Show Me Something - Women’s Final Four With Holly Rowe and Allison Feaster

Summary

Podcast Summary:

The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Show Me Something: Women’s Final Four with Holly Rowe & Allison Feaster
Date: April 7, 2026
Location: Live from Phoenix, AZ

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Episode Overview

This special episode of "The Herd" is a live edition of the "Show Me Something" podcast, set at the Women’s Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona. Hosts Sophie and Wes bring in two highly respected guests—sports broadcasting legend Holly Rowe and trailblazing athlete/executive Allison Feaster—to discuss the growth and impact of women’s basketball, the excitement of the 2026 Women’s Final Four, personal stories of travel and resilience, shifting opportunities in women’s sports, and the importance of representation and family.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atmosphere and Energy at the Women’s Final Four

• (02:16-03:02): The hosts set the scene with vibrant descriptions of the Phoenix setup, referencing fans, local art, and the unique energy of hosting for the first time in Arizona.
• La Morena's Mural (03:04-04:07): Phoenix artist Lucinda Guinojos (La Morena) shares how her mural, created with Marriott Bonvoy, aims to inspire young girls and celebrate women’s college basketball:

  “I hope little girls see themselves in this mural and know that it’s possible to play in the Final Four for women’s college basketball.” (03:58, La Morena)

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2. Analysis and Storylines of the 2026 Final Four

• Teams: All four top seeds present—UCLA, Texas, UConn, South Carolina—ensuring a high-level tournament.
• Coaching Rivalries (04:36-04:56):

  “You could argue Dawn Staley and Geno are like an iconic coaching rivalry at this point.” (04:36, Wes)
  “It gives me, like, Bill Belichick…Tony Dungy vibes in the 2000s.” (04:49, Wes)

• Predictions: Sophie leans toward Texas, citing their momentum and her personal bias as an SEC fan but acknowledges the challenge UConn and South Carolina pose:

  “If you asked me a little bit ago, I thought UConn would take it… but Texas is peaking at the right time.” (05:38, Sophie)

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3. Interview with Holly Rowe: Women’s Sports Evolution

• State of Women’s Basketball (09:14-10:04):

  “I think it’s the best it’s ever been… The general public is just now catching up with us, and it feels really good… The W is better than it’s ever been, college basketball is better than it’s ever been. And that’s real credit to the athletes and the coaches.” (09:14, Holly Rowe)

• Economic Impact of the Game (10:21-11:08): Rowe highlights how the WNBA’s Indiana Fever has revitalized Indianapolis with new energy and driven significant economic gains.
• WNBA’s Development and Key Moments:
  • Holly remembers the 2016 LA Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx finals as a turning point for the league:

    “To this day, I still believe it’s the best WNBA game I’ve ever worked in my life… If you look at the rosters… there were, like, I want to say seven Hall of Fame players in that series… To me, that was the moment we really started to rise.” (12:45, Holly Rowe)

• Refereeing Improvements: Rowe advocates for more former players to become referees:

  "We need more former players reffing…they played the game, they know how to officiate it a little differently." (15:06, Holly Rowe)

• Personal Investment: Rowe discusses her joy at covering women’s sports and detailed travel stories—including sleeping on airports to feature young stars like Angel Reese before their rise:

  "I slept on the floor at the airport for Angel Reese because I believed so deeply in her..." (18:43, Holly Rowe)

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4. Themes of Hope, Storytelling, and Representation

• Role as a Storyteller:

  "I think it's just natural curiosity…I'm so curious about people… I'm the hopeful storyteller. I just want hope and encouragement and happiness." (19:31, Holly Rowe)

• Inspiring the Next Generation:

  “All we have ever asked is opportunities for these little girls, for women. And so now that women are getting them, I just feel so, so proud and grateful.” (29:44, Holly Rowe)

• Personal Sacrifices and Joy (26:06-26:51):
  • Rowe shares how she uses her Marriott points—earned from relentless travel—to help young athletes and cancer patients attend games, and discusses keeping a “joy journal” throughout her stage 4 cancer battle:

    “When you’re in cancer, you can’t control anything… but I can control if I’m joyful… I still keep my joy journal.” (26:51, Holly Rowe)

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5. The Changing Landscape and Opportunities for Women’s Basketball

• Sponsorship Growth (27:52-28:29): Rowe praises the increased investment by sponsors and how it trickles down to create more opportunities for young players.
• Celebrating Trailblazers: Sophie and Wes reflect on how much has changed even in the last few years, with Rowe serving as both witness and catalyst.

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6. Interview with Allison Feaster: Legacy & Family in Women’s Sports

• Historic Upset: Harvard over Stanford (40:29-43:22): Feaster recounts the story of Harvard being the first (and still only) 16-seed to beat a 1-seed in the women’s basketball tournament in 1998:

  “We just chopped away at it and won.” (42:45, Allison Feaster)

• Emotions as a Parent of a Star Athlete (44:24-45:44): Now watching her daughter, UConn’s Sarah Strong, Feaster describes the anxiety and powerlessness of being a parent on the sidelines:

  “It’s zero control on the game, on the outcome whatsoever… Powerless and also positively optimistic that they’re going to put their best foot forward.” (44:24, Allison Feaster)

• Women Thriving in Men’s Sports Spaces (47:23-47:57): As a Boston Celtics executive, Feaster stresses the importance of opening doors for women in male-dominated industries:

  “If you’re in a space that’s male-dominated and you have some influence, you have to leverage that influence to open doors and provide exposure to the underrepresented.” (47:23, Allison Feaster)

• Basketball as a Family Legacy (48:48-49:06): Feaster shares a personal story of her daughter gifting her husband a car as thanks for years of support on the road:

  “This past Christmas, she bought him a car as a way to say thank you… it was pretty moving.” (49:05, Allison Feaster)

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7. Travel as a Unifying Thread

• International Careers and Cultural Experiences (49:17-54:06): Feaster’s basketball career (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal) and her family’s frequent travels demonstrate how exposure to other cultures builds empathy and adaptability.

  “That’s a skill, like being able to go to a foreign country and figure out the language… it was hard growing up and having to change schools, but… that’s what allows her [Sarah] to probably play and not look like she feels pressure.” (54:06, Allison Feaster)

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8. Fun & Lighthearted Travel Segment

• Dream Roadtrips (32:16-35:33):
  • Holly Rowe: Sports-centric tour from the SEC Softball Tournament to the WNBA opener, Oklahoma City for the College World Series, and finally Utah for pro softball – and a well-earned Marriott-based vacation in Italy.
  • Wes and Sophie: Both recall treasured family, sports, and relaxation destinations, highlighting unique perspectives on sports and leisure.

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On women's basketball’s rise:

  “We’ve known forever that this is a really good product…finally you get to see what we’ve been loving for such a long time.” (09:14, Holly Rowe)

• On hope and opportunity:

  “All we have ever asked is opportunities for these little girls, for women. And so now that women are getting them, I just feel so, so proud and grateful.” (29:44, Holly Rowe)

• On legacy and role models:

  “I want young women, young girls, to know that there is a place in men’s sports for them because there’s certainly a lot of men in women’s professional sports.” (47:23, Allison Feaster)

• On resource growth in women’s game:

  “The women today…they don’t have to work two jobs. Your livelihood is basketball and being a professional and honing your craft.” (52:04, Allison Feaster)

• On the emotions of parenting a star:

  “It’s zero control on the game, on the outcome whatsoever…But, positively optimistic they’ll put their best foot forward.” (44:24, Allison Feaster)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Show Open, Set Description: 01:04–03:02
• La Morena and the Phoenix Mural: 03:04–04:07
• Final Four Preview & Predictions: 04:07–06:47
• Holly Rowe Interview Starts: 07:03
• Rowe on Women’s Hoops Growth: 09:14–10:04
• Economic Impact / Indianapolis & WNBA: 10:21–11:08
• WNBA Key Moments & Storytelling: 12:45–15:26
• Refereeing and Former Player Pipeline: 14:38–15:26
• Rowe’s Personal Sacrifices/Angel Reese Story: 18:43–19:15
• The “Joy Journal” and Cancer Recovery: 26:06–26:51
• “Opportunities” and Trailblazing: 29:34–31:02
• Travel Play/Dream Road Trip Game: 32:16–35:33
• Allison Feaster Interview Starts: 40:06
• Harvard Over Stanford / Underdog Triumph: 40:29–43:22
• Family, Parenting, and Support: 44:24–49:06
• International Basketball/Travel & Cultural Lessons: 49:17–54:06

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Tone & Feel

The conversation is upbeat, lively, and deeply personal. There’s a camaraderie between hosts and guests, with lots of laughter and genuine emotion—including moments where Holly Rowe becomes teary sharing the progress she’s seen, and both guests emphasize gratitude and pride in paving the way for others. The tone is encouraging, celebratory, and hopeful, highlighting the communal, uplifting nature of women’s basketball today.

