The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Kevin Donner’s journey into coaching wasn’t planned—it was discovered.From getting cut from baseball and stumbling into track, to turning down “real jobs” for a $1,000 stipend, to eventually leading Bucknell University for over two decades… this episode is a masterclass in passion, persistence, and program building.Kevin walks through the pivotal moments that shaped his career—moments where he bet on coaching when logic said otherwise—and how those decisions ultimately led him to one of the most respected programs in the country.Along the way, you’ll hear how culture is built from the ground up, what it really takes to sustain success, and why sometimes the best path is the one that makes the least sense on paper.🔑 In this episode:🏃‍♂️ How getting cut from baseball led to a lifelong career in track & field💼 Turning down stable jobs for a $1,000 coaching opportunity🧠 Learning to coach multiple events with zero prior expertise🔧 Building programs from scratch at multiple stops🔥 Developing a “blue-collar misfit” culture that wins championships🏆 Taking over a legendary program and making it his own👉Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coachinglegends such as BooSchexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find uson Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more! 🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Projectepisode, which airsTuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections PodcastNetwork. 📲 Stay Connected:Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

I'm throwing a birthday party for myself and YOU'RE INVITED! My friends at Glazier Clinics are hosting a FREE Virtual Track and Field Clinic with some of the best coaches around (BYU, TCU, Under Armour, and more!) on July 24 and 25 and I want you to be there.Register here: ⁠https://hubs.ly/Q04mV2Pd0Share it with a friend!To help you see the quality of these presentations, and to celebrate the upcoming July clinic, here is the first part of one of the presentations from December. If you want to watch the full presentation go to Glazier Drive: ⁠https://production.glazierdrive.com/library

I'm throwing a birthday party for myself and YOU'RE INVITED! My friends at Glazier Clinics are hosting a FREE Virtual Track and Field Clinic with some of the best coaches around (BYU, TCU, Under Armour, and more!) on July 24 and 25 and I want you to be there.Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q04mV2Pd0Share it with a friend!To help you see the quality of these presentations, and to celebrate the upcoming July clinic, here is the first part of one of the presentations from December. If you want to watch the full presentation go to Glazier Drive: https://production.glazierdrive.com/library

In this episode, Matthew Kleinosky sits down with legendary coach and running personality Duane “Peanut” Harms, whose remarkable journey spans more than five decades in the sport. From discovering running almost by accident as a high school baseball player to coaching national teams, helping launch HOKA, and shaping generations of athletes, Peanut shares stories that are equal parts inspiring, hilarious, and unforgettable.Memorable Quotes“The path to success was not thinking about the immensity of the task. It was just to embark.”“The greatest honor is when kids continue to run after they leave your program.”“You coach the kids you get.”“There might be part-time pay, but there is no part-time coaching.”“I know I've impacted a lot of people positively, and hopefully they pass that along.”Key TakeawaysMentorship can completely alter the trajectory of a young person's life.Great coaching is about developing people, not simply producing results.Lifelong participation matters more than short-term success.Multi-sport experiences create stronger athletes and more well-rounded people.Running communities thrive when competition and fun coexist.Success often begins by simply taking the first step and getting started.Listen & SubscribeIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with fellow runners and fans of running history.Running in the ’70s with Matthew Kleinosky explores the stories, people, and culture that helped shape the running boom and continue to inspire runners today.

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

Jesse is the founder of CoachingDistance.com and was the high school coach of Simeon Birnbaum, the NCAA 1500m Record Holder and 2026 1500m Champion for the Oregon Ducks. Jesse is passionate about continually learning the craft of coaching distance and then sharing what he's learned with others. He coaches today at Rapid City Stevens HS in SD. Jesse and his wife Dr. Whitnee Coy are the founders of the Go Far Foundation to help kids and families. In just a few months, they've already distributed over 18,000 items via their food pantry. You can follow Jesse on X and IG (@CoachDistance). If you have a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to learn more. 

Nick Schneigert’s journey isn’t a straight line—and that’s exactly why this conversation matters.From growing up in a Polish immigrant family in Chicago…to discovering track and field after getting cut from baseball…to serving in the U.S. Navy and being deployed after 9/11…to chasing a career in media…to finally finding purpose in coaching…Nick’s story is about identity.And what happens when the title “coach” is no longer part of your daily life.This episode hits differently.Because for many coaches listening, there’s an underlying question we don’t always talk about: 👉 Who am I if I’m not coaching?🔑 In this episode, we dive into:🏃‍♂️ Finding track and field after adversity—and why multi-event backgrounds matter👉Lessons from the Navy, deployment, and discipline that shaped his leadership🎙️ Chasing a career in TV and media—and why it didn’t fulfill him📉 The reality of life transitions, career pivots, and “low points” professionally💡 Why coaching became meaningful—and what made it stick🧠 The identity challenge: separating who you are from what you doThis is a must-listen for any coach who has ever wondered about life beyond the sport—or is navigating it right now.Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected:Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

Desiree was a two-sport star (T&F and Basketball) for Emmanuel University in Boston. She takes a fun and entertaining look back at how she ended up competing in the T&F events that she did over her career. Did she choose them or was she the one chosen? Desiree is currently completing her master's degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at Syracuse University. She is a model, an actress, and a content creator. To follow her on IG click HERE or check out her WEBSITE.If you have a topic to share, email David Mitchell for all the details.

