October 22, 2026 • 8 mins
Marc Graham is the Producer/Director of "Calhoun Street", a docuseries from UC Athletics and 4th Floor Creative.
The premiere episode will be released on ESPN+ next Thursday.
On the day the teaser for the series was released, Marc joined us on ESPN1530.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
If you're a UC basketball fan, I think you're going
to love this. Calhoun Street debuts next week, the premiere
episode a week from today. The trailer for this project
is going to launch tonight at 7 o'clock. You can
find it on the UC Athletics and UC Basketball social
(00:20):
media feeds. I've had a chance to see the trailer.
I cannot wait to see the episodes. The first one
again next week. This is going to be terrific. If
you're a fan of UC basketball, past and present, I
think this is going to be right up your alley
as you learn all about Jared Calhoun, how he runs
the program, the players. And there is a lot of
(00:44):
nostalgia involved, at least in the early portion of the
run as well. The director and producer of Calhoun Street
is Mark Graham. Kind enough to give us a few minutes. Mark,
it's good to have you. I can't wait for the
trailer and I really can't wait till next week.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
What's going on?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
No, thanks for having me. Really appreciate it. And, you know,
I'm really looking forward to having everyone take a first
peek at the teaser tonight. I mean, you know, it's
really going to give everyone a first look at the
bigger story that we're trying to tell.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
What is the bigger story you're trying to tell?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
You know, there's a really interesting parallel between, you know,
what came before Calhoun and what he's stepping into now.
I mean, he's learned from the people who, you know,
helped shape Cincinnati basketball. I mean, he's seen what Huggins built,
you know, what Cronin carried forward. And, you know, now
he's stepping into those shoes, but he's really trying to
build something else that's entirely his own. You know, he's
not Huggins. He's not Cronin. He's Calhoun. And I think that,
(01:36):
you know, it's going to be really interesting for people
to see, you know, what he's doing to bring the
standard back to Cincinnati.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
So this is, correct me if I'm wrong, it's going
to be eight episodes. So walk me through what we're
going to get a chance to see when we watch.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Yeah, absolutely. It's an eight-episode docuseries. Obviously, we're going to
be filming it congruently with the season. But really, it's
a story bigger than basketball.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
It's about pride.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
It's about people coming together for one common goal and
a man who's leading the team who understands what that
goal means. We're not just doing a behind-the-scenes look at
a basketball season. I think we're really telling a character-driven
story about the people, the relationships, and the pressure and
expectations that surround Cincinnati basketball and what it is.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
By the way, congratulations on being the first person in
the history of my show to use the word congruently. Second,
tell me about getting Jared Calhoun to sign on to
be a.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Part of this.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Yeah, I mean, it was unbelievable. I mean, Coach, from
the first day that we met him, I mean, he
has been absolutely just incredible to work with. And I mean,
I think the big thing is that he's someone that
understands what the standard is, and he's not afraid to
talk about what that standard is. And at the end
of the day, you know, basketball creates stakes, but the
(02:50):
people create the story, and there's no better perfect main
character than Jared Calhoun. All right.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Among the players that we'll get a chance to learn
more about, give me one or two that have stood out.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I mean, I'll say people are going to love Jaden Hastings.
I mean, if you go back and you're a UC
fan and you love the Corey Blunts, the Melvin Levitts,
the bigger-than-life, larger-than-life characters, Jaden Hastings is that person. And
I really think people are going to enjoy him. He
(03:22):
brings so much energy to the table and just is
a really unique personality and loves to have fun. So
I think people are really going to enjoy him.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
What things have stood out in the process of getting
to know Jared Calhoun?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I think the biggest thing that has stood out to
us is that he even said it himself in one
of the interviews is that This roster is brand new, right?
A lot of fans don't know these guys yet, but
he cares more about these guys as people than what
they are on the court, right? And I think that
(03:57):
is what the blueprint is of UC basketball. If you
look back at Huggins, you look back at Cronin, yes,
they're intense, yes, they're gritty, fiery guys, but at the
end of the day, he loves every single one of
those players as if they're his own son. And I
think that's what Jared brings to the table is that
he's this family guy, we over me mentality, family means
the world to him. And he's really instilling that into
(04:18):
this culture, into this team. And, you know, you're really
going to see how it unfolds this season.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Jared Calhoun, getting his participation is absolutely key. Calhoun Street
is the name of the series. It starts next Thursday.
