GBA’s January ‘Ganas’ Podcast Guests include Hall of Fame Local coach, Iconic sportswriter

  Podcast Episodes Available on Apple

Salinas, CA, December 22, 2020 — Interviewing a Hall of Fame local coach who has given tirelessly to his community and an award-winning sportswriter and Twitter icon, Gil Basketball Academy offers new “Ganas — Leading from the Heart” podcasts for December.

Designed to inspire today’s youth through unique views and perspectives on life, “Ganas” (which translates to “desire”) is recorded live from the family garage of Jose Gil and Eva Silva, co-founders of the academy that promotes the sport of basketball in East Salinas through camps, clinics, individual sessions and elite travel teams. But more than that, GBA builds confidence and character in a membership that exceeds 450 local kids ages 4 to 17.

The “Ganas” podcast officially launched on Sept. 14, with past episodes available on Apple, or through the GBA website at www.gilbasketballacademy.com.

On Jan. 11, Episode 11 features coaching legend Jim Rear, who compiled 394 wins at Alisal and Alvarez high schools, earning induction into both the Alisal High and Salinas Valley Sports halls of fame. Off the court Rear impacted countless lives in Salinas, as executive director of the Sunrise House (a youth/family counseling and crisis center for alcohol- and drug-related issues), and as a volunteer for several organizations, including the Salinas Police Activities League.

On Jan. 25, the “Ganas” team will interview local sportswriter, columnist and Twitter icon John Devine, who has won 18 awards honoring his work at the Monterey County Herald.

The idea for a podcast grew from Gil’s growing frustration in not being able to completely connect with and inspire his GBA kids during the pandemic.

“You have to think outside the box,” said the longtime coach and athletic director at Alisal High School. “I was used to having hundreds of kids together at one time, and now I have to figure out new ways to have an impact.”

While the couple have little experience in media (and none in podcasting), they invested in the technology needed to turn the family garage into a functioning studio.

“Ganas” podcasts (including video with guests appearing via Zoom) span 30 to 45 minutes, and include topics such as sports, health, fitness, leadership, community and more.

 

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
831-747-7455 
marci@thebuzzpr.net 
http://www.gilbasketballacademy.com