Category Archives: Tech of Sports

From the shoes we wear on our feet to the high definition televisions in our living room, wearable devices, the sports universe is a breeding ground for technology. Writer and Photographer Rick Limpert will examine this each week on The Tech of Sports – With guests which include athletes, inventors and journalists that cover the intersection of sports and technology.

Rob Van Dam, Wrestling Legend and More

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Rick is joined by WWE wrestling hall of famer, Rob Van Dam this week,.

Van Dam is an American professional wrestler. Known for his unique ring style—which includes his variety of kicks, acrobatic movements—and flexibility, Van Dam is one of the most popular wrestlers in the world. He is signed to WWE under a Legends contract.

He has held many different titles over the years and has wrestled all over the world

Van Dam has also appeared on numerous television shows and in films. In 1995, he was in Superfights as “The Mercenary”, and in 1997 he appeared in Bloodmoon as “Dutch Scholtz”. On October 23, 1999, he appeared in City Guys, in the episode “El-Trainmania IV” as himself. In 2000 he appeared in 18 Wheels of Justice, on August 2 as “Robert Laramie”, and in The X-Files on May 7 as “Burt’s opponent” in the episode “Fight Club”. He also appeared on V.I.P. in the episode “Survi-Val” as “Major Ving Talbot” that year. On July 26, 2001, he appeared as himself on Spy TV, and again later that year he appeared as himself in Ultimate Revenge on December 2. In 2002, he was featured in the music video for Breaking Point’s “One of a Kind” along with starring in two films, Black Mask 2: City of Masks as “Claw”, and a cameo appearance in The Backyard as himself.

Great to talk to Rob, especially with the recent passing of Hulk Hogan.

Rich Mueller, Sports Collectors Daily on the National Sports Collectors Convention

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Rick is joined by Rich Mueller, editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily for his annual visit before The National. 

It’s the 45th National.

Sports Collectors Daily offers a heaping helping of sports collecting news daily. We publish completely original sports collecting news stories you won’t see anywhere else.

At least 20 fresh pieces of content are added over the course of one week alone thanks in part to some talented writers, contacts inside and outside the industry and a good old fashioned nose for news. We measure our annual page views in the millions.

No other site can match the professional experience and journalistic quality of Sports Collectors Daily. We set the standard. As one reader put it, SC Daily is “the Wall Street Journal for our industry.”

The National Sports Collectors Convention

The National Sports Collectors Convention, often simply called “The National,” is the largest and most prestigious gathering of sports collectors and memorabilia enthusiasts in the world. Held annually, it has become the cornerstone event for the sports collectibles industry, attracting dealers, collectors, celebrities, and media from across the globe.

Rick and Rich talk The National and more.

Tom Lehman, PGA TOUR Champions Player, Cragun’s Resort Course Architect

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The multi-year golf course renovation at Cragun’s Resort, Golf and Conference is finished. PGA TOUR Champions player and course architect Tom Lehman led today’s ceremonial unveiling of the final nine holes, now known as Dutch Red. Once again, all 45 holes are open to resort guest and public play.

Rick talks to Tom Lehman from Cragun’s Resort in Brainard, Minn.

The renovation of Dutch Red—thoughtfully designed to improve playability and enjoyment for golfers of all skill levels—includes striking new bunkering, four redesigned greens, and fresh green surrounds. The routing remains the same, but significant reshaping and clearing have enhanced scenic views across the course.

Among the most noticeable changes is the improvement in playability on holes #3 and #4. Hole #3 now boasts a dramatic change in the landing area off the tee, nearly doubling the size of the fairway. The new green was moved 50 yards back with a soft chipping area surrounding the entire green, making the hole much more enjoyable for all skill levels.

Hole #4 is now a drivable par 4, previously guarded by a series of bunkers and a cart path along the left side. The renovation relocated the bunkers to new strategic areas, moved the cart path to the right side, and it is now more playable and enjoyable. The new green on #4 is much more subtle but still allows for some terrific pin placements.

Today’s grand opening was attended by representatives of Cragun’s Resort owners, Leisure Hotels & Resorts, PGA TOUR Americas, regional and national media, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for golf in the Upper Midwest.

Looking ahead, Cragun’s Resort, Golf & Conference will host the prestigious CRMC Championship, presented by the Northern Pacific Center, for the fourth year, August 28 to 31, offering fans and players an exciting glimpse of the renovated Red and White layouts.

Past champions include two-time PGA TOUR winner Jake Knapp (2022), Yi Cao (2023), and Frederik Kjettrup (2024).

For more information, visit the website at www.craguns.com.

Michael Brown, COO of World Table Tennis

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Rick is joined by Michael Brown, COO of World Table Tennis at the US Smash in Las Vegas.

Brown is a qualified and experienced strategic leader with proven success in growing sports organizations.

Now his attention is on table tennis.

He leads Business Services and driving growth as the Chief Operating Officer at World Table Tennis (WTT). The role involves spearheading the development and execution of operational strategies across Finance, Legal, IT, Translation, and General Operations.

Focused on key initiatives such as:
– Driving commercial revenue growth
– Ensuring effective management of commercial rights and intellectual property
– Developing strategies for data collection and monetization
– Managing the due-diligence process for potential third-party investment

Great to talk with Michael