The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

What happens when a coach sees something in you before you see it in yourself?

For Kalamazoo Central Head Coach Tyler Germain, that story starts with two teachers who convinced a tall sophomore football and basketball player to give track and field a chance. A surprise entry into the 300-meter hurdles sparked a journey that would eventually lead to a Michigan state championship and one of the fastest-growing programs in the state.

In this episode, Tyler shares how coaches changed his life during a difficult time as a teenager, why he became an English teacher and coach, and how an opportunity to volunteer with his former high school team at age 18 launched a coaching career that now spans more than two decades.

Along the way, we dive into coaching education, mentorship, recruiting athletes from the hallways, the influence of Feed the Cats, and the culture shifts that helped grow Kalamazoo Central from roughly 65 athletes to nearly 200 athletes.

We also talk about music, garage bands, state titles, coaching through COVID, and why making track the best part of an athlete's day might be the most important coaching philosophy of all.

🎙️ From Bay City to Champaign to Kalamazoo

🏃 How a first-time 300 hurdle race changed everything

🎸 Life on the road playing in bands across the country

📚 Teaching English and coaching track for 22 years

🏆 Building a state championship program

⚡ Growing participation through speed and culture

🤝 The mentors who shaped the coach Tyler became

Whether you're coaching high school, college, or simply love the sport, Tyler's story is filled with practical wisdom and powerful reminders about the impact coaches have on young people.

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! 🎧👍

In this engaging conversation, Coach Dave Turnbull shareshis journey from a young athlete in Pendleton, Oregon, to becoming the head track coach at Summit High School. He discusses his dual life as a coach / teacher and a DJ, the importance of building a winning culture, and his coaching philosophy centered around character development. Coach Turnbull reflects on the challenges of coaching, the significance of recruiting the right athletes, and his vision for the future of track and field. He emphasizes the need for constant learning and adaptation in coaching and passionately explains why he believes track is the greatest sport, as it mirrors life's challenges and triumphs. In this conversation, Coach Turnbull shares his insights on coaching, personal growth, and the importance of teamwork. Hereflects on his own experiences with adversity, including a cancer diagnosis, and emphasizes the need for resilience in both athletics and life. Coach Turnbull discusses the significance of discipline, caring for all athletes regardless oftheir skill level, and the value of inspiring growth beyond performance metrics. He also highlights the importance of building relationships within a team and the need for coaches to continuously challenge themselves. The conversation concludes with Coach Turnbull's thoughts on retirement and his aspirations for the future.

When should a pole vault pit be replaced?

Most coaches immediately think about age. But age alone doesn't tell the whole story.

In this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham breaks down the real factors that determine when a pole vault landing system should be repaired, replaced, or removed from service. From foam degradation and water intrusion to compliance concerns and liability risks, this episode provides practical guidance for coaches, athletic directors, and facility managers responsible for athlete safety.

You'll learn:

✅ Why pit age is often the wrong metric

✅ Common warning signs that indicate replacement may be needed

✅ How foam, vinyl, and hardware condition affect safety

✅ The role water intrusion plays in shortening pit life

✅ When repairs may be appropriate and when replacement becomes necessary

✅ How NFHS and NCAA compliance can impact replacement decisions

✅ Why regular inspections are critical

✅ How coaches can successfully advocate for replacement funding

One of the biggest mistakes programs make is waiting until a pit becomes an emergency. The best replacement projects start years before the purchase through planning, budgeting, inspections, and communication.

If you're responsible for a pole vault facility, this conversation can help you make better decisions, reduce risk, and provide a safer environment for athletes.

The goal isn't compliance. The goal is safety.

A pole vault pit should be replaced when it can no longer safely perform its intended function. That decision should be driven by condition, performance, and athlete safety, not simply the age of the landing system.

LINKEDIN ARTICLE

📲 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! 🎧👍

How long does a pole vault pit actually last?

It's one of the most common questions coaches ask, but the answer isn't as simple as 10 years, 15 years, or 20 years.

In this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham breaks down the factors that truly determine the lifespan of a pole vault pit and explains why age alone is often the wrong metric.

You'll learn:

✅ Why indoor pits often last longer than outdoor pits

✅ How sun, rain, snow, and temperature changes impact pit life

✅ The critical role weather covers and pit garages play

✅ How usage volume affects foam, vinyl, and hardware

✅ The difference between pit age and pit condition

✅ What a pole vault pit warranty actually covers

✅ Practical steps coaches can take to extend pit lifespan

✅ Common warning signs that indicate repairs or replacement may be needed

Throughout the discussion, Mike shares real-world examples from facility visits across the country, including pits that remained serviceable after 20+ years and others that required replacement much sooner due to environmental exposure, water intrusion, and maintenance issues.

