Coach Spatola and Coach Rapczynski compare notes about growing up in Long Island and Philadelphia and their legendary coaching careers and what it's like to learn from legendary coaches like Duke's Coach K.

About Mike Spatola

Mike Spatola coached basketball, baseball, and football and taught history, geography, and physical education at Trinity Prep from 1977 to 1987. He held the position of Trinity’s athletic director from 1984 to 1987. During his time coaching, his teams won a district title in basketball, and his players were recognized as All District, All County, and All State selections in basketball and football. He coached sixteen of the previous Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Mike was named Boys Basketball Coach of the Year at Lawrence Academy and participated in the AAU Nationals as coach of the South Shore Warriors in Long Island, NY.

Mike has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida Southern College and a master’s degree in social studies education from Nova Southeastern University. After leaving Trinity, he coached and taught at Lake Howell High School, Lawrence Academy, St. John the Baptist High School, and Friends Academy in Locust Valley. His many accolades include selection as graduation speaker at Friends Academy, being chosen Teacher of the Year at Trinity Prep in 1984, and chairing the history department at Lawrence Academy. Before retirement, he coached and served as athletic director at Durham Academy, where he received the Distinguished Faculty Award. He and his wife Pam live in Durham, NC. They have four children and nine grandchildren.

Source: Trinity Prep

Coach Rapczynski speaks this week with Wilmington University Head Men's Basketball Coach Dan Burke, who in 10 years at WilmU, has taken his team to the CACC playoffs 8 of 9 years - a tremendous accomplishment. He talks about the rise of AAU, the transfer portal, and its impact on the game of basketball. Listen in on these two ball coaches connect.

Learn more about Dan and the Wilmington University basketball teams here - https://wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu/sports/mbkb/coaches/DanBurke?view=bio

In this special Father's Day edition of Philly Sports Rap, Coach Rapczynski speaks with legendary local news executive Mike Archer, who spent more than 40 years in TV news, including 30 years in Philadelphia. Why Father's Day edition? Well, Coach Rapczynski's daughter Beth is married to Mike's son, Terence. They share two granddaughers, who they love spending time with. While Mike's wife, two sons and granddaughters are diehard Philadelphia sports fans, he remains loyal to his Brooklyn upbringing and continues to root for New York sports teams in good times and bad. Here Mike shares legendary Yankee and St. Bonnaventure stories.