This episode of the Gill Connections Podcast is a little different—and a lot of fun.Instead of sitting down with a coach, we’re turning the mic inward and highlighting one of our own. Payton Taylor joins the show to share his journey from a multi-sport athlete in Illinois to a Division I thrower at Illinois State University… and now to serving coaches across the country as part of the Gill Athletics team.We dive into the moments that shaped him—from a faceplant in a hurdle race that ended his hurdling career 😅, to navigating COVID during his senior year, to discovering a passion for growth, process, and helping others succeed in the sport.This is a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to serve track & field at a high level—and why the people behind the equipment matter just as much as the equipment itself.🔑 In this episode, we cover:🏃‍♂️ How Payton found track (and why hurdles didn’t last long 😆)⚾ Balancing football, baseball, and track before choosing his path🎓 His transition to throwing at Illinois State and falling in love with the process🛠️ What it’s really like working at Gill Athletics🏆 Behind the scenes of NCAA Division II Championships🤝 Serving coaches, dealers, and athletes across the country“I was always trying to find more… just the little things that add up to get 1% better.” — Payton Taylor👉Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coachinglegends such as BooSchexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find uson Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more! 🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Projectepisode, which airsTuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections PodcastNetwork. 📲 Stay Connected:Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

Steve is an EU American Football Hall of Famer, the Inventor and CEO of Two8 Bands, and the author of If We Knew Better, We'd Move Better. He shares one chapter of the audio version of his book to introduce the concept of movement literacy and to help us understand why it matters to coaches, athletes, and everyone else, too.If you have a topic that would benefit others, contact David Mitchell to find out how you can contribute an episode.

There are episodes where you learn… and then there are episodes where you feel something.This is one of those.Sean Foulkes didn’t start track and field because of a dream—he started because his friends wouldn’t let him skip practice. But what began as simple peer pressure turned into a deep pursuit of mastery, fueled by curiosity, VHS film breakdowns, and hours of self-coaching.Then life shifted.College brought unexpected challenges, new environments, and moments that forced Sean to step back and reevaluate who he was and where he was headed.And sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed.A single moment helping a friend unlocked something bigger: a realization that coaching wasn’t just something he could do—it was something he needed to do.This episode is about growth, identity, and the power of rediscovering direction through sport.🔑 In this episode:🧠 How curiosity and film study shaped Sean’s early development as a thrower🎯 The difference between having direction vs. drifting🔄 Navigating unexpected challenges in college athletics🧭 Rebuilding direction and identity through sport👥 Why helping others became the foundation of his coaching philosophy🏆 The moment he realized coaching was his true calling“I knew I liked the version of myself when I was competing.” – Sean FoulkesDive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected:Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. To kick off the weekend they hosted a women4women program featuring inspirational speakers.WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. To kick off the weekend they hosted a women4women program featuring inspirational speakers.WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

Tyson is a 7-time Team USA member including the 2016 Paralympic Games. He's a 2-time Para World Championships Silver Medalist, and a Para Pan American Gold Medalist. Tyson and his wife, Kenzie, met at Idaho State and now serve as high school T&F coaches in Idaho. He is also the E-Commerce Manager for Black Label Supplements--Science-Backed Sports Nutrition. In this episode, Tyson shares insights on Para T&F and offers future support to those who may wish to get involved. If you've got a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to learn how. We'd love to have you join the fun!

Alan Wardsworth’s story doesn’t start on a pristine track facility—it starts in chaos.A childhood that spanned continents. A high school that literally burned to the ground. A kid who wasn’t focused in the classroom… until sport gave him a reason to be.And then, almost by accident, he finds track and field.What follows is a journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to figure things out—from breaking school records in his first week, to learning events through instinct, to eventually becoming the kind of coach who impacts lives far beyond marks and medals.This one is a reminder of what makes this sport so powerful:➡️ It meets you where you are➡️ It gives you a reason to grow➡️ And if you let it… it can change everything🔑 In this episode:🌍 Growing up around the world and how it shaped his perspective🔥 Experiencing a high school burning down—and what that taught him about adaptability🏀 How eligibility struggles became a turning point academically💡 Discovering track & field almost by accident (and breaking records immediately)🧠 Early signs of a coaching mindset—problem solving before he even knew it🏃‍♂️ The environments and mentors that helped shape his coaching philosophy“I didn’t have the strength for the shot put… so I figured I had to use my legs. I didn’t know that’s what you’re supposed to do—I just knew I had to figure something out.” -Alan Wardsworth🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. To kick off the weekend they hosted a women4women program featuring inspirational speakers.WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

This past February, the great people of the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association held their annual Track/Field clinic with amazing speakers. To kick off the weekend they hosted a women4women program featuring inspirational speakers.WISTCA has graciously allowed us to share these speaker's topics on the Gill1918 Project. ENJOY!

