Navy Sports Central

Karl Darden
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

What if I told you about a group of elite college athletes who compete in 36 different sports at one of the toughest institutions in the nation. For them, it’s not about name, image, and likeness or any other kind of major endorsement deal. Because at the end of the day, their ultimate goal is to serve their country.  These young men and women represent the best our country has to offer. They compete at a high level on both the national and world stage, and their stories have mostly gone untold. I’m here to change all of that. With Navy Sports Central, you'll get the latest news on the athletes, and their teams, gain some unique insights in our Deep Dive segment and hear from some great guests along the way. So please join me, Karl Darden, and check out Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts to learn more about these incredible athletes and our nation’s future leaders.

  1. 3D AGO

    Finding the Catch: Alexandria Vallancey's Transition From Basketball To Navy Rowing Champion

    Send us a text In today's special edition of Navy Sports Central, we kick off a series honoring 50 years of women at the Naval Academy. And we begin with the story of Alexandria Vallancey, a Corvallis High basketball star who arrived at Annapolis intent on Division I hoops and left as a force in Navy Women’s Rowing. What began as a walk-on curiosity at Hubbard Hall became a new identity, built on brutal practices, clean catches, and the unglamorous grind of the erg. We'll trace Alexandria’s rapid rise from novice to the first varsity eight, the victories in the Cooper Sprints, dual wins over East Coast powers, and a string of Patriot League Championships that stretched Navy’s dominance. Then the stakes climb: an invitation to the Henley Royal Regatta’s historic King’s Cup, a mixed military crew that included two women, and a nation’s colors on the line.  Feel the rhythm of head-to-head racing as Canada and France fall, and experience the drama in the final as a decisive move lifts the American boat Overlord past Germany while cheers of  “USA” help push the boat down the course. The win marks a powerful return to the international stage for Navy rowing—and it's a milestone in the larger story of women’s athletics at Annapolis. We also look ahead: the pandemic’s interruption, a return to form with another league title, and the next horizon—qualifying for the U23 U.S. National Team and competing at the World Rowing Championships. If you care about Navy sports, women’s sports history, rowing strategy, or the mindset it takes to reinvent yourself, you don't want to miss this story. Be sure to follow the show, share it with a Navy fan, and leave a review to help more listeners find these stories. Then tell us: what bold pivot are you ready to make? Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    20 min

  2. 10/24/2025

    Mid-Term Grades: The Navy Football Report Card

    Send us a text Welcome to Navy Sports Central, the official podcast of the Navy Sports Nation! Today, we take a look at how  Navy Football is doing at midseason We will shine a spotlight the playmakers driving a 6–0 start, and pinpoint what must tighten up before the team's toughest stretch of games.  Before that, we'll check on some of the other sports in the yard, including k water polo, women’s soccer, and men’s cross country Finally, you'll hear the story of Luke Lombardo's dramatic singles win over his opponent in golf that delivered Navy’s 1200th victory over Army across all varsity sports. Follow Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts: Check out the Navy Sports Nation group page on Facebook! Music is provided courtesy of Audio Jungle. Artists featured in order: Seven In Music (Intro)Alexiaction (Deep Dive)Loka Music (Navy Golf Lead In)Cinematic Alex (Closeout Music)Join the Navy Sports Nation group on Facebook. Hit the follow button on your podcast app to get every episode downloaded to your directory. Share your grade for the Mids by sending fan mail using the link in the show notes Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    24 min

  3. 06/24/2025

    Countdown 2025: Knocking Out the Bully (and Much, Much More)

    Send us a text Welcome to Navy Sports Central, the official podcast of the Navy Sports Nation! Have you ever thought about what defines a truly unforgettable sports moment? Is it the stakes, the rivalry, the upset, or the individual brilliance that creates memories lasting a lifetime? In this special year-end edition of Navy Sports Central, we tackle this question by counting down the top 10 most memorable moments from the 2024-2025 Navy athletics season. The countdown features remarkable achievements across multiple sports, from squash and gymnastics to the ones that typically take center stage like football and lacrosse.  We celebrate the dominance of men's cross country as they secured their fourth straight Patriot League title, while men's track & field picked up their eleventh consecutive championship. Equally impressive was the women's swimming team winning their 13th straight conference title through extraordinary depth, despite not having a single individual swimming champion. But rising above all these accomplishments is our #1 moment: the Navy women's lacrosse team shocking resident Patriot League bully and top seeded Loyola in overtime to capture their first conference championship since 2018. To explore this historic victory in depth, we're joined by special guest Cynthia Lisa ('00), who provides expert analysis on how the Mids managed to overcome a five-goal third quarter deficit against a Greyhound program that had never lost a regular season Patriot League game in their history (93-0). We spotlight freshman sensation Alyssa Chung's five-goal performance and Mikayla Williams' championship-winning shot in overtime, while paying tribute to legendary coach Cindy Timchal's sustained excellence over 43 seasons. Whether you're a die-hard Navy sports fan or simply appreciate stories of athletic achievement against the odds, this episode captures what makes following these remarkable student-athletes so rewarding. Subscribe to Navy Sports Central and join our Facebook community to stay connected as the Mids prepare for another exciting sports season beginning this fall.  Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    1 hr