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Conclusion

The episode provides an inspiring and behind-the-scenes window into the 2026 Women’s Final Four, focusing on the immense progress of women’s basketball, the significance of opportunity and representation, and the individual journeys of trailblazers like Holly Rowe and Allison Feaster. Their stories underscore the importance of community, resilience, and investment—both financial and emotional—in building a thriving, connected future for women’s sports.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[B]

What's up guys?

[C]

It's west and Sophie.

[B]

And if you've noticed, we are not in Indianapolis anymore.

[C]

We are actually in Arizona for the Women's Final Four. And we have some awesome guests. We have Holly Rowe and Allison Feaster with us today.

[B]

That's right, the Show Me Something podcast with Marriott Bonvoy checking in live from the Bracket. Some of the best game day memories don't happen on the court. They happen in hotel lobbies, over pre game meals and in the moments before tip. Official hotel partner of the ncaa, Marriott Bonvoy sees it all from the bracket Pep talks to fans bonding over shared rituals. It's the moments around the game that become the ones people remember.

[C]

This March Madness Live from the Bracket brings those stories to life in a limited podcast series about college hoops, travel and fandom with special guests and experiences along the way.

[B]

From now until April 15, Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to enter our Live from the Bracket sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to the 2027 Final Four. Follow omepod on Instagram to learn more.

[C]

We're talking March Madness above and be and you'll want to stay tuned. Marriott Bonvoy where game day checks in.

[B]

Bam. Show Me Something Podcast live from Sophie's Phoenix, baby. Sophie's Phoenix. Here we are.

[C]

This is beautiful. First of all, the studio is outside and I'm not Even that sweaty, which is surprising. We have fans over here to the left. What's up, fans?

[A]

Yo.

[C]

And we're about to have some freaking awesome guests.

[B]

Yes. Holly Roh's gonna show up.

[C]

Alison Feaster. Alison Feaster, whose daughter is actually playing for Yukon. Yes. The city is popping full of great energy for the women's final four here.

[B]

Trophy cactuses.

[C]

The mural behind us.

[B]

The incredible and beautiful magnificent mural behind us was created by the renowned Phoenix based artist La Morena.

[C]

I love that. So she teamed up with Marriott Bonvoy to create an ode to Phoenix travel and of course, women's basketball.

[B]

Beautiful.

[C]

The coloring is perfect. It's so Phoenix y and I love

[B]

a cactus and I love that the

[C]

girl's nails are painted.

[B]

Our set a little more extra special. But here's La Morena with more.

[E]

Hi, my name is Lucinda Guinojos, also known as La Morena. I'm a Phoenix based artist and I'm here with Maria Bonvoy. I love Arizona. I'm born and raised here. I'm very proud of our Phoenix city. And so when they come across this mural, I want them to first be pulled in by the colors and then engage with the elements that are across the mural. And I think for little res girls, seeing this means so much to me because I'm giving them a mural that they can see themselves in and see this jerk a future potential them that they can also too play women's college basketball. I'm so excited for women's sports in general because we're on the rise and we're getting so much noise and excitement around women's sports. And now here we are with the final Four, women's college basketball. And this is the first time in Arizona history that we are hosting them here in Phoenix. So it's a huge deal for us. I hope little girls see themselves in this bureau and know that it's possible to play in the final four for women's college basketball.

[C]

So Final four, we have all one seeds. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Big dogs.

[C]

Ucla. We have Texas. We have Yukon. We have South Carolina.

[F]

Yes, we do.

[C]

So I do think this year you do have the very best top four teams in the nation. Sometimes you get a little Cinderella story or an underdog. I think these are the best, the best ones. And so it's going to be good. Our first game is Yukon, South Carolina.

[B]

They've seen each other a zillion times,

[C]

which is going to like familiar foes. I love this and I think it's so funny because in the W you have like your Gamecocks. You have your Huskies and they go at it.

[B]

You could argue Don Staley and Geno are like an iconic coaching rivalry at this point. A little cute duo, but, I mean, that's like. Those are two very iconic women's basketball coaches who I feel like see each other in March frequently.

[C]

A thousand percent.

[B]

It gives me, like, Bill Belichick,

[A]

I

[B]

guess he's Tony Dungy vibes in the. In the 2000s. That's pretty special.

[C]

Yeah, it's going to be good. And then you have Texas and ucla, which, honestly, I think. I'm not going to lie to you. I thought UConn is looking really tough. They always look tough this time of year. Just the experience. Gino, he's just a legend and is so, so smart and pours into his players like no other. But again, I'm biased. I want sec, sec, team, school to win, and so I'm actually kind of pulling for Texas a little bit.

[B]

Was your freshman year the first year of SEC? You never played in the Big 12?

[C]

No, I didn't, but they were the year before, so in 2014, they were SEC.

[B]

So you have good reason to be an SEC fan.

[C]

Thousand percent.

[B]

This is game day also. You can feel it in the air. You can smell it even. So who you got? Give me the expert analysis I know you have.

[C]

Yeah, I truly do like all four programs. I like players from all four teams. If you would have asked me a little bit ago, I thought UConn would take it, and they. And part of me still thinks that they will take it, but a big portion of me is thinking that Texas is peaking at the right time. And I also went played against Coach Schaefer. His. His daughter we played against, and now she's an assistant coach. So kind of a cool storyline there, but Texas is looking pretty dang good.

[B]

So you think Texas wins today and they'll see either UConn or SC?

[C]

Yes, I do. I think. I think that UConn, South Carolina game, I don't even know who's going to win that. Because UConn, they are athletic. They have the IQ. South Carolina is just so, so athletic. And they have the experience having Dawn Staley knowing, you know, what she knows and her being a player in the W, playing overseas for however long, she really knows how to pour into her kids. And so that matchup, I can't even predict.

[B]

Yeah, but it's gonna be fun. Sophie, this pod will be dropping after we have crowned our women's Final four champion. Well, can you look into this camera for me and tell me who you got.

[C]

My future self. This has already happened, I think. Oh, I almost just said UConn. Is that my gut feeling?

[B]

I thought you were gonna throw them up. I thought you're gonna throw them up.

[C]

I'm going Texas. All right, everybody. Our first guest today is one of the most respected voices in sports broadcasting.

[B]

Very much so.

[C]

She is an award winning reporter covering college basketball, football, softball, and some of the biggest moments in sports for over two decades.

[B]

You've seen her on the sidelines of the Final Four College Football Playoff and countless championship games. She's known for her insight, storytelling, and connection with players. Please welcome Holly Rowe, everybody. Yeah, this one's a big kick.

[C]

She's a busy lady.

[B]

Everybody, before we hop into women's college basketball, I have a question for you. Uh, oh, you've done so many games for so long. Do they all. Are they all kind of a blur or. If I were to call it a game, would you remember the moment?

[A]

I remember stories. Like, I might not remember the score, but I will remember the situation or something that happened or a story I told. Like, I. It's locked in forever, I hope.

[F]

Do you remember.

[B]

Remember ninth grade?

[A]

Oh, gosh.

[B]

Well, you would have been seventh grade. I would have been ninth grade. Mizzou, ku. Oh, my God.

[A]

Men's hoops. Of course I do.

[B]

Zaire Taylor hit a shot back of the rim and then it bounced into Mizzou. Beat KU to beat Kansas.

[A]

And I did the post interviews. Fans rush the field and I ask him a question, he goes, I can't hear.

