The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Imagine being in charge of an entire college program at the age of 27. Imagine if that program was your alma mater and you're taken over for your college coach who's been there for 20+ years. That's what Cale stepped into at Western Carolina. We talk through the pressures, both expected an unexpected, of taking the reigns of his alma mater at such a young age in today's episode. We then have a lot of fun talking about the throws in general and how to coach them. Near the end we explore everyone's favorite subject...LetsRun.com. 

Join us this week to hear some conversation regarding what is going on in the world of the NCAA and the world we live in.  The guys also dabbled a little in Olympics 2021 talk!  Listen in to hear who are the anticipated head to head matches are. The guys weigh in on who they think the G.O.A.T 100m queen is from the collegiate ranks as well as the pros.  Who do you think they left off the lists?!

Welcome back to the podcast Marissa Chew the organizer/administrator for the Facebook group Coaches Collab. We spend time with Marissa in episode 20 discussing the group and wanted to have her back to learn how it's grown.  We also take some time to learn more about Marissa the coach and how she became involved in track and field and the profession of coaching.

On May 14th, 2020 University of Akron Director of Athletics Larry Williams announced the elimination of the men's cross country team. Akron alum and Olympic medalist Clayton Murphy, along with other alumni, jumped into action to pursue a reversal of the decision. Today we talk with Clayton about the importance of cross country to the overall track and field program success, the cost to run a CC program, and the actions taken by him and the alumni along with their progress so far.

Diego's journey will inspire you to let nothing get in your way of success. Growing up in Columbia with a father of immense success in track and field as an athlete and coach, Diego continued his academic life in America. In today's episode we'll capture the growth of a high school student into the coach of the University of Miami's men's sprints/hurdles. ENJOY!

David Sweeney gives us a unique perspective into the history of track and field for the country of Ireland. He then talks about the advantages and disadvantages of the NCAA T&F system from the Irish perspective. And then gives us insights into his own personal style of coaching and what has led to the success he has had with many athletes.  Thank you to the National Throws Conference (NTCA), Rob Lasorsa, and MF Athletics for sharing this content to bring value to you today!

Ritchie is a unicorn. Meaning, he's one of a few coaches who's been at his institution for over 20 years! Today we learn how he found his path towards coaching track and field, the role music played in his personal life, and the advantages and disadvantages of coaching at a 'smaller school'. Alabama State is part of the HBCU collective of colleges/universities, so we took this time with Ritchie to learn more about the history of HBCU's, some of the traditions, and the importance of HBCU schools.  ENJOY!

This week the gang goes outside of their coaching boxes and talks about a discipline that doesn't get enough light, CROSS COUNTRY!  Hear what is revealed and left for you to ponder.  We end the night with a new imaginary monument for the track and field community...

In this riveting episode of the Connections Podcast, Charles Ryan of Cal-Berkeley takes center stage, sharing his unique journey in the world of track and field. From his early beginnings in the sport to the formation of his own track club in Knoxville, Tennessee, Charles's passion for athletics shines through. A standout moment in the episode is when Charles recalls a profound statement from a previous interview, emphasizing, "If you're not in the huddle, you don't understand." This sentiment captures the essence of being deeply involved and committed to a cause.

The episode further delves into Charles's transformative time at Art U in San Francisco. As he recounts, "He gave me a voice instantly, respected my thoughts, and we rewrote the face of that program." Under his leadership, the program witnessed a paradigm shift, becoming a sprint dominant force. Charles's dedication and vision were evident when he spoke about the school's commitment, stating, "You guys are fully funding this program at Division two. I have the Bay Area on my side."

Listeners are taken on a journey of how Charles built a program from the ground up, achieving national titles in its very first year of eligibility. His holistic approach to coaching student-athletes and running a collegiate track program is a testament to his expertise and dedication. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone keen on understanding the intricacies of collegiate athletics and the power of visionary leadership.

Mr. '800 meter dash' didn't start out as a prodigy in the event he's so famously attached to. Learn Derrick's journey towards 800m greatness that culminates in an Olympic berth in today's episode. Stay tuned as the second half we learn about coaching the half mile event; topics range from the differences between sprinter 800m runners and distance 800m runners, the role strength training plays into training, and the affect mentors have had in his life as a mid-distance coach.