The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

His athletic accolades precede him, as Willie Banks has set American Records, World Records, and many other superb performances. Today we talk about a few coaches who helped him along the way, as well as the difference between conscious thinking and subconscious thinking as it relates to athletic performance (and law school!).  Willie also gives us a detailed account of the world record in 1985 that you won't want to miss.  Near the end we find out the REAL truth on the rhythmic clap. Did Willie invent it? Did it make a difference in his career? Find out this and more (including an OJ Simpson story!) in today's episode!

*Scratches head* This week the gang ponders how some of the decisions that are being made...ARE BEING MADE!?  We start the discussion with pondering "Pup's" situation at St. Aug, how a non-educational entity makes an education-related decision and end with the guys' favorite races at the different levels, in both genders.  There's a little in between as well! Click on the link to find out!

So happy to have David Kaiser on the podcast today. Among many topics, we start of extending the conversation started by Brooks Johnson in episode 57 regarding coaches who focus specifically on one event group their entire careers versus a more holistic 'track' coaching style. David lives this as a former mid-distance athlete who taught himself how to pole vault (15'+) and has coached all-americans in the throws, combined events, jumps and more. You'll want to stick around for the entire episode as we then talk about a 9-year hiatus he took away from college coaching and the struggles he found as he attempted to come back to the college profession. We're so glad he is back coaching track on the collegiate level, now as the head coach of a D3 program transition to the D2 level. 

OOh we! This week we get to hear some of out of the world commentary on who the guys think is the best underrated athlete and what they think is the best NCAA Championship meet to date...join us to see if you agree!  You'll also get some quality words on how we can better our sport via different types of competition...what could they be talking about?  Guess you'll have to tune in and find out!

What an interesting leader in the sport of track and field. Clyde joins us today and talks about his dual athlete and coaching roles in football and track. Luckily for track and field, he dropped football to focus on family and track. After taking over the head coaching role at his alma mater, he moved on to the head coaching role at Wabash College and hasn't looked back. We enjoyed getting to know Clyde and know you will too. ENJOY!

What an honor it is to talk to a real pioneer of women's track and field coaching. Sue Humphrey joins us to talk about the state of women's track and field starting back in the 1960s all the way through today. Sue has accomplished so much as a field events coach at Arizona State, LBSU, and Univ of Texas. She was honored in 2004 to be named the head coach of the women's Olympic team. We had so much fun learning her history and blessed to talk about the legacy she has set in this great sport. 

Joe Frontier, the host of the 'throw BIG throw FAR' podcast interviewed Gill's National Sales Manager Mike Cunningham recently. We're rebroadcasting that here for you to learn more about Mike's coaching background, his surprising career between coaching and Gill, and what it's like to work at Gill Athletics. Listen now to learn what Mike thinks is the most interesting throwing secret Gill has!

Thanks to Joe for having one of Gill's own on his podcast!

We focus on the AAU summer club level of track and field today with our guest Robby Strickland. Robby founded and runs the Wildwood Prep Summer Track Club in Wildwood, Fla. He talks to us on the motivation to start a summer track club, the ups and down, and gives us an up to date status on the AAU Junior Olympics this summer. Little known secret, Robby and our host Mike Cunningham are both Troy (Ala.) University alums, in fact Mike coached Robby in college. Near the end they talk about their time together on the team and how that shaped Robby's future which includes public servant work as a member of Wildwood's City Commission. 

A native Oregonian who became a Beaver at Oregon State, David joins us and share his journey as the head coach of Summit High School in Bend, Ore. As a 7' high jumper, David has coached Summit High school to nearly 20 state championship team titles. We talk about fundraising for high school teams, talent identification, and the value and gift a track and field coach is to the athletes and school. We're so thankful David sat down with us for this conversation, you're going to enjoy it!

This week we are joined by Vin Lanana, Director of XC/TF at Univ. of Virginia and President of USATF.  With his great input on topics currently going on in our community we talk about the specific effects on minorities when cutting programs, specifically XC/TF.  We address a couple other ideas with Coach Lanana's insight that will get you thinking!  The guys go ahead and give their thoughts on who should be on the Mt Rushmore of distance coaches, do you agree?!  Then we round out the night with top performances, for both genders, at the NCAA championships.  Tune in and see if you saw them too!