CSR 376 Sam Goodwin

CSR 376 Sam Goodwin

Author: Bruce Wawrzyniak April 20, 2026 Duration: 31:49

He played hockey growing up and then went on to not only play junior hockey in Dallas for the Texas Tornado, but from there earned a D1 athletic scholarship to Niagara University. During his freshman year at Niagara, he and two teammates set an NCAA record and made number 2 on SportsCenter's Top 10 when they scored three shorthanded goals on one penalty, in 69 seconds. He still today plays in a weekly men's league hockey game. He is the author of the best-selling memoir, "Saving Sam," about his having been taken hostage and wrongfully imprisoned while in Syria, as part of his travels to every country in the world - all 193 United Nations Sovereign States, having attended Mass in 65 countries and visited Catholic churches in approximately 115. Listen as he mentions having even coached hockey in North Korea!


Finding harmony between the roar of the crowd and the quiet of personal conviction is a challenge many face, and that's the central exploration of Catholic Sports Radio. Host Bruce Wawrzyniak facilitates conversations that go beyond scores and stats, delving into how faith informs competition, leadership, and life after the final whistle. Each episode features dialogue with Catholics involved in sports-from professional athletes and Olympic coaches to scholastic officials and clergy serving team communities. These guests share personal stories about integrating their spiritual journey with the intense demands of athletics, offering perspectives on perseverance, ethics, and purpose. The discussions are grounded in real experience, providing relatable insights for anyone navigating their own priorities, whether they are on the field, in the stands, or somewhere in between. This podcast creates a unique space where the parallels between spiritual discipline and athletic discipline become clear, fostering a sense of connection and reflection. It’s not about preaching plays but about understanding the whole person behind the jersey. You'll hear authentic narratives that resonate regardless of your background, highlighting universal themes of struggle, triumph, and balance. Tune in for thoughtful content that challenges the typical sports talk format and offers a deeper, more meaningful listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Catholic Sports Radio
Podcast Episodes
CSR 366 Will Robertson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
He is a left fielder in the Baltimore Orioles organization, having played last year for both the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. He had been chosen in the fourth round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft…
CSR 365 Kevin White [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
An Athletics Administration Leader & Educator who authored a book published last year called, "The Good Sport: Reflections on a Full Life in College Sports." He is one of the most accomplished and respected athletic dire…
CSR 364 Lauren Evans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:02
She played tennis at Furman University, with the program consistently finishing as a ranked team. They won the regular season conference championship for DI Southern Conference four times and the tournament three times a…
CSR 363 Dr Dillon Caswell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
He grew up a four-sport athlete, including having been a highly recruited football player out of high school. Present day, he continues to train and compete across multiple sports. He is a Board-Certified Sports Clinical…
CSR 362 Mike Scioscia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:27
He played 13 seasons with Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, who chose him in the first round of the amateur draft. He appeared in a combined total of close to 1,500 regular season and playoff games combined, w…
CSR 361 Erika Zschuppe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:16
In recently completed NCAA Division I play, she led the nation and set a Florida Gulf Coast University single season women's soccer record with 21 goals during her just completed senior season, becoming the unanimous Atl…
CSR 360 Joshua Brooks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:04
He is a seminarian in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was actually not born into the Catholic faith and, as he talks about here, his sights were actually fixed squarely on bas…
CSR 359 Keely Lacina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
She is an assistant coach for women's swimming and diving at Northern State University, plus she does triathlons and trains for ultra-runs. Her coaching career ranges from high school and the club team to Dakota Sports a…
CSR 358 Mark Wegner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:56
SPECIAL EPISODE – An exclusive interview upon his decision to publicly share his story, this conversation contains tears as well as (caution) mention of suicide. He just finished season number 27 as a Major League Baseba…
CSR 357 Jeff Manto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
(LISTEN FOR HIS REVERSION STORY NEAR THE END!) He played nine seasons in Major League Baseball, playing for eight teams and being a part of three teams that reached the World Series. He also played in the league in Japan…