL5 Tuesday brings on “The VBC Show” for the re-telling of the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC), a legendary volleyball tournament played in the backyards of Venice, CA from 1983-1996. Show #7 will be produced by 1988 VBC Champ Kevin Lennon, who has, in Joe Namath fashion, guaranteed that this episode will win a coveted “YouTube Graphite Award” .  Kevin, a highly sought after designer, will re-live one of his master works, the 1996 “Men of the VBC Calendar”.  This episode promises to be one to remember. 

SSDL5 Wednesday, which puts the focus on “Preps to Olympians”, will bring on Jeff Smith of the Beach Volleyball Clubs of America (BVCA), a national youth beach volleyball program that runs one of the largest junior tournaments in the country in Hermosa Beach, CA each July.  Smith, a former pro beach player, will provide an update on the likelihood of the BVCA tournament being conducted this summer.  Also coming on the show will be broadcaster “Big Game” Jake Downey of the JD Media Group, with another episode of the “Vault Series”.  SSDL goes deep into the catacombs that lay beneath the Centinela Adobe and pulls out vintage footage from famous professional athletes when they were in high school.  Downey, who interviewed each of these athletes, will present thoughts on NBA stars Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic (Archbishop Mitty HS, San Jose) and Stanley Johnson of the Toronto Raptors (Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana).  We also get a look at a rare behind the scenes interview with a young Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers and Lower Merion HS, PA).  Finally, we will see a report on an up and coming baseball star Jaden Agassi, whose parents are Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. 

On Thursday, June 4th, we drop the flagship SSDL Podcast, the critically acclaimed “Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”, and bring on part 2 of 4 with the first post WW2 Black-American professional baseball and football player, Norm Bass.  After being forced into retirement with severe rheumatoid arthritis, Bass resurfaced later in life as a Paralympic tennis table athlete, winning the bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.  SSDL is proud to tell this incredible story.  The interview, presented in four parts, was recorded on February 27th at The Coffee Company in Westchester, CA.  Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.

Finally, June 5th at 5pm (PST) brings SSDL5 Friday, the “Happy Hour Show of Record”.   This week we welcome Sidney Dobner, the first ever woman to join the coaching staff of the Milwaukee Bucks.  Also dropping in will be Will Lennon, one of the producers of the upcoming ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “Long Gone Summer”, which tells the story of the Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa home run race during the 1998 season.  Lennon will continue the Friday conversation the following Monday on the SSDL “Sports Storytellers” show.

YouTube Live Shows at 5:00pm PT (SSDL5):  

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #36 drops June 11th:

Guest:  Norm Bass,  1960’s Professional Baseball and Football, 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games Bronze Medalist, Table Tennis (Part 2).

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast Thursday:  

1960’s Pro Baseball, Football Pioneer and Olympic Games Bronze Medalist Norm Bass

May 31, 2020

90045 - With careful consideration given to this difficult time in our country, Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) will postpone the SSDL5 LIVE Shows this week.  

The announced SSDL5 Monday interview with author Dan Coonan has been rescheduled to Monday, June 8th.  

We anticipate a return of the “VBC", “High School to Olympics” and “Happy Hour” Live Shows on their scheduled nights June 9, 10 and 12.

SSDL will publish the video/audio podcast that drops each Thursday this week.

June 4th:  SSDL will drop part 1 of 4 with the first post-WW2 Black-American professional baseball and football player, Norm Bass.  After being forced into retirement with severe rheumatoid arthritis, Bass resurfaced later in life as a Paralympic tennis table athlete, winning the bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.  

SSDL is proud to tell this remarkable story.  The interview, which will be broken up into four parts, was recorded on February 27th at The Coffee Company in Westchester, CA.  

Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #35 drops June 4th:

Guest:  Norm Bass,  1960’s Professional Baseball and Football, 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games Bronze Medalist, Table Tennis (Part 1).

All SSDL programming can be viewed at:  

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Monday:  Memorial Day : No Programming

FBL5 Tuesday:  Ray Castro Produces VBC Show #6 

FBL5 Wednesday: “Vault Series” Russell Westbrook and Jared Goff with Jake Downey 

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast Thursday:  LMU Athlete and Attorney Wayne Boehle, Part 3

FBL5 Friday: Author Dan Coonan and “Special Guest Stars”

May 25, 2020

90045 - This week, Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) brings on another VBC episode, goes back to the “Vault”, breaks out exclusive footage from the Hank Gathers Statue Dedication, opens the SSDL Eastbay store and welcomes another strong lineup of guest.  

