In our latest episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of documentary filmmaking with John Dorsey, the acclaimed director behind ESPN’s 30 for 30 classics “The Marinovich Project” and “Pony Excess.” From his early days at Propaganda Films alongside legendary directors like David Fincher and Spike Jonze to his work on Johnny Cash’s iconic “Hurt” music video, John shares incredible stories from his remarkable career. We explore the delicate art of documentary storytelling, discussing how he convinced the reclusive Todd Marinovich to participate in his film and navigated challenging interviews with Marv Marinovich. John also offers unique perspective as an SMU alum who witnessed firsthand the aftermath of the football program’s death penalty, providing thoughtful commentary on how college athletics has evolved over the decades. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, sports enthusiast, or simply love great storytelling, this episode offers invaluable insights into the craft of documentary filmmaking and the changing landscape of sports media.

📌 Key Points:

✅ John reveals his journey from aspiring law student to acclaimed filmmaker, crediting his film school experience and mentorship under directors like Barry Levinson
✅ We discuss the meticulous preparation and emotional intelligence required to conduct meaningful documentary interviews
✅ John shares behind-the-scenes details of working on Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” video at the historic House of Cash
✅ We explore his current project on esports, where he’s working to challenge preconceptions about competitive gaming
✅ The conversation covers the evolving landscape of college athletics, comparing past scandals to today’s NIL era

🗒️ About John Dorsey:

John Dorsey is a veteran filmmaker whose career spans multiple decades in both documentary and music video production. He worked at the legendary Propaganda Films alongside directors like David Fincher and Spike Jonze, contributing to iconic projects like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” video. His documentary work includes the acclaimed ESPN 30 for 30 films “The Marinovich Project” and “Pony Excess,” as well as “Glory Hounds,” a powerful documentary about military working dogs in Afghanistan.

🔗 Connect with John Dorsey:

Website | https://ten100tv.com/
IMDB | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1174236/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndorseyten100/

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic

In this episode of the Prep Athletics Podcast, we dive deep into the world of prep school basketball with Coach Brian Fruscio of Canterbury School. From his early days growing up in a blue-collar town in upstate New York to building Albany Academy into a powerhouse program and his current role at Canterbury, Coach Fruscio shares invaluable insights on player development, college recruitment, and the evolving landscape of prep school basketball. He discusses the importance of competing versus merely playing hard, the role of multiple sports in athlete development, and how to navigate the challenging journey from high school to college basketball.

📌 Key Topics
✅ The transition from college to prep school coaching
✅ Canterbury School’s unique approach to student-athlete development
✅ Building a successful basketball program
✅ The importance of multiple sport participation
✅ College recruitment strategies and player placement
✅ The value of competing versus just playing hard
✅ Access to training facilities and development opportunities
✅ The future of prep school basketball

🗒️ About Coach Brian Fruscio:
A first-generation college graduate who played at Ithaca College, Brian Fruscio has established himself as a respected figure in prep school basketball. Before joining Canterbury School three years ago, he built Albany Academy into a powerhouse program where he developed numerous Division I players, including NBA player Andre Jackson, who won a national championship with UConn before joining the Milwaukee Bucks.

🔗 Connect with Coach Brian Fruscio:
Email | bfruscio@cbury.org
LinkedIn | https://www.instagram.com/coachfrusc/
Instagram https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-fruscio-57729214/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/brian.fruscio/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cburyboysbball/
X | https://x.com/cburyboysbball

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic

Join us as we sit down with Billy Thom, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Millbrook School, for an insightful discussion about prep school basketball, college recruitment, and holistic student development. We explore Billy’s journey from being a student manager during Davidson’s historic Elite Eight run with Steph Curry to building a unique basketball program that emphasizes both athletic excellence and personal growth.

