Memphis has chased major league status for decades — from the Memphis Red Sox to the ABA and the World Football League. In the early 1980s, that pursuit led to the Memphis Showboats, one of the most memorable chapters in the city’s sports history.

On this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast with Sandy Adams, historian and author Dr. Keith B. Wood returns to discuss his new book The Memphis Showboats: The USFL Team & the City’s Fight for Major League Status and the leadership, vision, and belief that rallied a city.

We discuss:

• Memphis’ push to become a major league city
• How the Showboats landed in Memphis
• Leadership of owner William Dunavant and GM Steve Ehrhart
• Pepper Rodgers and the team’s identity
• The impact of Reggie White and Walter Lewis
• How the Showboats united Memphis
• Why the USFL collapsed
• The team’s lasting legacy

For three seasons, the country took notice — but the story is bigger than football. It’s about leadership, opportunity, and belief in what a city could become.

Send us a text.

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

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- In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline, Sandy Adams sits down with Dr. Sally G. Parish, Vice Provost at the University of Memphis and Superintendent of University Schools.

Dr. Parish leads a rapidly growing K–12 school district connected to the university, but her passion for developing confident young leaders was shaped much earlier in life.

Growing up in Pulaski, Tennessee, a difficult experience with a high school coach led her to walk away from sports entirely as a freshman. That moment would later influence her mission to create environments where young people — especially girls — can build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.

Before returning to Memphis, Dr. Parish launched an award-winning leadership development program for collegiate student-athletes and conducted research on leadership identity development, identifying key traits such as growth mindset, grit, and competitive purpose.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How early experiences shape identity and confidence
• Why athletes often face an identity shift when their playing careers end
• What coaches and educators can do to develop leaders — not just performers
• Why young girls need spaces where they can build confidence and use their voice
• How the University school system has grown into a full K–12 district with more than 55 athletic teams

This episode is about more than sports.

It’s about helping young people discover who they are long before the world tells them what they should be.

Send us a text.

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website

- Larry O’Bannon Jr. made a conscious decision early in his career to plan for life after basketball—so retirement wouldn’t catch him unprepared.

In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast, Larry shares how thinking ahead while still playing at the University of Louisville helped him navigate a 15+ year professional career overseas—and transition smoothly into life after the game.

Coached by Rick Pitino, Larry learned resilience, mental toughness, and the importance of moving forward quickly—lessons that proved just as valuable after basketball as they were on the court. From earning an accounting degree as a built-in Plan B to playing professionally across Europe and South America, Larry was intentional about preparing for what came next.

We talk about identity beyond sport, redefining success, and building a life that aligns with your values—on and off the court.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why Larry chose accounting in college as a long-term strategy
• Lessons from Coach Rick Pitino that carried into his post-playing career
• How international basketball shaped his perspective and adaptability
• Making the transition from athlete to investor, coach, and broadcaster
• Redefining success through family, purpose, and alignment

P.S. Larry also shares how hosting The Player’s Perspective Uncensored podcast allows him to stay connected to the game—mixing basketball conversations with a growing appreciation for bourbon, creating a unique lane of content that reflects where he is now.

Find Larry online:

Podcast @theplayersperspectivePodcast

Instagram @larryobannon

X

Send us a text.

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

Grab my new book, "The Visionary Personal Brand Playbook" and start building your brand today. Grab your copy at sandy-adams.com/playbook

Support the show

Follow The 5th Quarter Podcast:
Instagram | Threads | X | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite platform.
📺 Watch on our Youtube channel

Connect with us: Website | Email

Follow Host Sandy Adams on Instagram | Linkedin | X | YouTube | Website