Coach Emeott's East Kentwood HS (MI) team will be competing for their 9th D1 state title this weekend to go with a national championship as well. To maximize the leadership potential of all team members, East Kentwood does not have team captains, but instead utilizes layered leadership. In his book, Beyond the Finish Line Emeott covers how a focus on transforming lives instead of outcomes has led to incredible results for his teams. NOTE: This episode was originally released in August, 2025.If you've got a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to find out how. 

Last week on the show, we heard the journey of TJ Lawson at IMG Academy — so this week we had to get the other Lawson.In this episode, Bill Lawson, Head Track & Field Coach at IMG Academy, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation that starts in rural Illinois and stretches all the way to TrackTown USA, the NCAA, and now the inaugural Under Armour High School Championships.Along the way, Coach Lawson shares how the 1968 Olympics lit the spark, why multi-sport matters more than ever, how he and Coach “Bucky” helped build Northern Iowa into a national force, what it takes to keep the edge when you move from a “mid-major grind” to a brand-name program, and how he approached the tricky (and rewarding) line between being Dad and being Coach while TJ was being recruited.And yes… we talk about the barefoot Hayward Field kids races too.🎙️ In this episode, we cover:🔥 Growing up in Carthage, Illinois + falling in love with track through the 1968 Olympics🏁 The recruiting hustle before cell phones, social media, and instant results🧠 Developing athletes (and coaches) — plus the mistakes you only learn by doing👟 Multi-sport development and why “open mind” wins long-term🦆 Oregon, Kent State, and what “never settling” really looks like👨‍👦 Parenting a high-level athlete: letting TJ choose his path (and why that matters)🏟️ IMG Academy today + the Under Armour High School Championships coming May 29–31If you enjoyed TJ’s episode last week, this one is the perfect companion — the full father/son coaching story, from both sides.👉Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find uson Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more! 🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airsTuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲 Stay Connected:Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham) and Instagram (@MikeCunninghamTF), email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Nationally known T&F announcer David Mitchell recalls some painful moments from his 20+ years as a high school coach that led to the creation of a systematic way to “Honor the Baton” and develop a team culture that prevents most relay issues before they ever get the chance to cause headaches for coaches! This episode replay from July, 2025 has a special addition to it discussing ways we might avoid controversies like the recent one regarding a disqualification in high school track that had a very significant impact on an entire team. If you've got a topic to share that will benefit youth T&F, contact David Mitchell here.

This week on The Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham is joined by TJ Lawson, Assistant Director of Track & Field at IMG Academy.TJ shares his journey from growing up around Hayward Field, competing as a near–8,000 point decathlete, and ultimately finding his calling in coaching and program leadership after injuries reshaped his athletic path.The episode pulls back the curtain on IMG Academy—what it is, what it isn’t, and how culture, academics, and athlete-first thinking drive everything they do.⚙️ Episode highlights:🌲 TrackTown USA roots and barefoot all-comers meets🏀 Why basketball came first—and why track recruiting changed everything🧠 Coaching fundamentals from middle schoolers to national-level athletes🧪 Creating pressure and buy-in before championship season🎓 Why IMG is not a diploma mill (and sends athletes to the Ivy League)🎯 Smart recruiting and scholarship strategy🏟️ Building the Under Armour National High School Championships from the ground up⭐ If you enjoy the episode, leave a review—it helps amplify coaches’ stories.👉Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more! 🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airsTuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲 Stay Connected:Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected],or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Lauren grew up participating in many sports along with her MLB veteran brother, Jason Bay, and went on to represent Canada in softball in 3 Olympic Games, but knew very little about track. Her perspectives changed dramatically when she became a Track & Field mom for the first-time and she's now a strong advocate encouraging families to get involved in the sport with a very affirming message for all.Lauren also leads Strong Mom--Online Health And Fitness Coaching For Moms With Careers. You can follow her and learn more on Instagram.

