Meet Our Speakers
Rich Gannon whose football career spanned 18 years, had his finest season in 2002 setting NFL and franchise records (418 completions and 10 – 300 yard passing games) in leading the Oakland Raiders to their third straight AFC Western Division title and advancing to Super Bowl XXXVII as the AFC Champions. That same year Gannon was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. Gannon was a fourth- round pick (98th overall) by the New England Patriots in the 1987 draft and played for the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Oakland Raiders in 1999 where he had his best seasons in the NFL. He worked as a game analyst on THE NFL ON CBS for 16 seasons. He currently co-hosts “Sirius/XM NFL Radio” and resides in Excelsior, Minnesota with his wife, Shelley, and two daughters.
Rich Gannon whose football career spanned 18 years, had his finest season in 2002 setting NFL and franchise records (418 completions and 10 – 300 yard passing games) in leading the Oakland Raiders to their third straight AFC Western Division title and advancing to Super Bowl XXXVII as the AFC Champions. That same year Gannon was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. Gannon was a fourth- round pick (98th overall) by the New England Patriots in the 1987 draft and played for the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Oakland Raiders in 1999 where he had his best seasons in the NFL. He worked as a game analyst on THE NFL ON CBS for 16 seasons. He currently co-hosts “Sirius/XM NFL Radio” and resides in Excelsior, Minnesota with his wife, Shelley, and two daughters.
RICH GANNON
Hugh McCutcheon is a member of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and transitioned to be the Assistant Athletic Director/Sport Development Coach at the University of Minnesota in 2023. He had been the Head Volleyball Coach at the University of Minnesota from 2012 - 2022. Hugh coached the men’s Olympic team to a Gold Medal in 2008 and the women’s Olympic team to a Silver Medal in 2012. He was also named United States Olympic Committee National Coach of the Year in 2008 and NCAA Division 1 National Coach of the Year in 2015. Recognized as one of the great coaches in the world, Hugh can discuss key issues including leadership, team building, and developing teams that achieve peak performance. In 2023 he published his first book titled Championship Behaviors A Model For Competitive Excellence in Sports.
Hugh McCutcheon is a member of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and current head coach at the University of Minnesota. Hugh coached a men’s team to an Olympic Gold Medal and a women’s team to an Olympic Silver Medal. He was also named United States Olympic Committee National Coach of the Year in 2008 and NCAA Division 1 National Coach of the Year in 2015. Recognized as one of the great coaches in the world, Hugh can discuss key issues including leadership, team building, and developing teams that achieve peak performance.
HUGH MCCUTCHEON
Tom Lehman is an internationally recognized professional golfer on the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour and former #1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Tom is a former British Open Champion, 3-time Ryder Cup player, 3-time Presidents Cup player, Ryder Cup Captain and Ryder Cup Assistant Captain. He has won over 30 professional tournaments worldwide and has been the recipient of various awards including the prestigious Payne Stewart Award and Byron Nelson Award. This Minnesota native is a member of the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame and known as one of the “good guys” in sports.
Tom Lehman is an internationally recognized professional golfer on the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour and former #1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Tom is a former British Open Champion, 3-time Ryder Cup player, 3-time Presidents Cup player, Ryder Cup Captain and Ryder Cup Assistant Captain. He has won over 30 professional tournaments worldwide and has been the recipient of various awards including the prestigious Payne Stewart Award and Byron Nelson Award. This Minnesota native is a member of the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame and known as one of the “good guys” in sports.
TOM LEHMAN
This National Basketball Hall of Famer, 4-time WNBA Champion and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist is the most successful female basketball player in Minnesota history. She was chosen by Connecticut in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 2004 WNBA Draft, was a 6-time WNBA All Star and led the University of Minnesota to the NCAA Tournament three straight years, including its first ever Final Four appearance in 2004. She coached her alma mater, the University of Minnesota, from 2018 to 2023.
This National Basketball Hall of Famer, 4-time WNBA Champion and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist is the most successful female basketball player in Minnesota history. She was chosen by Connecticut in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 2004 WNBA Draft, was a 6-time WNBA All Star and led the University of Minnesota to the NCAA Tournament three straight years, including its first ever Final Four appearance in 2004. She coached her alma mater, the University of Minnesota, from 2018 to 2023.
