Category Archives: Podcast

USA Handball Talk (Episode 32): NYC Team Handball Right Back, Togba Aboubacar and his Remarkable Journey from Guinea to the U.S.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:33 — 6.0MB)

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This past weekend the New York City Team Handball Club beat the hosts, Denver Wolves in a shoot out to take the Samala Cup title. Their stand out performer was the tournament MVP, 21 year old, right back, Togba Aboubacar. After the tournament I sat down with Togba to discuss his handball journey and his remarkable life journey from Guinea to the U.S.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • His handball beginnings in Guinea and playing for the U18 National Team there
  • His finding the NYC Team Handball Club after a few false starts with wall handball
  • How NYC has taken the concept of “club family” to a higher level
  • Unrest in Guinea which led to his decision to move to the U.S. at the tender age of 16 and living in foster care
  • Togba’s essay about helping someone in a wheel chair: Link
  • Learning English
  • On being a nursing student and his goal to eventually become a doctor
  • On becoming an American citizen and playing for the U.S. National Team
  • On possibly playing handball in Europe

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the  podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: LinkPosted in College Handball, Handba

USA Handball Talk (Episode 31): The Sequence of Events

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There has been a considerable amount of drama with USA Team Handball for the past several months. In this video presentation, I provide an overview of the sequence of events from January 2023 to November 2024. Over that period of time there have been:

  • Four Independent Board of Director resignations citing organizational dysfunction
  • One board member who was removed and later reinstated due to being removed improperly
  • A grievance seeking to review board decisions while that board member was improperly removed
  • A very unorthodox CEO removal and replacement
  • And, as you might expect the USOPC is now investigating USA Team Handball for National Governing Body (NGB) noncompliance

Note there is no audio only mp3 for this podcast episode as it contextually would be hard to follow with following along with the video presentation.

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the  podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 30): Pioneer HS and USA U19 athlete, Aaron Wolf-Bloom

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Aaron Wolf-Bloom is arguably the USA’s top state-side youth talent. We discuss his development as a handball athlete and his plans to graduate from High School early and play in Sweden this January.

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page.

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the  podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 29): Bret Harte Middle School Coach, Thomas Schumake

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Thomas Schumake is the head coach of the Bret Harte Middle Schools boy’s and girl’s handball teams. This past weekend both teams took home the California Youth Cup Middle School titles. I sat down with Coach Schumake to discuss his approach and journey to become a handball coach. And, we also discuss what it might take to get handball to become an officially sanctioned school sport in California.

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the  podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 28): Oh Where, Oh Where are all our American Handball Players Playing?

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:11 — 30.4MB)

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(Benjamin Edwards #40, playing with the Veszprem 1st Team)

John and JD discuss 18 year old Benjamin Edwards playing with the Veszprem 1st Team, John’s dream of an HBL-LNH pre-season showdown and some overarching takeaways from the Olympian Handball Haus interviews.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • Benjamin Edwards: USATH Profile Nice assist vs Berlin
  • Germany Cup Results; Both ASV Hamm (Ian Hueter) and Vfl Lubeck-Schwartau (Paul Skorupa) advanced to the next round where they likely will face HBL sides: Link
  • John’s proposed HBL-LNH Pre-Season Challenge modelled after the NCAA college basketball ACC – Big Ten Challenge
  • SoCal Beach Handball Championship: Results Match Videos
  • Yoav Lumbroso Wikipedia
  • Handball Haus Olympian Interviews: Link
    • The interviews are about 10 minutes long and halfway through the videos
    • Bryant Johnson 88
    • Leora Sam Jones 84, 88, 92
    • Cindy Stinger 84, 88, 92
    • Brad Schlesinger 72
    • Matthew Ryan 96
    • Tom Fitzgerald 96
    • Craig Thompson Gilbert 84
    • Tim Funk 84
    • Pete Buehning 76
    • Laura Coenen Ryan 88, 92, 96
    • Joe McVein 84, 88
    • Terry Tinkle 72
    • Dennis Berkholtz 72 76
  • Two takeaways from these interviews
    • “Play handball. See the world”: The greater resources applied for these athletes in terms of training and playing opportunities.
    • Pound for pound these athletes were better and more accomplished than the crossover athletes that have played for the U.S. the past two decades
      • Article on Air Force basketball athletes that played handball: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