[B]

So I. I think everyone we watch on tv, we all have moments that, like, were a part of our lives. So we remember you from those moments. And I remember, obviously, that game was so important, but I remember you having to be like, go celebrate. We can't hear each other. And that, to me is like my Holly Row memory.

[A]

Oh, I love that so much because that is such an organic moment that we'll never have again. You know, the KU Mizzou rivalry was one of my favorites ever. I know they've played again recently, but kind of broke it up for a while. But I love that rivalry. One of my favorite games I've ever covered in my life was the Kim English era Die team. I loved that team. And the game at Mizzou against ku, like, that was a wild one, too.

[B]

I missed that when they left the Big 12. Like, those are like our childhood. And so that was really special. We are here to talk about women's college Basketball. Obviously, the women's college basketball fandom has been growing like crazy the last few years, and we're feeling it here in Phoenix. Obviously, we have a lot of fans with us right now. Players are front and center, and fans have traveled all over the world to come watch women's college basketball. What are your thoughts just on the state of women's hoops right now?

[A]

I think it's the best it's ever been, and I think I'm an expert. I'm not saying that from a cocky standpoint, but I've been covering college basketball for 30 years. So when I say I have watched this entire thing and I hope have been a proponent and pushing this constant narrative, we've known forever that this is a really good product. And I feel like the general public is just now kind of catching up with us, and it feels really good, you know, like. And I don't want to have the attitude of like, well, we told you so. I want to have the attitude of, like, yay, finally you get to see what we've been loving for such a long time. So I think it's a really beautiful place. And the thing I'm proud of is women like Sophie. You know, the players that I get to cover, they're not disappointing. They keep upping their game and leveling up and getting better. The W is better than it's ever been. College basketball is better than it's ever been. And that's real credit to the athletes and the coaches.

[B]

Amazing.

[C]

So we know that you travel all the time. Like, you'll be here today, and then somehow you'll be in, like, Europe tomorrow, covering a sport that, I don't know, no one even knew what's going on. What sports team or town or city has the fandom just grown where you're like, wow, people need to know more about this?

[A]

I would say that. So this is an obvious one, because I'm talking to you, but Indianapolis. So Indianapolis is a really cool sports town in that they have a lot of Final Fours there. They have a lot of men's and women's college basketball sports events there. But the WNBA and the excitement behind the Indiana Fever has completely changed that city. And I actually was doing some research with the Chamber of Commerce last year about the impact of fans traveling from out of state and coming in. And it's hotel stays, hotel rooms, flights. And so, like, we are really changing the face of Indianapolis right now. With the wnba, it is palpable. I mean, we're talking millions and millions of dollars of Economic impact because of the Indiana Fever. So I'm really proud for that team and that organization because they deserve it.

[C]

Love that.

[B]

Is Salt Lake gonna get a women's team anytime soon?

[A]

Salt Lake. We used to have one. This is a sad story. So I have been working in the W ever since it started. I started out pulling cables for the Utah Stars. I worked my way up to be the color analyst for the Utah Stars.

[C]

First woman, first female to ever do that.

[A]

That's a round of applause.

[C]

Trailblazer.

[A]

Yes. We had a really good team. Jennifer Az, Natalie Williams, Margot D. Dick. Like some of the true greats in the early wnba. And then the team went to San Antonio to the start to the San Antonio Stars, and it is now the Las Vegas Aces. So that is our franchise. So I feel sad because I'm like, we're just gonna have to love the Aces then, you know? Yeah.

[C]

I was gonna say, so deep down, are you wishing that the Aces win every year?

[A]

I don't. I don't. Because I want to be unbiased. Truth. But I do have a soft spot in my heart for them because that's my franchise. Yeah. And they're gonna bring back and have a reunion in the end of July. And I said to them, I'm like, you need to bring back the old broadcasters. Like, we were a part of this when nobody really was paying attention. So bring us back.

[B]

Seattle lost the SuperSonics, and I think that they're gonna get another team. So I think some cities and, yeah, you just got a hockey.

[A]

We just got NHL. Yes.

[B]

So there's always hope.

[A]

Yeah, there is hope. For sure, there's hope. But the Aces are close. I think a lot of fans go down there, so I'm gonna settle in for that right now. In my heart, they're the Utah Stars. Slash Aces.

[C]

Good for you.

[B]

Is there a moment for you, Holly, that you feel like, clicked with women's basketball? It could be WNBA or college, but something that you think really set things apart. Like, obviously, I think Caitlin's emergence is like, a massive moment that we'll look back and be like, this changed the sport forever. But for you, is there something maybe earlier?

[A]

It's a different moment for me because I remember working a game, and to this day, I still believe it's the best WNBA game I've ever worked in my Life. It was 2016, game five, the LA Sparks at Minnesota Lynx. And Neko Ogumuke had a putback basket to win the title for the LA Sparks that series. Because if you look at the rosters of those two series, there were, like, I want to say seven hall of Fame players in that series. So Candace Parker, Neko Gumuke, Chelsea Gray, Alana Beard. And then for Minnesota, Rebecca Brunson, Lindsey Whelan, Maya Moore, Simone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles. Like that. That's eight hall of Fame, maybe nine hall of Fame players in one series. To me, that was the moment we really started to rise. And, yes, I will always give Caitlin her flowers and credit because she did take it to a new level, but we were rising before that, too.

[C]

I like that. So I have a question for you, because I know that the CBA has just gotten, you know, kind of. I don't even know if it's in writing yet.

[A]

I have no idea.

[C]

I know something. It's April 3rd today. There you go, Holly. That's why you're the reporter and I'm just the athlete here. On a real note, I feel like you kind of hit on it with the family of, like, when they do have that reunion, bring back the people who were there from the very beginning. I think that you, Rebecca, Ryan, you guys have really been in it with us. And I remember talking to you before the Aces finals. It was like, indiana versus Aces. And I was like, what should we. And honestly, I'm just gonna be. You guys know me as being honest. I was like, how can we do better with the refs? They are part of our game. They are part of our family. They deserve to get paid more. No, I'm being for real, like, they are part of our family, and I think that we should be taking care of them. But you guys have such great insight because you are in it more than. Not more, but the same amount we are in. I feel like you could be a GM or an owner or a coach by now. Don't you kind of feel that way?

[A]

Well, we are invested, for sure.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

I think we were all like, you should see our text chain for the last three months, like, angsting over the cba and are we gonna have a season? And, like, we really. It is a lifelong passion of mine. So the refereeing is an issue, and we saw that last season, and it was a real issue last season. And I think where we're at right now is the problem is to become a ref at the highest levels. You have to start out probably in high school, probably in a low college. So one of the ways I think we could improve refereeing is to get more former players who maybe didn't make it as a pro. I think we need more former players reffing. So I'll give you an example. I covered a woman at the University of Utah, one of the greatest three point shooters in NCAA history, Julie Cromnhut. She has worked her way up to be a high level college referee. Right now we need to be growing our own former athletes because they played the game, they know how to officiate it a little differently. I want us to be growing former players into that referee pool.

[C]

And this is why I brought up because we had such a great conversation and I'm like, it's the insight. Because we are not against them. We want everyone to grow in our league. Let's talk about this Final Four, though. Like, what excites you? What team do you think is peaking at the right time? What players are peaking at the right time and kind of give your insight on. You just said, like, hey, we got to go because I have, you know, walk in.

[A]

Yeah, I have coaches, rivals, interviews right now, which is amazing. So there's a lot of stress. But here's who I think is peaking is Texas. So if you would have asked me three weeks ago who was going to win it all, I said UConn and I believed that. I think they were the best team in the country. They had the best efficiency defensively, offensively, all those things. They have not quite hit on all cylinders in the first couple of rounds. Does that mean they're not still dominant? Probably not, but they've got to figure a few things out and they're going against a very athletic, physical South Carolina team. So a player that I think is really blossoming and on a really high trend right now is Raven Johnson.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

So I think Raven Johnson is one of the greatest stories in all of college basketball right now because she stayed tore her acl, fought back a lot of online criticism, almost. Her mom shared with me that she almost quit after all the online criticism she faced. And she has. All she's done is stay true, be resilient and show up for her team. And she is the best version of herself right now. And I'm loving that for Raven. But Texas has momentum aside from like

[B]

in the weeds, college basketball. I'm curious if you have a moment and this is more about Holly than it is teams or other players. Do you have a travel moment that you all like, remember forever, Whether that's some hotel was booked and you didn't have anywhere to stay or a flight got delayed and you ended up in some random city and had the best night ever.

