Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: College Fandom & NFL Picks

Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Theme: Navigating College Sports Fandom vs. Alumnus Status & NFL Weekly Picks

Episode Overview

Hour 3 dives deep into the nuanced debate of what makes “legitimate” college sports fandom—do you need to have attended or graduated from a college to be a true fan of their teams? This lively debate draws in callers, personal anecdotes, and the classic question: is it “fraudulent” to cheer for a college team if you're not an alum? The hour wraps with NFL picks, as the hosts bemoan and celebrate their records and gut-based betting strategies.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Debate: Authenticity of College Fandom

Start ~[00:44]

Key Points:

• Don La Greca questions rooting intensely for a college team if you didn’t go there, especially in a pro sports town like New York. He equates overzealous non-alum fans with being a “fraud.”
• Alan Hahn: Shares a personal experience—he loved St. John’s as a kid but, after playing Division II basketball elsewhere, found it hard to reconnect as a passionate fan.
  • “Once I played college basketball, I stopped watching St. John’s as a fan... it slipped away.” ([04:33])
• Rosenberg: Agrees that personal history and local context matter. Having regional loyalty often shapes (and limits) fandom.

Notable Quotes:

• Don: “If you’re a Giant fan, generations get together—no one’s better in the eyes of the Lord. But if Georgetown wins it, do you really belong among the alum?” ([02:42])
• Alan: “It just... it just—I would feel like, do I really belong here? ...I do feel like a fraud.” ([05:51])
• Peter: “There’s degrees of fraudulence.” ([01:55])
• Don’s Analogy:
  • “It would be odd to sit here and, you know—I’m a big Giant, Nick, Ranger, and Somerset Patriot fan. What’s the difference?” ([17:12])

Personal Stories:

• Regional Fandom: Don notes rooting for colleges regionally is more justifiable where pro teams don’t exist (e.g., Alabama, Iowa).
  • “I would not get on somebody who grew up in Alabama... Alabama’s all there is.” ([16:39])

2. Callers Weigh In: Their Stories & Judgments

[08:22] Antonio in Tampa:

• Grew up loving Reggie Bush and followed players more than teams.
• Rosenberg and Don: Recognize loving players but distinguish it from being a full team fan.
  • Peter: “I loved Iverson on the Sixers. I never rooted for the Sixers.” ([10:22])

[12:35] Charles in Jersey:

• Recounts early show debates about “fraudulent” college fandom, finds it meaningful that the debate persists.
  • Charles: “Don, I don’t think you really understand what you did tonight with this... it’s a real full circle moment for me.” ([12:41])

[32:10] Jeffrey:

• St. John’s grad but lifelong Notre Dame football fan (due to lack of major college football in NYC). Admits feeling like a “fraud” when among real alumni.
  • Don: “Wouldn’t you feel a little out of place when they ask, oh, what year did you graduate?...I’m just a fan.” ([31:49])

[35:16] Anthony in Valhalla:

• Hardcore Tar Heels fan; parents and sister attended, he did not.
  • Don’s Verdict: “It’s cool. It makes sense. There’s a little bit more of an association... Of course you’re gonna go support her family.” ([37:07])

[34:22] Phil in Brooklyn:

• Cuts to the chase: “You’re a fraud… and you pooped your pants.”
  • Hosts crack up at the childish escalation.

3. Regional College Fandom vs. Pro Market Reality

Major Focus ~[14:40]

Comparisons:

• College sports outside major pro markets function as a “professional” team for their regions; but in cities like New York, “true” passionate fans usually have a direct tie (attendance, family) to the school.
• Don: “You are watching a lower level… technically… not trying to devalue college basketball, but…” ([17:29])

4. Commentary and Humor: Show’s Tone

• Frequent playful banter, self-deprecation, and inside jokes (including riffs on the show’s “drinking game” on recurring catchphrases: “plant your flag,” “force multiplier”).

  • Peter, on Alan’s quirks: “Blood in the ground almost replaces plant your flag. If you remember Alanisms, let us know—we got to get the drinking game going.” ([28:50])

• Frequent caller involvement.

• Sidetracks into music (debating Tool’s merits), quick family life references, and more.

5. NFL Picks Segment

Begins ~[41:00]

Standings:

• Don: 16-17 (in the lead)
• Alan: 12-21
• Peter: 9-24 (“might be my fourth 0-3 of the year”)

Picks & Reasoning:

• Don:
  • Seattle -13 over Tennessee
  • Tampa Bay +7 at Rams
  • Bears -2.5 vs. Steelers
• Alan:
  • Cowboys +3.5 vs. Eagles (reluctant, but logical choice)
  • Chiefs -3.5 at Arrowhead (“you can’t kill ‘em til they’re dead”)
  • Browns +3.5 at Vegas (“I’m going emotional... I gotta lay it there. I believe in Shador Sanders.” ([45:39]))
• Peter (overlaps):
  • Bears (2 pt play)
  • Chiefs (3 pt play)
  • Packers -6 (1 pt play)

Self-Awareness:

• Several picks are emotional longshots; they roast each other for their rationale and sagging records.
  • Alan: “I think we're long past [saving the season].” ([46:54])
  • Don: “…this is where Alan taps out—this was the negative turning point on his season.” ([46:47])
  • Peter, tongue-in-cheek: “Don could finish in the black… Alan and I are pure hot trash.” ([42:12])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don (on the emotional risk of fandom):
  “I would feel like, do I really belong here?... It just feels a bit odd.” ([05:51])
• Alan (on childhood dreams):
  “Once I played [elsewhere], I never did reconnect the same way I did when I was 12 years old.” ([04:33])
• Peter (on irrational picks):
  “It’s going the wrong way for the right reason.” ([46:10])
• Caller Phil:
  “You’re a fraud… and you pooped your pants.” ([34:23] - pure comic relief)
• Peter (on fandom logic):
  “There’s blood in the ground. There’s other secretions. I mean, the whole pregnancy, everything happened right there.” ([36:44])
• Alan (on his picks):
  “I got the stick—it’s right into the accelerator. I’m not even driving anymore. I’m just sitting there. I’m going right off the cliff.” ([47:29])

Important Timestamps

• [00:44] Show’s main discussion begins
• [01:48] Fraudulence degrees discussed
• [04:33] Alan’s St. John’s story
• [08:22]/[12:35] Callers with unique fandom backgrounds
• [16:39] Don on regional justification of college fandom
• [28:50] “Drinking game” segment
• [31:49] Jeffrey admits to feeling like a “fraud” at Notre Dame
• [35:16] Anthony in Valhalla: Tar Heel by family association
• [41:00] NFL picks and trash-talking

Tone and Style

• Candid, conversational, and irreverently self-aware
• Quick-witted banter, direct challenges, and affectionate insult humor
• A “family” of listeners and callers—sharing in ongoing jokes and traditions

For New Listeners

This episode is a classic example of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg’s blend of earnest sports debate, personal storytelling, and comedic camaraderie. Whether you’ve wrestled with your own “fandom fraudulence” or love hearing sports talk personalities razz each other over NFL picks, this hour will hook you—and maybe prompt you to call in with your sports origin story, too.