College Playground
College Playground is a show that exposes the truth, the pressure to succeed, and the struggles college athletes often face. Each week, multimedia journalist and personality, Sydney Simone, will sit down with a college athlete to unravel the story behind the competitor. When you think of a playground, some may think adventurous. It's a place to be free, have fun, and connect with new people. The College Playground gives each player space to share their journey, talk about college life, and plans beyond the sports world. College Playground is produced by Sydney Simone Entertainment, LLC.
Episodes
In episode 18 of College Playground, Mason McIntosh talks about attending Carthage College for football. He also shares his decision to transfer to Tennesee State University. McIntosh recalls his experiences at a PWI and HBCU. The athlete also talks about leveraging your connections and building relationships. After his time on the field ended, McIntosh went on to grad school and now he shares the importance of Black students in hi...
In episode 17 of College Playground, Brittny Ellis, a former track star at the University of Miami, discusses balancing athletic and nursing school. Ellis says growing up with two parents who also ran track on the collegiate level helped better prepare her for success. Growing up, the All-American athlete also played basketball. Although her final season was cut short due to COVID-19, Brittny still made the best of it and jumped ri...
In episode 16 of College Playground, Ryan Atkins, a University of Arkansas Pine Bluff senior, talks about choosing an HBCU after attending a JUCO. He also shares how wrestling better prepared him for the offensive lineman position in football. The 6'5 athlete also discusses his experience growing up with two older brothers, both play football. Atkins says being on a different side of the ball, he stood out amid the brotherly lo...
In episode 15, Kyle Webb, a former Purdue University track athlete talks about a life-changing accident that forced him to go JUCO before hitting the BIG10. The Bermuda native also talks about living in the United States and Australia. After graduation, the All-American found a new hobby, bodybuilding. He talks about the pros and cons of extreme weightlifting. The sprinter also talks about becoming a father and more.
In episode 14 of College Playground, Ramone Atkins, a quarterback, talks about his transition from playing in college to starting in the IFL (Indoor Football League). The 6'4 athlete plays for the Tucson Sugar Skulls in Arizona and won IFL's 2022 Rookie of the Year. The Indiana native talks about playing a season at Alcorn in Mississippi and playing with his older brother at New Mexico Highlands University. Atkins also talk...
In episode 13 of College Playground, TahJ Borom, a senior baseball player at Indiana University Kokomo talks about reaching his peak in baseball. He also shares his journey through COVID-19 and being a tri-athlete in high school. For Borom, family support has carried him through his college journey. The outfielder and pitcher talks about going to law school and hopefully making the MLB draft.
On episode 12 of College Playground, Arthur Price III, a former track athlete ran hurdles at Louisiana State University (LSU). The runner started his career at the University of Lafayette and later transferred with the expectations of playing both football and running track. After being forced to choose, Price perfected his athleticism as a hurdler. During his collegiate career, he was faced with many obstacles, including COVID-19 ...
On episode 11 of College Playground, Kylah Collins is a professional basketball player in Australia. She's also an actress, model, and dancer. The superstar talks about her ups and downs with hooping. In addition to her acting career and the SAG-AFTRA strike. Collins also shares her experience living abroad and balancing a long-distance relationship.
In episode 10 of College Playground, Kobe Stewart talks about his childhood playing basketball and taking it to the next level. The forward also talks about overcoming his injury. And now, he's heading into a new season with a new group of teammates. The Augusta native says he has goals to get to the league; Especially, since many people in his hometown look up to him.
In Episode 9 of College Playground Keely Gaffney (Knobbe), a track and field thrower at Marquette, talks about finding your strengths and building self-confidence. Gaffney played a number of sports growing up: basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Once Gaffney realized she was just as good, if not better at throwing shot put, discus, hammer, and weights, her athleticism took her to the next level. We also talk about life af...
Alana Davis played basketball for the University of Memphis. During her time as a Tiger, Davis received awards and recognition. Upon graduation, she went on to grad school to study broadcast journalism. The highly talented athlete also teaches second grade. Although Davis isn't hooping, she has dreams of playing overseas, in the WNBA, and becoming a broadcaster on ESPN.
In Episode 7 of College Playground, Navon Mosley, former Purdue University football player. He started as a safety in his freshman year. Now he's talking about life after college. The pandemic sent his life in a different direction. He planned to enter the NFL draft in 2020 the same week the world shutdown. He's since picked up a managerial position at Ford and works in Real Estate.
In Episode 6 of College Playground, Morehouse graduate and former wide receiver, Josh Strickland, talks about going back to school after taking years off. He also talks about balancing life as a family man, football, and being an older college student. And his decision to transfer from a PWI to HBCU.
Episode 5 “Merging Two Passions: Soccer & Spanish”!!! I'm talking with Taliah Borom, a former soccer player at Goshen College. Taliah talks about studying abroad in high school and college while playing soccer, disparities for Black women in soccer, and figuring out life after college.
I'm talking with K’Ja Talley, Purdue Track & Field superstar, who’s competed on a national level. We discuss competing in the Big Ten Conference, joining a Divine Nine (D9) sorority, NIL deals for college athletes and track & field being overlooked in the athletic world, and setting school records.
Former Purdue Runningback D.J. Knox talks about going from being a player at a BIG Ten school to training for the NFL, and now coaching on the collegiate level. DJ also talks about becoming a family man.
Former Minnesota State University track athlete, Autumn Santos, talks about overcoming multiple surgeries during her collegiate career, going to grad school at Texas Women's University for Occupational Therapy, and life during the pandemic.
Meet Torey Phillips on the FIRST episode of College Playground. Phillips is a 6'5 defensive lineman at Tyler Junior College. He grew up in Texarkana, Texas, and Hope, Arkansas. He has dreams of transferring to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks and one day playing in the NFL. He also has two younger brothers who play football and basketball.
The College Playground Show was originally launched in the summer of 2019. The show started as a 30-minute radio broadcast on the Stationhead app. Now, College Playground is revamping with a twist by adding a visual medium and podcast.
Every week, multimedia journalist and personality, Sydney Simone, will sit down with a college athlete to unravel the story behind the competitor. When you think of a playground, some may think adve...
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