[A]

How long do we have for this podcast. So, like, full disclosure, I am almost at 4 million miles right now on one airline. But here's what I'll say. So I know this is a Marriott podcast, but one of the reasons I really wanted to come on other than you was I'm a Marriott girl. Like, I am. She's not just saying this.

[C]

She was pointing at me.

[A]

She was pointing at me. I'm just. I'm just meeting you. But I love Marriott because I really. I'm from Utah. It's a Utah company. And so I have really tried to build points with one company. So right now I almost have a million Marriott points, right? I'm like, one hotel night away from the top level. So, like, when I tell you I'm like, psychotically Marriott girl, where do you live?

[C]

I live in Salt Lake City.

[A]

I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. That's my home base.

[C]

And, like, how, like, are you. How often are you there?

[A]

Probably like about a week, a month maybe. So I travel a lot because I'm covering so many sports. But I would tell you that my travel memories that have been really funny are. Three years ago, we were doing. We were getting ready to have our very first ever college game day show on espn. First one ever. There was a young woman playing basketball that I thought was playing at such a high level, and nobody was giving her any attention. And it was January, so I did an NBA game in Utah, did a red eye flight, and I slept on the floor at the Atlanta airport.

[C]

I did that last night in Miami.

[A]

Oh, there we go. And I had no pride. I was like, I'm sleeping. I'm on the floor at the airport so that I could get the 7am flight to the location where I would do the interview with this young woman. And I did the first ever feature on her on first ever college game day.

[C]

Who is this? It's gonna be someone big.

[A]

Three months later, Angel Reese won the national championship. That's awesome. So I'm really proud of that story because I had to sacrifice. I slept on at the airport for Angel Reese because I believed so deeply in her and nobody was talking about her.

[C]

You're right.

[A]

And I had the instinct and I was right. And so I'm really proud of that story because I had to sacrifice to get there. I had to truly believe in this young woman. And I'm proud of her. Three months later, they won the national championship, and I was like, I was onto something here. Like, I was so proud of that.

[C]

Wait, can I ask, where is it your mom is it your dad, like, how do you have such a gift of storytelling? And, like, they're scouts in basketball. They can tell a young talent who has potential. You have that. But with storytelling in the behind the scenes, who do you get that from? And why is that? Why are you so good at it?

[A]

I appreciate you saying that, but I think it's just natural curiosity. Like, I'm so curious about people, and I just, you know, like, I'll see something or I'll hear something, and I'll be like, oh, my gosh. So I had a funny story that happened last weekend. We were covering Michigan, and we were out having a walk in downtown Fort Worth, and we stopped at this park to watch the end of the UConn Duke men's game. And so I'm with Chiney and Andrea and Christine and Rebecca was there, and we were, like, screaming in this park at the end of that game, you know, that shot. And so this lady comes over to me, and she's like, oh, my gosh, we love your work. My daughter plays for Michigan. And so she ends up telling me this incredible story about Brooke Quarles Daniels, who is 57 and the leading offensive rebounder on her team. And I'm like, how is she so good? Why is your daughter such a crazy offensive rebounder at 5 7? And she's like, well, her brother is 6 7, and here's video of them playing in the driveway. And so we used that in our broadcast.

[B]

Awesome.

[A]

That happened because we were walking down the street in the park, right? So those are the kind of things that I live for. Of, like, you just naturally curiously fall into place.

[C]

Can I also give you some problems? Because I think that you do stories and you find people that everyday people can relate to, and you give them hope that, like, just a little bit of hope that maybe they could do that one day. Doesn't matter what they look like, where they're from, how tall they are, how much they weigh like that. That gives a 57 guard hope that, like, hey, I could go be the leading rebounder in the nation. You know what I mean?

[A]

I can be the leading offensive rebounder on an elite eight team. That's an.

[C]

It is insane.

[A]

But, yeah, I think that we live. I love all the. I'm the hopeful storyteller. Like, I just want hope and encouragement and happiness. Like, I don't love doing the hard stories.

[B]

This is a little slight pivot, but you've got some kicks on today.

[G]

It always happens right before the whistle. There's a little voice that says, what if I mess up? What if I'm not ready? I see a whole highlight reel of everything I don't want to happen. Missed shots, turnovers, letting my team down. And for a second there's doubt. But then I realize I've done enough to be where I'm at. The early mornings, the extra reps, the days I wanted to quit and didn't. So I smile. Self doubt is natural, but my smile is a reminder that I'm resilient

[A]

to

[C]

put more smiles out into the world.

[G]

Colgate has supported female athletes for over 50 years with the Colgate Women's Games. The Colgate Women's Games is the nation's longest running indoor track and field series

[C]

for girls and women.

[G]

Colgate, your smile is your strength.

[H]

On the Serving Pancakes podcast, conversations about volleyball go beyond the court.

[A]

Today we have a little best friend compatibility test.

[H]

Okay, how long have we been best friends for?

[A]

Since the day we met.

[H]

As the League1 volleyball season heads towards its final stretch, there's no better time to tune in. We really are like yin and yang, vodka and tequila. You'll hear unfiltered analysis, behind the scenes stories and conversations with leaders making an impact across the sport. Today we have Logan Lednecki.

[F]

I feel like our fan base in

[C]

general is very connected.

[F]

Just like a comforting feeling getting to play at home.

[H]

Whether you're following the final push of love season or just love the game, Serving Pancakes brings you closer to the action and the people shaping the future of volleyball. Jordan Thompson had that microphone. Oh, God forbid we make mistakes or

[F]

cuss at our coach like one time or two times.

[H]

Open your free iHeartradio app search serving Pancakes and listen. Now this has been Serving Pancakes. And we'll catch you on the flip side, okay?

[G]

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[B]

The basketball fashion world, yes, is ever changing. Do you feel like you have to keep up with the.

[C]

Holly's been a fashion icon.

[B]

No, I know, but it's always growing and I feel like shoes are such a big part of it and obviously I can tell, you know, what's going on.

[A]

Yeah. Well, here's what I will say. So back in 2020, I was in the WNBA bubble and I remember calling my boss and saying, hey, you know, like the fits are a thing. Like they keep coming in and we're doing tunnel fits and we don't ever broadcast it. We're not showing it on tv. And my producer was literally like, I don't understand what you're saying to me. What is a fit. So I had to explain to her what a fit was. And so, like, I take a teeny bit of pride in that. Like, I was the first one that got tunnel fits on TV in the bubble. Like, maybe we were doing some before in games, but I don't really remember it.

[F]

Holly.

[C]

I was walking in in, like, pajamas, sweats. Now you can see people's style, who they are personally, of, like, walking in, you know, like, she can be feisty.

[A]

I love that it personalizes players. I think it personalizes players, and it really showcases whatever your vibe is. You get to be really personal with it. And I like it because it elevates fandom, and I love it for the fans, and I think it's fun for you guys. I don't know. I know some players are like, okay, now this is a hassle because it's a whole thing, but you can do it or you don't have to do it. And I think it's very personal, and I really love it because it shows personality. And it's like, I do think that the W is where fashion and culture, you know, it's intersectional. And so I really like that.

[B]

Holly, how do you see travel impacting sports as we know it right now?

[A]

My niece is a young basketball player, and so it's really my first relative that has wanted to be a college basketball player. So I'm pouring everything into her. Like, I'm trying to sponsor her teams. And she.

[B]

In Utah.

[A]

She's in Utah, and she's here at the Final Four. Her team has a tournament.

[C]

Oh, really?

