Limpert Tech "SullyCast" on ALT 105.7 and iHeartRadio 4/25/20 - Joan Ryan, Author, Award-Winning Journalist

Rick talks to Joan Ryan this week. Ryan is an award-winning journalist, author and sports media consultant.

She was a pioneer in sports journalism as one of the first female sports columnists in the country. She covered every major sporting event from the Super Bowl and the World Series to the Olympics and championship fights. Her sports columns and features earned 13 Associated Press Sports Editors Awards, the National Headliner Award, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Journalism Award, and the prestigious Edgar A. Poe Award from the White House Correspondents Association for her four-part series about wounded soldiers, "War Without End.’'

   

Her first book, “Little Girls in Pretty Boxes: The Making and Breaking of Elite Gymnasts and Figure Skaters’’ (1995, Doubleday) was a ground-breaking expose named one of the “Top 100 Sports Books of All Time’’ by Sports Illustrated and one of the “Top 50 Sports Books of All Time’’ by the Guardian. The book and Joan were featured on Oprah, 60 Minutes, Nightline, the Today Show, People magazine, the New Yorker, the New York Times, Time magazine and other media around the country.

Have a listen:

Her 2015 book, Molina: The Story of a Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty (Simon & Schuster), was a finalist for the 2015 PEN Literary Award.   

Her current book, Intangibles: Unlocking the Science and Soul of Team Chemistry, will be published by Little, Brown, in April.   

Joan has been the senior media advisor to the San Francisco Giants since 2008.

Does team chemistry actually exist? Is there scientific or mathematical proof? Is team chemistry as real and relevant as on-base percentages and wins above replacement?

In Joan Ryan's groundbreaking book we discover that the answer to all of the above is a resounding yes. As Ryan puts it, team chemistry, or the combination of biological and social forces that boosts selfless effort among more players over more days of a season, is what drives sports teams toward a common goal, encouraging the players to be the best versions of themselves. These are the elements of teams that make them "click," the ones that foster trust and respect, and push players to exceed their own potential when they work well together.

Team chemistry alone won't win a World Series, but talent alone won't win it, either. And by interviewing more than 100 players, coaches, managers, and statisticians, as well as over five years of extensive research in neuroscience, biology, physiology, and psychology, Ryan proves that the social and emotional state of a team does affect performance. Grit, passion, selflessness, and effort matter -- but never underestimate the power of chemistry.

You can order and pre-order the versions here:

https://www.amazon.com/Intangibles-Unlocking-Science-Soul-Chemistry-ebook/dp/B07W56J313/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Dex Deboree, Founder of Falkon Talks Sports Culture and Marketing

Note: This was recorded on March 5, 2020, before many of the events that occurred with COVID-19. I still believe this is relevant.

For the sports marketing savant Dexton Deboree -- Founder/Creative Director of Falkon, the branding agency focused on sports, culture and social impact -- 2020 represents a new sports marketing renaissance where movies can be brand marketing plays or broadcast ad campaigns roll out like a binge-worthy TV series. The key to modern sports marketing, as opposed to the past, is telling socially relevant stories.
 

Have a listen:

Case in point is Deboree’s latest branding effort for Nike Airmax shoes and Foot Locker. One spot features Skate Kitchen, the all-female New York City-based skateboard collective that was the subject of the acclaimed 2018 film that HBO is currently developing as a series. The second piece focuses Houston Rockets’ veteran Thabo Patrick Sefolosha, for which Deboree took the Swiss-born all-star away from the cheering arena crowds and onto the streets of Houston to play ball and get real with the team’s fans.
 
Both projects are currently rolling out on Nike and Footlocker’s website and social media channels.
Whereas most sports marketing tends to lean in hard on the “athlete-as-god” metaphors, Deboree -- director of the acclaimed documentary Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1 (now on Hulu) -- took the counterintuitive approach with this campaign by both focusing on the non-competitive, empowerment message of Skate Kitchen. And, even when working with a pro with mad skills like Sefolosha, Deboree humanizes him by showing the athlete playing street ball with fans at a neighborhood park.
 
