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Welcome to October, party people. The Sing Second Pod steams into our favortie month with a great conversation about the upcoming President's Circle weekend, a difficult weekend for Navy Football vs Air Force, a new remembrance to Jimmy Carter on the Yard and a big star win for Jimmy Stobs and Navy Men's Golf. We also interview Wayne Rogers '76. The movie Atonement hit the theaters this past Friday. AN incredibly moving story about a tragedy from the Iraq War and how lives continue to be affected by its events years later. Starring Kenneth Brannagh, this marks Waynbe Rogers' return to movie producing. The Annapolis resident dishes about how to produce (hint - It's harder than "Get Shorty"), the leadership lessons he learned from being a SWO to being a successful executive in the Hydro Power game...to producing a Hollywood movie. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

The last pod of September hits like a freight train. John and Chris chat about an up and down week for Navy sports. A big star win for Rugby was offset by a star loss for Sprint Football and a loss to UAB for Brian Newberry's guys. We also have a great conversation with Alberto Desterac '23. Alberto lost his sight during his firstie year to a rare condition, but that didn't stop him from getting 4.0 and graduating with his class. Now he's using the challenges life threw at him and crafting solutions for vision-limited people around the world. And we preview the big game vs Air Force this weekend with a great conversation with Air Force cadet and football stud Isaac Hubert. Isaac plays for Troy Calhoun's boys, but he was raised by two USNA parents. We talk to him about his unique story and his thoughts on the rivalry with Navy. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

September keeps rolling along, and so do John and Chris with this week's Alumni Association & Foundation Podcast. We break down what you might see from Navy Football Friday night in Birmingham. We chat about Friends of Navy Golf and the amazing momentum behind this organization's effort to support the ecosystem of Golf Excellence at Navy through alumni philanthropy and support. We also announce the 2026 Thriving as Leaders awardees, an amazing group of women and men who represent what the Naval Academy is all about - excellence. And our alumni interview this week is with Karl Darden '84. Karl is a fellow podcaster and supporter of the Naval Academy physical mission. Through the Navy Sports Central Podcast, Karl provides a unique perspective into the high performing collegiate athletic program that is USNA. That and More on the best Alumni Association podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Mid-September brings the return of your favorite Alumni Association & Foundation Podcast. Chris and John break down the first road game of the year. The football result wasn’t what we wanted, but the tailgate was 200+ strong. We had astronauts and Thriving as Leaders awardees in attendance…and that was just the Class of ‘77! Either way, great connections down in Boca. Next up…Birmingham. We also wrap up our historic 9/11 coverage last week, which included our multi-media features which provided the alumnus a sneak peak of the new shipmatemagazine.com. And our featured interview this week is with Jeff McLean ‘04. Jeff joins us from “Sconny” and chats up his time as a fighter pilot, his transition to the civilian world of leadership and his role as a new member of the Alumni Association Board of Trustees. Jeff has amazing leadership lessons and stories. Be sure to listen in! That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Welcome to Sing Second’s special commemoration of the 9/11 25th Anniversary. We remember the 14 alumni who passed away on that fateful day, and Chris and John discuss how we are still touched and haunted by what 9/11 was and is. And we remember that day from several perspectives with a four-pack of interviews. VADM John Ryan recounts what it was like to lead the Academy as the Supe in the hours and weeks after the tragedy. Chris Hoffman ‘96 was the Officer of the Watch that day on the yard. Chris lends his perspective on the leadership and logistical challenges of “standing the watch” that day. Ed Malinowski was a firstie and the Football team captain when the planes hit. Ed recounts how it impacted him and the football team during a particularly challenging season. And there was only one American not on earth on 9/11…Frank Culbertson ‘71. Frank gives us his perspective on learning of the events from the space station and how it impacted him and his crew. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Well...that's a wrap on an amazing week. We wrap up Thursday's Distinguished Graduate ceremony, preview Saturday's big game and provide all the good updates on 2/c Parents Weekend on the yard. We also chat with AD Michael Kelly about the new stadium renovations in the South End Zone at Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. We also called into Coach Brian Newberry's press conference before the Towson game to get his thoughts. And do you want to know about the weather for tomorrow's big day? We are ecstatic to bring back WBAL weather expert Ava Marie. Ava likes the outlook Saturday. So do we. 100% chance of fun and a Navy win. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Let’s keep it rolling, people. We’re arrived at DGA Day…and our last pod drop is a special crossover event. Do you remember when Magnum PI and Simon & Simon did the crossover on TV? It was a special moment. Well, that special moment returns with the first ever Sing Second and Voices from Orbit podcast crossover. Capt. Cassidy sat down with Shipmate Editor-in-Chief Jimmy DeButts for a wide-ranging conversation on the Voices from Orbit podcast presented by the Alumni Association. Cassidy reflects on his time as a SEAL, an astronaut and his feelings on being selected for the DGA. The interview took place earlier this week and is a “can’t miss.” Chris and John also chat about the DGA ceremony and preview a big pod dropping Friday when we welcome Athletic Director Michael Kelly, Head Football Coach Brian Newberry, and a special weather report for the Alumni Pregame and the Football game from WBAL Baltimore Meteorologist, Ava Marie. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

