The Monarchists

The Monarchists, Mike and Aaron, sit down with Old Dominion University (ODU) alums, athletes and coaches (current and former) to discuss the school, their experiences and how their lives have been impacted by the school and their athletic programs.

The Monarchists is a sports podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 265 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Monarchists, a sports show with 265 episodes published.

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  Episode #142

  Kent Bazemore: ODU Glory Days, NBA Stories & Why Monarch Nation Can Rise Again

  Aug 12, 20261h 11mS4

  Old Dominion legend Kent Bazemore joins The Monarchists for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable journey from a tiny North Carolina town to ODU basketball and a decade in the NBA. Baze takes us back to the beginning — arriving at Old Dominion as a raw 164-pound redshirt, battling his way up the depth chart, becoming one of college basketball’s elite defenders, winning championships and helping create one of the greatest eras in Monarch basketball history. Then we head to the NBA. Kent tells us how an undrafted opportunity with Golden State changed his life, why he embraced being the best teammate he could be even when he wasn’t playing, what it was like sharing locker rooms with Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and why those 60-win Atlanta Hawks were so special. And yes, there are stories. The infamous Warriors popcorn-car prank. His first encounter with Kobe. Battling LeBron. The heartbreak of Butler. Life as a Laker. His Atlanta years. Going back to the G League after a decade in the NBA. And how golf became much more than another sport. Kent also gets candid about fatherhood, burnout, life after the NBA, what he wants to do next in basketball, and why he believes Old Dominion can build something special again. For Monarch Nation, this one is personal. Like. Subscribe. Share it with a Monarch. Go Monarchs! #ODU #OldDominion #KentBazemore #ODUBasketball #MonarchNation #NBA #CollegeBasketball #TheMonarchists Chapters 00:00 – Welcome, Kent Bazemore 01:00 – From a Town of 300 to Old Dominion 04:00 – Why Baze Chose ODU 06:00 – The Redshirt Year That Changed Everything 09:00 – Humility, Development & Not Skipping Steps 12:00 – The ODU Teammates Who Made Him Better 15:00 – Becoming an Elite Defender 19:00 – The ODU-VCU Rivalry & Richmond Coliseum 21:00 – When the Monarchs Knew They Were Good 24:00 – The Game Kent Still Remembers 27:00 – BAZE: Explain This Photo 28:00 – Butler Heartbreak & Getting Even With Brad Stevens 29:00 – The Infamous Warriors Popcorn Prank 30:00 – Becoming a Laker & Meeting Kobe Bryant 33:00 – Undrafted: How He Made the NBA 35:00 – The Art of the Chase-Down Block 38:00 – Guarding the Best Players on Earth 40:00 – Battling LeBron James 43:00 – Why the 60-Win Atlanta Hawks Were Special 46:00 – What Atlanta Meant Beyond Basketball 48:00 – Why Kent Fell in Love With Golf 51:00 – Golf vs. Basketball: Which Has More Pressure? 54:00 – Why He Went Back to the G League 58:00 – Fatherhood & Being Present 1:00:00 – Looking Back on an Incredible Basketball Life 1:03:00 – What Kent Bazemore Is Doing Now 1:07:00 – Steph Curry to Boston?! 1:10:00 – Kent’s Message to Monarch Nation

