From A to Zebra

Dana Pappas, Nate Acosta
  • 5.0 (8)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to a podcast that addresses everything "Official" From A to 🦓 with hosts Dana Pappas, Director of Officiating Services/NFHS & Nate Acosta, NCAA Women's Basketball Official/Former Assistant to the Commissioner of Officials in New Mexico. A plethora of topics delving into the world of officiating and sport officials with special guests and other interesting information aimed to Elevate, Educate, and Excite everyone about Officials.

  1. 1D AGO

    From A to Zebra Podcast S3:E4 Letter O - Outside the Ring guest Marc Ratner

    Summary: In this episode, we explore the remarkable career of Marc Ratner, a legendary figure in sports officiating, boxing, and UFC. Discover his journey from high school sports to the White House, and learn valuable lessons on officiating, leadership, and adapting to new challenges. Sound Bites: "A parachute landing into the ring was unforgettable" "Asking the referee if he was sure saved the fight" "Being invited to the White House fight was surreal" Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:58 Marc's Passion for High School Sports 05:10 Journey as a Division I Football Official 10:24 Getting Involved in Boxing and UFC 13:46 Challenges Across Different Sports Levels 25:05 Transition from Ring to Octagon 30:18 Event Planning at the White House 33:01 Evolution of UFC Over 20 Years 33:45 Marc's Hall of Fame Honors 37:02 Writing 'Ringside' and Memorable Stories 39:35 Advice on Officiating and Leadership Resources: RefReps Official Resources - https://refreps.com Marc Ratner's Book: Ringside, My Life Outside the Ropes and the Octagon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XYZ1234 Guest Links: LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/marcratner Twitter - https://twitter.com/marcratner

    43 min

  2. APR 1

    From A to Zebra Podcast S3:E3 Letter T - Table Crew guest Dr. David Pillar

    Summary In this episode, Dr. David Piller shares his extensive journey in basketball officiating, his role on the Indiana Hoosiers' table crew, and the importance of officiating in sports. Discover insights into the skills needed, the evolution of officiating, and how officiating enhances the sports experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:09 David Pillar's Officiating Journey 06:00 The Role of Table Crew in Basketball 11:41 Ref Reps and Its Impact on Officiating 17:20 Recognition and Awards in Officiating 21:17 The Importance of Communication in Officiating 28:37 Building Relationships Between Officials and Table Crew 31:57 The Importance of Communication in Officiating 37:05 Game Management and Communication with Coaches 45:17 The Role of Table Crews in Officiating 48:23 Passion for Officiating and the Game Experience 56:09 Inclusivity in Sports and Opportunities for Involvement 01:00:06 Outro

    1h 1m

  3. MAR 25

    From A to Zebra Podcast S3:E2 Letter E - End of an Era guest Greta Langhenry

    Summary In this inspiring episode, Greta Lange-Henry shares her journey into umpiring, breaking barriers as a woman in baseball, and the impactful work of Level UMP supporting underrepresented officials. Discover how passion, perseverance, and community are transforming the sport and empowering the next generation. Takeaways Passion and perseverance can lead to breaking barriers in sports. Supporting underrepresented groups in officiating is vital for diversity. Community and mentorship are key to success in sports careers. The legacy of Wendelstedt Umpire School shapes future generations. Confidence and continuous learning are essential for officials. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Umpiring 02:54 Greta's Unique Path to Umpiring 05:38 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence 05:58 The Importance of Mentorship and Support 08:46 Trailblazing as a Female Umpire 11:20 The Legacy of Wendelstedt Umpire School 14:12 Reflections on the End of an Era 16:43 The Emotional Connection to Officiating 23:26 The Emotional Journey of Officiating 27:36 Understanding the Role of Officials 31:31 Lessons Learned from Umpire School 34:38 Introducing Level UMP: A New Era 43:45 Building Community and Support in Umpiring 53:43 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

    54 min

  4. MAR 18

    From A to Zebra Podcast S3:E1 Letter G - Grassroots guest Anthony Jeffries

    Summary: In this episode, NFL official Anthony Jeffries shares his journey from high school officiating to the NFL, emphasizing the importance of grassroots programs, mentorship, and continuous learning in officiating. Discover how giving back and building strong foundations can elevate your officiating career at any level. Keywords: officiating, NFL, grassroots, mentorship, game management, officiating camp, leadership, officiating journey, officiating tips, officiating community Sound Bites: "Giving back is the foundation of everything I do." "Officiating is an act of service, not just a job." "The goal is to be 1% better every day." Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Season Three 02:52 Anthony Jeffries' Officiating Journey 05:42 The Importance of Grassroots Initiatives 08:43 Memories from the Interscholastic Level 11:26 The Role of Community in Officiating 14:22 The Philosophy Behind the Ref Academy Camp 17:03 Learning from the Best in the Industry 23:14 Building a Strong Foundation for Officials 26:58 Game Management and Officiating Philosophy 28:58 The Importance of Communication in Officiating 32:47 Balancing Officiating with Personal Life 35:29 Mentorship and Recruitment in Officiating 38:29 The Value of Continuous Improvement 44:15 Grassroots Efforts in Officiating Resources: RefReps Official Library - https://www.refreps.com/from-a-to-zebra-podcast Ref Academy Next Level - https://www.refacademyllc.com/new-page-1-2 High School Officiating Resources - https://highschoolofficial.com

