Elite Team Athletics Podcast

#31 - Courtney Boylan Douglass

All Minnesotans know the name Courtney Boylan, the former Miss Minnesota Basketball Star hopped on the show to tell us about her crazy basketball journey. Courtney was a prolific scorer and fiesty competitor growing up but one thing made college coaches skeptical about committing to her, that was her size, but that did not deter Courtney, she kept kicking ass and taking names. This got her a scholarship to play for the University of Michigan where she went on to have a very successful college career. After college, Courtney began coaching but longed to be near her husband who played overseas in Israel, so she decided quit coaching and to pack up everything and move to Israel with him. After many obstacles about obtaining her citizenship in Israel and a catastrophic knee injury, Courtney is now living out her dream of playing Professional Basketball. An incredible story, must listen!

#30 - Lawrence "Mac Irv" Mckenzie

North Minneapolis Legend, Gopher Great, Recording Artist, Lawrence "Mac Irv" McKenzie  hopped on the show to discuss his personal journey with us. From starting his own rap group with friends in the neighborhood at the age of 9, to accepting the challenges that came with being coached by his father in high school basketball, winning NOT 1, NOT 2 OR 3, BUT 4 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! Making the decision to not pursue the Minnesota Gophers initially and choosing the University of Oklahoma, injuries, transferring to Minnesota, overseas and NBA D-League opportunities and when the decision came that he was ready to hang up the shoes and fully transition over to being an artist. A nice little tid bit about the late great Kobe Bryant getting his hair cut at Mac’s locker, hair all over the place… A must listen!

#29 - Charlie Danielson

4 time All-American, 4 time Big Ten Champ, and PGA Golfer Charlie Danielson hopped on the show with us to talk about his career in the PGA. What practice habits of a professional golfer are like, tricks he recommends doing to improve your game. All of his accomplishments through the sport from high school to the pros. How golf has helped him travel the world. How crazy it was to be paired with Phil Mickelson at the US Open. The nerves and pressure he was facing in that situation. And how he stays positive and driven through a chronic knee injury. Must Listen!

#28 - Marcus Alipate

SBL Champ, SBL All-Star, Professional Basketball Player and True You Founder Marcus Alipate hopped on the show with us! Marcus is a very inspirational person and through his unique journey he’s been able to affect many lives all over the world due to your ability of putting a ball through a hoop, how crazy is that?! Marcus discusses what it was like coming from a big family, his father playing in the NFL, growing up around professional athletes his whole life, which in turn helped him with his work ethic. How all of his siblings are great athletes. Marcus discusses how he passed up D1 offers to play at a D3 school (University of St. Thomas) and what that recruiting process was like. Marcus discusses the uphill battle from playing D3 hoops to finally getting his chance to play professionally and running with it. Going on to represent his native land Tongan on the Tongan National team, and winning their first bronze in the FIBA Polynesian Cup. Marcus also, talked about his entrepreneurial aspirations which led him to start his own clothing line True You. A must listen!

#27 - Jalen Riley

We had the pleasure of speaking with Jalen Riley, professional basketball player that recently played in the Jeep Elite League in France. We opened up with a little bit about Jalen’s youth in Racine, WI. Jalen talked about how his natural ability in soccer helped him expand his basketball game. We then transition into his high school experience and the transition from Racine Park to crosstown rival Racine Case. How Jalen didn’t have the normal AAU experience and how he wouldn’t have had one at all if not for all the mom’s fundraising to put the team together, and how they were able to raise enough money to play in 3 major tournaments, in front of coaches Roy Williams and Tom Izzo. And even though Jalen had great games, due to his size he wasn’t receiving the type of interest he wanted. This is where the story gets interesting, Jalen shares his rollercoaster experience where he went from a Division 2 Junior College to Division 1 Junior College then onto Atlantic Sun Newcomer of the Year! From there, we talk about his professional career and his first stop for training camp with NBA D-League Memphis Grizzlies affiliate Iowa Energy, his short trip to Spain, his following season in Slovakia, Iceland where he had a few clashes with the coach, and the breakout season in Lithuania where he got the opportunity to be himself and EARN a shot to play in a top league in France where Jalen just finished competing for Cholet Basket.

