Beyond The Game More Stories

Beyond The Game More Stories is not a sports podcast. It’s about preparing for life and the role sports plays for many of us. Athlete out not, everyone has worn a jersey - a job title, a relationship, etc. This shows highlights those universal moments. The stories are real. No scripted inspirations, just honest conversation from real people about failure, growth and purpose. People trust what feels real and this shows earns that trust. Turning sports into life lessons it reminds us, you’re not broken for struggling, you’re not far behind for starting over and you’re not alone in the process.

Beyond The Game More Stories is a sports podcast hosted by Duane Lightfoot Jr, with 29 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Duane Lightfoot Jr hosts Beyond The Game More Stories, a sports show with 29 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #30

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Episode 30 | Featuring Terry Johnson (Coach University of Evansville)

  Sep 28, 20261h 29mS1

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Featuring Terry Johnson (AssociateHead's Men’s Basketball Coach at University of Evansville) Coach Terry Johnson: Winning, Relationships& Lessons Beyond Basketball | Beyond The Game More Stories On this episode of Beyond The Game More Stories ,we sit down with University of Evansville Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Terry Johnson for a conversation that goes far beyond X’s andO’s. Coach Johnson has spent his career around winningbasketball, with coaching stops at Butler, Ohio State, Purdue, and nowEvansville . Along the way, he has coached on some of collegebasketball’s biggest stages, helped develop countless student-athletes, andlearned that coaching is about much more than what happens between the lines. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: -Coach Johnson’s journey from athlete to coach-His background as a multi-sport college athlete in basketball and baseball-His years at Butler and being part of the program’s historic rise-Experiencing Final Fours and national championship runs-Coaching at Purdue and being part of one of the most successful stretches inprogram history-His decision to join the University of Evansville and help build the next chapter of Purple Aces basketball-Why relationships are one of the most important parts of coaching -The difference between simply coaching a player and truly connecting with them -Holding athletes accountable while still letting them know you care -Player development and understanding that growth doesn’t happen overnight -Recognizing opportunities and being willing to take the next step in your journey-The impact coaches can have on young people long after their playing careers are over -The life lessons basketball has taught him along the way Coach Johnson’s journey is a reminder that success isn’t just about the games you win — it’s about the relationships you build, the people you impact, and who you become along the way. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE NOW! If you enjoy the conversation: LIKE the video COMMENT with your biggest takeaway from Coach Johnson SUBSCRIBE to Beyond The Game More Stories and turn onnotifications SHARE this episode with an athlete, coach, parent, or someonewho could benefit from Coach Johnson’s message FOLLOW the podcast on your favorite podcast platform Visit BTGMS.com for more episodes andinformation. #BeyondTheGameMoreStories #TerryJohnson #EvansvilleBasketball #PurpleAces#CollegeBasketball #ButlerBasketball #PurdueBasketball #OhioStateBasketball#BasketballCoach #Coaching #LifeLessons #Leadership #PlayerDevelopment#Mentorship #StudentAthlete #BasketballLife #BeyondTheGame

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #29

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Episode 29 | Featuring Lavall Jordan (Coach DePaul University)