📌 Key Topics:

✅ Davidson Experience: Detailed behind-the-scenes look at the 2008 Elite Eight run with Steph Curry
✅ Millbrook Philosophy: Innovative approach combining basketball with holistic education, including their unique campus features like an accredited zoo
✅ College Recruitment: In-depth discussion of how Millbrook helps student-athletes navigate the recruiting process
✅ Mental Health: Integration of social-emotional wellness into coaching practices as a licensed clinical social worker

🗒️ About Billy:

Billy Thom is a multifaceted educator and coach who serves as Millbrook School’s Head Boys Basketball Coach, Director of Affective Education, and Assistant Director of Counseling. After graduating from Davidson College in 2011, he served as Director of Basketball Operations at Davidson from 2011-2013. Since joining Millbrook in 2013, he has developed a comprehensive program that has placed students at prestigious institutions including Dartmouth, Williams College, and Colgate University. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Thom brings a unique perspective to coaching by integrating mental health and wellness into his basketball program. His coaching philosophy emphasizes character development alongside athletic achievement, reflected in Millbrook’s “Be a Blessing” program objective.

🔗 Connect with Billy:

Email | wthom@millbrook.org
X | https://x.com/billy_thom?lang=en
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/coachthom12/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/brookhoops/

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic

Coach John Zall shares his wealth of knowledge on navigating the complex landscape of prep school basketball. From college recruitment strategies to player development philosophies, Coach Zall offers invaluable insights for athletes and families considering the prep school path. Drawing from his experience both in prep school and professional basketball, he discusses the importance of academic-athletic balance, the evolving recruitment landscape, and what it truly takes to succeed at the next level. Whether you’re a student-athlete, parent, or coach, this episode provides essential guidance on making informed decisions about prep school basketball and maximizing opportunities for collegiate success.

📌 Key Points

✅ The importance of daily high-level competition in player development
✅ Strategies for physical development and strength training for collegiate readiness
✅ The role of shooting ability in D1 recruitment
✅ Benefits of prep school exposure to college scouts
✅ How prep schools prepare athletes for collegiate success both academically and athletically
✅ The advantage of having experienced coaches as advocates in the recruitment process

🗒️ About John:

A distinguished figure in basketball development, Coach John Zall currently leads Vermont Academy’s basketball program as Head Boys’ Prep Coach and Associate Director of College Counseling. His impressive career includes working with the Dallas Mavericks’ player development staff alongside NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams, and success as an assistant coach at Franklin Pierce University where he helped guide the team to the 2013-14 NCAA Tournament. A graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and holding a Master’s in Public Policy from Trinity College, Zall was recently named Boys’ Basketball Class AAA Coach of the Year, cementing his status as a leading figure in prep school basketball.

🔗 Connect with John:

Email | jzall@vermontacademy.org
X | https://x.com/john_zall
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-zall-2578121b9
X | https://x.com/vermontacadhoop?lang=en
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vermontacadhoop/

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic

We're excited to bring you our latest episode featuring Connor Merrill, Head Basketball Coach at Deerfield Academy, where we dive deep into the world of prep school basketball and player development. From Coach Merrill's own journey as a post-grad at Vermont Academy to his coaching stops at Springfield College and Middlebury, we explore what makes Deerfield's program unique in NEPSAC Class A. Our conversation covers everything aspiring student-athletes need to know - from reclassing benefits to college placement strategies - plus we get some fascinating insights about The Holdovers movie filmed on campus and what it really takes for guards to make it at the D1 level.

📌 Key Topics:

✅ Connor Merrill's journey from Vermont Academy post-grad to becoming Deerfield Academy's head coach
✅ Deerfield Academy's prestigious academic standing (12-13% acceptance rate) and competitive Class A basketball program
✅ The differences between NEPSAC divisions (AAA, AA, A) and finding the right fit versus focusing on division classification
✅ College placement process and coach's active role in student recruitment

🗒️ About Connor:

Connor Merrill has served as the head boys varsity basketball coach at Deerfield Academy since summer 2022, bringing extensive experience in both prep school and collegiate basketball. His journey began as a post-graduate student at Vermont Academy, where he later returned as an assistant coach, working with future NBA talents like Bruce Brown and Marcus Santos Silva. During his collegiate playing career at Skidmore College, Merrill was part of historically successful teams that made two NCAA tournament appearances and won two Liberty League championships. His coaching career includes six years at the collegiate level, serving as the top assistant men’s basketball coach at Middlebury College for four years and as a graduate assistant at Springfield College for two years. Under his leadership at Deerfield, Merrill has focused on building a championship culture while maintaining the school’s prestigious academic standards.

