The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Today we explore the story of a track athlete from high school, to multiple colleges, and now with the Olympic Dream in his heart. Nigel is a post-collegiate runner aiming for the Olympic Trials in 2021 training in Atlanta, Ga. with famed athlete/coach Dwight Phillips.  We talk about what it takes to make it as a post-collegiate from facilities, to coaches, and the monetary costs. One of the ways he pays for his training is with the Atlanta Braves as a member of the grounds crew, where through luck and determination he found himself as The Freeze. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-can-i-am-i-will-finish-the-mission?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=63d4b531e8244bf38c4cf71d078178bf

Join us for a conversation with William & Mary head coach Alex Heacock!

It doesn't get more Chicago than Bob! Amazing time getting to know Chicago Bob Thurnhoffer in today's episode. We learn of his athletic background as a high schooler at Glenbard East HS, his life changing experience as an athlete at College of DuPage, and how that experience parlayed him into a scholarship to University of Illinois-Chicago.  After that we learn of his transition from Graduate Assistant (in philosophy!), to full time assistant, to his current position as the head coach.  Join us in the fun talking about Mike Powell, Tom Pukstys, and more!

In another fun discussion of track and field with the Athletics LLC crew, we are joined by GOLD medalist Tianna Baroletta!  She shares her views on what are the 3 outstanding storylines leading up to the Olympics next year as well as determining a permanent site for World Championship or Olympics...would that be a desired decision?  We are also able to hear about 2 entities that Tianna is invested in, personally, outside of LJ and the sprints.  We turn the page to hear views from the guys on SCIENCE vs THE FEEL...can you guess who stands where?!  We wrap up with views of the effects of COVID-19, tune in to see what is said on the good, bad and ugly of it all!  Lastly, hear who our "heart beat props" go out to this week!

There aren't many people in our sport who have worked 5 Olympics and 'more World Championships than I can count', but Garry Hill is one of them. As the Editor of Track and FIeld News Magazine he has a unique aspect in the sport. Today he joins us to talk about how he started working at the magazine, what his job duties entail, as well as discuss his announcing stints.  This is a fascinating look into a true legend of our sport. We appreciate the editor of the Bible of our Sport sitting down with us to discuss his journey. 

Famed hammer thrower/coach and friend Kibwe Johnson presented the Fortius TC Virtual Throws Consortium in May 2020. He was gracious to allow us to rebroadcast the Sports Psychology portion on the Gill podcast to help bring more value to you. We present four amazing people talking past the X's and O's on how to coach the event and get deeper into coaching the person. 

Speakers and topics include:

Justin Su’a - Forging Elite Confidence

Get more value from Kibwe on the FORTIUS podcast, find it on the very same app you listen to our podcast!

***Thank you to Kibwe, Fortius TC, and the presenters for allowing Gill Athletics to rebroadcast this Consortium. We believe in giving value to track & field coaches around the world, therefore it was important to bring this sports psychology portion to you through the podcast. 

Dive deep into the world of athletics and coaching with Kevin Hadsell in this enlightening episode of the Connections Podcast. Tracing his athletic roots to New York and Vermont, Kevin shares how the pivotal moments of his life shaped his career trajectory. He candidly mentions, "The lifestyle that I live is not conducive to coaching... as an actor, I just did two auditions today and then one yesterday. All of these things are going to film in the next two weeks." This episode not only explores Kevin's transitions from Coastal Carolina to Columbia and finally to Toledo but also delves into the lessons he's imbibed from his mistakes. Kevin's journey is a testament to self-belief and resilience. As he poignantly states, "If you believe in yourself because I believe in you, the next time that somebody claps for you is when you're going." With Kevin's humility and openness at its core, this episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring coaches and athletes alike.

BSN Sports presents Dr. Smith's presentation of Culturally Competent Coaching from their online webinar series ongoing throughout the summer. Dr. Smith is an expert in diversity, inclusion, and team building. In today's podcast, he explains the responsibility of coaches for their athlete's 'off the track' development, not just 'on the track' development. 

Brittany joins us to talk about being the head track coach of the girl's team at Taylor HS in Katy, Tx. We get a chance to talk about her challenges and victories as the head coach at Taylor and then back up and learn about her interesting college career. Brittany was a team manager for great coaches at Kansas State University and Texas A&M University. Super unique to hear her perspective on coaching track and field after not having been an athlete in the sport. In fact, we get a chance to learn about her dad, the legendary Gary Derks (head coach of Cinco Ranch HS) and their unique relationship that centered around coaching track and field. It was an honor to talk about Gary, who passed away in 2016, and the legacy he left so many, including your host Mike Cunningham.

Do you go with what's in the book or with what gets you the results ultimately?  This week with the GREAT Vince Anderson with us for conversation, we chat about the different philosophies of the short hurdles as well as the philosophical thoughts of coaching trees.  After tackling the process of naming HS GOATs: per gender and track then field separately...we have added a new weekly segment to the show: "Heart Beat Props".  Our HBPs go out to those people who have had a direct influence on who we are today, as coaches.  As the saying goes, we want to be sure to give out our roses while the people are still here to receive them!  Happy viewing!