CIAC Glory Days

Three Hartford HealthCare physicians join Jada Mirabelle on the CIAC Glory Days Podcast to discuss the critical role of sports psychology and mental health in young athletes. Dr. Peter Lucchio, PsyD, Dr. Ralph Dodd, PsyD, and Dr. Viana Turcios-Cotto, PhD share expert insights on performance, resilience, and supporting student-athletes both on and off the field. A valuable conversation for coaches, parents, educators, and athletes alike.

On this episode of the CIAC Glory Days Podcast, host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Coginchaug Girls Soccer, the 2024 CIAC Class S State Champions! Head Coach Liam Isleib and standout players Allison Booth and Kaelyn Connell reflect on their historic journey to the program’s first-ever state championship last season. They share insights into the team’s culture, and the structure that helped turn a dream season into reality.

On this episode of the CIAC Glory Days Podcast, host Jada Mirabelle sits down with Al Carbone and James Buonocore to dive into the world of the Connecticut High School Football Alliance. They discuss how the Alliance got started, how matchups are set, its goals, the responses to critics, and the impact it’s having on high school football across Connecticut. A must-listen for fans, players, and anyone curious about the CT high school football!

On this episode of the CIAC Glory Days Podcast, host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Abdou Toure — senior at Notre Dame-West Haven, two-time CIAC State Champion, and one of the nation’s top basketball talents. Known not only for his elite play but also for his sportsmanship, character, and work ethic, Abdou has become a role model and a fan favorite across Connecticut. From packed gyms and sold-out games to supporters lining up for photos and autographs, his impact on and off the court continues to grow as he has already drawn interest from the country’s top Division I programs.

On this episode of the CIAC Glory Days Podcast, host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Killingly Football, the reigning CIAC Class SS State Champions! Head Coach Chad Neal and standout players Quinn Sumner and Ryan Webster share their championship journey, team culture, and their goals for the season. Don’t miss this inside look at one of CIAC’s football powerhouse programs!

CIAC Glory Days Podcast host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Masuk Softball, a Connecticut softball powerhouse! Tune in as Head Coach Leigh Barone and Division I commits Julia Bacoulis and Sofia Lieto share the secrets behind Masuk’s incredible six-year CIAC State Championship streak. Hear about the mindset, culture, and work ethic that continues to fuel their dynasty — and stick around for a rapid Q&A with Masuk’s champions! 🥎🏆

CIAC Glory Days Podcast host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Fairfield Prep Lacrosse, one of the top high school lacrosse programs in the country! Featuring two Division I commits, Finbar Malloy and Luke Shannehan, this episode dives into the team's unmatched chemistry, winning culture, and their driving force: the #BeTheBest mentality led by Head Coach Graham Niemi. Video Version - https://youtu.be/5FCdLtlLYc4

CIAC Glory Days Podcast host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Bloomfield Girls Indoor Track, a CT track powerhouse! 🏆🎙️Tune in as Head Coach Anne Burrows and Captains Kiylah Williams and Jahniya Barclay share their keys to success, and talk about the mindset and dedication required to reach their level of success. Plus, stick around for a rapid Q&A with Bloomfield’s champions! 🥇

CIAC Glory Days Podcast host Jada Mirabelle sits down with Notre Dame West Haven, the Division I Boys Ice Hockey State Champions! 🏆🎙️ Join Head Coach Larry Vieira and Senior Captains Dylan Bankowski and Lukacs Delmonico as they reflect on unforgettable moments, discuss their championship mindset, and reveal what it truly takes to reach the top. 🏒🥇

CIAC Glory Days Podcast host Jada Mirabelle sits down with Notre Dame West Haven’s Division I Basketball State Champions Abdou Toure, Landon Krygier, and Head Coach Jason Shea! Tune in to hear what fuels the incredible success of these two players and what finally clicked to earn Notre Dame its first-ever Boys Basketball State Championship title. 🏀🏆  

Legendary Head Coach Babby Nuhn, along with Senior Captain Lily Ardito and Sam Ferraro share their inspiring journey to becoming CIAC Champions for three years in a row! Hear about the values that have fueled Coach Nuhn’s historic career, the games they’re eagerly anticipating this season, their insights on teamwork, how to balance education and athletics, and their strategies heading into this fall season.Plus, enjoy a fun and fast-paced Q&A with North Branford’s champions. Don’t miss out on this behind-the-scenes look at their championship journey! 🏆🔥

In our latest episode, host Jada Mirabelle sits down with the CIAC back-to-back Class SS Football State Champions, Joel Barlow High School! 🎙️🏆Hear all about their unforgettable season and the journey to becoming back-to-back state champions. Hear exclusive stories, what drove them to success, hear their insights on hard work and leadership, the games they’re eagerly anticipating this season, and their thoughts on off-season training. Plus, enjoy a fun and fast-paced Q&A with Joel Barlow’s champions. 🔥🎙️Follow us on our social media pages:Instagram - @ciacathleticsX - @ciacsportsFacebook - Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference

