Mossy Creek Conversations

Carson-Newman men's basketball alum Ish Sanders joins the podcast to talk taking Carson-Newman to its first NCAA tournament berth in a decade, the importance of family through a seven-year professional career playing overseas and why his degree is important to him. 

On the newest edition of Mossy Creek Conversations, Richard Martin talks with former Carson-Newman Quarterback and Director of the documentary Sparks: The Ken Sparks Story, Jeff Joslin. Joslin recounts his memories of playing for Coach Sparks at Farragut High School, the 1983 NAIA National Championship season, the motivation and process to make a documentary on Ken Sparks and how the film has been received 

On the newest episode of Mossy Creek Conversations, former Carson-Newman tennis star Dr. Jean Love joins the show. Dr. Love discusses the changes she's seen in her time in Mossy Creek, playing in the first-ever NAIA women's tennis tournament, coaching the Eagles to the 2009 SAC Championship, her decision to retire from coaching and much more

Leah Jackson-Smith is one of the most decorated players in the history of the women's basketball program ranking second in scoring and first in rebounding in the record books. The four-time first-team All-SAC selection, 1992-93 SAC Player of the Year and All-American reflects on how she arrived at Carson-Newman and how playing for Eddie Carter impacted her life.

With more than three decades of media relations experience, Eric Trainer recounts his six years in media relations and marketing at Carson-Newman overseeing the department's transition to NCAA Division II and working with coaching legends like Ken Sparks and Pat Summitt. Since the fall of 1997, Trainer has worked in the Tennessee athletic department including the media relations director for the women's basketball program, the iconic Lady Vols.

Former Carson-Newman football player and LA Rams assistant strength and conditioning coach Zach Witherspoon joins the newest episode of Mossy Creek Conversations. Witherspoon discusses playing for Ken Sparks and lessons learned from him, his time working with athletes at New Mexico State and going viral as Sean McVay's "stunt double." 

Four-time All-American swimmer Maggie Melhorn joins Mossy Creek Conversations to reminisce on her collegiate career that saw her finish as one of the most decorated swimmers in Carson-Newman history. She discusses coming to a young C-N program, racing with some of the best relay teams in school history and catches up on her current role as the football dietitian for Coastal Carolina.

Matheus Bachi helped Carson-Newman men's soccer to the national title game in 2013 and now represents his home country Brazil as an assistant coach with their men's national team for soccer.

Richard Martin from the Eagle Sports Network sits down with former Carson-Newman women's soccer player and current Birmingham City and Scotland national team player Christie Murray in this edition of Mossy Creek Conversations. Christie discusses how she was recruited to Carson-Newman by random chance, moving to the United States at just 16 years old, and her exciting first goal for the Scottish national team. 

Former Carson-Newman basketball All-American and VSAC District 24 Player of the Year Steve Adams reminisces on runs to an NAIA Elite Eight, "Kansas City Lights" and in what ways he didn't listen to the Swish Doctor Chris Jones upon becoming a coach himself.

Two-time All-SAC defensive back Oliver Davis joins the program to discuss his transfer to Mossy Creek from Georgia Southern, being a part of two runs to the NCAA players (semifinals in 2009 and quarterfinals in 2012) and creating his own defensive back training business.  

Two-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection and 2014 All-Region setter Kristen Pickett joins Mossy Creek Conversations to reflect on her playing days that saw her finish second in C-N history in aces and third in assists. She discusses her journey through a coaching change, a road win against the No. 7 team in the nation and her time on the bench at the Division I and II levels.

Former Carson-Newman head men's and women's soccer coach and current South Alabama head women's soccer coach Richard Moodie joins the program for this episode.  Moodie won SAC titles in 2015 with both the men's and women's programs while taking the two to a quartet of NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the national title game for the men in 2013.  He was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2019

Brett Langhorne was a two-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection becoming the highest drafted position player in Carson-Newman baseball history when the Atlanta Braves selected the third baseman in the 10th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. He chats about his journey from committing to Richmond, to playing at the University of Tennessee, to why he chose Carson-Newman and now his time in the Braves organization as he plays with the Rome Braves.

Luke Greer joins Richard Martin to talk about his life growing up in England, his decision to give up soccer, and his career at Carson-Newman from becoming the first cross country All-American since 1989 and being named a head coach at 23 years old.

Former Carson-Newman football All-American Darius Williams discusses the challenges of tearing his ACL late in his senior career and battling back to sign a pro contract with the CFL's Edmonton Football Team. 

Julie Nelson was an integral part of two Final Four soccer teams at Carson-Newman earning a pair of first-team All-South Atlantic Conference selections and the 2014 SAC Tournament MVP. She recounts her decision to come to the United States and her experience at Mossy Creek that led to a club career that has lasted over a decade and earned her 113 caps with Northern Ireland's senior squad, the only woman to ever reach the century mark.

Former Carson-Newman men's basketball player and current Mississippi State strength and conditioning coach Collin Crane joins the podcast to discuss his time at C-N and helping the Bulldogs as well as the Florida Gators and UTC Mocs to NCAA tournament appearances as a strength coach.

Former Carson-Newman wide receiver Dorren Miller recounts his early days of playing football and what led to a record-breaking career in the Orange and Blue. Miller chats about his opportunity to suit up in the NFL for the Jaguars and Eagles, his advice to younger players and what's next for his life.

Carson-Newman's first two-sport All-American Roy Hill joins the Voice of the Eagles Adam Cavalier to chat about a final four trip with the men's basketball team, a national title win with the baseball program and what Carson-Newman means to him.

In the newest episode of Mossy Creek Conversations, Tom Forster checks in to chat about his career with the men's golf team,  how he dealt with his senior season being cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and his transition to playing for PGA Tour Canada.

Former Carson-Newman pitcher Steve Cishek discusses what brought him to Carson-Newman and his days at Mossy Creek. The 11-year Major League Baseball pitcher has appeared in 594 career games with six teams. Cishek chats about his time in the big leagues, how baseball has changed, his family and what's next in his career.

Stan Cotten spent 12 years as the broadcaster for Carson-Newman starting what is now known as the Eagle Sports Network. With stops at Marshall and now Wake Forest, he has spent four decades behind the microphone. Stan recalls broadcasting five C-N football national titles, stories about Ken Sparks and his career.

One of the most decorated players in Carson-Newman women's soccer history, Lauren Wade discusses her career with the Eagles, transitions between playing in her home country of Northern Ireland to playing in the US and Iceland, competing at the professional and international levels and how both women's soccer and women's sports are continuing to grow.

Former Carson-Newman radio voice Steve Cotton stops by to reminisce on NAIA national title game broadcasts with Carson-Newman football, a member first football game broadcast and how instrumental Mike Turner and Jim Deaton were to helping him learn how to prepare for a game. You can also listen to episodes of the Mossy Creek Conversations podcast on Apple, Google and Spotify

Carson-Newman's first two-sport All-American and Tennessee Sports Hall of Famer Carl Torbush joins the podcast to chat about his wide-ranging athletic career, his awful pregame ritual as a student-athlete and what all great coaches have in common.   You can also listen to episodes of the Mossy Creek Conversations podcast on Apple, Google and Spotify

Carson-Newman football coach Mike Clowney discusses his playing career, what he learned about being a head coach from his high school coaching days, overcoming unexpected life changes and using his platform to teach his players about life.