In this episode of Courtside Forever, Rae and Si join me as I take a moment to honor two names that should be etched into the heart of every Indiana Pacers fan: Slick and Nancy Leonard. This episode isn't just for Pacers fans, it's for everyone.

If you're a Pacers fan, you may know Slick’s legendary “Boom Baby!” call, or the unforgettable players he coached in the ABA days—but behind every big moment in Pacers history is a deeper story of grit, love, and community. In 1977, with the franchise on the verge of collapse, the Leonards led a telethon that didn’t just sell season tickets—it saved professional basketball in Indiana. One phone call at a time.

We walk through what happened after that emotional night, from Slick’s transition to the broadcast booth to Nancy’s enduring presence courtside—cheering for Reggie, Paul George, Tyrese, and now Caitlin Clark. I talk about the Simons' purchase of the team, the $2.9 billion valuation today, and how the Noblesville Boom G-League rebrand in 2025 pays tribute to the couple that gave everything for this team.

This 2024-25 Pacers squad deserves their praise—Haliburton’s vision, Siakam’s playstyle, Turner's versatility, Nembhard’s defense, and Nesmith’s hustle have the Fieldhouse rocking. But every time I watch this team, I find myself thinking about Nancy’s perseverance and Slick’s passion and how one couple saved a team and inspired a city.

If you love a good story of perseverance, or especially if you love Indiana Pacers basketball like us, this episode is for you.

Watch the documentary, Slick, Nancy, and The Telethon on Disney+

In this episode of Courtside Forever, I sit down with Casey Lewis—soccer mom, former player, coach, team manager, and founder of Soccer Unleashed—for a conversation every parent in youth sports needs to hear.

We dive into the big question: How do you know when your kid is truly ready for travel or competitive soccer? Casey shares what to look for in terms of interest, skill, and commitment—and how to evaluate if your family is ready for the time and financial investment that comes with it.

We also talk about:

• How to make competitive soccer more affordable (yes, she’s got serious points-hacking advice!)

• Why comparing your kid’s journey to others can backfire

• The growing intensity in youth sports and what it’s doing to kids

• How to keep soccer fun—even at a high level

• And the heart behind Soccer Unleashed, her platform helping players of all levels find opportunities

Casey’s insight as a mom of three soccer-playing kids, plus her experience across every level of the game, makes this a must-listen for any parent trying to navigate youth sports with intention.

Whether your kid just picked up a ball or is eyeing the college level—this one’s for you.

Visit Soccer Unleashed: https://www.soccerunleashed.com/

Follow Soccer Unleashed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soccer_opportunities_unleashed/

Reggie Miller made me a believer in 8.9 seconds.

One iconic moment in Madison Square Garden turned me into a lifelong Indiana Pacers fan. But nearly 30 years later, it wasn’t a buzzer-beater that brought me the most joy—it was watching my daughter fall in love with the same game, in her own unexpected way.

In this episode, I share the full-circle story of how basketball became a bridge between generations. From my childhood admiration of Reggie to Rae’s obsession with Victor Oladipo (complete with a stuffed doll and fan art), and now her newfound love for Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton and Coach Jenny, this episode is packed with the memories, milestones, and magic moments that make sports so much more than a game.

I talk NBA League Pass rituals, Rae’s hilarious take on “private shots,” our family’s first trip to Indianapolis, and the Sunday morning when she surprised us all by asking to play basketball. Now, I’m not just her dad—I’m her coach.

Whether you're a parent, a sports fan, or someone who knows the joy of sharing your passions with your kids, this one’s for you. It’s a love letter to the Pacers, to fatherhood, and to the slow, beautiful way fandom is passed down—not forced, but found.

Because sometimes the best stories aren’t just about who wins the game… but who’s sitting next to you while you watch it.

Go Pacers!

Read the story here: https://ryanrucker.com/writing/the-year-my-daughter-fell-in-love-with-basketball

Let’s be real—weekends kind of suck sometimes. You work all week, juggle homework, activities, and dinner disasters, and just when you think you’ve earned a break, the Saturday baseball tournament and Sunday birthday party hit. In this episode, I’m diving into the real reason parents feel like they're running a never-ending marathon—and how we can finally start reclaiming our weekends.

I’ll walk you through five practical shifts you can make starting this Saturday: using your PTO without guilt (yes, even if you don’t have big vacation plans), saying no to things you don’t have the bandwidth for, letting yourself be a little "lazy" without the guilt trip, outsourcing tasks like grocery shopping, and even—hear me out—scheduling rest.

There are no trophies for "Best Burnout." It's time to slow down, protect your peace, and build weekends that actually fill your tank instead of draining it. Society may not be built for parents yet, but inside your four walls? You get to set the rules.

