The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Doug joins us to discus his journey in the coaching world and starts with surprising story of how he flunked out of college as a student. The importance of correcting his mistake helped bring him back to graduate from Arizona and set him on his course to coaching throws in the collegiate setting. His career was heavily influenced by great head coaches in his life which led him to emulate and build upon their lessons as the head coach of New Mexico State University.  Hear Doug's journey in his own words in today's episode.

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It's about that time!  LLC time that is!  Welcome back for another fun episode with a great guest, Olympian Will Claye.  We welcome Will with some great questions, and even better that they don't all pertain to track and field.    After we let Will go enjoy his evening, we address ALL of the madness of collegiate football and that does not disappoint!  Sir Lucious, Lamar, and Clyde go into the week's events on, off, and on the sidelines of the sport.  From the oval office, we talk about the decision for D2 to go to strictly a provisional list for NCAAs.    Clyde lines up for RAPID FIRE, and HEARTBEAT PROPS were dealt out with all the love we've got to give.  So sit back and enjoy this week's episode!

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

The Enduring Legacy of Amy Deem at the University of Miami

In this episode of the Connections Podcast, host Mike Cunningham engages in a heartwarming conversation with Amy Deem, the stalwart head coach of the University of Miami's track and field team. With over three decades at the helm, Amy shares her incredible journey from West Virginia to the sunny shores of South Beach.

Amy delves deep into her experiences, discussing the mentors who shaped her career, the challenges she's faced, and her unique perspective on the role of women as track coaches. The episode takes a light-hearted turn as Amy shares her surprising opinion on Disney World during the "Underrated/Overrated" game segment.

Listeners are treated to a candid conversation that offers a glimpse into the life and philosophy of one of track and field's most enduring figures. Amy's dedication, passion, and insights make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of athletics and coaching.

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Welcome to another fun-filled Friday evening with the LLC crew joined by a special guest...Darryl Anderson!  Director of TF & XC at TCU, and current coach of Ronnie Baker.  Can you guess what shenanigans we get Coach Anderson (DA) into this week?!?!?!  Relays? Training? What ifs?  After we let Coach Anderson go and enjoy his evening, we take the lid off the  CHAOS and let Clyde run wide open on some NFL and CFB topics.  CHILE!!!  Sir Lucious may or may not contribute to the maddness...you'll have to tune in to find out.    Lamar jumps in line for RAPID FIRE and HEARTBEAT PROPS are on point.  Sit back, enjoy the Fall evening and see you in a few!

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

The Athletic and Coaching Odyssey of John Godina from Grand Canyon University

In this episode of the Connections Podcast, host Mike Cunningham is joined by the three-time Olympian and current collegiate shot put record holder, John Godina. John delves into his illustrious career, reflecting on his early days and the mentors who shaped his trajectory, including his father, Bill Godina, and his collegiate/professional coach, Art Venegas.

John shares candid moments from his journey highlighting his current role at Grand Canyon University. He further discusses the creation of Altis and the nuances of coaching at different levels. The episode takes a light-hearted turn when Mike jokingly introduces him as a "half marathoner," to which John playfully responds, hinting at the camaraderie between the two.

Listeners are treated to an in-depth conversation that offers a glimpse into the life and philosophy of one of track and field's most iconic figures. John's dedication, passion, and insights make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of athletics and coaching.

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

It's about that time again!  Happy LLC day!!  This week we welcome a guest tile...Jon Drummond joins Sir Lucious, Lamar, and Clyde for some organized chaos.  If you have ever caught a moment of JD on social media...he doesn't let you down tonight!  Then you add the other 3 tiles to the noise, SHEEEEESH!    After we spend some time with our guest, we unleash Clyde to address the CFB chaos. Only to be finish out the topics with a little MORE attention to the coaching carousel.  Yes, the ride is STILL going.  Sir Lucious steps in the line of RAPID FIRE and HEARTBEAT PROPS are flowing of love!  Happy Coaches day to those who are, were, and will be coaches!

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John Weaver sits down with us today to discuss his amazing journey as an athlete and coach of track and field and football in the state of Mississippi. From a random day in 8th grade when a coach walked up and told him to do the pole vault to coaching Madison-Ridgeland Academy's first boy's state title in 2015, John's story features amazing lessons of grit, determination and leadership.

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Hello LLC'ers!  Chaos is in the air!  This week Big League pokes the bear of chaos and pokes Clyde's side about CFB and NFL...we know you been waiting for the start of this.    After going down that road, Sir Lucious, Lamar, and Clyde help us get more professional with some great perspectives on current happenings.  First, we address the elephant called virtual clinics and get the CLINICIANS perspective of benefits or discounts from these events versus in-person events.  After that conversation, we dive into the role of the assistant coach.  As all these roles are being filled by newbies, due to the coaching carousel, we evolve the prior conversation in season 1 even more.    Clyde lines up in RAPID FIRE and our HEART BEAT PROPS are a special one!  See you in a few clicks!

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Awesome time sitting down with 25+ year high school coach Brian Kula. In a twist from our normal podcast style, we leverage Brian's long experience in the high school level to talk about what he's learned, what he would have done differently, and the advice he has for others. We learn his opinions on some popular social media recruiting trends (college uniforms, offer announcements), as well as the differences he's noticed in high school kids from the beginning of his coaching 'til today. Near the end we culminate in how this experience has helped him to pivot his career into owning his own performance center working with athletes of all sports. ENJOY!

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Yep, we did it...we brought in John Smith, coach of many athletes throughout the years.  Most recently he has been behind the success of Michael Cherry.  There is NO WAY you will want to skip thru this conversation...there is A LOT  to process.  We follow up the words of JS with a check in about the coaching carousel and then open the gates for Clyde to speak on some COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!  Lamar lines up for some RAPID FIRE and HeartBeatProps never fail to deliver some great reflective moments.  Get ready for some knowledge to be dropped this episode!

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