It's going to air on ESPN +. You'll get a
chance to catch the teaser tonight. at seven o'clock on
the UC Sports and UC Basketball social media channels. Obviously,
you need the cooperation of the coach and the players,
(04:44):
but you need a lot of other figures to participate
as well.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Who else have you talked to?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
So, you know, I think that's been the best part, right,
is that, you know, I kind of mentioned earlier is
like it's the parallels, right? It's connecting the past to
the present. We've had the, you know, the ability to
sit down with greats like Steve Logan, Melvin Leavitt, you know,
Corey Blunt, Cashmere Wright, and some others that, you know,
we might be sitting down with this upcoming Friday at
the Hall of Fame. And, you know, I think these
(05:10):
guys truly understand what it means to be a Bearcat, right?
I mean, they understand the history of the expectations of
what it means to represent this city. And the best
part about that is, is that Jared Calhoun wants those
guys around the program. He wants those guys to help
teach these guys on the team right now, what it
means to be a Bearcat and what it means to
wear the seat ball. Because I think that is, you know,
(05:32):
the thing that is the bigger story that we're trying
to tell and why that standard of wearing the seat
ball means so much to this team.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, I think the thing that has stood out from
day one is the connectivity, right? The link drawn, the
straight line from Bearcat basketball of yore to what Jarrett
Calhoun aspires for it to be. And I think it's
been neat to watch the former players, the extended UC community.
It's been fun to watch that connection from the past
(05:59):
to the present and watch everybody get excited about that
link being made.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, that's what's special about it is that when we
first sat down with these guys, they didn't know who
the helicopter was, right? And that's because it was before
their time, but they want to learn, right?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
They want to.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Understand what it means to carry on the tradition, carry
on the standard, right? I mean, every single day we
sit down with Jared Calhoun, he lets us know, he
lets the players know that there's a standard, right? He's
not afraid to say it and that they're going to
reach that goal this year and get back to the
NCAA tournament. And these guys feel that same thing and
they want to make sure that they carry on that tradition.
And there's no other people to teach them about that
(06:40):
legacy and tradition than the Steve Logans, than the Melvin Levitts,
you know, the cashmere rights of the world.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
All right.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
What else do we need to know?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Just get ready for a ride, right? I mean, I
think that's the best part about this docuseries is that
we're telling the story as the season's going on, right?
So at the end of the day, We're trying to
connect all the old guys to the present, but then
telling that present story about what's happening day in and
day out. We can try to form the character arcs
(07:10):
ahead of time, but at the end of the day,
we're just as big as fans as everyone else is
watching these games and figuring out what's going to happen
day in and day out. I've been around the team
for quite some time now, and I think everyone's going
to buckle up and enjoy for the ride.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
I can't wait to see it. The teaser tonight, seven o'clock,
find it on the UC socials. And again, next Thursday,
ESPN plus Calhoun street as a UC basketball sicko. I
cannot wait. Can't thank you enough for the time, Mark.
Congratulations on this. And they have a lot of work
in front of you. Best of luck.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
I appreciate it, Mo. And hey, people are going to
be seeing you in it too. So thanks for sitting
down with us and really looking forward to everyone seeing
it tonight.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
What a coup to be able to get me to
talk UC basketball. Unbelievable. Great work. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Thank you, sir.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
All right.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
That's Mark Graham, director and producer of this project. Again,
the teaser tonight. If you go to Go Bearcats, I
think they're going to put it on the at Go
Bearcats and the UC basketball Twitter handle as well as
well as Insta and all the other social media. So,
and then the, the series will launch on ESPN plus
a week from today. So look forward to that Calhoun street.
(08:22):
And they were nice enough to ask me to be
a talking head, at least for the premiere episode.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
And so it was very normal. You will see me
on the trailer.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
I don't know what you'll see like Dan Horde and
Steve Logan and Melvin Levitt and cashmere, right.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
And Joe Dannemann. And then you'll see me. You talk
about a group of people I don't belong with. That's it.