  4. 05/06/2025

    Playmakers & Disruptors: An Early Look at the 2025 Navy Football Team

    Send us a text Welcome to Navy Sports Central, the official podcast of the Navy Sports Nation! In this episode, we'll get you caught up on some of the outstanding performances of the spring sports season.  • You'll hear about how the Men's Track & Field team rung up another Patriot League title, their 11th consecutive crown.  • The Navy Rifle team's Marleigh Duncan and Isabella Baldwin earned All-American honors. Duncan competed in her fourth NCAA Championship and with Baldwin won USA Shooting's Junior Olympics, qualifying for the Junior Pan Am Games. • Alexander Orr and Ramsey Killinger won Navy's seventh squash doubles National Championship. It was Navy's first since 2019 • Women's Lacrosse secured a thrilling 14-13 overtime victory against Loyola for the Patriot League Championship, qualifying for the NCAA tournament' •In our Deep Dive, my guest and I will take an in depth look at Navy's key players who will be returning for the 2025 football season.  Related Links: Men's Track & Field Win Their 11th Straight Patriot League ChampionshipNavy Women's Lacrosse Stuns Loyola In Overtime To Win the Patriot League Title!We want your answer to our Question of the Day. Here is the one for this episode: Blake Horvath rushed and passed for over 1,200 yards in the 2204 season. Only three Navy quarterbacks have ever accomplished this feat. Keenan Reynolds was one of them. Who was the first to do it? A. Roger Staubauch B. Chris McCoy C. Craig Candeto D. Ricky Dobbs You can answer by sending us a text message using the link at the top of the show notes. I'll also post the question on our group Facebook Page. Follow Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts: Check out the Navy Sports Nation group page on Facebook! Music is provided courtesy of Audio Jungle. Artists featured in order: Seven In Music (Intro)Alexiaction (Deep Dive)Loka Music (Deep Dive Pt. 2 Lead In)Artlss (Question of the Day Lead In)Cinematic Alex (Closeout Music)Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    1h 2m

  5. 02/10/2025

    Raging Back: An Up Close and Personal Look at the Navy Heavyweight Rowing Team's 1984 IRA National Championship

    Send us a text Welcome to Navy Sports Central, the official podcast of the Navy Sports Nation! In today's Deep Dive segment, we will visit with two members of the Navy Athletics Hall of Fame. You will get a first hand account on how the Heavyweight Rowing team won the national championship in 1984.  We will discuss the Navy Rowing program in the early '80s, the make up of the team that eventually won it all, and some of the adversity they dealt with along the way.  In addition to that, I will update you on the Army-Navy Star Series, and we'll have our Question of the Day and Mid Watch segments as well. So please join us for a very entertaining conversation with two members of one of the best crews the Navy Rowing program has ever produced.  Related Links: Navy Rowing Honors HistoryThe 2024-25 Navy Heavyweight Rowing TeamWe want your answer to our Question of the Day. Here is the one for this episode: How many IRA Championships has the Navy Heavyweight Rowing team won? A. 7 B. 9 C. 11 D. 13 You can answer by sending us a text message using the link at the top of the show notes. I'll also post the question on our group Facebook Page. Follow Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts: Check out the Navy Sports Nation group page on Facebook! Music is provided courtesy of Audio Jungle. Artists featured in order: Seven In Music (Intro)Alexiaction (Deep Dive)Loka Music (Deep Dive Pt. 2 Lead In)Artlss (Question of the Day Lead In)Cinematic Alex (Closeout Music) Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    1h 40m

