The Sunbirds Sports Show with Paul Meadors

#59: Live from the Sunbird Golf Classic – Daniel Dyck & Kyle Ferguson

It’s a special summer episode of the Sunbirds Sports Show that was recorded live earlier this week from Belmont Country Club at the 30th Annual Sunbird Golf Classic!  Host Paul Meadors was joined by Director of Athletics Kyle Ferguson, and new FPU head men’s basketball coach Daniel Dyck. Kyle gets things started with a state of the program and recap of what could only be considered as the Sunbirds greatest season in their NCAA history.  Then, Fresno native, former FPU assistant coach, and now head coach Daniel Dyck joins the show to talk about his recent appointment following C.J. Haydock’s decision to step away from coaching, as well as his vision for the program he now leads.  We hope you enjoy this midsummer check-in from the Sunbirds! #BackTheBirds

#58: Fundraising for FPU Athletics – Aaron Lynn & C.J. Haydock

With Finals and Commencement coming up next week, this will be the final episode of season 2 of the Sunbirds Sports Show! Joining host Paul Meadors in the ESPN Studios will be former Sunbird pitcher and local entrepreneur Aaron Lynn along with frequent contributor, FPU Men’s Basketball Head Coach and Assistant Athletic Director C.J. Haydock. Donors can be the lifeblood of small universities like Fresno Pacific, and the Sunbirds’ Athletic Department relies heavily on fundraising to accomplish their goals. After graduating from FPU, Aaron began serving his community through organizing and executing fundraising initiatives for schools across the Valley. Aaron’s contributions to the Sunbirds’ fundraising efforts have revolutionized their Week of Giving and more.  Then, as not just a coach but also an AD in charge of enriching the student-athlete experience, C.J. discusses the specifics of where and how donations have transformed FPU Athletics as well as the impact that collective, targeted efforts such as the Week of Giving can do to improve everything from travel budgets to facility upgrades and more. It’s a peek behind the scenes of a function of college athletics administration that isn’t measured necessarily on wins and losses, but ultimately will play a huge role in the dictating the long-term growth and development of FPU’s many athletic programs. Coming up on June 22nd is the 30th Annual Sunbird Golf Classic at Belmont Country Club.  Don’t miss this fun day on the links supporting the Birds.  Visit fpusunbirds.com/golf to learn more and register today! #BackTheBirds

#57: Flight Night Recap Live from Raising Cane’s – Aaron Martinez Jr, TJ Smith, Titus Wheelock, Geneva Elliott, Kelsee Montagna, Shemar Palmer, Shane Bagley and Malachi Carrasco

It’s a special episode of the Sunbirds Sports Show live on location at the Raising Cane’s on Kings Canyon near campus to recap Tuesday’s Flight Night – FPU’s annual awards celebrating the year that was for the Sunbirds. Host Paul Meadors – last night’s co-emcee with Scott Bemis - relives this amazing night for the FPU student athletes. With Jackson Paramo alongside and dozens of student-athletes in attendance, Paul is joined on the mic by Comeback Athlete of the Year TJ Smith, Newcomer of the Year Titus Wheelock, and Aaron Martinez, who along with Smith and Wheelock combined to win Play of the Year for the Sunbirds baseball team. Then, Sunbird of the Year Geneva Elliott of the Volleyball team joins the show with coach Kelsee Montagna. This fun episode is then closed out by the Men’s Track & Field trio of Senior of the Year Shemar Palmer, Best Individual Performance winner Shane Bagley, and Grace & Glory Award winner Malachi Carrasco. **Special thanks to our wonderful partners at Raising Cane’s for hosting this episode on-location and preparing 200+ chicken tenders for our hangry fans in the audience** #BackTheBirds

#56: FPU Athletics Broadcast Team – Eric Bentley, Jackson Paramo and Zach Sims

You’ve heard them both here as co-hosts of the Sunbirds Sports Show and as co-commentators on the PacWest Network. Joining host Paul Meadors in the ESPN Studios as guests this time are FPU Men’s Track & Field student-athletes and broadcasters Jackson Paramo and Zach Sims, along with The Voice of the Sunbirds, FPU’s own Eric Bentley. It’s been a fun year for Eric , who’s been sharing a booth with Jackson and Zach during volleyball and baseball seasons, respectively. Hear a bit about everything that’s gone into developing these guys for the mic and what they’ve brought to FPU gameday experience. Plus, as active Track & Field student athletes, learn a bit more about their crafts and their ambitions heading into next week’s PacWest Championships. This was a conversation that could’ve lasted another hour if we had the time – enjoy!

#55: FPU Women’s Soccer Alum and Non-Profit Director Erin Obwald

After taking a week off due to programming conflicts, the Sunbirds Sports Show on 790 ESPN returns with another episode highlighting a respected alumnus and community member.  Host Paul Meadors is joined in the ESPN Studios by former Sunbirds women’s soccer player and current local non profit director Erin Obwald. Erin and her family’s story started long before FPU but it was her time as a Sunbird that set them on their journey as servants to Christ both locally and abroad.  After founding the FPU women’s soccer club, she helped transition the program into a fully fledged NAIA program before playing for the Sunbirds in her final year of eligibility.  Since graduating, Erin and her husband, David – a fellow FPU grad and former RD on campus – have become diligent servants to their community through their non profit work while also raising five children. This is a fun conversation you don’t want to miss. #BackTheBirds