“Both of these pieces highlight what’s driving the current renaissance in sports marketing that Nike is naturally leading,” Deboree says. “Today sports have no bias, no prejudice, no judgment at all. It has rules and forms and its only demand is that people just do it.”
 
From Deboree’s perspective, sports marketing has changed enormously in just the last few years. Players today have enormous control over their branding thanks to their own social media, and in this post-Kaepernick age, most aren’t inclined to stifle their opinions.
 
“These kinds of powerful and positive messages is what a brand like Nike is all about, especially when it’s carried through the vehicle of sports,” Deboree adds.

Born At The Intersection Of Advertising & Entertainment, Falkon goes beyond what’s NOW to boldly define what’s NEXT through work that focuses on Sports, Culture & Social Impact. https://www.falkoncontent.com

Limpert Tech "SullyCast" on ALT 105.7 and iHeartRadio 10/12/19 - Sarah Ansboury, Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Touring Professional and Director of Pickleball

Rick is joined this week by Sarah Ansboury, Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Touring Professional and Director of Pickleball Instruction.

Have a listen to this week's segment as Pickleball is taking off at properties like Palmetto Dunes:

Pickleball is more than a thing at the Palmetto Dunes. The Palmetto Dunes Tennis and Pickleball Center has 16 pickleball courts and eight more on the way (all lighted for night play).

Pickleball is a sport that combines the elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is played with oversized ping pong paddles and a softball-sized plastic perforated ball that travels at about one-third the speed of a tennis ball. "It's a fun, easy sport that is great exercise, but doesn't require a lot of skill to be an enjoyable experience" says John Kerr, Director of Tennis at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. We have eight pickleball courts right in front of the Tennis Pro Shop.

For most of Sarah Ansboury’s professional career she has resided in the Portland, Oregon area. As a member of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), she has benefitted from continuing education on fitness, racket sport body mechanics, instructional methods and sports psychology. She applied this education as a private tennis instructor, teaching club members and elite junior athletes, as well as a NCAA women’s tennis coach. Ansboury also competed nationally at the Open level as well as 5.5 rated leagues in the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA).

This is big. The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) have formed a strategic alliance to grow the sport of Pickleball. The new PTR subsidiary (PPR) will become the official education and certification partner of the USAPA. Ansboury has designed the PPR’s curriculum and certification programs.

Ansboury has been traveling the country working with recreational and advanced players to improve their all around game technically, mentally, strategically and through improved fitness. “This has been a wonderful experience to help grow the sport of Pickleball and see it advance so much in such a short time,” she said.
“My goal is to turn this area into one of the most popular Pickleball destinations. I’m very excited to have a regular place to train for my own competitive play, as well as teach.”

Guests who book vacation rentals through the Palmetto Dunes Vacation Rentals receive two hours of either tennis or pickleball court time (when courts are available) with each night of their stay per vacation rental unit or choose from one of two pickleball vacation packages. Stop by the Tennis Center to try it out or call us to find out more information on how you can get involved with this great new sport right here at Hilton Head Island

Sarah provides instruction at Palmetto Dunes daily based on availability as well as leads the Ansboury Academy, which is held several times a year for those interested in learning more about this fast-growing sport. Participants of the academy will enjoy a week of Pickleball at Palmetto Dunes — 15 hours of instruction — with each day focusing on techniques and tactics for every player to improve on the court. Learn more about upcoming academy dates and registration here. 

Players can choose from a variety of options.

Round Robins
Clinics
Lessons and regular court time.
Equipment rental is available.
Additional courts coming this fall will allow further expansion of morning round robins, while holding a few courts open for rental to families and other groups. The Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center will also be expanding afternoon round robin sessions from two days a week to five this fall.

Agreat talk with Sarah and it's great to see how quickly Pickleball is growing around the country as it's not a replacement for tennis, but the two sports compliment each other in many ways.

Limpert Tech "SullyCast" on ALT 105.7 and iHeartRadio 9/20/19 - Rick and the Jacksonville Jaguars

Rick devotes this entire episode to his attending the Thursday Night football game this week between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans.

Have a listen:

WHY DO THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS USE SECURE DIGITAL TICKETS?