  6. 12/04/2024

    Big Picture Focus: Taking Down the Pirates and Preparing for Army

    Send us a text Welcome to Navy Sports Central, the official podcast of the Navy Sports Nation! It is December, and that means Army week is right around the corner. Join me, Karl Darden and Navy Sports superfan Doug Conkey, as we break down the Mids solid win over East Carolina, and discuss the impact of the transfer portal and name, image and licensing  (NIL) deals on college football.  We'll also get you caught up on the Women's Basketball team. Zanai Barnett-Gay, Kate Samson and Kyah Smith have them playing at a high level, while freshman Mary Gibbons has made an immediate impact with her long range shooting. Both Navy Swimming & Diving teams head to West Point for an absolutely crucial dual meet. We'll tell you who to look out for as the Mids play catch up in the annual Army - Navy Star series. We've got all that plus our Question of the Day and Mid Watch segments, so please stay with us for what promises to be a great conversation.  Related Links: Navy - ECU Game HighlightsFive Navy Defensive Players Recognized Among AAC's BestWe want your answer to our Question of the Day. Here is the one for this episode: Navy's record in bowl games is 12-11-1. What is their longest winning streak? Is it A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. None of the above You can answer by sending us a text message using the link at the top of the show notes. I'll also post the question on our group Facebook Page. Follow Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts: Check out the Navy Sports Nation group page on Facebook! Music is provided courtesy of Audio Jungle. Artists featured in order: Seven In Music (Intro)Alexiaction (Deep Dive)Loka Music (Deep Dive Pt. 2 Lead In)Artlss (Question of the Day Lead In)Cinematic Alex (Closeout Music)Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    59 min

  7. 11/15/2024

    The Navy Blitz, Volume 4: Climbing Out of the Quicksand

    Send us a text Get ready for another edition of the Navy Blitz! Today's installment covers the Mids' two tough losses to Notre Dame and Rice. And with their conference championship game hopes slipping away, Navy's season was definitely at a crossroads. The team bounced back in strong fashion with a commanding 28-7 win over South Florida. Blake Horvath, Eli Heidenreich and Brandon Chatman all showcased their talent with some terrific playmaking.  and the defense delivers a masterclass in pressure and crucial stops.  The spotlight turns to a pivotal showdown against Tulane, with Navy's eyes set on a championship game berth, something that hasn't happened since 2016.   Related Links: Navy - South Florida HighlightsBlake Horvath in the Spotlight! Follow Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodchaser Check out the Navy Sports Nation group page on Facebook! Music is provided courtesy of Audio Jungle. Artists featured in order: Seven In Music (Intro)Cinematic Alex (Closeout Music) Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    14 min

  8. 11/02/2024

    Coming Home: Navy Sports Central's Special Class of '84 Reunion Episode

    Send us a text Welcome to Navy Sports Central, the official podcast of the Navy Sports Nation! We've got a very special episode for you today. We are back in Annapolis to celebrate  the Naval Academy Class of '84's 40 Year Reunion.  This episode is dedicated to my classmates. You will hear stories from of them  recalling some of their most memorable Navy Sports moments. Those tales are just a small part the Navy Athletics legacy and the camaraderie  it has fostered over the years.  So settle in and relax. You'll hear about championships won in total darkness, football games played in brutal weather, an Army-Navy football game experience that will never by duplicated, and many more entertaining stories.  I'm especially grateful to my classmates who were a part of this episode. So to Scott Gordon, Jon Harber, Steve Young, Dan Doster, Dave Gallaer, Chris Gromek, Charles Fredrick and Bob Clark . . . thank you so much. I couldn't have done it without you.  Related Links: Navy - Charlotte Game HighlightsNavy Men's Cross Country Dominates Army We want your answer to our Question of the Day. Here is the one for this episode: In the game against Charlotte, Navy had a 38-3 halftime lead. What is the most number of points the Mids have put up in the first half of a game since 2003?  A.40 B. 42 C. 45 D. 49 You can answer by sending us a text message using the link at the top of the show notes. I'll also post the question on our group Facebook Page. Follow Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts: Check out the Navy Sports Nation group page on Facebook! Music is provided courtesy of Audio Jungle. Artists featured in order: Seven In Music (Intro)Alexiaction (Deep Dive)Loka Music (Deep Dive Pt. 2 Lead In)Artlss (Question of the Day Lead In)Cinematic Alex (Closeout Music)Support the show If you like what you hear, support the Mids and the show at the same time! Navy Sports Central is a proud affiliate partner of Fanatics.com, the Ultimate Fan Gear Store! Click on the link to start shopping now!

    1h 10m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

What if I told you about a group of elite college athletes who compete in 36 different sports at one of the toughest institutions in the nation. For them, it’s not about name, image, and likeness or any other kind of major endorsement deal. Because at the end of the day, their ultimate goal is to serve their country.  These young men and women represent the best our country has to offer. They compete at a high level on both the national and world stage, and their stories have mostly gone untold. I’m here to change all of that. With Navy Sports Central, you'll get the latest news on the athletes, and their teams, gain some unique insights in our Deep Dive segment and hear from some great guests along the way. So please join me, Karl Darden, and check out Navy Sports Central wherever you get your podcasts to learn more about these incredible athletes and our nation’s future leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Karl Darden
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Navy Sports Central
  • Show Website
    Navy Sports Central