LINDSAY WHALEN
Nancy Lopez is one of the most prominent names in golf. As a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame AND the LPGA Golf Hall of Fame, she has had a long and successful career on the LPGA Tour and Legends Tour. Nancy has 48 wins on the LPGA Tour and 3 major championships and captained the 2005 Solheim Cup Team to a win. She was the first player to win Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and Vare Trophy honors in the same season (1978) and in 1979 she also was the first player to win Player of the Year and the Vare Trophy in back to back years. She has also received various awards and honors over the years including being the first woman to win the prestigious Frances Ouimet Award for lifelong contributions to golf in 2004.
Nancy Lopez is one of the most prominent names in golf. As a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame AND the LPGA Golf Hall of Fame, she has had a long and successful career on the LPGA Tour and Legends Tour. Nancy has 48 wins on the LPGA Tour and 3 major championships and captained the 2005 Solheim Cup Team to a win. She was the first player to win Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and Vare Trophy honors in the same season (1978) and in 1979 she also was the first player to win Player of the Year and the Vare Trophy in back to back years. She has also received various awards and honors over the years including being the first woman to win the prestigious Frances Ouimet Award for lifelong contributions to golf in 2004.
NANCY LOPEZ
Bernhard Langer is a World Golf Hall of Fame Member, 2-time Masters Champion, and winner of 133 tournaments worldwide. He was the European Ryder Cup Captain in 2004 and is the recipient of various awards including the prestigious Payne Stewart Award and Byron Nelson Award. He has won 46 times on the Champions Tour including 12 Majors. Bernhard has been Champions Tour Player of the Year 9 times, Charles Schwab Cup winner 6 times and Arnold Palmer Award winner 11 times.
Bernhard Langer is a World Golf Hall of Fame Member, 2-time Masters Champion, and winner of 133 tournaments worldwide. He was the European Ryder Cup Captain in 2004 and is the recipient of various awards including the prestigious Payne Stewart Award and Byron Nelson Award. He has won 46 times on the Champions Tour including 12 Majors. Bernhard has been Champions Tour Player of the Year 9 times, Charles Schwab Cup winner 6 times and Arnold Palmer Award winner 11 times.
BERNHARD LANGER
Larry Mize is a Masters Champion, a 4-time winner on the PGA TOUR, and has an additional 4 wins worldwide. Larry has been a member of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour for over 30 years. He represented the United States in the Ryder Cup in 1987 and is a member of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame. Larry’s chip in to win the Masters in a playoff with Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros is recognized as one of the greatest shots in golf history.
Larry Mize is a Masters Champion, a 4-time winner on the PGA TOUR with an additional 4 wins worldwide. Larry has been a member of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour for over 30 years. He represented the United States in the Ryder Cup in 1987 and is a member of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame. Larry’s chip in to win the Masters in a playoff with Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros is recognized as one of the greatest shots in golf history.
LARRY MIZE
Sam Puryear is the Director of Golf at Howard University in Washington DC and the President of PURYEARGOLF.COM and Pure Swing Golf Solutions, LLC. With more than 20 years in the golf industry, his specialties include motivational speaking, mentoring, coaching and working in junior golf development for collegiate placement. He began his coaching career on the Stanford University staff that brought the Cardinal golf team from a number 42 team ranking all he way to number 1. In addition to Stanford, he has coached at Michigan State University and Queens University in Charlotte, NC, where he also directed the university’s Professional Golf Management Program (PGM). Puryear has been recognized as a prominent spokesperson discussing the future of minorities in golf. As the former Executive Director of the East Lake Junior Golf Academy in Atlanta, GA, he increased enrollment from 150 to 1,000 students while understanding the importance of junior golf in a community. Sam is also a bestselling author of Diamonds in the Rough.
Sam Puryear is the Director of Golf at Howard University in Washington DC and the President of PURYEARGOLF.COM and Pure Swing Golf Solutions, LLC. With more than 20 years in the golf industry, his specialties include motivational speaking, mentoring, coaching and working in junior golf development for collegiate placement. He began his coaching career on the Stanford University staff that brought the Cardinal golf team from a number 42 team ranking all he way to number 1. In addition to Stanford, he has coached at Michigan State University and Queens University in Charlotte, NC, where he also directed the university’s Professional Golf Management Program (PGM). Puryear has been recognized as a prominent spokesperson discussing the future of minorities in golf. As the former Executive Director of the East Lake Junior Golf Academy in Atlanta, GA, he increased enrollment from 150 to 1,000 students while understanding the importance of junior golf in a community. Sam is also a bestselling author of Diamonds in the Rough.
SAM PURYEAR JR
Wade Phillips has had a long and successful coaching career in the NFL. He has served as head coach for the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Houston Texans. Most recently Wade served as defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl LIII finalist Los Angeles Rams . He also served two seasons as defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, where his team was Super Bowl finalists in his first and champions in his second. Phillips is considered to be among the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. He is also a best-selling author of Son of Bum: Lessons My Dad Taught Me About Football and Life.
