Player Turned Coach Kirsten Verdun

With collegiate softball season underway, I am highlighting a few women coaches I have known for years.

Kirsten Verdun was a star pitcher for the DePaul Blue Demons. A two-time All-American (2012 and 2014), she helped DePaul to two NCAA regional final appearances and was named the 2014 Big East Pitcher of the Year.

Upon leaving DePaul, she drafted by the Chicago Bandits of the now-defunct National Pro Fastpitch. She played two seasons, the second of which saw the Bandits win the championship.

She entered the coaching ranks as a grad assistant at Louisville in 2014. After two seasons there, she went to Wisconsin, where she stayed for eight seasons before joining the Illini.

As an assistant with Illinois, she works mainly with pitchers. The staff's ERS dropped half a run from her first to her second season.

Kirsten was always great to me during her time with the Bandits. My interviews with her are on the Chicago Bandits playlist in the right column.

She even indulged me every time I remind her she struck me out in a charity game. I did work it to a 1-2 count, before whiffing for the third time. She claims it was about a 45 mph pitch. I say it was closer to 70 mph (or at least it looked like it was 70 mph). Actually it doesn't really matter. She probably could have thrown 30 mph and still got me. I wear it proudly as a badge though. It was one of many highlights from my time covering the Bandits.

.For more info on Kirsten and the Illini, go to fightingillini.com. If you see her, give her my best and tell her I am still whining about the strike out. Stay tuned for a few more of my favorite players-turned-coaches.

Danielle Zymkowitz, Kirsten Verdun and me in Evanston, IL-Spring 2019.

Player Turned Coach Danielle Zymkowitz

I am continuing my series of highlighting former pro softball players who are now coaching.

After a stellar career at the University of Illinois, Danielle Zymkowitz was inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame in 2022. Danielle is the Illini career leader in batting average (.384), stolen bases (91), runs (202) and hits (277).

Danielle went on to have a successful career in National Pro Fastpitch with the Chicago Bandits. After earning a spot in an open tryout, Danielle proved to be a valuable part of the team for seven seasons. She was one of the first Bandits to really standout in my eyes. She was just a pure ballplayer.

She joined the Wisconsin softball staff in 2017 and is currently associate head coach. I see a bright future for Danielle and she deserves it. I definitely see her as a head coach somewhere. I hope it is around here, because I enjoy the yearly trip to see her team.

For more info on Danielle and the Badgers, go to uwbadgers.com. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage of NCAA softball.

Danielle Zymkowitz and me in Evanston, IL-Spring 2021.

Friend Encounters: Scarlett Bordeaux, Killer Kross and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

After a two year absence, Tony will be rejoining me "On the Beat" at the Squared Circle Expo, the best wrestling convention of the year. Happening March 28-28, I am counting the days.

At the last one Tony attended, he met wrestling couple Scarlett Bordaux and Killer Kross. They had a little extra fun with him. Well, really Kross had more fun. When Tony was taking a solo picture with Bordeaux, Kross did some fun photo-bombing. I had to be extra careful to sneak a picture in when Kross stopped. Of course, it was all just fun.

That's the sort of fun at SCX. Every wrestling seems interested in being there, ulike other conventions where guests sometimes seem like they just want to leave. I have never had one bad experience at SCX. In fact, I have had nothing but vey good encounters.

That is a credit to the talent there, but also the promoters who select the wrestler lineup. They work hard to make SCX a fantastic convention and they always raise the bar.

SCX VI runs March 27-28. This couple, actually this trio, will be there, as will I. I am sure Bordeuax and Kross will get many more fans than Tony and me though lol.

For more info, go to squaredcxirclex.com. Check back here for my updates and recaps.

Scarlett Bordeaux, Tony and Killer Kross in Indianapolis, IN-April 2023.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #786: Matty Beniers, Samantha Bohrer & Charlotte North

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create digital cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Last week, I featured the first Celebrity Jersey Cards for Professional Women's Hockey League teams. Today, I feature the three other American teams.

Repping the Seattle Torrent is Matty Beniers, a center and alternate captain of the NHL Seattle Kraken. The 2023 Rookie of the Year was born in Massachusetts, but played college hockey at Michigan, after Covid cancelled the Harvard hockey season. He also represented the U.S. in international play, including the 2022 Olympics. His Celebrity Jersey Card comes from his show of support of the women's Seattle hockey team.

Proudly wearing a New York Sirens jersey, Samantha Bohrer was born in Colorado and graduated from Fordham University. She studied dance for 15 years. A New York-based broadcaster, Bohrer in the In-Arena host for the New York Sirens of the PWHL, as well as the Islanders. I will look for an Islanders picture of her, but for now, she gets a Celebrity Jersey Card with the Sirens.

Donning the Boston Fleet sweater is Charlotte North, a Dallas native and current lacrosse player for the Boston Guard of the Women's Lacrosse League. North did a ceremonial puck drop for the Fleet to earn her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Alex Johnson Topps 1976

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I borrowed from far to many folks to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.

Outfielder Alex Johnson had an interesting career. After being signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1961, he made his MLB debut in 1964. In his 13 seasons, he played for 8 teams, ending with the Detroit Tigers in 1976. He was a complicated man, often in unhappy situations. He was also the brother of former NFL running back Ron. Still, he had a solid career, playing in 1,322 games, hitting .288 with 78 HRs, 525 RBIs and 550 runs scored. 

