Deric Manrique of Tempo Sports & Entertainment
In this episode, Tim Flattery hangs out with a former teammate, Deric Manrique. Deric was a terrific Division 1 baseball player for the Nebraska Huskers and then the University of Northern Iowa.
Tim and Deric discuss the sad demise of another Division 1 baseball program in Iowa. Deric also tells his story of being part of a legendary Nebraska Huskers team that included Alex Gordon, Joba Chamberlain, and Brian Duensing.
Lastly, the inside world of sports marketing is unveiled as Deric describes his experience working for the NFL, the NBA, and now as Founder and CEO of Tempo Sports & Entertainment.
They say good things come in small packages and this week’s guest puts his own spin on that. Spencer Brown was a giant coming out of 8-man football and tiny Lenox, Iowa. Now, Spencer Brown is an absolute force on the field playing right tackle for the Buffalo Bills. How does a guy come from small-town ball and lightly recruited to starting 10 games for one of the best teams in professional football? It’s a tale that Moonlight Graham has told before, a lot of hard work and getting an opportunity.
This week’s guest might be one of the easiest voices to identify that has ever come across the Moonlight airwaves. Gary Rima joins Tim to talk about a career spent in sports as he prepares for his final ride as the voice of UNI basketball.
Kurt Warner has perhaps the most iconic underdog story in NFL history and is one of the best athletes in Iowa history. Now, as he works as a broadcaster, high school coach, and #1 fan for his sons, the Kurt Warner story is being made into a movie titled “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story, which is set to be released in December.
All-time leading scorer and role player don’t really fit in the same sentence. But in the case of this week’s Moonlighter, they are both a part of his story. Brooks McKowen graduated high school having set a new standard for Iowa high school basketball players. While at UNI he became a new player. When he hung up the sneakers, he found another role holding a clipboard. No matter what role he takes on, Brooks McKowen continues to find success on the basketball court.