The Rock Pile

Blaise Faggiano – Head Football Coach, Utica University

Blaise Faggiano has served as the Head Football Coach at Utica University since 2008, becoming the winningest coach in program history. Under his leadership, the Pioneers have achieved historic success, including five ECAC Bowl appearances and back-to-back record-setting seasons.

In 2023, Coach Faggiano guided Utica to its second most successful season in school history, finishing 9-2 and capturing the ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl with a victory over Hobart College. The year prior, in 2022, the Pioneers recorded their best season ever with a 10-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

An experienced leader with proven success on and off the field, Curt Fitzpatrick was named Colgate University’s next Fred ’50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach in December of 2024.

Fitzpatrick becomes the 31st head coach in Colgate football history, and he heads to Hamilton after most recently leading Division III Cortland to a 45-5 record in four seasons at the helm. The 2023 Division III National Coach of the Year guided Cortland to a national championship in 2023 in addition to four consecutive Empire 8 titles.

David Pasiak became the Lyndon Head Men's Basketball Coch and Sports Information Director in September 2017.  He brings over 30 years of experience as a coach, athletic administrator, and student services professional to the Hornets.

Pasiak came to Lyndon from Morrisville State College, where he served as an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach and as the Assistant Director of Morrisville’s Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program.  He helped the 2016-2017 Mustang men’s basketball team to a 22-7 overall record, a North Eastern Athletic Conference championship, and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.  He also played a major role in the individual development of Mustang players, including 2016-2017 NEAC Rookie of the Year Kevin Dennis.

Utica University Men’s Hockey Head Coach Gary Heenan stops by to talk about his team’s current season, standout players, and the continued growth of one of the top hockey programs in Division III

RFA Head Field Hockey Coach Mackenzie Welter, fresh off an incredible 18–1 season that ended with a Section III Championship and a State Playoff run. Coach Welter shares the keys to her team’s success, leadership lessons, and what it takes to build a winning culture at the high school level.

 Darren Ault, the author of the powerful new book Out of Bounds. Drawing from real events, Darren pulls back the curtain on the complex, and at times, volatile world of youth sports. His book tells the gripping story of a respected coach whose career is abruptly derailed by baseless allegations and unchecked parental ambition. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for truth, Darren explores how toxic dynamics between parents, players, and school boards can shatter lives and reputations. Out of Bounds is more than just a sports story—it's a cautionary tale about power, politics, and the high cost of silence. Darren, welcome to the show!

Jim Tracy is one of the highest demand influencers and speakers on workplace culture in North America. He combines real life CEO experience with candid stories about resilience and team building. Having spent decades at the helm of multi-generational organizations, he understands the challenges of rolling out teams in a dynamic and changing marketplace.

Jim is not just a successful bootstrapping CEO, he is a podcaster, jet pilot Author, Grampion to 16 grandkids and award winning businessperson. Jim was inducted into the Wireless History Foundation's Wireless Hall of Fame, awarded the prestigious Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award from NATE, and recently named a Business ICON of Idaho.  

Karl Darden, a proud graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, 20-year Navy veteran, former helicopter pilot, and die-hard Navy Sports fanatic.

Karl’s passion for Navy athletics led him to launch the Navy Sports Nation blog in 2020 and the Navy Sports Central podcast in 2021. Since then, he’s built deep connections with Navy coaches, former Midshipmen athletes, and sports voices from around the country — offering rare insight into one of college sports’ most unique programs.

Catch more from Karl here: https://navysportscentral.buzzsprout.com/

Mikayla McPheron – Le Moyne Women’s Soccer Sophomore Goalkeeper

A gritty and determined presence between the posts, Mikayla McPheron made a statement in her freshman campaign for the Le Moyne Dolphins. Appearing in 15 games during the 2024 season, Mikayla recorded 89 saves and posted a .736 save percentage while facing over 200 shots—proving herself as one of the team's most reliable and battle-tested defenders.

Her standout performance came in a record-breaking effort against Stony Brook, where she set a new single-game school record with 16 saves, showcasing her elite shot-stopping ability and unwavering focus under pressure.

Mikayla’s toughness and resilience have defined her collegiate career from the start.