[A]

And so, like, I will always, like, donate points so they can get hotel rooms for free. So I'm, like, staying in my Marriott so I can get points so then I can give them to my niece. I'm really trying to give back that way with my Marriott points, and I think it's really special. I've done that for them at the WNBA All Star Game. And then one other cool thing we're doing with our Marriott points right now is my son and I started a foundation. Yes, Joyous. We are doing the Joyous foundation, where we are just like, I was in the depths of stage four cancer. You know, it was a really scary, dark place. And so we're trying to figure out how can we help people going through cancer find joy during this really scary time of their life? And so we are also using my merit points to bring cancer patients. So we have a woman that we've brought here. I've got her staying at a Sheraton right here, using my points so that we can bring her to a South Carolina game. She's a three time ovarian cancer survivor, but what's brought her joy is watching the South Carolina Gamecock play and she will get to see them play in person.

[C]

That is absolutely.

[B]

That's actually so amazing.

[C]

Me do that 1000%. 1000%.

[B]

Wait, that's incredible. I was reading you kept a joy journal as you were going through treatment and stuff. And that I feel like little things like that we often don't, it seems maybe like fleeing in the moment, but I'm sure that's something that you look back on and like that was very powerful and kept you positive through so many dark moments.

[A]

It's really true because when you're in cancer, you can't control anything. Like, I can't control what's happening in my body and I'm having another spread and another surgery and another bad scan and it's really stressful. And so during that time, I was like, I can't control what's happening to me, but I can control if I'm joyful every single day. And so I still keep my joy journal.

[C]

I love it.

[A]

And I will write down these things that bring me joy. So I'll give you an example. I wrote down last year at the WNBA draft, this player for UConn that had played at Princeton, transferred in. I just believed in her so much. And so during the draft, I said, I think Caitlin Chen should go up and sit in the front row where the UConn team, like, they were all there watching their other UConn friends, Paige Beckers, get drafted. And I just had this instinct. And I said to one of her teammates, tell Caitlin to go sit in that front row right now. And like, literally two minutes later, she got drafted to the Valkyries. She has played for the Valkyries, has been an unbelievable player in the wnba. So that went in my joy journal because that brought me so much happiness. So that's. That's kind of what I want us to do is if you're not experiencing joy every day, what are you doing? So that's kind of where we're trying to get to.

[C]

Speaking of joy, I know I just landed here in Phoenix, but I've lived out here for seven, eight years now. I feel like women's basketball has kind of taken over downtown Phoenix a little bit. Are you feeling that vibe?

[A]

No. We literally said when we landed, like, what a great spot for the Final Four. There's billboards everywhere, there's signs Everywhere. I love it because we want to feel like this is a big event and big time. And I really am proud of sponsors. There's more money than there's ever been with sponsorships like this opportunity you're getting. Sophie, we didn't used to have these. And so I'm really proud of how brands have gotten behind women's sports and the fans. You guys have always been here. You are so tried and true, and we are literally nothing without you. But what I love is the money that is flowing into our sport. Women deserve it, and we're finally seeing it pay back for us.

[C]

I think I was in the league at the perfect time because I was in it when we were still, like, it was rough. And now I'm kind of getting to see the positive impact of how awesome the WNBA can be, not only on our lives, but for the next generation. And I feel like when companies truly get to meet you or Asia or Angel Caitlin Cameron, like, all these people, they see how awesome us women really are outside of basketball, and they pour in. But I think the most important thing to me is you see these little girls out here, like, we're making it better for them. And so when they're in our seats, they're gonna be probably doing what the men are doing. You know what I mean? And that's like, you were a trailblazer for that. And so it's so cool for you kind of full circle to be on this show when you've been around this entire time.

[A]

Yeah. What I love for these young women is there are so many more opportunities. So I'm gonna tell you one quick story. The last time that UConn, right now they're on a 54 game winning streak. The last time UConn was on a long winning streak, they were on a 111 game winning streak. And the team that beat them was coached by Vic Schaefer with a little tiny player that's five, four named Morgan Williams.

[C]

I remember.

[A]

And Morgan William rises up and hits this shot to end UConn's 111 game winning streak.

[B]

What school was that?

[A]

Mississippi State.

[B]

Mississippi State.

[A]

I remember that.

[C]

I remember that college era. Yes, that was in college.

[A]

And so she rises up, hits this shot over a Gabby Williams coming out to block it. And when I went to do the post game interview with Morgan, I said, what did you see when you rose up to take that shot? And she said, opportunity. And it still to this day makes me want to cry and give me chills, because all we have ever I'm going to cry right now. All we have ever asked is opportunities for these little girls, for women. And so now that women are getting them, I just. I just feel so, so proud and grateful. I got chills too.

[C]

Yeah, me too.

[A]

Don't make me cry.

[B]

It's okay. Yeah. I think what's also really admirable is you've been in the highest level of men's sports spaces for a long time, and you still made the active decision to give back to women's sports when you very much could have taken more money or more opportunities to continue doing higher level men's sports. And I just think it's really admirable that you. You never left, like, what you cared about and giving back to. To women and highlighting women. And so I think you deserve so much credit for, like, always staying true. And I think getting to see you do that has been very cool. But I am curious how continuing to cover women's sports and I guess watching it evolve and having, like, some skin in the game this whole time, how has that changed you personally or as a journalist yourself?

[A]

Well, since I'm already crying now, I'm gonna cry more. Oh, my God. I'm really proud of that. And I'm grateful that you even noticed that, because in my era, you know, there would be a lot of sportscasters and young reporters, and they would start out on women's sports, and then when they hit the big time, they would go on to the men's sports. And I am very proud. I have never done that because I believe the big time is women's sports. And so I have really sacrificed. You know, I will do a college football game, and I will be in an SEC city at midnight, and then I will be at a tip off at noon in Indianapolis for a WNBA game. And I got there by driving through the night by myself. Like, I have gotten there by really, truly being committed to women's sports. But it's more than that. It's like I'm that little girl that wished I had these opportunities. You know, Like, I played every sport growing up in basketball in high school, but I didn't have the opportunities in college that people have. And so really, I am that little girl that I am covering these sports for. So I keep doing it because that's. That's who I am, and I love it. But it's changed me more than I've ever changed it.

[C]

That is not true, Holly. That is not true. Don't make me cry. This is supposed to be a happy podcast.

[B]

All right, Guys, real quick. We're gonna do the perfect travel play. Okay? We're drawing it up late, second time out. I have a board of the 50 US states here. Actually, no. Hawaii and Alaska. So we got the Continental 48. And we're gonna draw our perfect road trip. Okay? Four cities, mark them down. It could be about sports. It could be sightseeing related. It could be about food. You Let me know. 60 seconds. Let's get into it. Holly, you're excited. Do you wanna go first?

[A]

I'm excited about mine because mine is super specific. Can I go first? Okay.

[B]

Yeah, I'm ready.

[A]

All right, so here I am. I am starting here for the SEC softball tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. I am driving up through the night doing the semifinals. Driving up through the night for the season opener WNBA game. Dallas at Indiana. Whoa.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Then I'm going to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series. Then I'm going to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the very first ever AUSL pro softball debut for the Utah Talons.

[F]

Wow.

[A]

Before I take a vacation to Italy in New York.

[F]

Flying to Italy.

[A]

So that is the very important arrow out there. And this is a true story. And I didn't even know I was doing this. I am staying in only Marriott properties in Italy. I'm to going to the Lake Como edition. The St. Regis in Florence and the St. Regis in Rome.

[B]

Can I give a shout out to landlocked states? The coast, guys, coasts are overrated. I know people only care about the coast.

[F]

I live on a coast, but I.

[B]

But I still am from Missouri and everyone knows it.

[A]

You know, Coasts are not overrated.

[B]

I love California, too, but I'm just saying, you. A lot of people would do Florida, California, and that's a very.

[A]

I'm all sports center central.

[B]

Okay, here we go. Here's mine, guys. Okay. I started in Seattle because I was thinking Pacific coast highway because it's a great road trip. But then I realized I'm not gonna get a lot of sports on the coast of Oregon in Northern California. Seattle is a good sport, but Seattle is a good sports city. So we're gonna start there, we're gonna drive through Lake Coeur d' Alene and end up in Bozeman, Montana, for a little Montana State Bobcat football game. That's where your boy went to undergrad. Then we're gonna drive straight down through the Rockies to Holly's hometown, Salt Lake City.