What a week it’s been, friends! We get to mid-week with a motivational YUT. We talk to Lt. Gen. David Beydler ‘81 about his career, his selection as a Distinguished Graduate, his time on the Alumni Association Board of Trustees…and much much more. General Beydler loves the Naval Academy, and it remains a great honor to give interviewees the megaphone they need to talk about their affection. Congrats to the Marine in the group on being a DGA and an overall great American. Chris and John also dish a little bit on the new amenities and features at Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this season. Of note - the new Naval Academy Athletic Foundation Tower in the South End Zone. They’re painting it now…so it has to be ready by Saturday!That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Day two of DGA week. Stay hydrated, people. The Pod welcomes Mark Fox on the eve of his recognition as part of the 2026 Distinguished Graduate class. Fox joins us to reflect on a lifetime of leadership, service, and the lessons learned from his journey following graduation from Annapolis. Chris and I also break down the football season opener and discuss Coach Brian Newberry's press conference as Navy prepares to take the field. We share our thoughts on the team's outlook, key storylines heading into the season, and what fans should be watching as Navy begins its campaign.And because no Navy football weekend is complete without a trip downtown, we highlight a few new Annapolis businesses that alumni and fans can check out before or after Saturday's game. Whether you're back in town for reunion season, visiting the Yard, or simply looking for a new favorite spot, we've got you covered. That, plus updates from around the alumni community and much more on the best alumni podcast in the land.Listen, subscribe, and share. Beat Army. Always.

It's a big week! We honor four new Distinguished Graduates this week. And where else are you going to get an exclusive interview with each one? Sing Second. We have Daily Drops this week with each DG. Our featured guest today is ADM Patrick Walsh ’77, USN (Ret.), one of the most accomplished naval leaders of his generation. A Naval Academy graduate, former Blue Angel, combat aviator, and four-star admiral, Admiral Walsh capped off more than 34 years of service as the 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, responsible for operations across the vast Indo-Pacific region. He also served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet. In a wide-ranging half-hour conversation, Admiral Walsh reflects on leadership lessons learned from the cockpit, the importance of character and trust in high-performing teams, and how the Naval Academy prepared him for a lifetime of service. Chris and John also catch up on all things Alumni Association & Foundation, talk about what’s happening around the Yard this week and start previewing the first football game of the year against Towson. Whether you're a Midshipman, graduate, active-duty officer, veteran, or simply interested in leadership at the highest levels, this is an episode you won't want to miss. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. Beat Army. Always.

Let’s get after it. Chris and John talk about this past weekend’s road trip to San Diego for Men’s Soccer, the new Volgeneau Auditorium in Mahan Hall and our excitement for the upcoming football season. Don’t forget our first “Alumni Pre-Game” 1130-1330 Sept. 5th before the Towson game! Our alum interview this week is with Stephen DiBartolomeo ‘16. Stephen graduated, served in the Intel/Crypto community and is now making his own way as an Entrepreneur and business leader in the tech space with Chiplytics. We have a great conversation about the challenges in that sector and how making that transition worked out for Stephen. And we shout it out to Run To Honor as we approach this weekend’s big Annapolis 10 Miler. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. We…are….OUT. Beat Army. Always.