All SSDL programming can be viewed at:  

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

On May 25th, SSDL5 will pause along with the rest of the country to remember those that died in active military service.  Special thanks to our SSDL military guests, our partner “Heroes’ Movement” and the HM founder Mike McKay.

SSDL5 Tuesday is the home for the re-telling of the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC), a legendary volleyball tournament played in the backyards of Venice, CA from 1983-1996.  After a poll on twitter, hosted by @SportsStoriesDL, indicated a 100% vote in favor continuing the show, the Boxcobbler got to work.   Ray Castro, a VBC runner-up and the man known as the “Boxcobbler” for his skills in creating the box that held the “A” and “B” players at the VBC blind draw, will produce episode #6.  Join us Tuesday at 5pm Pacific for a virtual “50 Shades of Ray”.

SSDL5 Wednesday, which puts the focus on High School to Olympics athletes, coaches and administrators, will look back with its second episode from the “Vault Series”.  SSDL goes deep into the catacombs that lay beneath the Centinela Adobe and pulls out vintage footage from famous professional athletes when they were in high school.  This week we see former Leuzinger High School (Lawndale, CA) and current NBA superstar Russell Westbrook, ex All-CIF hoops star Clay Thompson from Santa Margarita High School (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) who has been racking up NBA rings with the Golden State Warriors, as well as NFL quarterback Jared Goff of the LA Rams when he was a standout at Marin Catholic (Kentfield, CA).   Broadcaster “Big Game” Jake Downey of the JD Media Group, who interviewed each when they were in high school, will join the show. 

On Thursday, May 28th, the SSDL flagship “Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”, will drop part 3 of 3 with the lead attorney for Loyola Marymount University in the Hank Gathers case, Wayne Boehle.  Boehle, a star basketball and volleyball student-athlete at what was then Loyola University in the 1960’s, will address his role in the case as the lead attorney and share some of the details never before discussed.  Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.

Finally, May 29th at 5pm (PST) brings SSDL5 Friday, the “Happy Hour Show of Record”.   This week we welcome author Dan Coonan, a highly accomplished athletic administrator, who’s book “Presidential Spirits” has a through line of baseball.  Coonan will join the show along with “special guest stars” to preview his appearance on the long form SSDL5 Monday show June 1st.

YouTube Live Shows at 5:00pm PT (SSDL5):  

YouTube.com/SportsStorieswithDennyLennon

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #34 drops May 28th:

Guest:  Wayne Boehle, Attorney for Loyola Marymount University in the Hank Gathers case (Part 3).

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

THIS WEEK ON SSDL, May 18-25  - MOVE TO YOUTUBE!

SSDL5 Monday:  Author Jean Hastings Ardell “TAKE 2!”

SSDL5 Tuesday:  “Inside the VBC” host Kipp Lennon Produces VBC Show #5 

SSDL5 Wednesday: AAU Beach VB’s Gino Grajeda and LA Times writer David Wharton

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast Thursday:  LMU Athlete and Attorney Wayne Boehle, Part 2

SSDL5 Friday: Rose Bowl Parade host Mark Steines and correspondent Wade Benson

May 17, 2020

90045 - This week, Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) will make the “Move to YouTube”! All “LIVE at 5” shows and, per usual, the SSDL weekly video podcast, can be viewed at YouTube.com - Sports Stories with Denny Lennon.

On May 18th, Jean Hastings Ardell, author of “Making My Pitch” leads off the line-up of SSDL5 shows with a long form interview about the story of Ila Jane Borders, the first woman awarded a college baseball scholarship, and then the first to pitch and record a win in college and in the pros. Jean’s last at-bat on May 4th was interrupted by a poor internet connection, so this time we will get to hear the entire story.

SSDL5 Tuesday is the home for the re-telling of the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC), a legendary volleyball tournament played in the backyards of Venice, CA from 1983-1995.  Kipp Lennon, a VBC runner-up and the past host of the critically acclaimed “Inside the VBC” pre-tournament show, will take the reins as the producer of VBC #5.