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  Episode #141

  In The Lion's Den S3E1 | ODU Men's Soccer 2026: Bigger, Deeper & Ready to Win

  Aug 10, 20261 hourS4

  Season 3 of In The Lion's Den is here — and we're kicking it off with the entire ODU Men's Soccer coaching crew. Head Coach Tennant McVea is joined by assistant coaches Josh Spencer and Nathan Jones for our complete preview of the 2026 Old Dominion Men's Soccer season. The Monarchs have added another deep recruiting class with talent from Virginia, across the country and around the world. We break down the newcomers, how they fit what ODU wants to become, the returners who have taken another step, and why size, athleticism and character were priorities in building this roster. Then we get to the bigger question: What should ODU Soccer look like in 2026? After a season filled with games decided on a knife edge, McVea talks about turning competitiveness into wins, finding consistency and putting Old Dominion back into the NCAA Tournament conversation. We also dive into: • The 2026 recruiting class • ODU's growing international recruiting network • The goalkeeper competition • Why the Monarchs got bigger and more physical • How the coaching staff divides responsibilities • Sports science, load management and performance data • Which returners could take the next step • The toughest games on the 2026 schedule • West Virginia, Elon and the Royal Rivalry with JMU • The NCAA's new coach's challenge system • The new eight-second goalkeeper rule • Why different college soccer balls actually matter • Which ODU coach is most likely to cost Tennant a yellow card • ODU's new recovery space and athletic dining facility • Why Norfolk itself has become an increasingly strong recruiting pitch Plus, Josh gives us the story of following England around during the World Cup — even if it wasn't exactly the most financially responsible month of his life. The first chance to see the 2026 Monarchs is Friday, August 14 at 4 PM when ODU hosts American in a FREE exhibition at the ODU Soccer Complex. Welcome back to the Lion's Den. Subscribe to The Monarchists for ODU athletics coverage all year long. Go Monarchs! ODUMonarchists.com #ODUSoccer #OldDominion #GoMonarchs #SunBeltSoccer #BeAMonarchist CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Season 3 00:48 What's Changed Around ODU Soccer? 03:00 Josh Spencer's World Cup Adventure 04:40 How the ODU Coaching Staff Works 07:30 Sports Science, Data & Load Management 09:20 Meet the 2026 Recruiting Class 10:30 The Goalkeeper Battle 13:45 ODU's Nottingham Connection 17:00 Adding Size, Experience & International Talent 19:00 Building the Commonwealth Cup 20:30 Why ODU Got Bigger in 2026 23:20 More New Faces Join the Monarchs 26:30 Winning Virginia in Recruiting 28:00 Building the Next Generation 31:00 Roar & Pour + Back to Soccer 32:00 Which Returners Took the Biggest Step? 34:00 What Should ODU Soccer Look Like in 2026? 36:00 Turning Close Games Into Wins 38:20 Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule 39:20 NCAA's New Coach's Challenge Rule 42:45 When Do You Use a Challenge? 44:20 ODU's Sideline Replay Strategy 46:00 The New 8-Second Goalkeeper Rule 48:00 Does the Soccer Ball Actually Matter? 50:00 Which Coach Will Get the Most Yellow Cards? 51:15 The ONE Game You Need to Attend 54:20 What Makes ODU Stand Out to Recruits? 57:00 Norfolk's Underrated Recruiting Advantage 59:30 Final Thoughts + Go Monarchs

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  Episode #140

  From Monarchs to Mentors | Ian Rapanick & Tyler Burns

  Aug 6, 202658 minS4

  Two ODU journeys. One small-town football family. A mission much bigger than wins and losses. Perquimans County High School Head Coach Ian Rapanick and Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach Tyler Burns join Aaron and Mike to discuss how their paths crossed at Old Dominion and eventually brought them back together on the same coaching staff. Tyler shares how a California kid who was once too big to play youth football traveled across the country to become an offensive lineman at ODU. Ian explains how he went from working in the Monarchs’ equipment room to becoming a student assistant, learning the profession and eventually accepting his first head-coaching position at just 23 years old. The coaches also take us inside football at Perquimans County: • The unique small-town atmosphere on Friday nights • Building a seventh-through-ninth-grade developmental program • Blending the shotgun Wing-T with concepts learned at ODU • Helping overlooked players navigate college recruiting • Identifying offensive linemen in approximately 15 seconds • The lessons Ian learned after becoming a head coach too early • Why relationships, mentorship and family define their program • The rivalry game every ODU fan should make the trip to see • Where to eat before kickoff in Hertford This conversation is about football, but it is really about the responsibility coaches have to develop young men, support their community and create relationships that last long after the final whistle. Subscribe to The Monarchists for more conversations with the players, coaches and personalities who make up Monarch Nation. Visit ODUMonarchists.com for complete ODU athletics coverage. Follow The Monarchists: X: @ODUMonarchists Facebook: @ODUMonarchists Instagram: @ODUMonarchists This episode is presented by the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation. Because of you, we create winners in the classroom, in athletic competition and in life. Become a member today. CHAPTERS 00:00 ODAF and episode introduction 01:00 Ian and Tyler’s football beginnings 03:00 Their different paths to Old Dominion 06:00 Reuniting at Perquimans County 08:00 Understanding the local football conference 12:00 Friday nights in Perquimans County 18:00 Becoming a head coach at 23 20:00 Ian’s coaching journey back to Perquimans 24:00 Building the varsity and developmental programs 31:00 Identifying offensive linemen and building an offense 32:00 Mixing the shotgun Wing-T with ODU concepts 35:00 Recruiting players from a small community 41:00 Why Tyler Burns became a coach 44:00 Why Ian Rapanick loves coaching 49:00 Creating a family and brotherhood 55:00 The must-see rivalry game 56:00 Where to eat before kickoff 57:00 Closing thoughts and Go Monarchs

