MEET THE HOSTS
Coach Charles Hatcher and Wali Jones bring years of experience, heart, and real talk to every episode. Coach Hatcher started his journey during a time when sports were breaking barriers and has spent his life coaching, mentoring, and sharing the stories of those who changed the game. Wali Jones, a former NBA champion, uses his love for sports and people to inspire the next generation through leadership and community work. Together, they connect athletes and fans of all ages through meaningful conversations about life, purpose, and what it truly means to leave a legacy.
Coach Charles Hatcher
Charles Hatcher was an outstanding basketball player, standing 6 feet 4 and a forward with a vertical jump of 40 inches. During the district tournament, he averaged 25 points per game for Norview High School and was ranked 25th in the country and a second-team All-American by Pepsi-Cola in 1956. “Coach” Hatcher’s career began in 1965 at Norview High School, Norfolk, Virginia, where he was instrumental in pioneering the integration of high schools through basketball. He became the first African American high school basketball player to be named to the All City, All District and All State teams. Coach was voted All American, Honorable Mention and was the first African American to be voted the “Most Outstanding Basketball Player” in the City of Norfolk. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he played basketball and was named All Navy and All Interservice. These honors led to being invited to the Olympic Trials and subsequently playing in Europe. After the Olympic Trials in 1968, he accepted a basketball scholarship to Elizabeth State University. After Elizabeth State, he was a free agent draftee in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and then began coaching. He coached with the Pro Athletes in Action Tours, the National Basketball Association Summer Tour, and the Pro Team Tours that played in Israel. In 2003, Hatcher started "Sports Inside and Out" at Richmond's WBTK 1380 AM. The show, features sports legends and celebrities who, along with Hatcher, talk about today's sports world. The show also pays tribute to the men and women of the military. They do live remote broadcasts from major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Weekend and the NCAA Final Four. Coach Hatcher is extremely proud of his sons who enjoy rewarding sports and business careers: Carl and Charles Hatcher, and his stepsons, Dominique Wilkins (nine-time All Star, three time NBA leading scorer, seventh All-Time Leading Scorer and NBA Hall of Famer) and Gerald Wilkins (New York Knicks and Orlando Magic).
Wali Jones
In his 17 years of service to South Florida as a member of the Miami HEAT organization, Jones has enriched the lives of nearly one million children through one of his trademark community programs, motivational speeches and clinics. He is a 10-year veteran of the NBA, Jones was drafted in the third round (20th overall) of the 1964 NBA Draft by Detroit. In addition to this and many other endeavors he won a championship ring alongside Wilt Chamberlain on the vaunted 1967 as voted into the Hall of Fame as the best team in the NBA’s first 25 years. As the HEAT’s community affairs liaison, Jones has made it his life’s ambition to motivate South Florida’s youth to action, both in and out of the classroom. He is the founder and director of the National Shoot for the Stars program, providing complimentary “Books and Basketball” clinics for underprivileged youth, while the program is presented by title sponsor FedEx. Jones has conducted international clinics in Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Bahamas, Antigua, Jamaica, Bermuda, and other islands throughout the Caribbean. He also serves as the principal of HEAT Academy, the Miami HEAT’s academic after-school program. Wali Jones’ dedication to youth and education is unmatched. in addition to his work with the HEAT, he also serves as the Director of Educational Research and Study for the Tournament of Champions in Florida and is also the Co-Director of the Best of the Rest Stars, Education Through Sports Camp.