Here we go. As we recorded Ep. 2, the first day of classes of the 2026-2027 academic year were just getting underway. So, Plebe Summer is done. Athletic competitions are underway. And the first football game and Distinguished Graduate weekend is just around the corner. Chris and John talk about welcoming the class of 2030 to the FAC to engage them about membership, the Class of 2028 and their 2 for 7 experience last week and the Class of 2027 and challenges that await them this year and in the Fleet and Marine Corps that awaits them. We also talk about the new Leadership Institute Director position at USNA, which was advertised last week. We also break down "YP Next" and the autonomous training and collaboration USNA worked into its summer training regimen. And we're way excited to talk about the new "Alumni Pre-game," our pre-game get-togethers for every home game this season. Up first - September 5th from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the FAC for the Towson game. We'll have a live pod with guests from the two reunion classes ('81 and '96) and some other awesome guests. And, as always, there will be food and drink. So come be a pre-gamer at the FAC and help us usher in the new season. And our alum interview this week is with Nathan Getty '08. Nathan and his wife, Lindsay, join the pod to talk about their company, Story Sprouts. Find it at storysprouts.co for more info, but Lindsay and Nathan are making books as collectibles for your life events and memories. It's an awesome concept and a great way of having paper remembrances if you're trying to get Out of the digital world. They're giving a discount code - SINGSECOND - on your order. Check out their site and listen to their interview. That and more on the best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast in the land. We…are….OUT. Beat Army. Always.

We're back, people! What started as something to kill time during Covid has turned into an amazing engagement opportunity for all of us as we bring you the stories BEHIND the stories of how our alums make In happen from the Fleet to the C-Suite. Men and Women of character and consequence sharing their visions...their perspectives...and their leadership advice on this Ted Talk-like pod. This week...Chris and John bring the pod back where it all started - Dry 85. We chat about Plebe Parents Weekend and the upcoming Ac Year. And our guests this week break it down on the impact of giving back. Setting the "BLUE AND GOLD STANDARD" is the great class of 1972. Jeff Beard and John Dillon join the pod to talk about class giving and their thoughts on what makes USNA special today. That and more on Sing Second. Beat Army. Always.

In this episode, John Schofield, Jimmy DeButts, and Emily Lucht discuss the July/August issue of Shipmate Magazine, featuring the iconic Herndon Climb on the cover. They catch up on I-Day for the Class of 2030, recap the successful Entrepreneur Summit that welcomed more than 200 attendees to the Fluegel Alumni Center, and follow Flat Bill on his latest adventure to the Brickyard in Indianapolis—so keep those photos coming! The center piece of the conversation, a remarkable interview with Charlie Duke '57, USAF (Ret.), the last living Naval Academy alumnus to walk on the moon, as he shares memories from his historic journey into space. Plus, we are adding to the Sing Second Fleet of podcasts, Voices from Orbit, launching in August and dedicated to sharing out-of-this-world stories from Naval Academy astronaut alumni. And that's not all. The team also takes listeners inside The 19th Hole, the new restaurant and gathering space at the USNA Golf Course, made possible through alumni philanthropy and led by CDR Jim Kelly '77. It's a new place for alumni and friends to connect, relax, and enjoy the camaraderie that makes the Naval Academy community so special. All this and more on Sing Second Shipmate. Thank you for reading—and listening to—Shipmate.

That’s a wrap, party people. Like Bill Murray in Ghostbusters…We came…we saw…we kicked it’s butt!! What a season. We journeyed into June for the first time in our Pod career. We stopped talking about the Orioles…because they’re an abomination…and we built a legion of loyal followers getting their updates and interviews here on Sing Second. 20,000 of you can’t be wrong. We end Strong Like Bull with a discussion about the new Plebe Class and the triple digit temps that await the young plebes in their first week on station. Chris and John also preview next season, which comes your way in early August with interviews from the newly-opened 19th hole at the golf course, conversations with our new Distinguished Graduates and a continued focus on our alums in the C-Suite with our Entrepreneur series. And our interview this week is with Dave Cuthbert ‘97. Dave joined us from the mountains of Colorado to chat about his amazing company - Top Cups. He chats with us about his time in EOD and his transition to the civilian community. And - as always - we chat leadership. See you on August 11th on Season 7 of Sing Second. We…are….OUT. Beat Army. Always.