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  Episode #139

  Jeff Jones and Russell Turner - Coaches vs Cancer Legends Gala Preview

  Jul 27, 202635 minS4

  Basketball legends. An unforgettable night. One fight much bigger than the game. Former Old Dominion men’s basketball coach Jeff Jones and Coaches vs. Cancer Legends Gala Executive Committee member Russell Turner join Mike and Aaron to preview the 2026 Hampton Roads Coaches vs. Cancer Legends Gala. After raising more than $414,000 during its record-setting inaugural event, the gala returns to Chartway Arena on Friday, September 18 with an even bigger goal. This year’s featured guests include: • Geno Auriemma • Ryan Odom • Dave Odom • Seth Greenberg • Phil Martelli • Ralph Sampson • Debbie Ryan • Dave Twardzik • Tony Brothers • Michael Cuddyer • And more to be announced Jeff discusses how his own cancer diagnosis transformed this mission into something deeply personal. Russell shares the heartbreaking story behind his “why” and explains how the American Cancer Society assists patients and families through research, transportation, lodging, treatment support, and other critical services. They also take us behind the scenes of last year’s gala, including an emotional paddle raise that generated approximately $195,000 in only 10 minutes. The 2026 event will feature basketball legends, a VIP reception, outstanding food, open bars, auctions, powerful stories, and an opportunity for Hampton Roads to come together for a cause that touches nearly every family. Tables seat eight guests and are $5,000. Sponsorships, monetary donations, auction contributions, vacation properties, experiences, services, and other in-kind donations are also welcomed. LEARN MORE: https://hamptonroads.acsgala.org/ PURCHASE A TABLE OR DONATE: https://hamptonroads.acsgala.org/tables-donations/ INTERESTED IN BEING A SPONSOR: Please contact Laura Fien, American Cancer Society Staff Partner, at laura.fien@cancer.org Even when you cannot purchase a table or make a donation, you can help by sharing this episode and spreading the word. This is not Jeff’s event. This is not Russell’s event. This is not ODU’s event. This is our event. One team. One fight. Subscribe to The Monarchists for independent coverage of Old Dominion athletics. #ODU #OldDominion #CoachesVsCancer #CancerResearch #MonarchNation YOUTUBE CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to The Monarchists 01:15 – Last year’s record-setting $414,000 gala 01:45 – Jeff Jones gives his elevator pitch 04:00 – Geno Auriemma, Ryan Odom and this year’s legends 07:00 – Russell Turner asks Hampton Roads to find its “why” 09:00 – How to purchase a table or support the event 10:30 – Why Jeff Jones made his cancer journey public 12:00 – Building the Legends Gala after retirement 15:15 – Russell Turner shares his deeply personal “why” 17:00 – How the American Cancer Society helps patients 19:00 – Lessons learned from the inaugural gala 22:00 – The search for a presenting sponsor 23:00 – What guests will experience at the gala 25:00 – Making year two even better 27:00 – The $195,000 paddle raise 30:00 – Tables, sponsorships and ways to donate 31:15 – Jeff Jones’ recruiting pitch to Hampton Roads 32:00 – One team. One fight. 33:00 – Final message to Monarch Nation

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  The Monarchists

  S3E20 - Summer Ball, Roster Updates and Beau! - Hudson Homers

  Jul 23, 20261h 20m

  CB, Gary and Coach Finny chat about upcoming rule changes, non-conference opponents, Monarchs in pro ball and a stadium construction update. Beau Cowan checks in to say hello and the guys breakdown the new additions to the 2027 roster.

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