A digital ticket is the safest, most convenient and flexible way to receive and manage tickets while increasing protection against fraud. You probably use your smartphone to travel and attend movies. Now you can use it for live sport and entertainment events. It’s our effort to make your Jacksonville Jaguars and TIAA Bank Field experience the very best.

Digital tickets provide:

Quick and easy entry to TIAA Bank Field using your mobile phone or smart device
Instant access to all your season tickets through the Official Jacksonville Jaguars app or jaguars.com/myaccount
The ability to manage, transfer and sell your tickets at any time
An easy way to go green by printing less paper
Reduced risk of lost, stolen, counterfeit or forgotten tickets
CAN I STILL PRINT MY TICKETS FROM HOME?

As was the case beginning with the 2016 season, tickets for all Jacksonville Jaguars games will no longer include a printable PDF option. This decision was made to protect the integrity of your season tickets and to prevent fraud and counterfeit problems that often accompany PDF tickets. Printed PDF tickets WILL NOT be accepted at TIAA Bank Field gates for admittance.

This year, all season tickets and single game tickets are fully digital and only accessible via your mobile device. Your phone is your ticket!

HOW DO I GET THE OFFICIAL JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS APP?

The official Jacksonville Jaguars app is free in the App and Google Play stores. Your username is your email address and the same information you use to log into your Jaguars Account Manager. Once you’ve logged into your account, you can view, transfer, resell or add tickets to your wallet right from your phone.

NOTE: If this is your first time logging in, you’ll need to select ‘Forgot Your Password’ to have a temporary password sent to you.

CAN I HAVE MULTIPLE TICKETS ON A SINGLE PHONE?

Yes, you can swipe to view multiple tickets within your account, however, transferring each attendee their ticket is the preferred way of entering TIAA Bank Field. Transferring tickets provide:

A way for all ticket holders to obtain event updates during an event, if applicable.
Accessibility to their seat information at all times.
An easy way to enter TIAA Bank Field without having to wait for your friends and family.
WHAT IF MY ENTIRE GROUP ISN'T WITH ME WHEN I'M READY TO ENTER?

Transfer tickets to your group in advance - so you don’t have to wait to get into the event. Since each person entering TIAA Bank Field will need a ticket to get in, you can transfer each member their ticket individually prior to arrival. Head to your Jaguars account manager to transfer tickets.

WILL THE PERSON I TRANSFER THE TICKET TO NEED A JAGUAR S ACCOUNT?

Yes. If they don’t have one already, they can create one when they accept the ticket. _
Please note: If the recipient has a Jaguars account, the email address used for transfer must be the one associated with their Jaguars account. Make sure you double-check this prior to starting the transfer so you don’t transfer tickets to the wrong person._

WHAT IF CONNECTIVITY/MOBILE SERVICE IS UNAVAILABLE AT TIAA BANK FIELD?

Our team app includes an offline mode so once the tickets have been added to your account, you will be able to access them regardless of internet connectivity. This is only applicable if they have previously accessed their tickets in the app and are logged into their account already. Otherwise, they can't access them if they have no service.

To ensure seamless entry, we highly recommend downloading your tickets to your phone before arriving to the game. If you have an iPhone, you can store your tickets in your Apple Wallet.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout TIAA Bank Field. Guests may connect by selecting the "xfinitywifi" network on their mobile device.

WHAT IF MY PHONE DIES? IS THERE SOMEWHERE I CAN CHARGE MY PHONE?

For your convenience, we will have mobile assistance centers available on site to assist with mobile inquiries. Mobile charging stations provided by JEA will be available throughout the stadium for fans. In addition, Fanatics does sell charging devices in our team stores.

Limpert Tech on ALT 105.7 and iHeartRadio 1/19/19 - CES Sports Tech Picks

Rick's specialty is sports tech and he saw plenty of it at CES.

Here's what he saw and liked

CES is the world's gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years — the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the world!

1.   Lucyd

https://www.lucyd.co/

Here's Lucyd Loud, a line of both prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses that let you talk on the phone, listen to music and use a voice assistant!