SSDL5 Wednesday, which puts the focus on High School to Olympics athletes, coaches and administrators, will update an anxious community of young athletes as the commissioner of junior beach volleyball, Gino Grajeda of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), will come on with an update for the sport that is also dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.  The AAU Beach Volleyball program, the largest and most comprehensive in the country, annually hosts the National Championships and the West Coast AAU Junior Olympics in the Los Angeles area. Those national tournaments include over 500 teams each from over 40 states.  David Wharton, a feature writer for the Los Angeles Times who serves as an Olympic Games correspondent, will also join SSDL5 Wednesday with an update.

On Thursday, May 21st, the SSDL flagship “Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”, will drop part 2 of 3 with the lead attorney for Loyola Marymount University in the Hank Gathers case, Wayne Boehle.  Boehle, who was a star basketball and volleyball student-athlete at what was then Loyola University in the 1960’s, sat down for the interview at the beginning of March, days after the statue of Hank Gathers was dedicated on the LMU campus.  Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.

Finally, May 22nd at 5pm (PST) brings SSDL5 Friday, the “Happy Hour Show of Record”, and this week we will dive into the story of the Rose Bowl, “The Granddaddy of Them All”, with television personality Mark Steines.  The former high school all-state running back and standout linebacker from the University of Northern Iowa, Steines has worked for years in television, including an eight year stint for Entertainment Tonight.  Steines is now the host for the Rose Bowl Parade on KTLA 5 that precedes the most iconic of all college football bowl games.  Included will be exclusive SSDL behind the scenes footage of the Rose Bowl Stadium from this past January.  There will also be an introduction of a new SSDL correspondent, Wade Benson.  The former head volleyball coach from Auburn University has been connected to the world of collegiate sports and will lend his unique perspective to the SSDL audience.

YouTube Live Shows at 5:00pm PST (SSDL5):  

YouTube.com - Sports Stories with Denny Lennon

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #33 drops May 21st:

Guest:  Wayne Boehle, Attorney for Loyola Marymount University in the Hank Gathers case (Part 2).

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Monday:  Author Wayne Coffey on “Boys of Winter” and More

FBL5 Tuesday:  2x VBC Champ Mike Boehle Produces Show #4 

FBL5 Wednesday:  Archival Footage of Paul George Breakout All-Star HS Game

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast Thursday:  LMU Athlete and Attorney Wayne Boehle, Part 1

FBL5 Friday:  Beach Volleyball Legends Jim Menges and Sinjin Smith

May 10, 2020

90045 - This week, Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) will bring the stories of the “miracle” 1980 US Olympic Hockey and 1990 Loyola Marymount basketball teams, the breakout high school game that launched NBA All-Star Paul George, the legends of beach volleyball and more of the VBC in another epic slate of programming.

On May 11th, New York Times best selling author Wayne Coffey will drop by the FBL5 Monday long form show to discuss the insightful book “Boys of Winter” about the miracle 1980 Olympic gold medal U.S. hockey team.  Coffey will also dive into his other works that include books about Urban Myer, The 1969 NY Mets, Carli Lloyd and more.  

On May 12th, FBL5 Tuesday, the home for the popular reality style re-telling of the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC), a legendary volleyball tournament played in the backyards of Venice, CA from 1983-1995, will return for its fourth episode.  Two-time VBC Champ Mike Boehle will guide VBC episode #4 as the producer this week.

FBL5 Wednesday, which puts the focus on High School to Olympics athletes, coaches and administrators, will pull out an extraordinary archive, the 2008 “Battle of the Valley” boys basketball high school all-star game that proved to be the breakout game for now NBA All-Star Paul George.  The original 2008 broadcast team of Randy Rosenbloom and Eric Sondheimer will serve as guests and re-live that pivotal game that set Paul George on his path to Fresno State and eventually NBA stardom. 

On Thursday, May 14th, the SSDL flagship “Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”, will drop part 1 of 3 with the lead attorney for Loyola Marymount University in the Hank Gathers case, Wayne Boehle.  Boehle, who was a star basketball and volleyball student-athlete at what was then Loyola University, sat down for the interview at the beginning of March, days after the statue of Hank Gathers was dedicated on the LMU campus.  Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.