  Sep 21, 20261h 11mS1

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Featuring Lavall Jordan (Coach DePaul University) On this episode of Beyond The Game More Stories , Duane Lightfoot Jr. sits down with LaVall Jordan for a conversation about basketball, coaching, leadership, adversity, and the life lessons learned throughout his journey. LaVall’s basketball story has allowed him to experience the game from nearly every perspective — as a college athlete, professional player, assistant coach, head coach, mentor, and leader. But this conversation goes beyond wins, losses, and what happens on the court. We talk about the experiences that shaped him, the people who influenced his journey, and what basketball has taught him about navigating life when things don’t go according to plan. ️ IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: Growing up and falling in love with basketball His playing career at Butler University and helping build the foundation for the program’s success The lessons he learned as a player that eventually shaped the way he coached Making the transition from playing basketball to coaching it Learning from different coaches, programs, personalities, and leadership styles 〽️ His years at Michigan and being part of a program competing on college basketball’s biggest stages Getting his first opportunity to become a college head coach Returning to Butler as the head coach of his alma mater ❤️ What it means to coach and develop young people beyond basketball Handling expectations, pressure, success, and failure What happens when an opportunity or chapter ends before you are ready for it to end Separating your identity from your title or position Responding to adversity and continuing to move forward ‍‍‍ Balancing coaching, family, and life The lessons basketball has taught LaVall that apply far beyond the game What success means to him today LaVall’s journey is another reminder that the game may end, the job may change, and the path may look different than you expected — but the lessons stay with you. ▶️ Watch the full episode and join the conversation. If you enjoy the episode: LIKE the video COMMENT with the biggest lesson you took away SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for future episodes SHARE this episode with a coach, athlete, parent, or someone who needs to hear LaVall’s story ️ Beyond The Game More Stories Everyone has a story someone needs to hear. The game may end, but the lessons don’t. Visit BTGMS.com for more episodes and information. #BeyondTheGameMoreStories #LaVallJordan #ButlerBasketball #CollegeBasketball #BasketballCoach #LifeLessons #Coaching #Leadership #Mentorship #StudentAthlete #BasketballLife #BeyondTheGame

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Beyond The Game More Stories

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Episode 28 | Featuring Keith Mondillo (Head's Women's Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at Gwynedd Mercy University)

  Sep 14, 20261h 40m

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Featuring Keith Mondillo (Head's Women's Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at Gwynedd Mercy University) What do parents and young athletes really need to know about the college recruiting process? In this episode of Beyond The Game More Stories, I sit down with longtime college basketball coach, athletic director, and recruiting educator Keith Mondillo for a conversation that every family with an athlete hoping to play at the next level should hear. Coach Mondillo has spent more than three decades inside college athletics as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics at Gwynedd Mercy University. During his coaching career, he has accumulated more than 500 victories, won seven conference championships, made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, and helped develop generations of student-athletes. His impact extends far beyond the basketball court. As an athletic director, Keith has helped oversee tremendous growth in his athletic department, including the addition of numerous sports, expansion of the department’s staff, and development of new athletic facilities. Now, he’s taking everything he has learned from sitting on the other side of the recruiting table and helping athletes and parents better understand the process. Through Keith Mondillo Coaching, he has developed resources including The Athletic Recruiting Roadmap, The Parent’s Recruiting Survival Guide, The Athletic Recruiting Email Playbook, The Athletic Recruiting Q&A Playbook, The Early Years Playbook, recruiting workshops, individual coaching programs, and his FREE College Recruiting Jumpstart Pack. IN THIS CONVERSATION WE TALK ABOUT: -His journey into college coaching and becoming an athletic director -Building and sustaining a successful college basketball program -What college coaches are REALLY looking for when evaluating athletes -The role social media plays in recruiting -When and how athletes should begin communicating with college coaches -The parent’s role in the recruiting process—and when parents may be doing too much -Recruiting red flags that athletes and parents should recognize -Understanding the differences between levels of college athletics and finding the right fit -Why families shouldn’t assume an athletic scholarship is the only path to making college affordable -Why waiting too long to understand recruiting can put athletes behind -Why Keith created his recruiting resources and the biggest mistakes he sees families making And most importantly, we discuss why recruiting shouldn't simply be about getting ANY opportunity—it should be about finding the RIGHT opportunity. Keith has spent decades recruiting athletes, evaluating talent, building teams, talking with families, and making the same decisions young athletes are trying to influence today. This episode gives families an opportunity to hear what the recruiting process looks like from someone who has actually been sitting on the other side of the table. DON’T JUST HOPE TO GET RECRUITED. LEARN HOW THE PROCESS WORKS. Check out Coach Keith Mondillo’s recruiting resources, including his FREE Recruiting Jumpstart Pack. SUBSCRIBE to Beyond The Game More Stories LIKE this episode if you found it valuable. COMMENT BELOW: What is the biggest question you have about college recruiting? SHARE THIS EPISODE with a young athlete, parent, coach, or family currently navigating the recruiting process. Because the game may end, but the lessons don’t. Everyone has a story someone needs to hear. #BeyondTheGameMoreStories #KeithMondillo #CollegeRecruiting #AthleticRecruiting #StudentAthlete #CollegeAthletics #RecruitingTips #NCAA #CollegeBasketball #YouthSports #SportsParents #HighSchoolAthlete #BasketballRecruiting #RecruitingAdvice #MoreThanAnAthlete