🔗 Connect with Connor:

Email | comerrill@deerfield.edu
Twitter | https://x.com/connormerrill33
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/cmerrill33/?hl=en
Twitter | https://x.com/DeerfieldHoops
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/deerfieldbasketball/

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic

In our annual State of the Union episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we take you through our extensive tour of prestigious prep schools across the country, sharing exclusive insights and emerging trends in the prep school basketball landscape. During our journey, which started at IMG Academy in Florida and stretched through New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, we uncovered fascinating developments in program expansions, coaching changes, and the evolving NIL landscape. We're particularly excited to share observations about the growing emphasis on girls' programs, innovative NIL proposals, and the changing dynamics of prep school recruitment. Our travels included meaningful visits to historic institutions and conversations with influential coaches who are reshaping the future of prep school athletics

📌 Key Topics and Highlights

✅ Our fifth visit to IMG Academy revealed their significant expansion into girls' programs, marking a growing trend we're seeing across multiple institutions
✅ Former Bryant head coach Jared Grasso is leading an aggressive program rebuild at Knox School, situated just 200 yards from the beach in Long Island
✅ The Masters School, Manhattan's closest prep school at just 15 miles away, offers unique opportunities under Coach Joey Kuhl, former Pitino assistant at Iona
✅ Kiski's transition to co-education and appointment of new coach Joe O'Shea from St Anselm marks significant institutional changes
✅ We're tracking fascinating NIL developments, including an innovative proposal for live-action player tipping through QR codes during games
✅ The rise of high school players securing agents for NIL deals is becoming more prevalent, with some top-tier players now looking at six-figure opportunities
✅ Our visit to West Virginia University provided unique insights into creative engagement strategies, including their successful elementary school outreach program

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic

Join us for an insightful conversation with Coach Jon Stone, who's been leading the Hun School basketball program for 25 years. We dive deep into the Maple League, one of prep basketball's most competitive conferences, and explore how Hun balances elite academics with high-level basketball. Coach Stone shares his journey from playing hockey in Rochester to professional basketball in Europe, before finding his home at Hun.

Learn why Hun only takes two post-graduates per year and how they maintain their stellar academic-athletic balance. We explore what makes a D1 guard in today's game, the unique aspects of Hun's academic curriculum including their innovative Next Term program, and how the school prepares student-athletes for both college academics and athletics.

📌 Key Topics:

✅Maple League competition and two post-graduate system
✅College recruitment strategies
✅Multi-sport athlete development
✅Academic curriculum and Next Term program
✅International student integration

🗒️About Coach Stone:

Coach Stone has transformed Hun School basketball into a powerhouse program while maintaining exceptional academic standards. His international playing experience in Germany, England, and Northern Ireland, combined with his master's degree and coaching experience at the University of Rochester, brings a comprehensive approach to player development

🔗 Connect with Coach Stone:
Website | jonstone@hunschool.org
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/hunboysbasketball/
Twitter | https://x.com/hunbasketball?lang=en

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic

In this powerful episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we sit down with Chris Herren, former NBA player and recovery advocate, to discuss the critical issues of substance abuse and addiction among young athletes. Chris shares his personal journey, offers invaluable advice for parents and players, and provides insights into current trends in youth substance use. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in youth sports or concerned about addiction prevention.

📌Key Topics:

✅Youth substance abuse trends
✅Addiction prevention strategies for parents and athletes
✅The importance of early intervention and wellness education
✅Personal experiences with addiction in professional sports
✅Recovery and maintaining sobriety
✅Resources for those struggling with substance use disorder

🗒️About Chris:

Chris Herren is a former NBA player and high school basketball legend from Fall River, Massachusetts, whose promising career was derailed by substance abuse. After scoring over 2,000 points in high school and being named a McDonald's All-American, Herren played college basketball at Boston College and Fresno State before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999. He later fulfilled his dream of playing for his hometown Boston Celtics, but his struggles with addiction continued throughout his professional career, which included stints in several countries. After achieving sobriety, Chris has dedicated his life to sharing his story and helping others overcome addiction. He founded Herren Talks, Herren Project, and Herren Wellness to provide education, support, and treatment for those affected by substance use disorder

🔗Connect with Chris:

Website | https://herrentalks.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/herrentalks/?hl=en
Twitter | https://twitter.com/herrentalks
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/herrentalks/
Website | https://chrisherren.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/c_herren_
Twitter | https://twitter.com/c_herren
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/chrisherren24

🔗 Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic