The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Most schools purchase a new pole vault pit only once every 10 to 20 years. Unfortunately, that lack of buying experience can lead to preventable—and expensive—mistakes.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down the five biggest mistakes schools make when selecting a pole vault landing system:

• Choosing the cheapest pit instead of the best long-term value
• Buying only for the program’s current needs
• Assuming every pole vault pit is constructed the same way
• Ignoring the total cost of ownership
• Failing to ask manufacturers enough questions

Mike also shares one bonus mistake: not speaking with coaches who have owned the same landing system for several years.

The goal isn’t to purchase the cheapest or most expensive pit. It’s to choose the landing system that best supports your athletes, facility, budget, and long-term program goals.

Can an aging pole vault pit be repaired—or is it time to replace it?

Many common problems, including small vinyl tears, worn hardware, damaged weather covers, and certain top-pad issues, can often be repaired. But widespread foam deterioration, significant water intrusion, compliance concerns, or several major problems occurring together may indicate that replacement is the better investment.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham discusses:

• Which pole vault pit problems are commonly repairable
• The warning signs that may point toward replacement
• Why safety and compliance must come first
• How to compare repair costs with the remaining useful life
• The cost trap created by repeatedly repairing an aging pit
• Five questions to ask before approving a major repair

The most important question isn’t simply, “Can we repair it?”

It’s: “If we repair it, what problem are we actually solving?”

If the repair restores a safe, compliant landing system with meaningful life remaining, it may be money well spent. If it merely postpones an inevitable replacement, it may be time to start planning.

Cassandra draws on her 19 years as an NCAA D1 XC/TF Coach and her personal experience as a D1 athlete to share lessons learned about cross country race strategy and the benefits of early preparation. Today Cassandra is a recruiting mentor for JP Coaching Collective who helps athletes and families navigate the recruiting process. Connect with Cassandra on IG (@cassandra.goodson).

If you've got a topic to share with our youth audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more. He'd love to hear from you!

Most coaches don't start their careers thinking they'll become college track & field coaches.

In Episode 381 of the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham sits down with University of Missouri Assistant Coach Jordon Andreassen to discuss her journey from a five-sport athlete at a small Iowa high school to coaching combined events and pole vault at one of the nation's premier SEC programs.

Jordon shares how an injury at Iowa State unexpectedly introduced her to coaching, the lessons she learned during five years at Graceland University, her growth at UAB, and the path that ultimately led her to Missouri. Along the way, she reflects on mentorship, recruiting, leadership, athlete development, and what it takes to thrive in collegiate coaching.

This conversation is full of authenticity, practical coaching wisdom, and a reminder that some of the best careers begin with opportunities we never planned for.

🎙️ Topics Include:✅ Growing up as a five-sport athlete in Iowa
✅ Being recruited to Iowa State by Pete Herber
✅ How injury sparked an interest in coaching
✅ Learning the profession at Graceland University
✅ Becoming a head coach at a young age
✅ Coaching at UAB and Missouri
✅ Recruiting in the modern college landscape
✅ Combined events coaching and athlete development
✅ The mentors who shaped her career
✅ Building relationships that impact athletes for life

Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!

🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:
Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.

📲 Stay Connected:
Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Instagram (@MikeCunninghamTF), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

An exceptional organization, the Business of Small College Athletics (BoSCA), holds an annual convention attended by some of the most passionate hard working adminstrators in the country.

Coming together to share their experiences and knowledge, the BoSCA Convention features some of the top administrators around speaking on important topics that could provide value to our current slate of track/field coaches whether you have an interest in becoming an administrator one day or not.

We hope these next few weeks of topics from ADs from Albany State, U of Indianapolis and more will encourage you, educate you, and challenge you for future growth.

ENJOY!

The price on the quote tells you what a pole vault pit costs today. It does not tell you what the school may spend throughout its life.

In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham explains how coaches and athletic directors can evaluate the total cost of owning a pole vault pit.

💵 Initial purchase and accessory costs

☀️ Weather protection and storage

🔧 Maintenance, repairs, and replacement parts

🛡️ Warranty coverage and customer support

📅 Expected lifespan and cost per year of service

The lowest-priced pit may provide the best value—or it may become more expensive through repairs, maintenance, and earlier replacement.

Share this episode with a coach, dealer, athletic director, or facility planner comparing pole vault landing systems.

Should your school purchase the smallest legal pole vault pit—or invest in a larger landing system?

In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham explains why meeting NFHS or NCAA minimum requirements is only one part of the decision.

🏫 When a minimum-compliant pit may be the right choice

📈 When program growth makes a larger pit worth considering

🏟️ How facility space and competition plans affect the decision

💰 Why coaches must consider the entire project budget

🔭 How to purchase for both today’s athletes and the program’s future

There is no single answer for every school. The right pit depends on your athletes, facility, budget, and long-term goals.

Share this episode with a coach, athletic director, or facility planner preparing for a pole vault pit purchase.

Sports Psychiatrist Dr. Alli Young helps parents coaches, and sports organizations navigate the mental side of sport. In this episode, Dr. Alli highlights three potential issues when coaching or parenting children with ADHD and provides clear action steps you can take to overcome those issues together. Follow Dr. Alli on IG (@sidelinepsych) for other helpful solutions.

If you've got a topic to share or if you have a request, contact David Mitchell. He'll be glad to hear from you!

Coach Maryn Lowry joins Mike Cunningham on the Gill Connections Podcast to share her coaching journey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Northwestern University.

Maryn discusses her path from running with the Bond Hill Flyers to competing at Iowa State and the University of Montana, where an injury ultimately opened the door to coaching. Along the way, she shares the lessons learned from mentors like Andrea Grove-McDonough, Gary Wilson, and Northwestern Head Coach Jill Miller.

The conversation explores why great coaches embrace discomfort, how continual learning shapes coaching philosophies, and why relationships remain the foundation of successful programs. Maryn also discusses transitioning from athlete to coach, developing as a young leader, coaching distance runners across all events, and what she's learned at every stop from Montana to Alabama to Chicago.

You'll also hear stories about mountain running, 100-mile ultramarathons, Northwestern's famous coaching dog Lou, and why stepping outside your comfort zone may be the key to long-term growth.

💜 Topics Include:

✅ Growing up in Cincinnati and discovering track & field
✅ Running at Iowa State and the University of Montana
✅ Transitioning from athlete to coach
✅ Coaching during COVID
✅ Mentorship and coaching education
✅ Building trust with student-athletes
✅ Developing a coaching philosophy
✅ Northwestern's distance program culture
✅ Why growth requires discomfort
✅ Lou the dog and canine-assisted training

Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!

🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:
Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.

📲 Stay Connected:
Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Instagram (@MikeCunninghamTF), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

An exceptional organization, the Business of Small College Athletics (BoSCA), holds an annual convention attended by some of the most passionate hard working adminstrators in the country.

Coming together to share their experiences and knowledge, the BoSCA Convention features some of the top administrators around speaking on important topics that could provide value to our current slate of track/field coaches whether you have an interest in becoming an administrator one day or not.

We hope these next few weeks of topics from ADs from Albany State, U of Indianapolis and more will encourage you, educate you, and challenge you for future growth.

ENJOY!