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #27

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Episode 27 | Featuring John Groce (Charleston Head Men's Basketball Coach)

  Sep 7, 20261h 38mS1

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Featuring John Groce (Charleston Head Men's Basketball Coach)From coaching me during my freshman year at Butler to becoming the head coach at Charleston, John Groce’s journey has been built on relationships, perseverance, leadership, and winning.In this episode, Coach Groce and I reconnect to talk about where our paths first crossed at Butler and the lessons we both carried forward from those early years. We discuss his evolution as a coach, the unforgettable 2010 NCAA Tournament run at Ohio, building championship programs, and the difficult decision to leave Akron after winning three straight conference tournament championships and four of the last five.Coach Groce also opens up about starting over at Charleston, how his definition of success has changed, developing young men beyond basketball, handling expectations, and the lessons he has learned through the highs and lows of a career in coaching.And because this one is personal, we reflect on our own relationship and what it means to reconnect more than two decades after our time together at Butler.The game may end, but the lessons don’t.Watch the full episode, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, LIKE the video, and COMMENT with the biggest lesson you took from Coach Groce’s story.Follow Beyond The Game More Stories for more conversations with athletes, coaches, and others whose experiences prove that everyone has a story someone needs to hear.#BeyondTheGameMoreStories #JohnGroce #CharlestonBasketball #CollegeBasketball #ButlerBasketball #MarchMadness #Coaching #Leadership #LifeLessons #Basketball

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #26

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Episode 26 | Featuring Brian Thornton (Former D1 and Professional Basketball Player and Chief Basketball Officer of Big 12 Conference)

  Aug 31, 20261h 4mS1

  Beyond The Game More Stories | Featuring Brian Thornton (Former D1 and Professional Basketball Player and Chief Basketball Officer of Big 12 Conference) From player to coach to conference commissioner to one of the most influential leaders in college basketball, Brian Thornton’s journey has allowed him to experience the game from nearly every angle.On this episode of Beyond The Game More Stories, Brian joins us to talk about growing up in Louisville, his path from Vanderbilt to Xavier, becoming an Academic All-American, playing professionally overseas, and making the transition from playing to coaching and eventually into athletic administration. Today, Brian serves as Chief Basketball Officer for the Big 12 Conference, helping shape the future of one of college basketball’s premier conferences.We also dive into the lessons behind his journey—the decisions, relationships, challenges, and opportunities that helped take him from the court to the executive level. Brian shares his perspective on leadership, the changing landscape of college athletics, the transfer portal, NIL, the business of college basketball, and what the future of the sport could look like. This conversation is about much more than basketball. It’s about growth, adaptability, relationships, leadership, and being prepared when opportunity arrives. ️ The game may end, but the lessons don’t. Subscribe to Beyond The Game More Stories, like the episode, and share it with an athlete, coach, parent, or sports fan who needs to hear Brian’s story. #BeyondTheGameMoreStories #BrianThornton #Big12 #CollegeBasketball #XavierBasketball #VanderbiltBasketball #NCAA #NIL #TransferPortal #Leadership #Basketball #SportsPodcast #LifeLessons #BeyondTheGame

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Beyond The Game More Stories. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.