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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Join us for conversation on how the date change of the 2021 Olympics will effect the team makeup. Will the 4x400m relay records be challenged? How "professional" is professional athletics? The lack of unionization of the athletes, is it prohibiting the professionalization of the sport? Lastly, COVID-19...how is it going to re-shape the NCAA as we know it?
This is a rebroadcast of episode 1 of a new show on Youtube called Athletics LLC. Featuring a panel of amazing coaches including: Mike "Lucious" Holloway, Chris "Lamar" Huffins, Charles "Clyde" Ryan, and moderated by Marissa "Big League" Chew. Find the video portion of the show by searching 'Athletics LLC' on youtube.com.
A Unique Perspective on Coach Harry Marra
In a captivating episode of the Connections Podcast, host Mike Cunningham is joined by the world-renowned decathlete, Ashton Eaton. Known for his exceptional achievements on the track, Ashton offers a unique perspective on being coached by the legendary Harry Marra. Reflecting on his early interactions with Marra, Ashton recalls, "I don't know how this is gonna turn out," highlighting the uncertainties and challenges faced at the beginning of their partnership.
As the conversation unfolds, Ashton delves deeper into his journey, sharing insights into the dynamics of being coached alongside his wife, Brianne Theisen-Eaton. He candidly mentions, "Alright, let's cut the crap, what do I need to do to set the American record?" showcasing his unwavering determination and ambition.
This episode provides track and field enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to hear the athlete's side of the story, complementing the narrative shared by Coach Marra in previous episodes (episodes 25, 26, and 27). Ashton's reflections, combined with his passion for the sport, make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricacies of elite-level athletics.
The Coaches Collab group on Facebook paneled a conversation about budgeting trends and tips in consideration of upcoming budget cuts. This discussion was led by Gabe Sanders of Boston University, Adrian Myers of Northern Illinois University, and Jon Hill of Rice University. The group discussed lots of unique ways to cut your budget, but not your student-athlete's experience, with travel, recruiting, and more. We hope by rebroadcasting this discussion it will help you become a more savvy coach who can still thrive and survive coming out of this pandemic. By the way, if you are on Facebook and not a member of the Coaches Collab group, please do yourself, your program, and your athletes a favor and go join now.
MF Athletics and the National Throws Coaches Association (NTCA) present a Virtual Throws Conference featuring Tom Pukstys. Tom is a two-time Olympian, six-time US Champion, as well as being the American record holder. He continues to train post collegiate and high school javelin throwers from around the country at his home base in Birmingham, Ala. In this episode he talks about his throwing days at the University of Florida, how he got into coaching, and most importantly his coaching philosophy.
This episode we talk with Auburn assistant coach in charge of vertical jumps and combined events Scott Richardson. We explore his coaching career through Eastern Kentucky, West Point, on to Auburn for the past 16 season. Topics discussed include meeting his wife at an Army versus Navy contest, adopting his second child, and a track equipment renovation project they kicked off in 2017. It was no small decision to completely remodel their entire track equipment from pole vault to high jump to hurdles and more. We discuss what lead to such a big decision, the factors used to determine what equipment manufacturer to go with, and looking back after three years how's it going. Whether you are in the exploration phase of a $300 piece of equipment or a $300,000 complete equipment overhaul, you'll learn some tips and tricks from Scott on how to vet your process to get what you want and need for your track program.
In today's bonus episode, we bring you a webinar put on by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) to the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). While this was done through a video webinar, we felt the audio portion might provide you value when considering your track facility's potential renovation. The webinar is hosted by Kaylee Derby of the ASBA and is paneled by Megan Buczynski-Principal Civil Engineer and Certified Track Builders Kristoff Eldridge and Paul Nagle. Thank you to ASBA and NIAAA for allowing this rebroadcast and being willing to allow us to bring this valuable topic to you in audio form.
JJ is the head coach of a small high school in the state of Mississippi that won their first ever state championship team title in 2018. In this episode we'll explore JJ's college coaching roots, why he decided to move to the high school level, and how he built Center Hill to a state championship team. If you've ever thought you were at a program that didn't have enough money, or enough facilities, or enough coaches to win a state championship, this episode will help by giving you examples of how JJ built a program from scratch and turned it into a state championship winning team. Near the end, I put JJ on the spot and asked him for three pieces of advice to help a coach build a program, you won't want to miss what he says.
Blake has been a state champion, college conference champion, sub-4 minute miler, college coach, and so much more. In today's episode, we learn how Blake got into track and field, his journey to a Hall of Fame career at Missouri State, and the ups and downs of being a post-collegiate runner. We talk about the highs of becoming the 287th American runner to break the mystical 4 minute mile barrier and the lows of living in a two bedroom apartment with two other runners and a dinner table made of cardboard and a table cloth. Through perseverance and hard work, Blake became a successful college coach at several great institutions and then transferred his knowledge to become the Director of the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. That's where we stop this episode. Be sure to tune in later for a part two where we'll pick up on his dream job at Drake opening up and what it takes to be the Director of the Drake Relays.
Originally airing 4/30/20 live on the USTFCCCA's Facebook page, Emma Delira of Pomona-Pitzer, Kari Kluckhohn of North Central College, Katie Wagner of UW-La Crosse, Kenneth Cox of Birmingham-Southern College, and Nicole Wilkerson of Middlebury College came together to discuss various topics including their coaching backgrounds and what makes coaching on the NCAA Division III level special, among others. This is an audio rebroadcast of their video event (which can be found on Youtube).
Joe does it all for the throwing world. Throws coach at James Madison Memorial High School, director/coach/co-founder of the Madison Throws Club and host of the 'throw BIG throw FAR podcast', there isn't much Joe hasn't and doesn't do for the throws community. In today's episode we discuss how he fell in love with the throwing events, why he started a throws club, and get in-depth into his podcast. Really appreciate Joe's insights on today's podcast about a throws-only club and how he treats summer meets.
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