#26 - Raymond Cowels

We had the pleasure of having professional basketball player, former Santa Clara Alum and Minnesota’s own Raymond Cowels on the show with us to talk about his basketball journey. Ray discusses what it was like to play on arguably the greatest high school basketball team Minnesota has ever seen, the 5 starters on that team were D1 athletes: Raymond Cowels (Santa Clara), Royce White (Minnesota, Iowa State), Marcus Williams (NDSU Football), Mike Broghammer (Notre Dame) and Trent Lockett (Arizona State). How he honed in his shooting in college becoming a 1,000 point scorer. And then the trials and tribulations of going pro. Being drafted in the D-League, playing with the Memphis Grizzlies in the summer league. Traveling the world playing basketball overseas. If there is one word I could use to describe Raymond Cowels, it would be resilient. I hope he comes back on the show in the future because I know he has a lot of stories that he still hasn’t told! A must listen!

#25 - Michael Bruesewitz

Today’s show features the greatest hair to ever come out of the Big Ten, thee Mike Bruesewitz, former Wisconsin Badger, and current professional basketball player. This episode goes in depth about the crazy experience overseas Mike had with Covid-19. From how he found out, to how the season ended, to his flight back to the states, and how his family hooked him up with an air bnb so he could isolate for 14 days. Also, Mike discusses how he thinks overseas basketball will be changed moving forward. How he believes a lot of lower tier teams will have to fold, and thus creating a bigger boom in the G League in the states. A cool side bar is stories Mike has heard about Mob bosses running teams overseas and threatening to hurt players instead of paying them their salary. One of these mob bosses may or may not be a former Timberwolf… A must listen!

#24 - CJ Smith

Professional Football Player, Minnesota Great, and NDSU Legend, CJ Smith hopped on the show to discuss his NFL journey. CJ discusses how his recruiting process through high school was not ideal, how it was tough for him to get looks even though individually he played stellar but as a team, his high school didn't play very well. How he went from losing in high school to becoming a 5x National Champ at NDSU. How his relationship with Marcus Williams helped push him to develop into a shut down corner with tremendous ball skills. The transition from college to the NFL and playing special teams to make sure he held on to his roster spot. The mental aspect one has to have to constantly stay focused and positive while being on the roster bubble. What one on one battles in practice against Alshon Jefferey, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton & Demaryius Thomas were like. Also, CJ discusses his passion for real estate and how he wants to give back to the community teaching people how to manage their money and build credit. And once you have credit how to use home loans to create home equity. A must listen!

#23 - John Crockett

Professional Football Player, All-American, Totino Grace Great and NDSU Legend, John Crockett hopped on the show to discuss his incredible football journey. Relives some of his illustrious multi sport high school career. How basketball was his first love, and how he will wreck anybody on the court to this day. How academics effected where he ended up at college and how going to NDSU changed him for the better. Once he figured out everything in the classroom he was able to shine on the gridiron. And that he wish NDSU got the chance to show down with the powerhouse Alabama Crimson tide. Being invited to the Combine and being on ESPN draft TV show. Some hilarious stories, like Clay Matthews rocking him in practice after they were trash talking. Or the time he didn't realize he was talking to Melvin Gordon at a local bar. Or the time Crock's life changed when he met LeBron James. Not to mention all his stories of past teammates and friends around the league Aaron Rodgers, Marshawn Lynch, Todd Gurley, and many more...  Crock has one of the brightest personalities in all of sports. A must listen, you won't regret it!

 

 

#22 - Mark Esch

We had the pleasure of having Author and Head Coach, Mark Esch on this episode. Mark follows these three pillars in his life; faith, family and football. He attributes these to his success on and off the field. Also, Mark goes in depth about how his coaching career began, how he got the job at Mankato and the disappointed reactions most locals had about someone from a small town with a small resume taking over such a prominent program within the community. But how over the years he won the town over and is now rejoiced. Mark's coaching career has been amazing, 107-22 in 11 years as a head coach, 9 state appearances, 2 state titles. Recently, Mark authored the book Rise of the Warriors, a book about coaching leadership. The book is about how Carl Fruechte (NFL player Isaac Fruechte's father) took a toxic program (drinking, drugs, bullying, hazing) and turned it around and created not just high-profile people but people of high character as well. Mark also, goes in depth on how an odd turn of events in his family (work related) caused him to sit down and write this book. We strongly recommend giving this book a read, and of course this podcast a listen. Coach Mark Esch is a story of resilience.