For his efforts, Topps gave him cards in every set 1965-77, except for 1976. I was not going to let taht exception go, but neither was Gio of When Topps Had (Base)Balls. Gio has created thousands of cards. Not wanting to mess with perfection, I highlight his card instead of trying to do one myself.

Jamie Koala's Art

I first met artist Jaime Koala several years ago at a comic or horror con. I was immediately drawn to her beautiful art, but her engaging personality sealed the deal and I have followed her since.

Along with her awesome art, Jamie also has a line of clothes and jewelry. I already own a couple of her tshirts and will be buying more.

One of Jamie's latest projects is Dreamscape: A collection of artwork and short stories. With her friend A.K. Kubica, Jamie put together a cool book featuring 17 of Jamie's original paintings with high quality art prints and 14 original spooky short stories to match by A.K. For the lifelong pals, this truly is a labor of love and a proud accomplishment.

Unfortunately, Jamie doesn't do many conventions anymore. She has some longtime medical issues which make it hard for her to deal with that scene. This is part of Jamie's inspiring story though. Her issues do not prevent her from producing so much wonderful art. She is as remarkable as her art.

For more information, go to jamiekoala.com/. Also check here for my coverage.

Jamie Koala and me in Chicago, IL-March 2023.

Samantha Brown at Travel & Adventure Show

In the travel world, it doesn't come much bigger than Samantha Brown. After meeting many legends in other fields, I finally met a true legend in travel.

Over the last 25+ years, Dallas-native Brown has hosted a few different shows on the Travel Channel, PBS and elsewhere. She is one of the top go-to people in the travel industry. Winner of Emmy awards for Outstanding Travel/Adventure Program and Outstanding Host, Brown calls herself an airport geek. Part of that is probably because she views travel as a way to connect with people. Travel is very much people-related for Brown.

This was the bulk of her presentation at the Travel & Adventure Show. Brown discussed her interest in immersing herself into the area and connecting with people, not just seeing touisty things.

Knowing her line in the meet-and-greet would be long and being a veteran of such events, I zipped over to the area immediately after her presentation ended. I was first in line to meet Brown (mission accomplished). She was very engaging, asking my name and thanking me for being there. Again, to the non-convention goer, that doesn't seem like much, but when there is a line of several hundred folks, niceties like that can be lost. Brown, however, treated each person as a special person.

For more info on Brown, go to samantha-brown.com. Also, go to travelshows.com for more on the travel convention.

Samantha Brown and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2026.

Meeting David McGuffin at The Travel & Adventure Show

At the Travel & Adventure Show, I unexpectedly ran into travel journalist David McGuffin. It was my first time meeting McGuffin, a previous guest on my Talking Travel interview series for Global Traveler.

McGuffin has made an impressive career encouraging folks to travel to Europe. Through David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., he offers European travel experiences designed to immerse travelers in the sites, history and culture of Europe. He is very hands-on, doing his best to ensure smooth and fascinating trips. Despite founding his company 25 years ago, McGuffin has not lost a bit of his passion. In fact, it seems stronger than ever.

Meeting McGuffin was a very pleasant surprise. I have met a lot of legends in sports, but The Travel & Adventure Show allowed me to meet a few legends in the travel industry.

For more info on McGuffin, go to davidmcguffin.com. Also, check travelshows.com for info and scheduling on this great travel convention.

David McGuffin and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2026.

Meeting Theresa Goodrich at The Travel & Adventure Show

Last year at the Travel & Adventure Show, I saw author Theresa Goodrich. Unfortunately for me, but good for her, she was too busy for me to approach her.

I was impressed with what I saw at her booth and I did more research when I got home. A fellow Chicagoan, Goodrich is making her mark in the travel industry. I asked and got a Zoom interview with Goodrich for the Talking Travel series on Global Traveler.

Knowing she would be at this year's show, I arrived early and immediately went to her booth. That gave me the opportunity to chat a bit and get an update interview. That recap and interview is at The Travel & Adventure Show on Global Traveler. 

Goodrich showed me her three books, which include beautiful photos. She had a great booth setup. Visually appealing and loaded with her products, the booth was what all such booths should be. It seems logical, but you would be surprised at how many folks do similar conventions not nearly as prepared as Goodrich.

For more info on Goodrich and her work, go to theresasbooks.com. If the travel show is near you, I highly recommend it.

Theresa Goodrich and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2026.

Friend Encounters: Heather, Ed and Troy

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

It's hard to say who the biggest celebrity is in this picture. I would say they are all celebrities. Depending on the day, they might say none are or they might debate who is the biggest.

Married couple Ed and Heather were staples of the independent wrestling scene. Now they are mostly retired. I am inclined to say Heather is the biggest celebrity (because she is the toughest lol).

Troy is a staple on the convention scene. The man goes to more shows than I do.

Together, this trio is a huge part of Squared Circle Expo, the great wrestling convention in Indianapolis on March 27-28. This picture was a foreshadowing of things to come, as it happened before the SCX I, but even then, they were all heavily involved in conventions.

Heading into SCX VI, Ed and Heather are two of the promoters and Troy manages the volunteers. Together with Adolfo, Carrie and a staff of volunteers, they run a fantastic event. The trio is a lot of fun, along with being very hard-working. 

All three will be surrounded by more than 75 wrestling legends and current stars, along with thousands of fans. SCX is the best wrestling convention and I can't wait to see all of them.

For more info, go to squaredcirclex.com. Also, check here for my updates.

Ed, Heather and Troy in Fort Wayne, IN-October 2019.