Finally, May 15th at 5pm (PST) brings FBL5 Friday, the “Happy Hour Show of Record”.  Wayne Boehle is scheduled to jump on and promote his three part video podcast on SSDL. Then the show will bring back the golden era of beach volleyball as two legends of the sport, Jim Menges and Sinjin Smith, join the party.  This is a “must see” for all sport fans but in particular for those that want to learn more about the evolution of what would become the Summer Olympic Games most popular attraction.

Facebook Live Shows at 5:00pm PST (FBL5):  

https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast #32 drops May 14th:

Guest:  Wayne Boehle, Attorney for Loyola Marymount University in the Hank Gathers case (Part 1)

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Monday:  Author Jean Hastings Ardell of “Making My Pitch”

FBL5 Tuesday:  The Venice Backyard Championships Show Returns w/ VBC #3

FBL5 Wednesday:  LMU BB Coach Stan Johnson, Media/Hoops Stars Jaden Newman

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast Thursday:  HOF Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. Part 4

FBL5 Friday:  UCLA Basketball Champion Toby Bailey (’95) and Author Wayne Coffey

May 3, 2020

90045 - After a week that included hosting the 90th AAU James E. Sullivan Award Presentation and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Rudy Tomjanovich, Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) is fired up for more unique, interesting and uplifting stories.  

On May 4th, Jean Hastings Ardell, author of “Making My Pitch” leads off the line-up of FBL5 shows with a long form interview about the story of Ila Jane Borders, the first woman awarded a college baseball scholarship, and then the first to pitch and record a win in college and in the pro’s.

On May 5th, FBL5 Tuesday, the home for the popular reality style re-telling of the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC), will return for its third episode.  Members from the original “Venice Backyard Productions” team along with special guests and archival footage present the story of the legendary volleyball tournament that ended 25 years ago.  VBC #3 will be produced this week by all-time VBC great Dan Boehle.

FBL5 Wednesday, which puts the focus on High School to Olympics athletes, coaches and administrators, will welcome the new mens basketball head coach at Loyola Marymount University (LMU, Los Angeles) Stan Johnson.  Johnson, incidentally, was instrumental in recruiting AAU Sullivan Award finalist Markus Howard to Arizona State and eventually Marquette where Johnson served as an assistant.  Also on the May 6th show, SSDL will reach out to a huge audience as social media and girls basketball star Jaden Newman, a 15 year old standout from Orlando, will be on the show along with her father, Jamie Newman.  FBL5 Wednesday this week will provide a fascinating look at both collegiate and youth basketball. 

On Thursday, May 7th, the SSDL flagship “Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”, will drop part 4 of 4 with world renown Hall of Fame boxing announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.   Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.  

Finally, May 8th at 5pm (PST) will bring FBL5 Friday, the “Happy Hour Show of Record”, will bring on the frosh phenom from the UCLA Bruins 1995 title basketball team, Toby Bailey.  As a freshman, Bailey dropped in 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Arkansas the night UCLA won the schools 11th mens basketball national championship.  Now a sports agent, Bailey will share memories of being part of the last Bruin basketball team to win a title, and the only one without John Wooden as coach.  Following Bailey will be the renown Wayne Coffey, a New York Times best selling author who has written several sports related novels, including stories on Urban Myer, The 1969 New York Mets and the book “The Boys of Winter” about the 1980 USA Mens Hockey Gold Medal winning team.  

Facebook Live Shows at 5:00pm PST (FBL5):  

https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast

SSDL Video/Audio Podcast drops May 7th (links on SSDL website):

Guest:  Jimmy Lennon, Jr.. Hall of Fame Boxing Announcer (Part 4)

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

NBA HOF Elect Tomjanovich, AAU Sullivan Winner and AAU Pres./CEO on FBL5

May 1, 2020

90045 - After pulling of its biggest show to date, the 90th AAU James E. Sullivan Award Presentation Ceremony,   Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) will bring on perhaps its biggest star yet, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Rudy Tomjanovich.  “Rudy T.” joins AAU Sullivan Award winner, Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee, and the AAU President/CEO Dr. Roger Goudy on the popular FBL5 Friday show.  

