CSR 396 John Affleck

CSR 396 John Affleck

Author: Bruce Wawrzyniak September 7, 2026 Duration: 35:33

He is a lifelong runner, having competed in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track in high school, earning six MVP awards, and later going on to six marathons, including a top 500 finish at the Boston Marathon. Other highlights include Masters All-American in middle distance events in track and field in his 40s, 50s and 60s as well as being faculty partner to track and field at Penn State for seven years. Between the Associated Press and Penn State, he has reported or edited on sports from every continent except Antarctica: six Super Bowls; five national (college) football title games; two Olympics; two Paralympics; two World Cups; the 2023 Women's World Cup; Final Four; and Little League World Series.


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 376 Sam Goodwin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
CSR 375 Dr Michael Donato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:17
He works as a sports medicine podiatrist. At Princeton University he had played four years of varsity baseball and one year of varsity hockey. In high school he had played four years of varsity hockey, freshman baseball…
CSR 374 Britta Curl-Salemme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
She just won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Italy in February as a member of the U.S. women's ice hockey team. She is a forward in her second season with the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women's Hockey Lea…
CSR 373 Michael Sharman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:12
A senior at Clemson University where he is a pitcher on the men's baseball team. Through his first six games played in 2026 he had a 4-1 won-lost record over 32 and two-thirds innings pitched and an earned run average of…
CSR 372 Mike Hoendorf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:25
He has been coaching and working within the game of baseball for over 20 years and has been working in Catholic ministry for over ten years. He has previously spent time coaching at every level of baseball from youth to…
CSR 371 Noah Kararo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
He currently plays for the ChiCity Orioles, as part of the Chicago Premier Baseball League. He is also Director of Baseball Operations for the Illinois Hawks, having previously served as their Director of Youth Developme…
CSR 370 Melanie Meza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:00
She had a long career as a student-athlete, playing basketball for Whittier College, El Camino College, and her high school, all in California. During her time at El Camino College she made the Academic All-State Basketb…
CSR 369 Joni Briganti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:23
She has earned USA Triathlon's Lifetime Achievement Award, among other honors. She went from being a USA racer/triathlete into an International World triathlete. In 2017 she qualified for Age Group Team USA Triathlon, an…
CSR 368 Daniel Gill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
He attended Benedictine College Preparatory, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete. He went on to play Division I soccer at Mount St. Mary's and Longwood University. He later coached at Benedictine for…
CSR 367 John Paul Raiger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
He was a free safety on the football team at the College of the Holy Cross, where he was selected to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. That followed a high school career during which he served as captain of the foo…