The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Bryan has been a teammate of ours at Gill Athletics for over 20 years having served in the sales department, R&D department and now as a member of our Field Service department. He brings decades worth of experience as a high school and collegiate pole vaulter, a Marine who still vaulted, and as a college coach, vault club owner, and father of two state champion high school vaulters. We get to learn of his time as a Marine and participating in track meets with other military branches, how he got into coaching track and field, some of his mentors along the way, and how he handled his two boys getting into the sport of pole vault.  ENJOY!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you today!  We are excited to share some time with you.  You're going to notice our #UGLYSWEATERS today, we are going to be putting up voting posts on the different social media platforms for you to vote on.  Make sure you cast your vote :)    First we talk about the CFP; how do Lucious, Lamar and Clyde feel about who made the playoffs and who they predict to win!?  Then they dive straight into a "what happened to?????"  of the double eventers: 100/LJ, SP/DT, combo hurdlers, etc.  Why are there not as many competitors who do such coupled events?  Lastly, the guys way left field and give us their medal predictions for the Men's Shot Put.  GREAT conversation about this, well entertaining at that ;)  Then wait for it...there's a surprise for rapid fire!  What could it be?!  Thank you all for tuning in today.  We hope you are enjoying your day and able to witness all the smiles you can.

Journey Beyond the Track: A Candid Conversation with Karen Dennis of The Ohio State University

Join host Mike Cunningham on the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast for a deeply insightful episode featuring the esteemed Karen Dennis, the driving force behind the track and field program at The Ohio State University. This episode is a treasure trove for track and field fans, offering a rare glimpse into the life, philosophy, and experiences of a coach who has made an indelible mark on the sport.

Karen Dennis's journey, from the streets of Detroit to the prestigious halls of The Ohio State University, is a testament to passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Throughout the episode, Karen delves into her early days in Detroit, her transition into coaching, and the challenges and rewards that come with leading a top-tier athletic program.

In a candid moment, Karen reflects on her roots and the importance of authenticity and connection in her coaching approach. She shares, "I'm from Detroit. Come up through the 60s. There's not a whole lot of BS that people can bring me... If I feel like somebody is not being authentic, then I don't have a lot of time. I will find something else to do real quickly or change the subject right away."

Another poignant moment in the conversation arises when Karen speaks about the importance of sharing and collaboration in the coaching community. She emphasizes, "If my journey can be of help to anybody, I'm here... Sharing people's journeys with each other is important. I like what you're doing. I appreciate what you're doing, and I think that the more we do this, the better off we will all be in getting along."

This episode is not just about the technicalities of coaching; it's a deep dive into the human aspect of the sport, the individual journeys of coaches, and the importance of authenticity, connection, and continuous learning. Whether you're a seasoned track and field fan or new to the sport, Karen Dennis's experiences, wisdom, and passion will captivate and inspire you.

Tune in to this heartfelt conversation and let Karen's journey resonate with your own experiences and aspirations.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Paul is the founder/CEO of Doyle Management Group. DMG's full concierge service handles competition schedules, meet entries, transportation, hotel accommodations, training camps, physical therapy and any last minute need that arises. A natural fit for these services is to create your own domestic track meets to help athletes compete on their home turf. Paul and his team did exactly that with the creation of the American Track League.

Hear from Paul on the inspiration to create this series of meets held at the University of Arkansas, the successes behind the first two meets, and what we can expect this Sunday at 3:30pm on ESPN.

Well, if you were able to sign on with us this week, you've already seen this in real time!  In true Big League form, I forgot to hit record when we started!  I know, get it together CHEW!  So you start off when I remembered to hit the button.  But to keep the notion of the LIVE show, we did not add our intro or outro this week.  We hope you enjoy and this was FUN to do!  We plan on doing another soon.  Thank you all for your engagement.  Stay tuned for next week's Christmas show...just wait till you hear what we have instore for you :)

'We are stewards of our programs for a short amount of time," Duane Ross. Today we talk legacy, extreme ownership, and what it's like to win the state championship your first year in track and false start the next. Join us in today's episode to learn about Duane's time at Clemson as an undergrad, his 11 year professional career, and what he defines as culture in his program. 

Who's messing with the thermostat?!  'Cause it is getting HOT in here this week!  This week Lucious, Lamar and Clyde get their buttons pushed and don't hold back on how they feel about some of our topics this week.  We jump in and start the night off with a conversation regarding the FBS...what we that look like going forward?  Then the guys talk about female candidate pools in regards to the interview process...how do your views align with their comments?  Then after we dive right into another hot topic of compensation for collegiate athletes, now that we are seeing how student-athletes are being exploited.  Lastly, we predict what might be some major news in 2021...phew!  The dust definitely gets disrupted this week!    Lamar is in the spotlight for rapid fire this week and I, Big League, own up to my misspeaking for putting Clyde in rapid fire last week in error.  *doh* But shout out to Lucious for being my ROD and co-signing my error in the moment ;)  As always, we wrap up the week with our Heart Beat Props, to acknowledge those who have allowed us to become the people we are today.  Thanks for sitting with us for another fun episode of Athletics LLC, see ya in a click!

The communication and relationship between coaching staff members is crucial for a positive working environment that 'pulls on the same rope' to accomplish the team's yearly goals. What happens when two members of the staff are married? Find out in today's episode featuring TROY University head coach Marc Davis and his wife the throws coach and Strength & Conditioning coach Michelle Clayton. We find out the benefits of being married while on the same staff as well as the drawbacks. Marc and Michelle (and Maddie and Petey!) open up their home and invite us in for a peak at their daily lives as coaches.

We also learn Marc's journey in the coaching world and what led him to TROY University as well as Michelle's groundbreaking journey in strength and conditioning having coached football players and other sports.  Please help us welcome the wise, the wonderful Marc Davis and Michelle Clayton!

I mean, there  is nothing else to say but we have a fifth tile and it's the one and only, GAIL DEVERS!  We can only be so blessed to have such a great person with us this first week of December.  The sprinter/hurdler, who just happen to be a BEAST at them both, graced our conversations with her perspectives on what it takes to be a sprinter AND a hurdler at a high level.  She also let us know who her G.O.A.T track and field athlete is and her opinion on what she would do if she was leading World Athletics.  Before we let Ms Devers go, we asked for her medal predictions...on the 4x1!!!!!  After we relieve Ms Devers of her duties, we speak on an aspect of COVID that people are softly speaking about and how to address it.  The guys reflect on which coach might have had the most influence on the sport of track and field and lastly, what is the most bootleg apparatus that you have rigged to achieve a desire result?  Hear what the guys have to say about that!  Mr. Clyde obliges us in Rapid Fire this week, yes I NOW realize that I have gone out of order...but there is one answer that leaves me mouth wide-open!  What about you?!    Sit back, grab your fav winter drink and enjoy another episode of Lucious, Lamar and Clyde!

Better known as 'Coach O', Charles has literally done it all in the track and field world. As a former 45 second 400 meter runner he set school records (TROY University), made all-American status and placed 8th at the USA Olympic Trials. He coached champions at school such as TROY U and University of Tennessee. As a meet director and promotor he has served such meets as the Sea-Ray Relays, Gatorade Invitational, Junior Olympics, and more. As a business owner he created his company Bags by Coach O which sold show bags, equipment bags and more. As a meet entry company he helped create the online version of meet entries that is standard today. And now as the National Chairman of AAU Track and Field, he serves youth from 5-18 years old in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field meets. 

Today's episode has a lot of little things that add up to a career of curiosity and servitude! Ladies and gentlemen, help us welcome the wise, the wonderful Coach O!