Tomjanovich, a five-time NBA All-Star player with the Houston Rockets, returned to coach the Rockets to two NBA titles in 1994 and 1995.  Rudy T also served as head coach of the 2000 Olympic Gold Medal winning mens basketball team.  

Iowa’s Spencer Lee became the fourth wrestler to win the AAU Sullivan Award, given to the nation’s top amateur athlete since 1930.  President Goudy of the AAU will be on the show two nights after making the announcement of Lee’s win.

The originally planned “UCLA Basketball” celebration with ’64 and ’65 NCAA champ Keith Erickson and ’95 champ Toby Bailey will be delayed until May 8th.

FBL5 Friday:  Rudy Tomjanovich, Spencer Lee and Roger Goudy on:  

 https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Monday:  NY Times Best Selling Author Wesley King “Wizenard”

FBL5 Wednesday:  The 90th AAU James E. Sullivan Award Ceremony

FBL5 Friday:  UCLA Basketball Champions Keith Erickson (’64, ’65) and Toby Bailey (’95)

April 26, 2020

90045 - Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) is rising up to its biggest challenge yet, hosting the 90th AAU James E. Sullivan Award Ceremony on Wednesday, April 29th at 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern at facebook.com/SportsStoriesPodcast.  Nominees for “The Nation’s Top Amateur Award”, given out since 1930, will be presented and interviewed by SSDL host Denny Lennon along side AAU President and CEO Dr. Roger Goudy and AAU Sullivan Chair Melissa Willis.  It is the distinct honor of SSDL to present the nominees and winner of this iconic award. 

On April 27 at 5pm (PST), FBL5 Monday’s long form format welcomes New York Times best selling author Wesley King, who collaborated with Kobe Bryant to write the highly popular “Wizenard” series.  

FBL5 Tuesday, the home for the popular reality style re-telling of the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC), will take a week off and return on May 5.  

On Thursday, April 30, the SSDL flagship “Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”, will drop part 3 of 4 with world renown Hall of fame boxing announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.   Watch the episode on the SSDL YouTube channel or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Links are available on the SSDL website.  

May 1st at 5pm (PST) will bring FBL5 Friday, the “Happy Hour Show of Record”, will have distinct eight clap flavor to it.  UCLA legend Keith Erickson, a key member of UCLA’s first two title teams in 1964 and 1965, will be on to share memories of playing for Coach Wooden, the Lakers and working alongside the late great broadcaster Chick Hearn.  Following Erickson in the lineup will be the frosh phenom for the Bruins 1995 title team, Toby Bailey.  As a freshman, Bailey dropped in 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Arkansas the night UCLA won the schools 11th mens basketball national championship.  Now a sports agent, Bailey will share memories of being part of the last Bruin basketball team to win a title, and the only one without John Wooden as coach.

SSDL Podcast #30:  Thursday, April 30th

Guest:  Jimmy Lennon, Jr.. Hall of Fame Boxing Announcer (Part 3)

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Monday Features Author/Actor Dwier Brown of “If You Build It…”

FBL5 Tuesday Brings on More of the reality series “VBC”

FBL5 Wednesday Previews Midwest HS Football Story “Madison 212”

FBL5 Friday Line-up includes ’88 Dodgers Tim Leary and “Wizenard” Author Wesley King

April 19, 2020

90045 - Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) continues its quest to push quality content to the masses with Facebook Live shows on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  All live shows begin at 5:00pm PST.  On Thursday, April 23, the SSDL flagship video podcast, recently named “The Top Video Podcast in the Centinela Adobe Corridor”, will drop part 2 of 4 with world renown Hall of fame boxing announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.

On April 20, FBL5 Monday’s long form format welcomes actor and author Dwier Brown of “If You Build It…”, a funny and moving memoir about Fathers, Fate and the movie Field of Dreams. Brown played Kevin Costner’s father for five minutes at the end of the 1989 best picture nominated film, and those five minutes changed his life.  

FBL5 Tuesday will present the second episode in the ongoing weekly “reality style” re-telling of the unique and iconic volleyball tournament played in the backyards of Venice, CA, from 1983-1996, the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC).   

