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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Happy National Coaches Day! To celebrate we bring you four mini-podcast throughout the day with an awesome athlete telling us about their most influential coach. Today is a day to celebrate the impact coaches make on the world. We here at Gill Athletics could not do what we do without YOU!
In our first episode, Team Pacer Pole Vaulter Alysha Newman joins us to tell us about her favorite coach.
Alysha is a Canadian vaulter jumping for Nike. You can follow her on Instagram at @alyshanewman and follow Team Pacer on Instagram at @TeamPacer.
You must know that you are not *JUST* a track coach. You are a value giving selfless individual who coaches track and field. Today's guest exemplifies this to the top. Quinn is a track coach in Colorado where he also enjoys still competing as a Master's athlete. By profession, Quinn specializes in at-risk behavioral issue students throughout his school district. We talk about the stresses of that job and how track and field helps him achieve it. Hobbies are a good way to relieve stress and Quinn certainly has a unique hobby that we learn all about in today's episode.
On this episode of Athletics LLC, hear the guys' views on the stance of #WeWanttoPlay and how it plays with the the movement set forth last week by a similar population. Then listen in on some effects of our current climate on those who haven't seen direct effect until the next few months come upon us, both athlete and coaches alike. Is there such thing as a wrong birthday??? Guess you'll have to listen in to find out :)
Cedric is Mr. Arkansas through and through. Growing up running track in Little Rock, he joined the University of Arkansas team during a real special time. Fun fact: Cedric was an athlete at Arkansas when our host Mike was a coach at Mississippi State! We get to learn about Cedric's private training business, summer track club team, as well as being the head coach of HBCU Arkansas Baptist College. Near the end we turn our attention to his Instagram account (@CoachCVaughn) and how he amassed over 20,000 followers.
On this week's installation of three of the brightest minds out there, we visit what potential #WEAREUNITED has and what could be its downfalls, how collegiate football can be effected by some of the decisions that have (not) been made by the NCAA...Then we venture into the importance of training groups as well as a "good" HS/club level coach. Lastly, we reveal who were our sports heroes growing up and why........so happy viewing/listening and we'll catch ya on the flipside!
We can't wait for you to listen to this one! Brent had the good fortune of taking over the head coaching duties of his alma mater Boyle County HS. During his nine year head coaching career he crafted some unique tips and tactics to increase the stature of his program. Today we discuss how he recruited athletes in the high school to the team in a similar fashion to how college coaches recruit athletes to their program. Social media played a role in both recruiting kids and giving the recognition within the school and community, he discusses his whys and hows for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Finally, and maybe most importantly, he created a Breast Cancer Awareness home meet with a real unique flair.
Enjoy this great conversation with another great track and field coach. We hope you pick up some tips and tactics to bring back to your program and elevate your program to another level.
You better shape up, we've got the honorable BROOKS JOHNSON with us this week! Oohweee, he did not disappoint with his knowledge. Coach and the guys share the greatest evolutions in TF that they've seen or experienced, and shine light on those who were mentors to them. The guys then speak to the concerns for African American coaches in TF, their philosophies on the construction of 4x1s and lastly their thoughts on the return of professional sports as a whole...with all the two cents that were contributed, we have lessened the shortage of coins!
Today we explore the story of a track athlete from high school, to multiple colleges, and now with the Olympic Dream in his heart. Nigel is a post-collegiate runner aiming for the Olympic Trials in 2021 training in Atlanta, Ga. with famed athlete/coach Dwight Phillips. We talk about what it takes to make it as a post-collegiate from facilities, to coaches, and the monetary costs. One of the ways he pays for his training is with the Atlanta Braves as a member of the grounds crew, where through luck and determination he found himself as The Freeze.
If you'd like to support Nigel in his quest, here is the link for his GoFundMe campaign. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter @NoStressTalton.
Join us for a conversation with William & Mary head coach Alex Heacock!
It doesn't get more Chicago than Bob! Amazing time getting to know Chicago Bob Thurnhoffer in today's episode. We learn of his athletic background as a high schooler at Glenbard East HS, his life changing experience as an athlete at College of DuPage, and how that experience parlayed him into a scholarship to University of Illinois-Chicago. After that we learn of his transition from Graduate Assistant (in philosophy!), to full time assistant, to his current position as the head coach. Join us in the fun talking about Mike Powell, Tom Pukstys, and more!
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