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.
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What's all the hype about right now!? Are there results/performances that are being over-hyped or not hyped enough??? TRACK IS BACK!!! We've got to continue to celebrate each week's noteable performances and, we say it each week, IT JUST KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER. How Sway? Then after the highlights of the week previous, let's reflect on something that is too common to be "celebrated" anymore...THE FOUR MINUTE MILE! What do Lucious, Lamar, and Clyde have to say about this overdone acknowledgement? Do YOU agree? After all of these top-notch performances, let's give out the LLC-Bowerman Watchlist. IF you aren't familiar with what this is...guess you're going to have to tune in and hear the conversation. Don't miss out on Lamar "Big Chains" making his own rules again, for his Bowerman watch list. Speaking of big performances, let's step it up a notch and highlight the BEST pro performance to date. Do you agree with the tiles on the screen? Lastly, let's get LLC's WAY TOO EARLY comments on the NBA championships...I mean, we know how the Super Bowl went so...we have to put the NBA Championship out there too! Lamar rounds us out for Rapid Fire and ending the night with our Heart Beat Props is all a way to leave with our hearts full. Start off with the foolery and leave with a heart full of love, that's how we like to do it! See you in a few :)
"I'm into listening more than talking," said one of our guests today on a talking podcast!
Thank you to Justin St. Clair and Stevie Keller of North Dakota State for joining us to discuss their coaching journey and their program's unique culture. We learn how each coach came to NDSU, the transition from NCAA D2 to an NCAA D1 program, and how the entire NDSU ecosystem (administration, staff, athletes and alumni) create a championship winning program.
Well well well...welcome to episode 45! We got the HBIC with us, Ms Aretha Thurmond! Four time Olympian, mom, wife, the lead of international teams...she does it all. We asked her for her insight as to what will it take to see MORE females at the higher ranks of track and field. We then follow it up with what is her advice to those females who desire to be up there with her. Then we let her give her personal opinion as to who is the best field athlete, do you agree??? After we let Ms Aretha get on with her life, TRACK IS BACK! Did we miss any of the noteable performances over the last week? Listen to which performances stuck out to Lucious, Lamar, and Clyde...did they see what you saw!? Next up, ATL...what is it going to take to keep the momentum as time passes? What ideas do the guys think will make it better? Talking about bigger performances, the Olympics....what are going to be the bigger obstacles as we get closer to the games? Is what Lamar says true? Lastly, SUPER BOWL! We let Clyde have his time of glory...TB12 is the GOAT! Lucious wraps us up with Rapid Fire and everyone gives their Heart Beat Props...Happy birthday wishes to Clyde this week!
The Dynamic Duo of UNLV - Yvonne Wade & Larry Wade
In a special episode of the Connections Podcast, host Mike Cunningham is joined by the dynamic duo of UNLV track and field: Head Coach Yvonne Wade and Assistant Coach Larry Wade. Together, they delve into their unique journey in the world of track and field, sharing personal anecdotes and insights that have shaped their careers.
"I wanted to major in Engineering, but I realized I was better working with people,"-Yvonne Wade
"I'm addicted to being successful,"-Larry Wade
This episode provides listeners with a unique perspective on the world of collegiate track and field, as seen through the eyes of a couple who not only share a passion for the sport but also navigate the complexities of working together. Their dedication, combined with their genuine love for coaching and athlete development, makes this episode a must-listen for track and field enthusiasts and aspiring coaches alike.
Here's the surprise y'all been waiting for! This week we have the MAN HIMSELF...Paul Doyle. See what he has to say and reveal to us in conversation. If your jaw doesn't drop AT LEAST once, you might want to check to see that your heart is still ticking! After we get Super Bowl predictions out of the way, including Paul's, we touch on the lack of representation of white sprinters and what the factors of that might be. Then we go to a topic of why there isn't more talent production in the more populated areas like SF, NY, SEA. (Everyone needs to hear this part) Lastly, fantasy 4x4 picks! Who you siding with this week? Again, we will get everyone's relay and post them on social media to get a poll of the winning relays. We'll see y'all after you get to clicking! See ya on the other side 😉
This week's episode we feature another excellent coach from Division III. Dustin Dimit is a former DIII athlete as well as several stops at DIII institutions such as Buffalo State and currently as the men's head coach of Rowan University. We get a great look at what it's like to have two job offers at the same time and his roles as the USTFCCCA DIII President. Near the end we get into a valuable discussion about how to pick and choose what level of competition to coach at and not being enamored into a 'DI or bust' mentality.
They sure did do it again!!! Results from the ATL indoor meet, new collegiate marks, international marks...track and field is DOING IT! Ain't it beautiful?! Lucious, Lamar, Clyde make note of what stood out to them from the past weekend and give you a fair warning on what is on the horizon. We got word this week that the size of the field that will be present at outdoor preliminaries is going to be smaller than past years, 48 to now 32. Are the reactions and responses that the gentlemen have what you think they would be? How do you think Clyde feels about the round that he covets for the "underdogs"??? We also saw this week that Tennessee filled their top spots in their Athletic dept, the athletic director position as well as the HC of football. What say the 3 tiles about the decisions made and how UT is going to bode moving forward in the SEC. Lastly, put your seatbelts on y'all! We go and mess around with a FANTASY 4x1 draft! Both male and female all time, from everywhere in the world. We will post the relay teams on social media and you can vote for who's relay is going to finish first. After all that excitement, Clyde takes his turn in Rapid Fire and as always we give our appreciation and show our gratitude to those who impact us. Thanks for your continued support and don't yell too loudly at your screen when you're watching/listening!
Learn the coach behind the stats from the coach herself. Well known as coaching the javelin sweep at the 2019 NCAA DI Championships in the javelin, Mississippi Associate Head Coach April Thomas joins us to discuss her journey in track and field. From growing up in Albany, Ga through a valuable life-altering stop at Cloud County Community College, Tennessee Vol undergrad April shares with us her story growing up as a coach at Mississippi State.
We had a fantastic time talking about recruiting against coaches who recruited her, the magic pill for coaching all-Americans, and saying sorry to her former coaches. Join us today and share with others this great conversation with a great coach.
TRACK IS BACK! OOHHWWWEEE, what a weekend on the oval! What stood out to Lucious, Lamar, and Clyde? Who caught their eye? Next, let's talk about who ISN'T toeing the line yet. What is the perspective of the guys as to what is happening in California, in regards to return to play for the CIF athletes. Next, the big topic during COVID (and always, if we are honest) was what technology is everyone taking advantage of. Do you agree with Lucious? Lamar? Clyde? They speak on what their experiences have been and with specific products. Listen up, y'all! Lastly, we update the status of the NFL playoffs and who has guessed correctly and has the most teams moving on into the last four spots. As always, we have a gent taking some heat in "Rapid Fire". Lamar stands in the fire with some real life questions...do you agree with any of his responses? To close out the night, we wrap up with the groups "Heartbeat Props"...learn about who has shaped our current day selves. So as your day moves along, take a seat, grab a snack and tune in!
Stefanie joins us today to talk about her career from Arizona State, Florida State, McNeese State through becoming the head cross country coach at University of North Texas and now the head track and field and cross country coach for the Nicholls Colonels. We had a great conversation on what it takes to build a great cross country course at your school as well as an honest look at interviewing for positions and the lessons we can learn from mistakes made.
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