On April 22, FBL5 Wednesday, a show which puts the focus on high school to Olympic sports, will present a sneak preview of “Madison 212”, an upcoming four part SSDL video podcast that will publish in August.  “Madison 212” is the story of a Midwest town in northeast Ohio where a football coach uses a unique motivational approach to inspire his teams, the school and the community.

FBL5 Friday, which has caught fire as the “Friday Happy Hour Show of Record”, will put forward another eclectic and entertaining lineup.  Former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Tim Leary, who won 17 games for the Dodgers in 1988 and threw three scoreless innings in the infamous Game 1 of the World Series, will bring his championship ring to the party.  Also joining the Friday show in advance of his appearance on the FBL5 Monday show April 27 is Wesley King, the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of eleven novels, including “The Wizenard Series”.  King will discuss the series he wrote that was created by Kobe Bryant.

SSDL Podcast #28:  Thursday, April 23rd

Guest:  Jimmy Lennon, Jr.. Hall of Fame Boxing Announcer (Part 2)

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

SSDL adds Dwier Brown from “Field of Dreams” to the Line-up!

April 17, 2020

90045 - As if a Hall of Fame boxing announcer, a lightweight champion of the world, a Manchild and the host of the Lakers studio show were not enough, Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) added actor and author Dwier Brown to the impressive line-up of guests, Live on Facebook, Friday, April 17th at 5pm (PST) .  Brown played Kevin Costner’s father in the iconic film “Field of Dreams”, then wrote about the five minutes that changed his life.  Brown will follow up the FBL5 Friday spot with a long form interview on the FBL5 Monday show on April 20th.

Ding! Ding!…Ladies and Gentlemen:

SSDL FBL5:  Friday, April 17th @ 5:00pm:

https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast

Guests:  Jimmy Lennon, Jr., Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Schea Cotton, Chris “Geeter” McGee and Dwier Brown.

SSDL FBL5:  Monday, April 20th @ 5:00pm:

https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast 

Guest:  Dwier Brown, actor and author of “If You Build It…”

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Monday Launches with Eric Nusbaum, Tuesday with the Story of the VBC 

FBL5 Wednesday has AAU President Dr. Roger Goudy and Volleyball Star Kathryn Plummer 

FBL5 Friday Line-up includes Jimmy Lennon, Jr., Chris McGee and Schea Cotton

April 12, 2020

90045 - Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) is expanding the offering of content with Facebook Live shows on Monday and Tuesday in addition to Wednesday and Friday.  All live shows begin at 5:00pm PST.  On Thursday, the SSDL flagship video podcast will drop part 1 of 4 with world renown ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.

New programming will start the week off on FBL5 Monday.  Author Eric Nusbaum of “Stealing Home”, the story of Los Angeles and the building of Dodger Stadium, will do a long form interview.  FBL5 Tuesday will be the first of a weekly show that will present the story of the unique and iconic volleyball tournament played in the backyards of Venice, CA, from 1983-1996, the Venice Backyard Championships (VBC).    

On April 15, AAU President & CEO Dr. Roger Goudy will address the current state of play in the coronavirus era for the 700,000 member Amateur Athletic Union, one of the largest multi-sport organizations in the world.  Three-time NCAA champion and player of the year from Stanford University, Kathryn Plummer, will join the FBL5 Wednesday show for the first time to discuss her recent international travels.  

FBL5 Friday promises to be yet another wild show, as the “Happy Hour, Let if Fly” format will bring on Laker studio host Chris “Geeter” McGee and boxing Hall of Fame announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., who will promote the release of the four part interview with SSDL.  Schea Cotton will also join the FBL Friday line-up, he is the subject of a fascinating documentary, “Manchild, The Schea Cotton Story, A Dream Deferred.”  Cotton as a high school basketball player in the mid 1990’s was subjected to the kind of expectation and intense coverage that foreshadowed what LeBron James would face some 25 years later.