    48 min

  5. 10/22/2025

    From A to Zebra Podcast S2:E32 Letter Z - Zebra guest Gene Steratore

    Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas interviews Gene Steratore, a former NFL referee and current rules analyst. They discuss Gene's journey into officiating, the challenges of managing multiple sports, and the importance of empathy in officiating. Gene shares insights on the evolution of officiating, the significance of mentorship, and the need to honor officiating legends. The conversation emphasizes the lessons learned through officiating and the impact it has on personal growth and sportsmanship. Sound Bites: "I was kind of born into officiating." "Navigating travel was challenging." "There's a beauty in being different." Chapters: 00:00 Gene Steratore's Journey in Officiating 05:41 Navigating Dual Sports as an Official 08:38 The Role of an On-Air Rules Analyst 11:44 The Importance of Being a Multi-Sport Official 14:47 The Significance of Wearing the Stripes 17:26 Lessons Learned from Officiating 20:43 Top Moments in Gene's Officiating Career 35:16 Family Dynamics and Professional Rivalry 39:25 The Importance of Trust in Officiating 43:42 Navigating Challenges in Officiating 48:26 The Evolution of Officiating: Technology and Rules 53:36 Honoring Officiating Legends 01:05:12 Lessons from Officiating: Empathy and Growth 01:13:55 Outro

    1h 14m

  6. 10/15/2025

    From A to Zebra Podcast S2:E31 Letter Y - Year-Round guest Alex Skandalis

    Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas speaks with Alex Scandalis, CEO of United Umpires, about his journey in officiating, the mission of United Umpires, and the challenges and rewards of being an umpire. They discuss the importance of balancing life and officiating, the roles of conference coordinators, and provide valuable advice for new umpires. The conversation emphasizes the dedication of officials and the significance of building relationships within the officiating community. #UnitedUmpires Takeaways Alex Scandalis started umpiring at a young age for extra money. United Umpires serves the entire baseball community, not just umpires. Balancing work and personal life is a challenge for officials. New umpires should explore multiple sports to stay engaged. The role of conference coordinators varies by level of play. Young umpires need support from their families and communities. Building trust is essential in officiating relationships. Officials work hard and care deeply about their roles. The journey of an umpire can lead to significant opportunities. It's important to provide constructive feedback to officials. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of an Umpire 06:23 United Umpires: Mission and Structure 11:34 Balancing Life and Officiating 21:06 Advice for New Umpires 25:34 Roles of Conference Coordinators 30:37 Building Relationships in Officiating 34:33 The Evolving Role of College Coordinators 38:01 Advice for Young Umpires and Family Support 45:47 Challenges and Rewards in Umpire Training 54:15 Understanding the Human Side of Officiating 01:00:11 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

    1h 1m

  7. 10/10/2025

    From A to Zebra Podcast S2:E30 Letter U - Unexpected (Special Edition) guests Lou Murphy, Joey Shelnutt, and Ken Washington

    Summary: In this special edition of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas engages with football officials Lou Murphy, Joey Shelnutt, and Ken Washington to discuss the heart-stopping incident that occurred during a game, where Joey suffered a heart attack. The conversation explores their personal journeys into officiating, the immediate response to the emergency, the aftermath of recovery, and the support from the officiating community. The episode emphasizes the importance of health awareness and CPR training for officials, as well as the strong bonds formed within the officiating family. Takeaways Joey Shelnutt's journey into officiating began through encouragement from a friend. Lou Murphy started officiating to stay involved in sports as his son played. Ken Washington's officiating career took off quickly due to mentorship. The incident on August 22nd was a life-changing moment for Joey Shelnutt. Lou Murphy acted quickly to perform CPR on Joey during the emergency. Community support for Joey came from officials across the country, including NFL referees. Health checks and CPR certification for officials are crucial for safety. The officiating community is a close-knit family that supports each other. Joey plans to return to officiating after his recovery. Lou emphasizes the importance of being proactive about health in officiating. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Heart of Officiating 02:47 Personal Journeys into Officiating 07:32 The Incident: A Life-Threatening Moment 12:56 Recovery and Medical Insights 17:58 The Officiating Community's Response 23:47 Reflections and Future Considerations 27:59 riverside_ed_- take 02 _ sep 25, 2024 001_from_a to zebra (1).mp4

    29 min

  8. 10/07/2025

    From A to Zebra Podcast S2:E29 Letter X - X-Factor guest Dr. Mercer Morgan, III

    Summary: In this episode of the From A to Zebra podcast, host Dana Pappas and co-host Nate Acosta engage with Dr. Mercer Morgan III, a military veteran and officiating enthusiast. They explore the unique X-Factor that military experience brings to officiating, discuss Mercer's personal journey through cancer, and highlight the importance of mentorship and support within the officiating community. Mercer shares his insights on overcoming adversity, the significance of preparation, and the role of the officiating family in navigating challenges. His story serves as an inspiration for officials and listeners alike, emphasizing resilience and dedication in both sports and life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 10:18 The X Factor in Officiating 19:33 Overcoming Adversity: The Cancer Journey 28:16 The Role of Support Systems in Officiating

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to a podcast that addresses everything "Official" From A to 🦓 with hosts Dana Pappas, Director of Officiating Services/NFHS & Nate Acosta, NCAA Women's Basketball Official/Former Assistant to the Commissioner of Officials in New Mexico. A plethora of topics delving into the world of officiating and sport officials with special guests and other interesting information aimed to Elevate, Educate, and Excite everyone about Officials.

Information

  • Creator
    Dana Pappas, Nate Acosta
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dana Pappas, Nate Acosta
  • Show Website
    From A to Zebra

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