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USA Handball Talk (Episode 27): Don’t Pass the Ball to Dika Mem

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John and JD discuss the infamous Dika Mem pass, NBC Peacock’s handball broadcasts and promotion of the sport, and John’s efforts to start club handball programs at Colorado and Colorado St.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • The infamous Dika Mem pass that saw France lose to Germany in a dramatic Olympic quarterfinal: Link
  • NBC’s Peacock coverage and John’s commentary that Peacock should become the USA TV home for handball: Link
  • Sports writer/influence Rodger Sherman’s All Caps Tweet that he will storm ESPN HQ if they don’t broadcast more handball: Link
  • Handball on Peacock petition: Link
  • Brazilian GK, Gabriela Moreschi on Instagram: Link
  • Euronews “No Comment” news segments: Link
  • 2022 Wheelchair Handball Championship Gold Medal Highlights: Link
  • Goalball Explainer video: Link
  • John’s Initiative to try and start handball clubs at CU-Boulder and CSU: Link
  • Ralphie the Buffalo Handlers: Link
  • JD interviewed on local Columbus TV: Link
  • Ohio State Rugby Club Alumni Association: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 26): NBC Play-by-Play Commentator, Eric Frede

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NBC Olympics Play-by-Play commentator, Eric Frede is a guest on the podcast and we discuss his background and what it’s like for a newcomer to call handball.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • NBC’s mode of operations for handball
  • Eric’s varied commentating background
  • How the gig with NBC came about
  • His preparation for calling handball
  • On the need to call handball with mostly newcomers in mind
  • On whether handball broadcasts in the U.S. need a two man commentating team
  • Aspects of handball that appeal to American audiences
  • On whether handball broadcasts can expand beyond just it’s once every 4 years Olympic cycle

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 25): Me and the Boys are Gonna Go Win a USA Handball Gold Medal in Four Years

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John and JD discuss all of the Olympics related handball social media activity, the IHF Beach Handball Showcase, the American Handbal Haus podcast and the upcoming Flanders outdoor tournament.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • The Tweet and my reply that attracted attention and is referenced in JD’s Intro: Link
  • Robert Flores Tweet: Link
  • Jozy Altidore Tweet: Link
  • Pat McAfee Tweet: Link
  • Tweet about Flava Flav and Water Polo: Link
  • USA Rugby player Ilona Maher’s IG post about handball: Link
    • She has gained 1M followers in the 5 days since that was posted and the USA women won the Bronze medal
  • USA Team Handball announcement on Board Member resignations: Link
  • Sporticast Podcast which discusses Olympic athlete use of social media: Link
  • IHF Beach Handball Showcase Summary: Link
  • IHF Beach Handball Showcase Highlights: Link (Includes Handball Ninja trick shot)
  • American Handball Haus interview with 1984 and 88 Olympian, Joe McVein: Link
  • The HBO Mini Series, The Plot Against America, which actually has a scene at a New Jersey German Club: Link
  • The 65th Annual Flanders, NJ Outdoor Handball Tournament is this weekend: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 24): Christmas in July Beach Handball Special