SSDL Podcast #28:  Thursday, April 16th

Guest:  Jimmy Lennon, Jr.. Hall of Fame Boxing Announcer 

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Wednesday Features CIF Sports and the Olympics

FBL5 Friday Hosts Rear Admiral Pittman and ESPN Anchor Neil Everett

90045 - Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) will feature a wide range of guest this week on two Facebook Live at Five (FBL5) episodes, while SSDL podcast episode #27, which drops on Thursday, features retired Navy Rear Admiral and sports diplomat Hal Pittman.  Pittman spent more that 20 years in military communication leadership roles around the world while concurrently launching sport diplomatic missions.  Rear Admiral Pittman, who today serves as the director of military and veteran engagement for Arizona Public Service, spoke with SSDL in January for the video podcast and will address the role of the military in the age of the coronavirus on the Friday FBL5 show. 

The Wednesday FBL5 show, which features stories ranging from high school sports to the Olympic Games, will return Loyola High School (Los Angeles) boys volleyball coach Mike Boehle to discuss the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cancellation of Spring Sports and the ramifications.  Ella Parker, a top-rated softball pitcher at Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks) will join SSDL for the first time.  Parker, who happens to be the niece of Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, will miss her debut season with NDHS this year, but is hopeful she will have some sort of club season later in the year.  Author and featured sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times, David Wharton, will jump on the Wednesday FBL5 show to discuss the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games moving to the summer of 2021.  The Associated Press award winning writer, making his first appearance on the show, has been at the forefront of the story since the coronavirus outbreak. 

ESPN anchor Neil Everett will lead an impressive lineup of guests on the Friday FBL5 show.  Everett, who hosts the Los Angeles based SportsCenter, has found national popularity with his unique style.  An ardent supporter of the military, Everett will follow Rear Admiral Pittman on the show, hosted in the 7428 Studio.  Author Eric Nusbaum of “Stealing Home”, about Los Angeles and the building of Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, will make his second appearance on Friday FBL5.  

Finally, SSDL will announce a new partner, My Stuff Bags Foundation, a non-profit that provides traumatized children with new belongings and new hope.  Janeen Holmes, CEO of the foundation, will make her first visit to Friday FBL5. 

SSDL FBL5:  Wednesday, April 8th @ 5:00pm:

https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast

Guests:  Mike Boehle (Loyola HS), Ella Parker (Notre Dame HS) and David Wharton (LA Times)

SSDL Podcast #27: Thursday, April 9th

Guest: Hal Pittman, Navy Rear Admiral, Retired

SSDL FBL5:  Friday, April 10th @ 5:00pm:

https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast

Guests:  Janeen Holmes (Philanthropist), Hal Pittman (Navy Rear Admiral, Retired), Neil Everett (ESPN) and Eric Nusbaum (Author).

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”

FBL5 Friday Show also includes Author Eric Nusbaum of “Stealing Home”

April 3, 2020

90045 - Two-time Kentucky Derby winning horse trainer Doug O’Neill will break from the gate, well, maybe his front gate at his home in Santa Monica, CA, as part of the line-up for tonight’s Friday Facebook Live at Five (FBL5).  The virtual show, which broadcasts live at 5:00pm (PST) on the Sports Stories with Denny Lennon (SSDL) Facebook page, will also include author Eric Nusbaum from Tacoma, Washington, recording artist Kipp Lennon from Venice, CA and veteran’s advocate Mike McKay from Wyandotte, Michigan. 

O’Neill, who trained, among many horses, I’ll Have Another, the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, will bring the audience up to speed on the current state of horse racing in the coronavirus era.  Nusbaum, a Culver City High School grad now living in Tacoma, has authored a book, Stealing Home, about the construction of Dodger Stadium in the Chavez Ravine and the lives caught in-between.  Lennon, a long time recording artist and lead singer with the band Venice, will relive times performing in major sport stadiums, while McKay, the founder of The Hero’s Movement, will provide an update on the organization that provides free athletic training to veterans of the armed forces suffering from mental or physical trauma.

And We’re Off!

SSDL FBL5:  Friday, April 3rd @ 5:00pm:

https://www.facebook.com/sportsstoriespodcast

Guests:  Doug O’Neill, Eric Nusbaum, Kipp Lennon and Mike McKay

SSDL Website: https://www.sportsstoriespodcast.com/  

• Denny Lennon is the Host of the Video Podcast, “Sports Stories with Denny Lennon”