[A]

Let's go.

[B]

Also, reality TV capital of the world,

[A]

which people don't know about details. My. My hairstylist does the hair for the Real Housewives of Salt.

[B]

See, I knew Holly would have some thoughts.

[C]

Can we have another hour?

[A]

I have details.

[B]

We can watch NHL hockey and.

[A]

Yes, pro softball. Yes. A USL Utah talents.

[B]

And check in with Holly if she's got any time off. And then we're gonna go one of the worst drives imaginable. I 70 straight through Colorado and Kansas to Kansas City. We're gonna get some barbecue and watch the Chiefs revamp, revamp their dynasty.

[C]

Well, your guys, this is very Sophie driven. Okay, so they didn't put on here. I don't know if you guys can see fans, but I'm starting in Hawaii.

[A]

Oh, we should have thought of that. We should have thought of that.

[C]

Yep. So I'm gonna go there. A little island life that's right up my alley. I'm gonna go straight up to Columbia, Missouri, to get some booches and some barbecue. That's where I'm from. It's where my family's at. I'm going to Nashville to, you know, listen to some country music, maybe meet a cowboy or two.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And then I am going straight down to Florida to get a 10.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Are you any sports or you're avoiding sports the whole time?

[A]

Takes your time off.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

That tells you how our brains are different. Like, for my time off, I'm like, I'm going to all the sports.

[C]

No, I'm hitting family and beaches.

[B]

I've done the Columbia to Nashville drive a lot of times. It's not bad. Six and a half.

[A]

Speaking of which, I was doing a speaking engagement years ago, and I was in Columbia, and these two women came up to me and really bent my ear for, like, 30 minutes. And it was your mom and maybe your grandma.

[C]

Oh, oh, yeah. No, not them.

[A]

And they were sending me pictures of when they used to play. They were so cute, and I was obsessed, and I love them very much. Holly and hello.

[B]

The University of Missouri women's basketball team at one point had four starters from our high school.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. That's amazing.

[C]

My freshman year, it was fun.

[B]

Pretty special.

[A]

I love it.

[C]

Speaking of Nashville, I thought we were gonna get a team. I was so hopeful we were getting a team in Nashville.

[A]

I feel like it could still happen because Candice Parker had a group put together there. And I was literally like, if she gets a group, then I'm gonna retire and work on that team. But I think that we'll have more expansion. I think Kathy has said that they want more expansion by 2028. So I think we'll see more.

[B]

We'll get there.

[C]

Come on, Nashville.

[B]

Holly, before we go, you have one more story for us that I want you to tell us.

[C]

Oh, okay.

[A]

So we were talking about travel and hotels and everything, so my son and I love to travel together, and we went to the Olympics.

[C]

How old is he now?

[A]

He's 30 now. I talk about him like he's 12, but he's 30. We talk about the Olympics. So I am a huge fan of the Olympics. So we went to the Paris Olympics just as fans, and we had the time of our lives, and we got to go to Team USA women's gold medal basketball game and be there when Stewie and Asia and Chelsea Gray and be there with all them at the celebrations.

[C]

And you just got to enjoy it.

[A]

We just got to enjoy it. We were just fans, like said I. I was painting my face red, white, and blue and just being a fan, not a reporter. So I really do like travel for love of sports, and I've been all over the world and really using sports as kind of my lifeline for life.

[C]

Wait, what makes a good hotel room to you?

[A]

Okay, so. To me. So right now, I'm super in love with the additions on the Marriott brand because you walk into the lobby and there's a feeling. So one of my favorite hotels is the addition Miami. It's Miami Beach. And you walk in, and it's like. Like cream and wood and plants, and it's very natural and elegant. So I'm really picky about hotels because I stay in hotels more than I stay at my own home. So I am very picky. But I would say the Marriott editions are my favorite brand right now because there is a feeling when you walk in the door. So I'm really excited to go to the one in Lake Como. I think it's going to be gorgeous. So Lake Como, Italy, then I also just stayed at the St. Regis in Chicago. Oh, yeah, I'm abstract. Have you ever stayed there?

[B]

It's nice that despite how much you do travel for work, that you can still find time to like. Because when you're in an airport, not by choice, always, it's. It's a daunting idea to want to book your own plane tickets, but it's good that you're still finding time to, like, visit places that you want to see.

[A]

Yeah, the second I don't have a game, I book a flight. So I'm like. I'm like, oh, God, I can finally do something I want. Let me book a flight to this game.

[B]

You're not a homebody?

[A]

No.

[C]

Is your son in sports?

[A]

He's not. He's an actor.

[C]

Oh, is he really?

[A]

Yeah, he's an actor. He was actually in the Kurt Warner movie American Underdog. Did you ever watch that movie?

[B]

I watched that movie.

[A]

My son is in that movie.

[B]

There we go.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Where does he live?

[A]

New York.

[B]

He lives in New York.

[A]

New York City.

[B]

Okay, nice. Have you lived in any other state that isn't Utah?

[A]

I've lived in LA when I was doing my cancer treatment. I was getting treated at the UCLA Medical Center. So I lived in LA for four years. And then I lived in New York for four years. Oh, wow.

[C]

Holly, you're the best guys.

[B]

We, for the first time on this podcast, laughed and cried.

[A]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

And so that. That feels good.

[C]

No.

[B]

That's so awesome. And it's nice to ask someone questions and let someone share their story who is often sharing other people's stories.

[E]

Aww.

[B]

And so, like, that's so cool. And we thank you very much.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

And you're going right back to work after this?

[A]

I'm going to work right this minute. Formulating my questions right now. The arrival interviews for coach Don Staley and Gina Auriemma. So I'm excited. I think we're gonna get two really good games. I will be really surprised if these aren't two very competitive games. I think we have the four best teams in the country. So I'm really excited. And I just wanna compliment you guys. Cause I really enjoy your show. I watch your show and I think it's so fun. But in my head, I've been like, who the hell is this guy and why is he on with Sophie?

[C]

High school friends.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But you do a good job. And do you, like. You really know stuff.

[C]

You work for Complex.

[B]

I worked at Bleacher Report for four years, and so I've been doing interviews and producing and stuff for a long time.

[C]

He's very good at it.

[A]

His show is so fun and so cute. But this is my first time I've gotten to interact with you, so I say I'm proud of you. You're doing a great job.

[B]

I appreciate that. And you're part of my childhood core memories. All the Mizzou games. So that's, like, awesome.

[C]

All of our core memories that I'm

[A]

in your childhood core.

[F]

You are.

[B]

Thank you for coming. Alison Feaster has played and traveled all over the world and is a lifelong athlete. She's an executive for the Boston Celtics and the mother of an NCAA star athlete. And an advocate for the power of sports. She was a part of the first 16 seed to beat a 1 seed. I knew you beat a 1 seed, but I wasn't sure if it was the first one ever.

[F]

Actually. Only on the women's side.

[B]

Incredible. Only incredible. When Harvard beat Stanford. What was it, 1990?

[F]

1998?

[B]

98. She went on to play in the WNBA for the Sparks, the Charlotte Sting, in the Indiana Fever.

[C]

Come on now. Now she's here with us in Phoenix for the 2026 NCAA Women's Championship where her daughter, which is absolutely amazing. Full circle moment. Sarah Strong, who was just named the AP Player of the Year as a sophomore at UConn. That is crazy. Absolutely insane.

[B]

But I do have to say one thing. I keep having nuggets before we hop into everything. I covered the McDonald's All American game in Houston. Would have been two years ago.

[F]

Yeah.

[B]

With Sarah. And so we did like fun, social content and stuff with her. So I actually got to hang out and meet Sarah two years ago. Did you. In the moment when you guys were the first 16 to win, did it just feel like, I mean, obviously it's a tournament win, it's a bigger win than normal. But did you know in the moment like what you had done or was it like, oh, big win, let's move, let's keep it moving.

[F]

I think we were cognizant. I think the grainy, you know, barely color video that they show every year during the tournament. But you know, you can see my teammates just losing it. We knew it. That it would reverberate almost 30 years later. No, because it's just not. Hasn't been known the women's side. And it's just, I mean it's only

[B]

done twice in the men's side, twice in the men's.

