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Courtside Forever is a podcast for parents swept up in the circus of everyday problems who, despite the world’s best efforts, are still dedicated to seeking intentional moments with their kids. I’m your host, Ryan Rucker, and each week, I will bring you a new episode made for you. We’ll keep it brief for some weeks, diving into a specific topic such as Youth Sports or Paternity Leave in America. These 15-20 minute episodes will focus on overarching themes, statistics, and practical next steps parents can take. In other weeks, we’ll extend our conversations, inviting parents in sports, business, and other industries to look at how they center parenthood in their lives and touch on our inevitable struggles while building a career, business, and future. Whether you’re a dad or mom or thinking of stepping into the role someday, Courtside Forever is a podcast that aims to recenter the world we’re building for our kids. In 2024, The United States of America declared parenting a public health crisis, citing the way society is set up for the reason we struggle. In the document created by the US Department of Health and Services Department, Parents Under Pressure, Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy stated, “Raising children is sacred work. It should matter to all of us. And the health and well-being of those who are caring for our children should matter to us as well.” In 2020, I hosted and produced the 8-episode docuseries Complicated Fatherhood, where I spent each episode speaking to my biological dad to understand how his absence from my life affected my Fatherhood. Since wrapping the podcast, I knew I wanted to get back into podcasting, and Courtside Forever is a continuation of my mantra to be ever present in my daughters’ lives. On Courtside Forever, we’ll have fun, get serious, tell stories, and work to focus on the only thing that matters because, as parents, we’ve got the best seats in the house. Let’s enjoy them.
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In this episode of Courtside Forever, Rae and Si join me as I take a moment to honor two names that should be etched into the heart of every Indiana Pacers fan: Slick and Nancy Leonard. This episode isn't just for Pacers fans, it's for everyone.
If you're a Pacers fan, you may know Slick’s legendary “Boom Baby!” call, or the unforgettable players he coached in the ABA days—but behind every big moment in Pacers history is a deeper story of grit, love, and community. In 1977, with the franchise on the verge of collapse, the Leonards led a telethon that didn’t just sell season tickets—it saved professional basketball in Indiana. One phone call at a time.
We walk through what happened after that emotional night, from Slick’s transition to the broadcast booth to Nancy’s enduring presence courtside—cheering for Reggie, Paul George, Tyrese, and now Caitlin Clark. I talk about the Simons' purchase of the team, the $2.9 billion valuation today, and how the Noblesville Boom G-League rebrand in 2025 pays tribute to the couple that gave everything for this team.
This 2024-25 Pacers squad deserves their praise—Haliburton’s vision, Siakam’s playstyle, Turner's versatility, Nembhard’s defense, and Nesmith’s hustle have the Fieldhouse rocking. But every time I watch this team, I find myself thinking about Nancy’s perseverance and Slick’s passion and how one couple saved a team and inspired a city.
If you love a good story of perseverance, or especially if you love Indiana Pacers basketball like us, this episode is for you.
Watch the documentary, Slick, Nancy, and The Telethon on Disney+
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