If you're a UC basketball fan, I think you're going
to love this. Calhoun Street debuts next week, the premiere
episode a week from today. The trailer for this project
is going to launch tonight at 7 o'clock. You can
find it on the UC Athletics and UC Basketball social
(00:20):
media feeds. I've had a chance to see the trailer.
I cannot wait to see the episodes. The first one
again next week. This is going to be terrific. If
you're a fan of UC basketball, past and present, I
think this is going to be right up your alley
as you learn all about Jared Calhoun, how he runs
the program, the players. And there is a lot of
(00:44):
nostalgia involved, at least in the early portion of the
run as well. The director and producer of Calhoun Street
is Mark Graham. Kind enough to give us a few minutes. Mark,
it's good to have you. I can't wait for the
trailer and I really can't wait till next week.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
What's going on?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
No, thanks for having me. Really appreciate it. And, you know,
I'm really looking forward to having everyone take a first
peek at the teaser tonight. I mean, you know, it's
really going to give everyone a first look at the
bigger story that we're trying to tell.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
What is the bigger story you're trying to tell?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
You know, there's a really interesting parallel between, you know,
what came before Calhoun and what he's stepping into now.
I mean, he's learned from the people who, you know,
helped shape Cincinnati basketball. I mean, he's seen what Huggins built,
you know, what Cronin carried forward. And, you know, now
he's stepping into those shoes, but he's really trying to
build something else that's entirely his own. You know, he's
not Huggins. He's not Cronin. He's Calhoun. And I think that,
(01:36):
you know, it's going to be really interesting for people
to see, you know, what he's doing to bring the
standard back to Cincinnati.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
So this is, correct me if I'm wrong, it's going
to be eight episodes. So walk me through what we're
going to get a chance to see when we watch.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Yeah, absolutely. It's an eight-episode docuseries. Obviously, we're going to
be filming it congruently with the season. But really, it's
a story bigger than basketball.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
It's about pride.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
It's about people coming together for one common goal and
a man who's leading the team who understands what that
goal means. We're not just doing a behind-the-scenes look at
a basketball season. I think we're really telling a character-driven
story about the people, the relationships, and the pressure and
expectations that surround Cincinnati basketball and what it is.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
By the way, congratulations on being the first person in
the history of my show to use the word congruently. Second,
tell me about getting Jared Calhoun to sign on to
be a.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Part of this.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Yeah, I mean, it was unbelievable. I mean, Coach, from
the first day that we met him, I mean, he
has been absolutely just incredible to work with. And I mean,
I think the big thing is that he's someone that
understands what the standard is, and he's not afraid to
talk about what that standard is. And at the end
of the day, you know, basketball creates stakes, but the
(02:50):
people create the story, and there's no better perfect main
character than Jared Calhoun. All right.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Among the players that we'll get a chance to learn
more about, give me one or two that have stood out.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I mean, I'll say people are going to love Jaden Hastings.
I mean, if you go back and you're a UC
fan and you love the Corey Blunts, the Melvin Levitts,
the bigger-than-life, larger-than-life characters, Jaden Hastings is that person. And
I really think people are going to enjoy him. He
(03:22):
brings so much energy to the table and just is
a really unique personality and loves to have fun. So
I think people are really going to enjoy him.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
What things have stood out in the process of getting
to know Jared Calhoun?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
I think the biggest thing that has stood out to
us is that he even said it himself in one
of the interviews is that This roster is brand new, right?
A lot of fans don't know these guys yet, but
he cares more about these guys as people than what
they are on the court, right? And I think that
(03:57):
is what the blueprint is of UC basketball. If you
look back at Huggins, you look back at Cronin, yes,
they're intense, yes, they're gritty, fiery guys, but at the
end of the day, he loves every single one of
those players as if they're his own son. And I
think that's what Jared brings to the table is that
he's this family guy, we over me mentality, family means
the world to him. And he's really instilling that into
(04:18):
this culture, into this team. And, you know, you're really
going to see how it unfolds this season.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Jared Calhoun, getting his participation is absolutely key. Calhoun Street
is the name of the series. It starts next Thursday.