Join Host Jada Mirabelle on the latest episode of the Glory Days Podcast as she welcomes the Captains and Coach of Bacon Academy's 2023 Class M Girls Soccer State Championship team! ⚽️Head Coach Matt Rafala, along with Senior Captains Elizabeth Glover (Goaltender), Veronica Smith (Center Back), and Audrey Palmer (Striker), share their incredible journey to becoming CIAC Girls Soccer State Champions for the first time in their school’s history. Discover what drove them to success, hear their insights on teamwork and leadership, the games they’re eagerly anticipating this season, pre-game routines, and their thoughts on off-season training, and the new CIAC rule allowing high school coaches to coach their teams for two days a week, for two hours per session in the summer. Plus, enjoy a fun and fast-paced Q&A with Bacon Academy’s champions. Don’t miss out on this behind-the-scenes look at their winning journey and inspiring stories! 🔥🎙️Follow us on our social media pages:Instagram - @ciacathleticsX - @ciacsportsFacebook - Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference

Get ready to gain valuable insights into the world of high school basketball on the CIAC Glory Days podcast. We're talking shot clock implementation and the art of managing emotions in the heat of the game. Together with Gary Franklin, Chair of the CIAC Boys Basketball Committee, and Catrina Hawley-Stewart, head girls basketball coach, we’re discussing everything from coaching strategies to the impact of emotions on player performance. Ever wonder how high-stakes competition and passion can sway decision-making and sportsmanship? We're diving headfirst into this topic, discussing a new rule that helps players regain composure after receiving a technical foul. Hear from our guests about the challenges and rewards of managing emotions and expectations in sports, the important role of leadership in promoting sportsmanship, and implementing a shot clock. 

Host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Gregg Simon (CIAC Associate Executive Director), Dave Schulz (FCIAC Commissioner and CIAC Boys Basketball Tournament Director), and Dan Scavone (CIAC Assistant Director and Directors CIAC Officials Association) to discuss rules changes for the upcoming season, and how the formula works to determine divisional placements for boys basketball.Rule changes for the 2023-2024 season include the addition of a 35-second shot clock and the elimination of the one-and-one foul shooting scenario.

Ever wondered how rules and bylaws in high school sports are changed? Join us on a fascinating journey as we unravel the process, focusing on a proposal to change the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) out-of-season coaching bylaw. We have the privilege of hosting Fred Balsamo, the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors' Executive Director, and Amanda Forcucci, an educator and head girl's basketball coach at Hamden High School, to share their insights on this subject.We will examine a three-part proposal primarily aimed at allowing contact between school coaches and their athletes over the summer on a restrictive basis. Fred and Amanda take us through the other parts of the proposal that are designed to clarify the club and camp rules, making it a level playing field and giving students the chance to attend camps. We'll look at how these changes could affect school districts' costs and implementation and, importantly, the potential benefits to the students. The discussion will also delve into the impact of year-round conditioning and how this rule change could facilitate quicker team identity and dynamic development.As we wrap up, we'll dig into the vetting process for change proposals, spotlighting how these are filtered through CIAC, sent out for votes, and finally approved by schools. We'll also explore the purpose and value of high school sports, considering their role in fostering teamwork, promoting physical health, and developing social and emotional skills. This episode will underline the importance of sports in creating a sense of school pride and helping students develop life-long skills. Tune in for this riveting discussion!

In our latest episode, you'll hear from the inspiring Kevin Fredericks, head football coach of Maloney High School, who has been instrumental in shaping his program's success both on and off the field. His philosophy? To build a winning team, you have to do a lot more than focus on the game. Kevin's commitment to education, weight training, and fostering meaningful relationships between students and coaches has not only seen his program blossom but has also served to influence the lives of his students positively.If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving sports program, Kevin's insights are invaluable. His steadfast belief in maintaining a high academic standard, demonstrated by his team's impressive cumulative GPA of 3.6, is a testament to how integrating education with sports can drive success. He also shares the unique tradition of honoring teachers who've made a significant impact on students by presenting them with a jersey on game days - a practice that fosters a stronger home-school relationship. But the lessons Kevin imparts to his players extend far beyond the classroom and the football field. He believes in molding good citizens and, to that end, emphasizes the importance of empathy, respect, and positive societal contribution. His players are even setting the tone for the entire student body by promoting kindness and equality within the school. So, join us for this enlightening conversation with Kevin Fredericks and discover how sports can be an effective tool for teaching essential life lessons. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the profound impact a sports program can have on a community.