Our guests in this special episode are Sarah Hodges and Kelly Rowland from the Martinsville-Henry County (VA) Economic Development Corporation.

We're speaking to Sarah and Kelly in advance of Event No. 9 of ⁠Around the World in 80 Sportings Events⁠, the ⁠Xfinity 500 NASCAR Semifinal Race⁠ at historic Martinsville Speedway.

During our time with Sarah and Kelly we get a good overview on what this part of the Commonwealth has to offer. You'll find the following links helpful:

• ⁠Visit Martinsville⁠
• ⁠Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival⁠
• ⁠Virginia Museum of Natural History⁠
• ⁠Philpott Lake⁠
• ⁠Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail⁠
• ⁠Piedmont Arts⁠

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We're joined in this episode by Fr. Burke Masters from St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale, IL. In addition to his responsibilities at St. Isaac's, Fr. Burke also serves as the nearby Chicago Cubs' Catholic Chaplain.

Fr. Burke's work with the Cubs is, shall we say, on brand for him. A highly recruited high school baseball player out of Joliet, IL, Fr. Burke wound up in Starkville, MS, playing four seasons at Mississippi State University's legendary Coach Ron Polk. Fr. Burke even blasted a grand slam homer during the Regional Final Series against top-ranked Florida State University in 1990 to help the Bulldogs qualify for the Men's College World Series.

He's chronicled his path from baseball player to the priesthood in his autobiography, A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest. You're able to find much of Fr. Burke's latter-day works on his blog and his YouTube Channel.

If you're enjoying Conversations with Sports Fans please consider supporting our work ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠he⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠e⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For as little as 99 cents a month, generous supporters such as you are able to keep these episodes coming commercial and sponsor free.

In this episode we're joined by Colin Prater, a high school science teacher and golf coach from Colorado Springs, CO.

Also an avid sports fan, those reasons alone are enough to engage in a Conversation, but wait until you check out the past six months Colin's enjoyed:

• Played in the ⁠U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship⁠ at Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, PA
• Placed second in his ⁠U.S. Open Qualifier⁠ at Pronghorn Resort in Bend, OR, to qualify
• Played in the ⁠124th U.S. Open Championship⁠ at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, NC
• He and his wife welcomed their second daughter, Logan
• Played in the ⁠U.S. Amateur Championship⁠ at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN
• Played in the ⁠U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship⁠ at Kinloch Golf Club in Manakin-Sabot, VA
• The Cheyenne Mountain HS Boys Golf Team (the one he coaches) won the ⁠Colorado 4A State Championship⁠

Suffice to say, we cover quite a lot of territory and even find a bit time to talk Denver Broncos Super Bowls.

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