I’m AO, one of the newest members of the U Talk Sports Show team, and my Hurricanes story starts with a television that pulled in exactly one channel.
Born in Iowa and raised between Iowa and Arizona, I grew up a long way from Coral Gables. I became a Miami fan in 1991, watching games on my Gram’s television, which only picked up CBS. My timing was good: the 1991 Hurricanes went 12-0 and claimed a share of the national championship. More than three decades later, I haven’t budged.
The Lakers came next, in 1996, with Kobe Bryant’s rookie season. Growing up in a house divided between Lakers and Bulls fans, I learned early how to hold my ground in a friendly sports argument. That turned out to be good preparation for the show.
What I didn’t have, for years, was many Canes fans nearby to share the highs and lows. That’s why, five years into podcasting, joining U Talk has been humbling. After all that time, I’ve found my people.
By day, I’m a construction project manager. At home, I’ve got a full roster: my wife, our little girl, two pit bulls named Pepper and Pax, and a cat named Cain.
To me, every viewer is part of the Canes family. So pull up a chair, bring your takes, and share the laughs, the wins, and the heartbreaks. That’s what the People’s Show is for.
Go Canes!