Kailey Johnson didn’t grow up dreaming of being a coach.She grew up in it.From playing in the sand pits as a kid while her dad coached… to competing as a hurdler at Central Methodist… to now standing on the other side of the track as a coach — her journey is a full-circle story that hits different.What makes this episode even more special?Back in January of 2021, her head coach — Kenny Anderson — joined the Gill Connections podcast as Guest #85.At that time, Kailey was a freshman athlete on his team.Now… she’s on the coaching staff.That evolution is what this podcast is all about.🔥 In this episode, we dive into:🧬 Growing up as a coach’s kid and how it shaped her perspective🏃‍♀️ Why track “stuck” when other sports didn’t🎓 Choosing Central Methodist for culture over convenience🧠 The moment she realized her original career path wasn’t it📸 How injuries led her toward creativity, photography, and communication🔁 The unexpected shift from athlete to coach🤝 What it’s like now working alongside the same coach she competed for“I had no thought of coaching at all… and now I’m here doing it every day.” — Kailey Johnson This is a story about proximity, perspective, and how being around great coaching — even when you don’t realize it — can shape your future.🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Katie is a mental skills coach and licensed therapist for Elevated Performance following a 13-year career as a professional runner including winning a US Road Mile Championship and being a World Indoor Championships 3000m finalist. As a competitor at all levels, Katie had to learn to overcome pre-race nerves and anxiety. She shares proven techniques and strategies to help athletes begin to do the same in the episode and in this awesome FREE resource!

There’s something powerful about a coach who knew early.Steven Sanchez didn’t just stumble into coaching—he was already studying it, researching it, and chasing it while still in high school in the Bronx. From a massive New York City high school campus to a small college in the South, his journey is anything but typical—and that’s exactly what makes it valuable.This episode is about perspective. About hearing hard truths. About choosing a path before the path fully reveals itself.Steven shares how a pivotal conversation with a mentor reshaped his trajectory, why he was studying coaching bios as a teenager, and how his willingness to bet on himself took him far from home in pursuit of growth.🔑 In this episode:🏙️ Growing up in the Bronx and navigating a 1,000-student freshman class that became 60 graduates🏈 A football-first mindset—and the injury that forced a pivot🎯 The moment a mentor told him: “Focus on throwing… and think about coaching”🧠 Studying coaching paths BEFORE even getting to college🗺️ Choosing a college based on geography, opportunity, and instinct—not just recruitment🌱 Adjusting from a massive NYC environment to an 800-student college campus💬 Quote from Steven: “I was looking at every school in the country… what have been the paths of the coaches? I was trying to figure out what I needed to do.”This one’s for the coaches who are still figuring it out—and the ones who knew early and went all in.🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Grateful to Rekortan for hosting a Coaches Speaker Session at the 2026 Penn Relays. Recorded on Friday during the Coaches Hospitality, Rekortan invited coaches and Rekortan teammates to share their running and coaching experiences to give value to the audience. Gill Athletics is grateful for Rekortan's trust to record these sessions to bring them to you in our Gill1918 Project podcast format. There are six speakers in all, you can find them on the Gill Connections podcast published on these dates:5/3 Greg Scholars -AP RANCH5/9 Bella Whitaker- ON5/10 MaryBeth Price -Rekortan5/16 Bill Lawson - IMG Academy5/17 Kevin Quadrozzi - ON5/23 Guy Thomas - Rekortan

We love to being you other podcasts doing providing amazing value to the track and field coaching community. Today we feature the gang from Beyond the Blocks podcast. Go check them out on YouTube, Spotify and Apple. Also, don't forget the 'Gram. Check them out next Monday May 4th as they feature the host of THIS podcast; Mike Cunningham.In Episode 5 of the Beyond The Blocks Podcast, we sit down with James Daniels, Head of Sprints & Hurdles – High Performance for the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) and the NIKE ELITE program.James shares valuable insights into the development of elite sprinters and hurdlers and pulls back the curtain on how high-level athletes are built over time.In this episode we discuss:• How elite athletes structure training cycles throughout the year.• Common mistakes coaches, parents, and athletes make in the development process.• Why some youth prep phenoms struggle to keep improving in college.• What separates athletes who continue progressing from those who plateau.• The selection process and philosophy behind the Nike Elite program.Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or parent, this conversation provides practical insight into long-term athlete development and what it truly takes to succeed at the highest levels of track & field.🎙 Episode 5 – James DanielsHead of Sprints & Hurdles – High Performance👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with elite coaches, athletes, and leaders in track & field.#trackandfield #sprint #hurdles #athletics #athleticdevelopment #speed #trackcoach #beyondtheblockspodcast

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois),Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very ownGill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network. 📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍 

Recovery is an often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood aspect of high performance. Coach Gail Williams (Danbury HS in CT) and her son, Shaun (former NCAA D1 athlete) bring this important topic to light in a very practical way. Gail has deeply researched effective recovery. What she learned, and what Shaun helped her apply, led to the development of PerformaFlex MR, a scientifically formulated muscle rub that promotes recovery and performance.