It's going to air on ESPN +. You'll get a
chance to catch the teaser tonight. at seven o'clock on
the UC Sports and UC Basketball social media channels. Obviously,
you need the cooperation of the coach and the players,
(04:44):
but you need a lot of other figures to participate
as well.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Who else have you talked to?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
So, you know, I think that's been the best part, right,
is that, you know, I kind of mentioned earlier is
like it's the parallels, right? It's connecting the past to
the present. We've had the, you know, the ability to
sit down with greats like Steve Logan, Melvin Leavitt, you know,
Corey Blunt, Cashmere Wright, and some others that, you know,
we might be sitting down with this upcoming Friday at
the Hall of Fame. And, you know, I think these
(05:10):
guys truly understand what it means to be a Bearcat, right?
I mean, they understand the history of the expectations of
what it means to represent this city. And the best
part about that is, is that Jared Calhoun wants those
guys around the program. He wants those guys to help
teach these guys on the team right now, what it
means to be a Bearcat and what it means to
wear the seat ball. Because I think that is, you know,
(05:32):
the thing that is the bigger story that we're trying
to tell and why that standard of wearing the seat
ball means so much to this team.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, I think the thing that has stood out from
day one is the connectivity, right? The link drawn, the
straight line from Bearcat basketball of yore to what Jarrett
Calhoun aspires for it to be. And I think it's
been neat to watch the former players, the extended UC community.
It's been fun to watch that connection from the past
(05:59):
to the present and watch everybody get excited about that
link being made.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, that's what's special about it is that when we
first sat down with these guys, they didn't know who
the helicopter was, right? And that's because it was before
their time, but they want to learn, right?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
They want to.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Understand what it means to carry on the tradition, carry
on the standard, right? I mean, every single day we
sit down with Jared Calhoun, he lets us know, he
lets the players know that there's a standard, right? He's
not afraid to say it and that they're going to
reach that goal this year and get back to the
NCAA tournament. And these guys feel that same thing and
they want to make sure that they carry on that tradition.
And there's no other people to teach them about that
(06:40):
legacy and tradition than the Steve Logans, than the Melvin Levitts,
you know, the cashmere rights of the world.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
All right.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
What else do we need to know?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Just get ready for a ride, right? I mean, I
think that's the best part about this docuseries is that
we're telling the story as the season's going on, right?
So at the end of the day, We're trying to
connect all the old guys to the present, but then
telling that present story about what's happening day in and
day out. We can try to form the character arcs
(07:10):
ahead of time, but at the end of the day,
we're just as big as fans as everyone else is
watching these games and figuring out what's going to happen
day in and day out. I've been around the team
for quite some time now, and I think everyone's going
to buckle up and enjoy for the ride.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
I can't wait to see it. The teaser tonight, seven o'clock,
find it on the UC socials. And again, next Thursday,
ESPN plus Calhoun street as a UC basketball sicko. I
cannot wait. Can't thank you enough for the time, Mark.
Congratulations on this. And they have a lot of work
in front of you. Best of luck.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
I appreciate it, Mo. And hey, people are going to
be seeing you in it too. So thanks for sitting
down with us and really looking forward to everyone seeing
it tonight.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
What a coup to be able to get me to
talk UC basketball. Unbelievable. Great work. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Thank you, sir.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
All right.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
That's Mark Graham, director and producer of this project. Again,
the teaser tonight. If you go to Go Bearcats, I
think they're going to put it on the at Go
Bearcats and the UC basketball Twitter handle as well as
well as Insta and all the other social media. So,
and then the, the series will launch on ESPN plus
a week from today. So look forward to that Calhoun street.
(08:22):
And they were nice enough to ask me to be
a talking head, at least for the premiere episode.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
And so it was very normal. You will see me
on the trailer.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
I don't know what you'll see like Dan Horde and
Steve Logan and Melvin Levitt and cashmere, right.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
And Joe Dannemann. And then you'll see me. You talk
about a group of people I don't belong with. That's it.
Mo Egger News
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