[C]

It's not that common on the women's side. There's not even. There's such a huge difference between a one seat and a two seat. Like, I mean that's historic. Historic. But you don't see a lot of upsets or Cinderella stories on the women's side. You just don't.

[F]

Selection Sunday, we were given a 16 seed. We had, we thought we were much better. We found out we were going to go play at Stanford, which is number one seed. So we were going in with a chip on our shoulder. They had a 50 something game win streak and we prepared these play cards. So because it was so loud and I think because of the earthquake, there's some type of system where the. It's Just some type of shock system. So it's really loud. You can feel the. The court shake. I was a nation's leading scorer at the time, so there wasn't a ton of respect for a Harvard player leading the nation in scoring. And I will say this in all fairness. Stanford did have two. They were missing two starters.

[C]

I don't care.

[F]

It totally doesn't matter because you gotta play the game 1000%. We just chopped away at it and won.

[C]

I'm probably.

[B]

I'm hitting YouTube when I get to the hotel.

[C]

I'm trying to find these kids. I want to know, was it you and then just like a bunch of other people, or did you have some studs on your team, too that were,

[F]

like, good, you know, the. Our college coach, and I'm not even

[C]

trying to be disrespectful, but I just want to know.

[F]

Our college coach set the stage at the beginning of the year. Act as if your role on a team is the most important role. And each and every person knew what she was supposed to do on the court. I just happened to, you know, want to be the best player on the team and score the most points, but my teammates, they knew what they were supposed to do, and they did. One of my teammates hit a three pointer to seal the win. So people were confident, you know, what's crazy in what they had to do.

[C]

You're saying that and like, that's what we're trying to get in the W on that. The championship teams say the same exact thing. And it's like, know your role, own your role. And that even if it's getting two boards a game, own that. You know what I mean? The team needs that. And so I absolutely love that it is.

[B]

I wonder what the difference, like, the feeling between that win versus if Sarah wins a championship. I mean, they're both, like, very euphoric.

[F]

Give me Sarah's win. Yeah, you know, so we won. The Celtics won in 2024. I was elated. You know, all the things. And then when they won last year in Tampa. Yeah, there's nothing like that.

[B]

That's dope.

[F]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[F]

It was so great.

[C]

First of all, you're all star one year for the wr.

[F]

Yeah.

[C]

One year. Yeah. Heck, yeah, you are. So you played at the highest level college pros. And now I was just asking you. I feel like probably the most anxious you're ever going to be is. Is being a mom on the sideline, watching your baby girl do her thing on the biggest level of college hoops. Like, what are you truly feeling like being on this side of it? What did you not know then beyond nerves?

[F]

It's zero control on the game, on the outcome whatsoever. I think we parents like to think that we have some magic word that we can say to activate something in our children, but no. Powerless and also positively optimistic that they're going to put their best foot forward. The best team is going to win today. And so that's really all you can hope for. That's easier said than done. I'm already sweating bullets thinking about it. Just trusting every step of the process. We get caught up in hoping that we make the right decisions along the way. And, you know, I know Gino and the staff have it. So.

[B]

As someone who's been involved with sports almost your whole life, do you find it hard to let go a little bit in moments like this? Cause obviously you do know what you're talking about. You've been in these moments.

[F]

Absolutely.

[B]

Is it hard to tell yourself, like, let Geno and the staff handle it, or do you. It's easy to just be a mom.

[C]

She's calling Geno.

[B]

Hey, you need to know, Stevens.

[C]

You need to know as someone who

[B]

knows what's going on and is a

[F]

mom, like, I think we've gotten to a point this season especially, and looking back at last season, like, she. Her phone was off before the. Before the final four, and we couldn't get to her anyway. And that. And when she came out and to see her with that level of focus and just preparedness, like, yeah, they know what they're doing. So I'm definitely not one to push up on Geno like that.

[C]

You've been around the game forever. Still are with the Boston Celtics, which is huge, not only for just being in the NBA, but as a woman trailblazing for people who might want to do that when they're done. What do you kind of see in this generation of players that maybe you didn't see when you were playing? And, like, what excites you about even the next generation after Sarah is done with college.

[F]

I'm excited about this next generation. And I can tell you, even the generation that's killing it now, you guys, and I include you in there because you're an active player. Multi hyphenates, if I can use that phrase. You guys are so good at so many things. Mastering the on court stuff. You are getting exposure to all types of things off the court, just building out that professional profile, so to speak. And you can do many things. And I think the younger generation is learning that in real time from you guys and yeah, you're just ready.

[C]

Well, I think it shows. It's always been there. I think maybe it's just the platform, the opportunity. Social media is a good thing can be a bad thing. But I think that's helped bring a lot of opportunity and eyes to our sport. But I think you are walking proof that the resume of us being more than just an athlete have always been there.

[F]

Yeah, it's a different type of hustle. We definitely had to hustle back in the day to get what you guys are now getting very well deserved.

[B]

Obviously, we've talked a lot of women's basketball and women like players and people involved in the wnba. But as someone who's in the NBA, what do you feel like you're trailblazing? As someone who you aren't in a women's field, you're in a men's field. But being a woman in such like a high level, male centered, like, office, what are you most proud of as far as being a woman in that space?

[F]

And this is not. I say this with the utmost humility. Like, if you're in a role like I am, if you're in a space that's male dominated and you have some influence, you have to leverage that influence to open doors and provide exposure to the underrepresented. And I'm really proud that I embrace that role. I want young women, young girls to know that there is a place in men's sports for them because there's certainly a lot of men in women's professional sports. So we want to make sure that. That there is just that exposure.

[C]

Everyone is focused on Sarah. Right. But I think once you're in it, you realize that it takes a village in a community, in a small circle, some big, but mainly a small circle of really getting her to where she's at. And I think I'm just wanting. This isn't a question. This is just me showing appreciation that as an athlete, I just want to say thank you for pouring into women's sports. Thank you for pouring into Sarah to show her what it can really be like. Because I do think that, you know, the kids and the athlete, they get all the credit, but the parents do so, so much. And it's expensive. Oh, my gosh, it's expensive to go and travel on the AAU circuits. It's expensive to travel to every game to be here and support her. Because you say, you know, oh, her phone's off, she doesn't need. No, you bring her a certain comfort when she looks up in the stands and she makes eye contact with you. So I just want to say thank you from a child perspective, from an athlete perspective, of. Of supportive, awesome parents that pour into your children.

[F]

When I went to work with the Celtics, she stayed back in North Carolina with her dad. She wore the tires off his car going to tournament to pick up her friends. Basketball's in the back. And this past Christmas, she bought him a car as a way to say thank you.

[B]

Holy cow.

[F]

That's awesome. Yeah, it was pretty moving.

[B]

Love that.

[C]

Well, speaking of travel, did you have any rituals when you traveled back in the day, either here or.

[B]

You played overseas, too?

[C]

Yeah, played overseas. Yeah. Tell me about that.

[F]

I've always been one to kind of delve into the culture wherever I am, and sitting outside on a terraza, having a drink with friends. Sangria, we need some tinto de verano right now.

[B]

Where did you play overseas?

[F]

I played in France. Six years in France, nine in Spain, one Italy, one Portugal. Sarah is also a naturalized French, so this. Well, she has it by birth, but her dad and I are naturalized, so, yeah. Having played there for so long.

[C]

Oh, that's amazing.

[B]

Did your connections with the Celtics come from playing or going to school in Boston or.

[F]

Kind of, sort of, a little bit. When I. At 40, I was like, it's time to retire.

[C]

Wait, you played till you were 40?

[F]

I did. I was playing overseas. I was. You know, it's. Didn't know what I wanted to do and just kept playing, working, hustling, until I figured it out. There was a program for former players at the NBA League office. It was called the Basketball Operations Associates Program, something like that. The first cohort were six of us. Me, Stacy Lovelace, a former Purdue boilermaker, Brian Cardinal, Drew Gooden, Corey McGetty, and Troy Murphy, I want to say, was the last guy. But, yeah, that's how I met Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens through that program.

