Welcome to the One and One Podcast, where a below average podcaster chats with an above average athlete. Join me, Bridget B., on my quest to get the stories of athletes who have worked just as hard, and have just as many compelling stories, but were not the ones featured on SportsCenter every day.
Niko Spezial played baseball at Wake Forest University from 2010-2013. Afterwards, he was drafted in the 19th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft by the Washington Nationals and played Minor League Baseball in the New York-Pennsylvania League and the Gulf Coasts League in 2013. He talks about growing up in Northern New Jersey, how he got into baseball, and his decision to attend Don Bosco Prep for high school. Niko details his great high school baseball career where he pitched for a program that was ranked number 1 in the country and won a National Championship. Then, he describes getting drafted in the 2009 MLB Draft, his decision to attend college, and the recruiting process that led him to choose Wake Forest. Niko discusses the coaches he committed to leaving two weeks before he got to campus, his decision to stay, what it was like playing for Head Coach Tom Walter, the competitive baseball in the Atlantic Coast Conference, being a bullpen pitcher, and his highlights over his four years. Finally, he talks about getting drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2013, his time playing in the Minor Leagues, his decision to move on from baseball after 2013, and what he's been up to over the past ten years.
26 Mar 2024
Danny Spond
Danny Spond played football at the University of Notre Dame from 2010-2012. Prior to his Senior season, he had to medically retire from the sport due to debilitating migraines but he stayed on with the team for the 2013 season. Danny talks about growing up in Littleton, Colorado, getting into football at a young age, and being on a dominate Little League Football team as a kid. He describes what it was like to attend Columbine High School and how special the community is. He details his great Columbine Football career, how good of a program it is, playing many positions, and missing his final games as a senior due to a concussion. Then, he explains why he committed to Notre Dame, his transition to college football, what it was like the first time he put on a jersey, and the team's trying first two seasons. He details his first experiences with migraines prior to the 2012 season, getting cleared to play, and starting every game he played in as Notre Dame went undefeated in the regular season and played for the National Championship. Danny then discusses how the migraines came back prior to his senior season, how debilitating they were, his guess at what caused them, and the very hard decision to medically retire from the sport of football. Finally, he talks about his student coach position for the 2013 season, working with the linebackers, traveling to his home state of Colorado for a game against Air Force, still being a big fan of Notre Dame football today, and his great life with his wife and three children.
12 Mar 2024
Steph Cruz
Steph Cruz played volleyball at Fairfield University from 2009-2012 and currently has her purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She talks about growing up in Midland Park, NJ, getting into sports through her late father, her great high school career at Immaculate Heart Academy, and what it was like to play through her senior season as her father passed away. She describes her recruiting process, why she chose Fairfield, her transition from high school to college volleyball, and playing in the MAAC. Steph discusses her career at Fairfield, learning to be a great role player and teammate, winning a MAAC Conference Tournament, and playing in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Then, she talks about moving down to South Carolina a few years after college, how she got involved in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, earning her purple belt, the intense training schedule, teaching classes, and her goal of continuing to compete throughout her life.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
52 ratings
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