Wade Phillips has had a long and successful coaching career in the NFL. He has served as head coach for the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Houston Texans. Most recently Wade served as defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl LIII finalist Los Angeles Rams . He also served two seasons as defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, where his team was Super Bowl finalists in his first and champions in his second. Phillips is considered to be among the best defensive coordinators in the NFL.
WADE PHILLIPS
Scott Simpson is a 1987 US Open Champion and a US Open runner-up to Payne Stewart in 1991. He is a 12-time winner around the world. Scott had a long and distinguished career as a professional golfer. More recently, Scott has worked as a golf analyst for Fox Sports, is currently on-air talent for SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio and is currently the Head Men’s Golf Coach at the University of Hawaii.
Scott Simpson is a 1987 US Open Champion and a US Open runner-up to Payne Stewart in 1991. He is a 12-time winner around the world. Scott had a long and distinguished career as a professional golfer. More recently, Scott has worked as a golf analyst for Fox Sports, is currently on-air talent for SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio and is currently the Head Men’s Golf Coach at the University of Hawaii.
SCOTT SIMPSON
Rich Beem won the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine beating Tiger Woods by one shot. That same year he finished 7th on the PGA TOUR money list and climbed into the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Rich is one of the most prominent and well-known names in the golf industry. He is currently playing on the Champions Tour and working as a television commentator and golf analyst for Sky Sports.
Rich Beem won the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine beating Tiger Woods by one shot. That same year he finished 7th on the PGA TOUR money list and climbed into the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Rich is one of the most prominent and well-known names in the golf industry. He is currently playing on the Champions Tour and working as a television commentator and golf analyst for Sky Sports.
RICH BEEM
David Frost is a 6-time winner on the Champions Tour, 10-time winner on the PGA TOUR and has 13 other victories worldwide. The South Africa native and his family have been in the wine business for over 60 years. His father’s vineyard was the first place he hit balls and the pocket money he made from picking grapes funded his first set of clubs and an on-going supply of golf balls. In 1994 the tradition of vineyards in the family continued when David bought a 300-acre vineyard in the Paarl wine region in South Africa where he produced his first 3,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1997.
David Frost is a 6-time winner on the Champions Tour, 10-time winner on the PGA TOUR and has 13 other victories worldwide. The South Africa native and his family have been in the wine business for over 60 years. His father’s vineyard was the first place he hit balls and the pocket money he made from picking grapes funded his first set of clubs and an on-going supply of golf balls. In 1994 the tradition of vineyards in the family continued when David bought a 300-acre vineyard in the Paarl wine region in South Africa where he produced his first 3,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1997.
DAVID FROST
Dave Podas has been the Director of Golf at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, California since 2003. Prior to taking on this position he was the Head Professional at Minneapolis Golf Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 9 years. Dave has extensive experience playing the game having qualified for and competed in PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and several PGA of America National Championships. He is a multiple winner at the PGA Section level. Dave currently serves on the PGA of America Rules of Golf Committee and is considered a Rules of Golf expert. Dave has officiated several Major Championships including the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship as well as The Masters and US Amateur. Dave currently teaches the Rules of Golf for the USGA/PGA joint Rules of Golf Workshops. He was awarded the 2019 Southern California PGA Bill Strausbaugh award which recognizes the PGA professional who has made significant contributions mentoring PGA professionals to improve their employment opportunities. Dave is an accomplished teacher who annually gives more than 300 lessons to everyone from beginners to the “world’s rich and famous”. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended Baylor University and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He was a member of both varsity golf teams.
Dave Podas has been the Director of Golf at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, California since 2003. Prior to taking on this position he was the Head Professional at Minneapolis Golf Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 9 years. Dave has extensive experience playing the game having qualified for and competed in PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and several PGA of America National Championships. He is a multiple winner at the PGA Section level. Dave currently serves on the PGA of America Rules of Golf Committee and is considered a Rules of Golf expert. Dave has officiated several Major Championships including the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship as well as The Masters and US Amateur. Dave currently teaches the Rules of Golf for the USGA/PGA joint Rules of Golf Workshops. He was awarded the 2019 Southern California PGA Bill Strausbaugh award which recognizes the PGA professional who has made significant contributions mentoring PGA professionals to improve their employment opportunities. Dave is an accomplished teacher who annually gives more than 300 lessons to everyone from beginners to the “world’s rich and famous”. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended Baylor University and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He was a member of both varsity golf teams.