HonorGroup

The Honor Bowl is a classic event that brought out teams from four states to play and HONOR the men and women who volunteer to protect our Freedom! This is why #honorbowl is 'more than just a football game!'

This podcast will tell the story about how Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach who has provided millions of Americans more religious liberty in more than a half century. In 2008, the newly minted Coach Kennedy committed to God that he would give thanks after every game – win or lose - for the opportunity to be a football coach and for his players. It was soon after this and after retaining his attorneys who specialize in religious First Amendment rights to free speech cases called, FirstLiberty.org. They asked the school to make a religious accommodation and we first became acquainted with Coach Kennedy. His story went viral and weeks later Coach Kennedy was terminated days before the final varsity game. Coach Kennedy would file a charge of religious discrimination with the Bremerton School District, and this is what started the 8-year battle that took this discrimination and First Amendment case to the Supreme Court. In 2022, It upheld his right to take a knee in quiet, solitary prayer after games. But this wasn’t only a victory for one coach in Washington state. It has a nationwide impact on public-school teachers, employees and coaches, who are now free to live out their faith in public. This win overturned a prior ruling that harmed religious freedom for decades and set a major precedent for our First Freedom moving forward. We followed this case to the Supreme Court winning gavel and had Coach Kennedy on our HONOR RADIO podcast back in 2018. We decided it was time to catch up with Coach Kennedy and it was awesome that he invited his First Liberty attorney, Jeremy Dys on this powerful podcast. Turn it up and if need be, get your notepads handy. This podcast is going to fire you up!

It brings us great pride to welcome these two great Marines and dear friends to Honor Radio. Welcome US Marines, Gunnery Sgt. Freddy Torres (active) and Sgt. Marcus Chischilly (ret.). Both served under the 3rd Battalion/5th Marines, and both received Purple Hearts from wounds they suffered while in combat. Freddy suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg that hit his femoral artery which caused him to almost bleed out on the battlefield. He underwent multiple surgeries with doctors telling him he would never walk again. He would prove them wrong. We also introduce Sgt Marcus Chischilly who is from Navajo Indian ancestry. As a rifleman, Marcus was wounded by an IED blast two weeks into his deployment. The blast would take his right leg and left him with severe injuries to his left leg and arm. Both Marines would struggle with recovery but would find healing in a life of ongoing service, family, and faith. We invited these two inspirational warriors on the podcast because their stories are more than compelling and inspirational. Also, for the past ten years these two Marines have inspired thousands of athletes, coaches, and the community by being our keynote speakers during The Honor Bowl Football Showcases pregame locker room Moto Talks. Over the years that we have been performing the Honor Bowl and these two have been visiting our locker rooms we have had hundreds of coaches and athletes tell us that the stories of sacrifice, brotherhood, and commitment that they hear from these two individuals are easily the most powerful speeches they have ever heard in any locker room setting before. We are honored to have Freddy and Marcus on our show today. Please join us as we listen to their inspiring stories of resilience, recovery, and the future.

In 2016, members of the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines 2010 deployment to Sanguin came back to meet up at Camp San Mateo in Camp Pendleton. This was the five-year reunion of the famed deployment and a time to reconnect with those who experienced it during this time. Brotherhood! General (Col at that time) Jason Morris spoke to the Marines and families in attendance at the Memorial Garden in Camp San Mateo. The Honor Group supported this reunion!

This podcast is one of the most powerful we have ever done. Meet Gretchen Catherwood, co-founder of Darkhorse Lodge. A peaceful retreat in eastern Tennessee for combat veterans from all branches of service. We talked and remembered with Gretchen as she told the story of her son, Alec Catherwood who was killed in action, and how she and her husband produced the idea of the lodge. Gretchen is a great woman of passion, character, and strength. We have been following her story for 13/yrs. and it was great to get caught up with her and hear about the grand opening of the lodge and what more is to come. Statistics from the Department of Defense say that we’re losing 22 veterans a day to suicide. We hope this podcast inspires you and please share with loved ones from any walk of service who may need a place to go to reunite, bond, heal, and find peace again. Special tribute for Carlos Gonzalez – USMC Special friend

Coach Von Vogt has been a friend of Honor Radio for many years. Recently we talked with Coach V about his story as a highly respected championship basketball coach and Athletic Director. Lance’s life has been full of ups and downs but his story of perseverance through tough times will inspire you. Recently, Lance took over the role of VP of Athletics at Jessup University and has personally overseen the university’s athletic program expansion from the highly recognized NAIA to the vaulted and respected NCAA. As the university continues to expand its athletic program it’s because of this man’s hard work and leadership. Lance is a man of great passion, enthusiasm, and a strong man of faith. We hope this interview inspires you.

Here is a chance to listen to three Gold Star parents, who share the grief of raising a son and having each give the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Freedom is not free. Memorial Day is the ONE day that America gives respect to those who have died in war. Yes, BBQs and family times are special, but remember those who have given us liberty as Americans. Kevin Graves, Discovery Bay Father of Army Spc. Joseph Graves, Hope Ramirez, Sacramento. Mother of Army Spc. Ray A Ramirez. Patty Schumacher, Mother of USMC LCpl Victor Dew

This is a compelling podcast featuring, Coach Matt Logan. Coach Logan is the Head Football coach of the Centennial Huskies out of Corona, CA. In our humble opinion, this school’s high school football program is arguably one of the best “public” school football programs in all of America. When we first met Coach Logan back in 2013, he was still hurting from the tragic death of his wife, Donna from breast cancer in 2007. She sadly left him with three daughters. Soon after this untimely death we became acquainted with Coach Logan and came to love the man and how he managed a successful football program while also raising three teenage daughters. Coach Logan is a patriot, a family man, and a loyal leader. When he heard of The Honor Bowl he wanted his team in the showcase and we found an opponent for him. Since then, under his steady leadership, the Centennial program remains consistently at the top of annual nationwide football polls. The man is a born leader, father, (new) husband, and an amazing football coach. Please listen to this compelling podcast as we discuss life, love, and of course, football.

sportswriter and columnist. He spent 16 years in the Bay Area Newspaper Group and several years as a freelancer before landing as The San Francisco Chronicles prep editor in 2002. In 2007 he accepted a national columnist post with CBS/MaxPreps.com and the following year took on both the MaxPreps and Chronicle roles. In 2023, Mitch became the Senior Editor for Scorebook Live. Mitch has been a friend of The Honor Group nonprofit’s start and The Honor Bowl HSFB showcase creation. He is a humble man of great character, and you will witness this on this podcast. We dove deep into speaking to Mitch and you will enjoy the conversations. You will see and hear not only Mitch’s thoughts about the changing landscape of high school sports. But you will also learn more about what helped Mitch get his start as a sportswriter years ago, and how he supported and honored his older sister, Cally Ann’s death from cancer. This man is a legend, and we were honored that Mitch opened his life to us and our audience.

Over the years and since the creation of The Honor Bowl we have been blessed to have our games photographed by some of the best sports photographers in the game. These professionals use their lens to capture the action and tell the story, and for the Honor Bowl they capture the backstage meaning of The Honor Bowl. In our opinion, Steve and Rudy are two of the best in the business. Every year they attend the Honor Bowl and in this episode, you will learn why. Many times, the photographers go unnoticed, but not to us. We value these men and want you to have a chance to meet them. Enjoy!

Casey Taylor has been an inspirational partner and supporter of The Honor Bowl. When Taylor was head coach at Del Oro, Battle for Veterans was hosted in Loomis for three years. In 2013 The Honor Bowl had its first games on the Loomis campus. Coach Taylor moved over the Capital Christian and a HomeTown Honor Bowl was held on the Sacramento campus. Now Casey Taylor has become the new head coach of a powerhouse football school – Inderkum in Sacramento where he will again provide leadership and football prowess. This Honor Radio segment will include a background to Taylor, his love for The Honor Bowl, and the future of football in California during the COVID-19 situation.

John Lynch Sr. has been one of The Honor Group’s biggest cheerleaders. In 2013, Lynch was the Chairman of the Board for the U-T San Diego and chose to promote and support The Honor Bowl which was to be hosted by Oceanside High School for three years. Lynch was instrumental to have the newspaper write front page articles, have a 30 minute pregame show on UT San Diego TV as well as print 30,000 8 page inserts. In 2017, his son John Lynch Jr was chosen to become the General Manager of the SF 49ers which became the Presenting Sponsor for The Honor Bowl. We salute your faith in The Honor Group and are honored to have you as a guest on Honor Radio.

Each year during the SoCal Honor Bowl, two teams have the unique opportunity to get inside the gates of Camp Pendleton and have the chance to learn more about the Marine Corps. From the moment buses arrive at Camp San Mateo, these athletes and coaches are met by Marines from the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and become acclimated in the Corps. teams then walk to the Memorial Garden - hallowed grounds surrounded by displays from the various wars that the 5th have been involved in - the displays have the names and rank of Marines who gave the ultimate sacrifice. This is an experience that will never be forgotten!

In 2012, The Honor Bowl had back-to-back weekends in NorCal and SoCal. Elizabeth Sams, a freshman at Oaks Christian performed both the National Anthem before games as well as God Bless America at halftime.

Special Mothers Day Episode for Honor Radio. We welcome two amazing women who have both survived Cancer. Each will share their special stories and liven us all up during these trying ‘stay at home’ days. Grab some tissues and enjoy this special Honor Radio episode.

HONOR RADIO | With Special Guest, Kirk Uhler. This man and his family have been a friend of The Honor Group for many years. He is a a former Placer County Supervisor and lately with the Covid virus crisis he has taken on a patriotic leadership role to engage the Governor regarding re-opening business in Placer County, CA. You will learn a great deal about Kirk, his family, his patriotism, and why he is taking a stand for the people and businesses of Placer County.

Kevin Bracy – Motivational Extraordinaire talks with Mark Soto about life during ‘stay at home’ 2020! Kevin does a lot of work with schools and has quickly adapted to be virtual in his approach. Brace yourself for words of hope, words of gratitude, and GREATNESS!

Paul Rudy is Mr. Prep Sports in the greater San Diego area. For years, KUSI has been the heartbeat of High School sports due to the genius of Paul Rudy, a multiple EMMY award winner. Paul and Mark talk about how COVID-19 has affected the San Diego area and the hopes that this situation will be cautiously lifted to have schools return. It is always a fun time to spend time with Paul and we look forward to the fall when The Honor Bowl returns to San Diego in September!

In 2013 The Honor Group was started. It was an executive decision to have a fresh start after three years of Battle For Veterans events. The first Honor Bowl was held at Del Oro High School, Loomis Ca in Northern California, and then moved down to our of three San Diego Honor Bowls, hosted by Oceanside High School. As the video shows, The Honor Group are involved with more than just football.

Nickole Sutter is the Human Resources Director for the City of San Luis Obispo and is a member of the City’s Emergency Operation Center team for the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nickole’s day-to-day responsibilities include Labor Relations, Performance Management and oversight of Recruitment, Benefits, Classification and Compensation. This podcast will focus on what the City has done to address the Local Emergency.

Dr. John Jackson is the President of one of America’s most respected Christian Universities. He took a few minutes to talk about The Spirit of Calm. Listen as John talks about four important points: Reveal, Reset, Rentry, and Reformation. America needs to listen to this inspiring and timely message.

Eric Sondheimer is the prep sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He has been honored seven times by the California Prep Sportswriters Assn. for best prep sports column. A graduate of Cal State Northridge, he joined the Daily News as a prep editor in 1980. He left for 18 months in 1990 to be a West Coast correspondent for the National Sports Daily. He returned to the Daily News in 1991 and joined The Times in 1997 covering high school sports. He has covered Southern California high school sports for more than 40 years.

to Mark Soto and Rick Sutter about how COVID-19 is affecting students, athletes, and communities. This very open conversation is full of hope and understanding that though no end is near for the abrupt end to the 2020 season, there is an urgency to follow recommendations that have been given by local, state, and national leaders.

Ron Nocetti is the Executive Director of the CIF State Office based in Sacramento, CA. We reached out to Ron to offer him a chance to voice what the CIF is currently doing due to the COVID-19 situation. Over 800,000 student-athletes are being affected and are in a wait-and-see mode but collectively understand that moments such as what we are experiencing are learning times. The CIF has ten commissioners that represent high schools in California and will be meeting soon to discuss the next steps. Ron has been a friend to The Honor Bowl and we respect his viewpoint and passion for youth sports.

Bill Gunn, Athletic Director for Centennial High School is no stranger to The Honor Bowl and after a two-year absence will be back in 2020! The true reason though about this PodCast was to discuss the impact that the COVID-19 situation has caused at Centennial and the community of Corona. Times like this cause us to react and adapt and to respond positively and this was reflected in what Bill talked about on Honor Radio. We thank Bill for his time and reflections on The Honor Bowl and how we need to look ahead with what lies in front of us all.