[B]

Was education growing up, like, a big part of, like.

[F]

Yeah, it was the only. Really, the only motivation. My mom was a single parent raising four kids, and, yeah, education was the way to get a good job and make money to help the family. And that's why I chose to forego the scholarship and go to Harvard.

[C]

Really?

[F]

Yeah.

[B]

Because the Ivy you cannot do.

[F]

It's. They don't have athletic scholarships.

[B]

It's not athletic scholarships. You have to.

[C]

Clearly, I knew that. Duh.

[B]

I lived with Harvard football guys my first two years in New York, and so I learned a lot about the. The Ivy League sports. We asked Holly, this earlier. Is there a community right now and it can be W or college basketball that you think embraces women's sports like more than anywhere else or some. Somewhere underrated that you're like, dude, great

[C]

question for like someone who's.

[B]

Or it could even be in Europe like somewhere where you're like, they, they love women's basketball.

[F]

You know what? So I, working with men, like the NBA players, I'm around the guys all the time that they, they love the game. And I also want to shout out like the, the players who use their platform, like Kevin Durant who's always, you know, repping and uplifting and watching the sport. You know, Kobe, may you rest in peace with the, with the orange sweatshirt. Like, that was a watershed moment for the game. And so, yeah, I would call out the NBA players.

[B]

That's awesome. Actually, that's a really good answer.

[C]

You know what's funny? And I know you clearly just said this, but to piggyback off that, we know that those guys support us.

[B]

I mean, you're behind the scenes with those guys, but you also have played yourself. What do you feel like you have seen change the most in the women's game since like you played to now?

[F]

The amount of resources available, I think that's the obvious thing, but I. The amount of, I mean the women today are just, they don't have to work two jobs. You know, you can dedicate your livelihood. Your livelihood is basketball and being a professional and honing your craft.

[C]

What is something you have like told Sarah in order to like help her? Like what's your pieces of advice to her? Because you've been in her shoes.

[F]

I tell her she has to trust like the work that she puts in. If you're in any role, your confidence might, you know, waver at times. You have to trust that the little daily deposits that you put in over many, many, many, many years, like she knows how to do it. That's where you get your confidence from. And also, you know, she's a, she's a whole amazing person. If the basketball were not there.

[B]

You've lived overseas, went to school in, in Boston now?

[F]

Yes.

[B]

Grew up in South Carolina.

[C]

I thought we were going to get a W team in Boston. Yeah, we were close.

[F]

Keep our fingers crossed.

[B]

Basketball aside, do you guys as a family find like travel, vacations, whatever it is, exploring the country, the world, like an important part of like growing as a person?

[F]

Yeah, we travel a lot. Last year we went back to Spain for like a four day trip. Sarah, my husband, my mom you know, into. We also went to the British Virgin Islands. My husband's from the Virgin Islands.

[C]

I just got back from there, like, this morning.

[F]

Amazing.

[A]

St. Thomas.

[C]

St. John.

[F]

Yeah. My husband's from St. Thomas.

[D]

Oh, really?

[F]

Yeah, he's from St. Thomas and literally

[C]

spent 11 days there the past two weeks.

[F]

That's amazing. So we do, like, travel's a big part of it. Yeah.

[B]

I mean, I think, like, everyone has their own reasons, but for me, I just think, yeah, from a young age, learning that people are different than you, like, not everything is the way it is in your hometown and your family is so important.

[F]

Important.

[B]

I was just curious what lessons you think you learned. Being all over the place and then also, like, getting to expose, you know, Sarah to different places as well.

[C]

She has. I don't even know if she knows this, but she has such an advantage of being able to already explore Europe and different cultures and, like, bringing all the good of each culture and, like, creating your. Like, creating yourself, you know?

[F]

That's so true. That's so true. You make a good point. I think that's one of this. That's a skill, like being able to. To go to a country that. A foreign country and figure out the language, make friends. It's like a survival skill that it was hard growing up and having to change schools every couple years, but at the same time, that's what allows her to probably play and not look like she feels pressure or out of sorts because she's been under pressure and in adversity in other situations. So I think that's one of the. The. The things. That's one of the amazing things about traveling and living abroad. You get a chance to. You can't speak the language. You have to find another way to communicate, to find common ground. Yeah.

[C]

Two part question. First one, are you a hotel snob?

[F]

Absolutely.

[B]

Hey.

[F]

Absolutely.

[C]

Gaming in the NBA does not help.

[F]

Oh, my gosh. There's nothing like being at a nice hotel.

[C]

Like, peaceful.

[F]

The fragrance, all the things.

[C]

Wait, so that was my second part. Hold on.

[F]

Amazing.

[C]

What makes. And you have to go into detail here. What makes a great hotel room?

[F]

The bed. You got to start with the bed. The comforter, the sheets properly tucked, the amenities in the bathroom.

[C]

But you do get kind of bougie, though, because now you have people, like, checking on you at night. Hey, do you need a little. Do you want your fire on?

[F]

Do you want.

[C]

But what are you excited to see from, like, a basketball perspective? From ucla, from South Carolina, from Texas? Because we know. We know what you see from UConn. Everyone sees that. You know what I mean?

[F]

It's incredible to have four number one seeds. This is going to be a crazy final Four. I am excited to see all the seniors who are. Who have one more shot at. At a national title. Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice. I mean, I think they have six seniors that, you know with ucla, that's the sad part.

[B]

That's the other side, too. When, like, when you. When it's over and it's so. It's so heartbreaking.

[F]

Yeah. Madison Booker. How tough is she? And Rory Harmon, like, that Texas team is stacked and. And they're. And they're due as well. And then you turn to South Carolina and I mean, Donald is a former teammate of mine. She's probably one of my. The teammate I. I admire the most. And yeah, here we go again against. Against. Against South Carolina. So it's going to be a great, great Final Four.

[B]

We were talking earlier about how the Geno Don Staley matchup is kind of an iconic March rivalry. Like, that's almost equally the storyline or as an important of a storyline is like, the team's playing. Those two have seen each other so much and are so storied.

[C]

Like, if you had to give advice to parents or players in the situation of where college sports are today, what advice would you give these kids that, you know, maybe they are freshmen and they're not getting the stardom that they thought they would like. What's it mean to stay? What's it mean to maybe go?

[F]

Yeah, you know, that's a tough one. I think it. And let me just say at the outset, it depends on the family and the player, the situation. Each situation is unique. I would say, though, that there's something to be said about figuring it out.

[B]

Yes.

[F]

Figuring it out like you did. Hopefully you did the research required when you made the decision to go to a school that you have some semblance of confidence that you can work your way to a point where you need to work to.

[C]

I just feel like you have such an underdog mentality, and I think so many people lack that quality.

[B]

Your story's so dope in how diverse, but it all comes back to basketball. Yeah, but Harvard, like Europe, it's all very cool, and it fits, like what we're trying to cover today. And so we. Thank you for pulling up.

[F]

Thank you guys for having me. This is so dope.

[B]

It was sick.

[F]

Thank you.

[B]

Holy freaking moly.

[C]

That was awesome.

[B]

No, that actually was so great.

[C]

Yeah. So thank you to Holly. Thank you to Allison.

[B]

We cried.

[C]

We literally cried and we laughed, laughed, cried. We did all the emotions. And then a huge shout out to Marriott Bonvoy for being here in Phoenix for this Women's Final Four. We'll do one of those amazing, amazing. You're guys team is amazing. The set was awesome.

[B]

We're headed into the women's game and then we're going straight to Indy Live from the Bracket we already gave away tickets to the 2026 tournament, but we're not done yet. Marriott Bonvoy is giving away a pair of tickets to the 2027 Men's and Women's Championships.

[C]

To enter for a chance to win, head to Show Me Pod on Instagram and comment your favorite college basketball team on any of our Live from the Bracket posts related to the sweepstakes.

[B]

Be sure to include the hashtag Live from the Bracket in your comment to be eligible. Full details in the episode description do not miss it.

[C]

No purchase necessary. Open to legal Residents of the 50 U.S. states or D.C. who are at least 18 years old as of the date of entry ends April 15. [e-mail] livefromthebracket.

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.