If you’re tired of hitting Monday already exhausted, this episode is your permission slip to do weekends differently.

From the article Parents — Reclaim Your Weekend. Here’s How.

On this episode of Courtside Forever, I sat down with Jen Cohen Crompton—a Philly mom, entrepreneur, fitness coach, and host of the Say It In Sports podcast. Jen started her show to amplify stories in youth and women’s sports, and we dove into why that mission matters more than ever.

From committing to fitness as a way to honor her dad to crossing the finish line of an Ironman, Jen’s journey is all about resilience, community, and purpose. We talked about how the pandemic reminded us of the importance of movement, how women fans often connect through the stories behind the game, and why small, consistent changes can lead to big life shifts.

Jen’s also an author—her children’s book encourages kids to get moving and feel included, and she’s a big believer that modeling healthy habits starts at home. We also talked about parenting in sports: the pressure to win, the role of coaches, and why being a good teammate is just as important as scoring points.

Whether you're a parent on the sidelines, a fan in the stands, or someone just trying to move more and live better, Jen’s story is a reminder that sports can teach us way more than just how to play the game—they can teach us how to show up for each other.

Jen's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/say-it-in-sports/id1794616974

Jen's children's book: https://a.co/d/5X4ZCPP

Jen's 90 Day Challenge: https://a.co/d/hrJl4MQ

In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Hayles—a community builder, digital strategist, and former Digital Strategy and Development Manager for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment—for a conversation that goes way beyond the scoreboard.

We talk about what it really takes to build community through sports, the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed, and the emotional toll of trades—not just on the players, but their families too. Tanya also shares the unique challenges Black mothers face, the rising costs of youth sports, and what it means to build a legacy that lasts.

If you’ve ever been part of a team, raised a kid in sports, or just love the game, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we get into:

• Why community is everything—on and off the court

• The sacrifices parents make for their kids’ sports dreams

• The reality of player trades and how they impact families

• The importance of representation in both media and motherhood

• What it looks like to build a legacy through intentional work

This one’s honest, reflective, and full of real talk. I’m grateful for Tanya’s voice in this space—and I hope it encourages you to look at sports, parenting, and purpose a little differently.

Visit Black Moms Connection: https://www.blackmomsconnection.com/

Watch Tanya's TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/IAxjdSDXvCc?si=sKF83JDoAd8rzpLb

In today's episode of Courtside Forever, I unpack what it really means to be a "girl dad" beyond the hashtags and the merchandise. Sparked by the immense popularity of the #girldad movement after the tragic loss of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, I'm taking a hard look at whether we're truly living up to this title.

I open up about my own experience as a father to two wonderful daughters. When I first heard the news of each daughter's upcoming arrival, I faced a mix of joy and the typical cliché reactions from friends and family. But beyond the personal celebrations and challenges, I delve into how society at large treats our daughters and the disparities they face, such as the employment challenges heightened by the pandemic, the erosion of reproductive rights, and the persistence of gender-based violence.

This episode critically examines how the concept of being a "girl dad" has been commercialized while many of the systemic issues that disadvantage women remain unaddressed. I challenge fellow dads to look beyond the surface—beyond wearing a themed sweatshirt or posting a social media update.

Through personal reflections and insights from writers like Adam Bulger, who outlines what daughters need to hear from their fathers, I share practical and impactful ways to truly empower and uplift our daughters. It’s about more than just compliments; it’s about engaging in the tough conversations, dismantling outdated stereotypes, and advocating for their rights and opportunities.

Join me as I call on all dads to actively contribute to a world where our daughters are not only safe but are valued and respected as equals. Being a "girl dad" should be a commitment to lifelong advocacy and action, ensuring our daughters can thrive in a world that truly cherishes them. This isn’t just about being proud fathers—it’s about being active allies.

You can find the article this podcast is based on here: https://ryanrucker.com/writing/dont-tell-me-youre-a-girl-dad-show-me

Happy April Fool’s Day! Our family loves to play practical jokes, so I figured today would be a great time to invite my girls on to the podcast to listen to me record this episode.

In 1997, the New York Knicks pulled off one of my favorite pranks of all time, convincing their audience the team had signed legendary Knicks player Walt “Clyde” Frazier to a 10-day contract. However, the prank was my second favorite of the day.

Later that night, my mom and I pulled off my all-time favorite prank on my unsuspecting Grandparents. It was a story I wrote two years ago, but for this episode, I tell it again, this time with my daughters by my side.

So enjoy this episode of Courtside Forever! If the audio is a little off, that’s because I used one microphone and my girls are obviously not familiar with them. But most importantly, we had a great time recording so I hope you enjoy.