The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Wrapping up the 2022 year with some insight on some recent happenings/topics...  With the new Olympic qualifying standards and the WA qualifying procedures, what are the tiles thinking about them? With the latest HBCU football hiring, are some of these hires "jumping the line"? At what cost, if so.  Lastly, NIL or transfer portal...which of the two has the MOST impact on the student-athlete experience?    Happy new year to all and be safe!  Make good decisions!

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We hope you have as much fun listening to this episode of the podcast as our host and guest had recording it. Long time verteran jumps coach Jeremy Fischer joins us to discuss his growth as a track and field coach on many levels including coaching 18 World Championship and Olympic medalists. You'll be challenged by his journey on the college ranks that kept being pulled back to California for family reasons. His time at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vistsa, Calif is frought with change, challenges, and success. Near the end of today's episode he shares a deeply personal story about perspective that has helped shape him to the human and coach he is today as the owner of his own business MVA Training.

MVA Training Website

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As the tiles are back into our expected environments, they look forward to the coming year and chat about some of the changes that have occurred.  Which of the athletes who have relocated to Bobby Kersee's camp might benefit the most from the move?  Specifically: Jenna, Keni, Athing, or Brandon?  Posed from a post on social media, do the women of the Jamaican team reign superior over the USA women or can they hold their own in the next years?  Speaking of winning, considering the recent news, aside from just losing, can the US get to a good place of competition?  If so, how?  So, now that you know...why haven't you clicked on the link yet????  See you in a few!

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Building a Coaching Village: A Conversation with Dan Pfaff, Coaching Guru and Consultant

Join host Mike Cunningham on the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast for a riveting episode featuring Dan Pfaff, a renowned coaching consultant and a true guru in the world of athletics. This episode is a must-listen for track and field coaches at both the high school and college levels, as it delves into the philosophy, experiences, and wisdom of a coach who has shaped the careers of countless athletes and coaches.

Dan Pfaff's story is one of innovation, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From his early days as a generalist, growing up in Southwestern Ohio, to his current role as a consultant, Dan shares his journey, his coaching philosophy, and his vision for the future of the sport.

In this episode, Dan talks about the challenges and rewards of coaching, the nuances of working with various sports, and the importance of building relationships with athletes. He also discusses the current chaos in collegiate athletics, the impact of the transfer portal, and the philosophical issues that coaches and athletes are wrestling with today.

One of the standout moments in the conversation comes when Dan reflects on the importance of community and collaboration in coaching. He shares, "I think that's the right word, chaos, and then the High School coaches... even at this level, at the neighborhood level, we're wrestling with some major philosophical issues... it's a little bit of a cliche, but it truly does take a village, so let's build a great Village."

This episode is not just about the technical aspects of coaching; it's about understanding the human aspect, the individuality of athletes, and the importance of authenticity, connection, and continuous learning. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, Dan Pfaff's experiences, wisdom, and passion for the sport will inspire and motivate you.

Tune in to this engaging conversation and let Dan's journey guide you in your own coaching endeavors.

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If you didn't catch us live in person or on IG here ya go!

Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?

Today we're joined by our teammate Robb Mathias who oversees our track sales in the west region of the US. Robb's background as a track coach and athlete as well as decades spent in the running shoe industry helps him serve coaches and dealers with great knowledge of track equipment. We can't wait for you to hear Robb's story as well as what he's looking forward to as the representative at the NCAA D2 indoor and outdoor championships. 

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A question we waited to answer...what is the difference of being a successful professional coach and a successful collegiate coach?  Obviously, we are able to have someone who has experienced those successes and you might be interested in what the responses are.

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There is a vast stratum of individuals responsible for making the track and field world spin. The most obvious are the coaches we feature on a weekly basis, less obvious are track surfacers, track reporters, and today's guest owners of equipment companies. Join us as we welcome the owner of VS Athletics Rich Benoy to the podcast. VS Athletics is an excellent dealer of Gill Athletics equipment representing our equipment from PV/HJ pits, hurdles, implements and more. Rich's history in track and field runs deep as does his passion for the sport. We discuss VS hosting the California Indoor State Meet series, Rich's work with ESPN on track coverage, and get a special look into his relationship with his dad that spurred on his professional hurdle career.

Check out VS Athletics on their WEBSITE or reach out by phone at 800-676-7463.

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Hey there!  It's about that time!    Let's cut to the chase, every coach at one point or another has pondered if they have peaked their athletes too soon, too early, or at the wrong time.  Listen in to what the tiles have to say about that.    We bring up the most recent announcement regarding NIL and a major shoe brand and wrap up the show with a Clyde highlight and the penultimate CFP ranking convo.  SO buckle up, buttercup...it's time to watch this week's episode of Athletics LLC!  See you in a few!

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Can a volleyball game help find someone's passion to coach college track and field? Learn the journey of Nate Rucker, head coach of the Peacocks from Upper Iowa in today's podcast episode. Hear him share his life changing volleyball match as an undergrad at University of Dubucque and the career he built from that epiphany. He travels to Missouri, Iowa, St. Louis, and even Alabama and he creates a career in the NCAA and NAIA ranks. You'll enjoy the challenge he inhereited and accepted at Central Methodist when he found himself the coach of a national champion racewalker. And we even have some fun talking about the southern food experience during his time at Huntingdon College.

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