On The Ball with Andrew Maraniss
"On The Ball with Andrew Maraniss" is a captivating podcast that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and politics through thought-provoking conversations. Hosted by Andrew Maraniss, bestselling author and director of the Vanderbilt Sports & Society Initiative, the podcast features a diverse lineup of guests—including athletes, authors, activists, and thought leaders—who bring unique perspectives on topics ranging from sports history and social justice to personal resilience and current events. Whether you're a sports fan, history buff, or curious thinker, "On The Ball" is your ticket to meaningful dialogue and inspiring storytelling.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
63 episodes
Episode 64: Nick Cormier
Nick Cormier, founder and editor-in-chief of “The Fabric of Culture,” joins the show to discuss the connections between athletes, marketing, and fashion. As one apparel company founder said recently, “Sports stars are the new Hollywood stars.”&...
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35:44
Episode 63: Courtney M. Cox, Perry B. Johnson & Joanna K. Love
From the third panel in our Sports & Activism symposium, Courtney M. Cox, professor at Oregon, Perry B. Johnson, professor at Southern Cal, and Joanna K. Love, professor at Richmond, lead a presentation on the connections between sports, mu...
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1:07:30
Episode 62: Jesus Ortiz, Adrian Burgos Jr., Janelly Farias & Sara Toussaint
As part of our second annual sports and activism symposium conducted in partnership with the James Lawson Institute, Jesus Ortiz of Our Esquina.com hosted a session on the state of Latino athlete activism. Joining Jesus are professor Adrian Bur...
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56:28
Episode 61: Yussuf Khan, Chris Kluwe, Johanna Mellis, Lou Moore & Aquasia Shaw
Yussuf Khan, founder of FirstandPen.com, leads a discussion on the current state of athlete activism at both the professional and collegiate levels. Joining him are Michigan State professor and author Lou Moore, former NFL player Chris Kluwe, B...
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1:10:24
Episode 60: Courtney Cox
University of Oregon professor Courtney M. Cox joins the show to discuss her new book, “Double Crossover: Gender, Media, and Politics in Global Basketball.” The book “considers how Black women and non-binary athletes maneuver through the global...
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45:36
Episode 59: Kurt Page
Former Vanderbilt quarterback Kurt Page, the first SEC QB to throw for 3,000 yards in a season (1983), joins us from Europe to discuss his experience as the quarterback coach for the Wroclaw Panthers in Poland and how the opportunity has expand...
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29:56
Episode 58: Rob Chura
Former Vanderbilt placekicker Rob Chura joins the show to discuss his recent trip to the US-Mexico border. A football coach, teacher, and director of Global Education at Saint Louis University High School in Missouri, Chura took a group of stud...
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29:51
Episode 57: Michael Fletcher
ESPN Senior Writer Michael Fletcher joins On The Ball to discuss his recent article on legendary sports sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards. Fletcher calls Edwards, 82, “arguably the strongest advocate for Black athletes in history.” Battling cancer,...
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47:46
Episode 56: Adam Burns, Ethan Schulman, and Dylan Tovitz
Members of the Sports Business & Analytics student organization at Vanderbilt discuss their 2nd place finish at the SABR Case Competition in Phoenix and the purpose & work of their club.
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45:42
Episode 55: Geoff Macdonald
Geoff Macdonald, the former national championship-winning women’s tennis coach at Vanderbilt and the real-life “Most Interesting Man in the World,” joins the show.
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50:02
Episode 54: Dave Sheinin
Washington Post sportswriter Dave Sheinin discusses his recent three-part series, “Beautyball.” The analytics movement helped revolutionize sports. But now the all-consuming influence of those efforts is being blamed for harming the aesthetics ...
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34:13
Episode 53: Bob Kendrick
Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of the Museum, the incredible success introducing Black baseball history to kids through a partnership with the MLB The Show v...
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40:21
Episode 52: Chris Kluwe
Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe made headlines recently when he was arrested after engaging in civil disobedience in his hometown of Huntington Beach, Calif., following his remarks at a city council meeting. Kluwe has been an outspoken advocate f...
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49:58
Episode 51: Tim Gay
Author Tim Gay joins the show to discuss his new book on PGA star Rory McIlroy: “Roryland: The Up and Down World of Golf’s Global Icon."
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26:48
Episode 50: Steve Dittmore
Author Steve Dittmore joins the show to discuss new book “Jim Gilliam: Forgotten Dodger,” on the Black Nashville native who succeeded Jackie Robinson at second base in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ infield and became a mainstay with the franchise as a ...
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43:09
Episode 49: Rex Chapman
Former Kentucky and NBA basketball star Rex Chapman joins the show to discuss his bestselling memoir, the traps that come with success and failure in life and basketball, and his recovery from opioid and gambling addiction.
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1:13:05
Episode 48: Dr. Tess Kilwein
Clinical and Sports Psychologist on their recent article in Psychology Today on "Sexual Violence Prevention in Sport"
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33:43
Episode 47: Gabriel Torres Colon and John Sloop
Vanderbilt professors Gabriel Torres Colon and John Sloop join the show to discuss the introduction of a new Sports & Society minor at the university.
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37:29
Episode 46: Megan Chopra
Megan Chopra, a high school student at Sidwell Friends in Washington, D.C., has written a book she hopes will inspire girls and illuminate the stories of women working in sports. The book is titled “Redefining the Field: The Triumphs and Tribul...
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24:49
Episode 45: Jesus Ortiz and Erik Sherman
Journalist Jesus Ortiz and author Erik Sherman join the show to discuss the life and legacy of former Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away Oct. 22 at the age of 63. Ortiz, founder of OurEsquina.com, credits his sportswriting career...
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33:08
Episode 44: LJ Rader
LJ Rader is the mind behind the popular Art But Make It Sports social media accounts. The 2011 Vanderbilt graduate joins us to discuss a hobby, matching sports moments with works of fine art, that has gone wildly viral.
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34:40
Episode 43: Pat Toomay and Christie Hauck
Former Vanderbilt football players Pat Toomay and Christie Hauck starred in the Commodores’ 14-10 win over Alabama in 1969. Up until Oct. 6, 2024, it was the last time Vanderbilt beat the Crimson Tide in Nashville. Toomay and Hauck share memori...
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45:40
Episode 42: Lou Moore
Historian and author Lou Moore joins the show to discuss his acclaimed new book: “The Great Black Hope: Doug Williams, Vince Evans, and the Making of the Black Quarterback"
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47:46