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Jacob Roberts fills in for JD and he and John discuss the North American & Caribbean Club Championships, the IHF Beach Handball Showcase and upcoming Beach Handball events in North America this summer.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • Jacob Roberts on social media: IG, FB USATH Profile
  • Kentucky Stags Handball Club: IG, FB, Twitter
  • Univ of Kentucky Handball: IG
  • The UK and Stags Coach, Ruben Humada: Linked In, IG, FB
  • John’s commentary on how a new collegiate program could quickly compete for a national title: Link
  • The movie Highlander: Link (starring Christopher Lambert)
  • The movie Braveheart: Link (starring Mel Gibson)
  • NACHC Club Championship: Link Results and Leading Scorers
  • John’s commentary on how the LA teams aren’t really from LA: Link
  • FISU World Handball University Championships: Link
  • IHF Profiles on USA athletes participating in the Beach Handball Showcase: Christine Mansour, Ebiye Udo-Udoma and Drew Donlin 
  • Beach Handball Showcase Schedule: Link
  • Article/commentary regarding the IHF statement that they “will not tolerate any reduction of the indoor handball quota at the Olympics”: Link
  • Upcoming Beach Handball Tourneys

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 23): DEFCON 3

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JD and John discuss the Paris 2024 Olympics Promotion Working Group, the results and statisics from the Jr Womens World Championship, how the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary style might work for the U.S. Women’s Team and the upcoming NACHC Club championships.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • DEFCON 5 means normal conditions and DEFCON 1 means war is imminent: Link (So a lower number DEFCON is worse, not better, and this sometimes results in confusion.)
  • John and JD discussed their participation on a Paris 2024 Olympics Promotion Working Group. A link with more information on how others can volunteer will be provided when it’s available.
  • 2020 Jr Women’s World Championships Information page: Link
  • 2024 USA Jr WC Statistics: Link
  • John’s new obsession: FX’s Welcome to Wrexham: Link
  • According to Ryan Reynold’s Wikipedia page he is a dual Canadian-American citizen since 2018
  • English soccer’s pyramid… which is really more of a tower at the top: Link
  • 2024 NACHC Club Championship website: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 22): Wow, there’s a lot of Handball Going on

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JD and John discuss the US Handball Union Vegas tourney, the Men’s and Women’s World Beach Handball Championships, the U20 Women’s Championships and the recent resignation of two USA Team Handball Board of Directors.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • John’s commentary on USA Handball “National” Championships: Link
  • 2024 World Beach Handball Championship Information Page: Link
  • Ebiye Udo-Udoma, the Handball Ninja, commented on the episode’s YouTube page, that sets is the most common terminology used for beach handball. Additionally, the first two sets are sometimes informally referred to as “halves.”
  • The 22 shots (11 round shootout) at the 2017 U17 EHF Men’s final (queued up to the mentioned saves): Link
  • 2024 Women’s Jr World Handball Championship: Link
  • Side note: JD and John thought the 55.5 goals Over/Under for the USA-UZB was off. It was, but not in the direction we thought. The final score was UZB 42, USA 25
  • John obliquely referenced the infamous Cesson-Rennes – Montpellier match betting scandal
  • USA Team Handball announcement on Board of Director resignations: Link
  • John’s commentary from the last time there was a short handed Board of Directors in 2013: Link

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the  Team Handball Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great  handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 21): Keeping up with the USA Team Handball Women

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JD and John discuss entities that might be interested in a handball reality show and the upcoming US Handball Union Championship in Las Vegas.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link

USA Handball Talk (Episode 20): Death, Taxes and the Group of Death

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JD and John discuss the 2025 IHF Handball World Championships draw and mercenary teams at the U.S. National Championships.

Here’s a summary with links to some of the items we discussed:

  • 2025 IHF World Championship Draw: Link
  • 2025 IHF World Championship Draw: Link
  • 2023 Gensidige Cup results: Link
  • John’s commentary on the 2024 National Champions, California Eagles roster: Link
  • The 1990 CalHeat National Championship team which was mostly Americans with a few expats; over time club teams have become the reverse: mostly expats with a few Americans
1990 USA National Champions (San Francisco CalHeat)

Watch on YouTube or listen/download the mp3 file at the top of the page

If you have any suggestions for future topics that you would like us to consider please let us know on social media.

Don’t miss an episode:

  • Subscribe on YouTube: Link (Earliest Availability)
  • Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: Link
  • Follow the Team Handball News podcast on Spotify: Link
  • Or use this RSS Feed to sign up for the podcast in your favorite podcast aggregator: Link

And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link