Whether you're evaluating your current pit, planning future budgets, or simply trying to protect one of the largest investments in your pole vault program, this episode provides practical guidance to help maximize safety and extend the life of your landing system.

📖 Read the full article: How Long Does a Pole Vault Pit Last?

📲 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! 🎧👍

Sydnee started at a small high school in GA competing in the shot put and discus. She shares the steps on her path to becoming a 4-time Junior Olympic national hammer throw champion, 2-time HS All-American, and then a top-10 all-time performer in the hammer and weight throw for the University of Oregon. She also offers suggestions to current youth athletes, parents, and coaches on how to forge their own path. Sydnee is the founder and CE[http:]O of The Collaborative LLC and also works as a Social Media & Marketing Professional. 

Note: This episode was originally published 2/3/26.If you've got something awesome like this that you'd like to share, please contact David Mitchell to learn how!

Mike Cunningham is joined by Josh Brooks, Athletic Director at the University of Georgia, for a deep, inside look at leadership in college athletics—and the growing role of track & field.

Josh shares his journey from javelin athlete to SEC Athletic Director, along with his perspective on why track has become such an important part of athletic department success—from both a competitive and developmental standpoint.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Georgia’s recent success across track, baseball, and other sports
• Building a world-class track & field facility with athlete, coach, and fan experience in mind
• Why track offers unique developmental value for youth athletes
• The balance between revenue and non-revenue sports at the DI level
• The evolving NCAA landscape, including NIL and the new 5-year eligibility rule
• Challenges with roster age gaps and international recruiting
• The idea of expanding NCAA scoring beyond the top 8
• What Athletic Directors look for when hiring head coaches
• Why assistant coaches need to demonstrate leadership beyond their event group
• The concept of “good high maintenance” and advocating for your program
• Advice for coaches considering a move into administration

Josh also discusses how he approaches recruiting—even meeting with track & field recruits personally—and why he views recruiting as the single biggest way he can impact success.

This episode provides rare insight into how top-level decisions are made—and how coaches can better position themselves and their programs moving forward.

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! 🎧👍

How do NCAA pole vault pit requirements differ from NFHS standards?

In this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham breaks down the current NCAA requirements for pole vault landing systems and explains what coaches, facility managers, and athletic directors need to know when planning new facilities or evaluating existing equipment.

Topics covered include:

✅ NCAA pole vault pit requirements and dimensions

✅ Key differences between NCAA and NFHS standards

✅ Why larger landing systems are common at the collegiate level

✅ Landing system performance and athlete safety

✅ Common mistakes made during facility planning

✅ How to evaluate an aging landing system

✅ Compliance vs. best practices

Whether you're building a new facility, preparing to host collegiate competition, or simply trying to understand NCAA standards, this episode will help you make more informed decisions about athlete safety and facility design.

LINKEDIN ARTICLE

📲 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! 🎧👍

Are you confident your pole vault pit meets current NFHS requirements?

In this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham breaks down the NFHS rules governing pole vault landing systems and explains what coaches, athletic directors, and facility managers need to know to ensure athlete safety and compliance.

Topics covered include:

✅ Current NFHS pole vault pit dimensions

✅ Vault box collar requirements

✅ Hard-surface protection requirements

✅ What NFHS means by "decelerating the athlete's landing"

✅ Common compliance mistakes coaches make

✅ How to evaluate an older or inherited landing system

✅ The difference between minimum compliance and best practices

Whether you're planning a facility upgrade, purchasing a new pit, or inspecting an existing landing system, this episode provides practical guidance to help keep athletes safe and programs compliant.

LinkedIn Article

📲 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! 🎧👍

Gwen is an up and coming T&F announcer along with being a high school XC/TF coach in Bend, OR and at the Steens Mountain Running Camp. Gwen is a University of Oregon graduate who studied filmmaking and advertising. She offers original, thought-provoking perspective on the impact of technology and comparison on the development of high school distance runners and on what coaches can do about it. You can get to know Gwen and her work by following her on IG (Gwen The Announcer).

This week on the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham sits down with Kenneth Cox, Director of the Birmingham CrossPlex, for a wide-ranging conversation about serving track & field from every angle: athlete, coach, administrator, and now facility leader.

Kenneth Cox shares how track began for him at age eight, how mentors shaped him, and why consistency and relationships became cornerstones of his leadership. From coaching stops that included Emory (Division III) and ultimately 16 years at Birmingham-Southern, he opens up about the realities of building a program, developing athletes, and learning the “head coach” role beyond X’s and O’s.

He also walks through the rare challenge of navigating a school closure, how that season changed his perspective, and why he believes his next chapter at the CrossPlex is another way to “coach” the sport—by creating experiences, memories, and opportunities for athletes and coaches who walk through those doors.

If you’re a coach considering administration, a leader trying to build culture, or someone who loves track and believes there’s more than one way to serve it—this one is for you.

Dive into over 350 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 Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