Stay ConnectedUnlock the world of track & field coaching with The Gill Connections Podcast! Host Mike Cunningham brings you inspiring stories, real conversations, and coaching insights from leaders at every level. Discover a new coach’s interview every Monday. Plus, don’t miss the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts with our NEW Gill1918 Project episodes Tuesday-Sunday — short, powerful lessons from top coaches to help you grow on and off the track.
Powered by Gill Athletics — Supporting Coaches Since 1918.
A military brat who dreamed of being a Strength & Conditioning coach, Steven joins us to give us incredible insight into the magic occurring during his time at University of Northern Iowa as an undergrad and grad student. You're going to enjoy the vortex of art and science with amazing athletes and coaches during the UNI period of his life and how that played into stops at Santa Barbara Community College, Culver-Stockton College, and now Emporia State. We get into discussion about S&C as it relates to track coaching, the Emporia State GA culture, and hosting the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2024 and 2026. Don't delay, hit play today.
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
Rounding out championship week...as always, we have to start with TRACK IS BACK. The oval has gone MAD! And we love it! One to ponder, and add to the list if you can add any, who is the best athlete to NOT win a global medal??? Olympic or World Champ Who are the best track and field rivalries? Who did we neglect to mention??? Great convo to match up a great weekend of comp. Best wishes to those wrapping up conference champs this weekend!
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
Today we're joined by MF Athletics Sales Rep Lisa Wilson. Lisa sits down with us to talk about her athletic background as a thrower and how that turned into a long patient career as a hammer thrower, eventually competing in several USA Championships and Olympic Trials. Her story is indicative of the power coaches have in seeing something in their athlete before the athlete can see it themselves as she gives us examples of coaches that poured into her life athletically and professionally. With amazing stories of her time coaching and competing, we wrap up with what exactly does a Sales Rep at MF do, how that pertains to Gill Athletics, and more. Gill Athletics is proud of our partnership with MF Athletics as they have been a seller of Gill equipment for decades and continue to supply Gill equipment to coaches and their programs around the country.
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
Missed the LIVE taping of the Gill Connections podcast back on December 12, 2022? Here is the audio only version. We interviewed coaches and track personnel live from the Gaylord Rockies in Denver, Colorado. Guest include Blake Bolden (Drake Relays), Tim Byers (Kansas Relays), Charles Ryan (San Jose State Univ) and more!
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
Hi everyone out there in LLC land! Here go the tiles again, making WAY too early predictions about the NCAA indoor meet and the USA champs indoor meet. Of course we hit TRACK IS BACK for all the juice from last weekend but in addition...who do the tiles think are going to be the teams to bring home hardware in a couple weeks? Then to look forward as to how the list is going to fall, what are the big marks that are going to get left standing outside the party at Albuquerque???So far, those numbers are already nuts! Lastly, USA indoors-what is the most interesting thing going into the competition? Check in for the commentary, stick around for the foolery! See you in a few!
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
Carol joins us to talk about her unique path in the coaching profession. How unique? Not withstanding she grew up in Jamaica and attended New York Tech in the US, she wasn't a track coach for more than half her career as she focused on Information Systems, computer networking, and the like for such companies as ABC News and JP Morgan Chase. Her career path took a turn when she moved to Charlotte and walked into Providence Day HS and asked "Here's my resume, do you have any jobs?". She took this opportunity to coach Field Hockey and Track and Field which led to many state titles and successful athlete such as Anna Cockrell. Carol sits down to talk about recruiting, motherhood, program expectations, transitioning from high school to college coaching and more in this exciting fun interview on the Gill Connections podcast.
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
It's the hottest weekend for collegiate track and field and we can't wait! But first let's go back and recap last week's TRACK IS BACK! Sheesh... Next, the topic is buying your way thru...so we as a sport have to buy our way to the screen to watch what happens. Is this helping, hurting, or not relevant to the promotion of our sport??? Lastly, some athletes across the pond have been given a pass and are able to compete as non-affiliated athletes. What say the tiles about this decision??? Welp, load up and get ready to do some head-nodding! Can't tell you whether it will be in agreeance or not BUT!
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
Today we pull back the curtain to get a behind the scenes look into the famed Penn Relays. After the retirement of long time Director of Relays Dave Johnson, the Penn Relays went to the leadership of head track coach Steve Dolan and today's guest the Associate Director of Penn Relays Aaron Robison. We start by learning Aaron's background as a coach's kid (grandfather was a 5k Olympian, dad is hall of fame BYU coach Mark Robison), his time as a high school coach, and the experience he gained as the Director of College Track/Director of Finance for the famed Armory Track Complex. Then we get deep into the Penn Relays culture. What's it like to switch two events on separate days? How many people does it take to complete the packets for over 65,000 bibs? What's the culture of Jamaican athletics at the Relays? And what's the deal with the wagon wheel? Buckle up, cause it's RELAY time here on the Gill Connections podcast. STICK!
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
We talk about going thru seasons in life. Sports are going thru a season of milestones, we talk about the milestone in the upcoming Super Bowl, featuring two African-American quarterbacks for the first time. Then Coach Kersee has a training group for the decades, or so it is being talked about. The tiles speak as to which of the training groups, by the decades, is "better" or "best". Lastly, the last milestone for this athlete is his announcement, Tom Brady. But we want to talk about the question of "is he the most decorated athlete ever?" Join us for a great convo!
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
The Multi-Faceted Journey of Chris Johnson, University of Arkansas' Head Coach in Waiting
In this enlightening episode of the Connections Podcast, host Mike Cunningham sits down with Chris Johnson, the future head coach of the women's Razorbacks track and field team at the University of Arkansas. Chris shares his transformative journey from being a high school coach to clinching multiple Big Ten and SEC titles. Initially planning to become a high school athletic director, Chris found his true calling in coaching. As he puts it, "It's about who you are and where you are right there at your place."
Chris provides a deep dive into his coaching philosophy, emphasizing that he considers himself "a track coach" first and foremost. The episode also explores the year 2004, a pivotal moment in his career, when his team performed exceptionally well in Sacramento. Chris reflects, "This was '04 actually, 2004. That right, yeah."
Listeners will gain valuable insights into Chris's approach to coaching, his experiences at Penn State and Arkansas, and his anticipation for his new role at the University of Arkansas. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in track and field, coaching philosophies, and the intricacies of building a successful athletic program.
Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?
Connect with us:
Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: @mikecunningham
Email: sales@gillathletics.com
Phone: 800-637-3090
Twitter: @GillAthletics
Instagram: @GillAthletics1918
Facebook: facebook.com/gillathletics
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/
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