Speakers near the ears make these glasses convenient for listening while on the go. Talk hands-free and wirelessly while wearing sophisticated/stylish shades or opt for clear lenses to protect against blue light and/or for your every day prescription glasses.

Lucyd Loud are innovative Bluetooth enabled eyewear that features:

Bone conduction speakers that deliver hi-fi audio!

Great for talking on the phone, listening to music and using a voice assistant such as Suri!

Option for prescription, clear, polarized, blue light blocking and more!

Ability to “try on a pair” virtually via web cam!

Charging cable, manual and case included!

Recommended for iPhone 7 and newer and Samsung Galaxy S8 and newer

Refer a friend and get 7% commission via  lucyd.leaddyno.com

2. Flexit  - Flexible gym membership... pay as you use

www.flexit.fit

 

Flexit is the ultimate in flexibility when it comes to your gym membership

If there is something more frustrating than getting a gym membership, using it and eventually wanting to cancel it, please let me know.

FlexIt–themobile-based solution that allows users to only pay for the gym time they use–announces the launch of its app, which is available in seven markets. FlexIt gives consumers the freedom to choose where and when they work out, providing them with a personalized fitness experience in which there is no upfront cost and the users only pay for the time they spend in the facility. 

The app and platform is live in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Phoenix, with more than a dozen additional markets coming soon. FlexIt’s line-up of partner fitness locations currently includes large national players, such as Retro Fitness and Youfit Health Clubs, as well as large regional players, such as Charter Fitness, among many others.

3. Tennispot - large tennis simulator

From Golfzon, the makers of the best golf simulators... we now have Tennispot.

Tennispot, which is owned by Newdin Contents along with Strikezon, features an HD screen that absorbs volleys from players and sends new balls back.

 

4.  Phiaton Curve  - noise canceling earbuds

www.phiaton.com

$79

Great sound for those on a budget

What you get: Around-the-neck earphones may not be fully wireless, but given that they are aimed at an active lifestyle, that might not be such a bad thing. With an IPX4 rating, they’re fully sweat-proof and can probably stand up to a rainy day without suffering any damage.

Premium active noise cancelling earphones with fast charge and excellent sound quality. Get 1 hour of use from 5 minutes of charging. Featuring a sleek and portable neckband design that is ready to go wherever life takes you. Next Generation Bluetooth 4.2 is backwards compatible and blocks out distraction with up to 95% of ambient noise cancellation.

 

5.   TV Jockstrap  - BLOCK THE SPORTS SCORE TICKER!

www.tvjockstrap.com

$12.99

TV Jockstrap is about as simple a product as it gets. It’s a two-inch elastic strap that wraps around the top or bottom of a TV screen to hide tickers that show other scores and results during a game. So if someone likes to record games and watch them later, TV spoilers are a thing of the past.

The TV Jockstrap

Made of soft woven elastic, and easily adjusts to different size television screens. No hard surfaces or adhesives means you won't risk damaging your television. Adjustable elastic stretches to fit up to 75-inch screens!

 

6. Square Off Chess  - not exactly sports, but still cool

SQUARE OFF, “WORLD’S SMARTEST CHESS BOARD"

https://squareoffnow.com

Square Off is one of the hottest new game products in recent years. The world's smartest automated chess board combines the experience of playing real chess with fascinating technological innovation and the excitement of seeing the opponent’s pieces move across the board as if guided by an invisible hand.  

Enabled by AI, robotics and sensors, Square Off evolved from a prototype originally designed to assist those with disabilities play chess. The mobile app allows you to connect with millions of players around the globe as well as with friends and family, whether across the country or across town. An integration with Chess.com (25 million users worldwide) means there is always an opponent available, or you can play against the board’s AI, selecting from 20 different skill levels. Square Off can even stream live championship matches on your board.  

Amazon Exclusives began featuring the product for sale in the fall of 2018. Anticipation has been building for the next product release which will debut at CES. Square Off will introduce a Limited Editionversion in a striking black wood finish with a black-and-white playing surface. The Kingdom and Grand Kingdom sets retail for $369 and $449, respectively.