The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Gill Athletics
  • 4.9 (73)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

Unlock the world of track & field coaching with The Gill Connections Podcast! Host Mike Cunningham brings you inspiring stories, real conversations, and coaching insights from leaders at every level. Discover a new coach's interview every Monday. Plus, don’t miss the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts with our NEW Gill1918 Project episodes Tuesday-Sunday — short, powerful lessons from top coaches to help you grow on and off the track. Powered by Gill Athletics — Supporting Coaches Since 1918.

  1. 8h ago

    #241: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "How to Store a PV Pit During the Off-Season"

    What happens to your pole vault pit when the season ends? In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham shares the practical steps coaches can take to protect a landing system during the off-season—and avoid expensive surprises when athletes return. You’ll learn how to: Inspect and repair the pit before storage Clean and dry it properly Reduce moisture, UV, and rodent risk Store and stack sections without creating unnecessary stress Protect the pit when indoor storage is not available A few intentional hours at the end of the season can help preserve foam, vinyl, safety, and long-term value for years to come.

    #241: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "How to Store a PV Pit During the Off-Season"

  2. 1d ago

    #240: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "PV Pit Garage vs Weather Cover; Which is Better?"

    Should your program invest in a weather cover, a pit garage, or both? In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down the practical difference between the two—and why, for most outdoor facilities, a weather cover should be the first priority. You’ll learn: What a weather cover protects against What a pit garage adds beyond a cover When a pit garage makes financial sense Why neither option replaces regular inspection and maintenance How to choose the right level of protection for your facility The goal is not simply choosing which option is “better.” It is protecting a major equipment investment in a way that fits your climate, facility, and long-term plans.

    #240: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "PV Pit Garage vs Weather Cover; Which is Better?"

  3. 2d ago

    #239: Gill1918 Presents Keinan Briggs “Stop Moving the Mark!” Powered by Coach O

    If you're coaching long or triple jumpers who struggle with inconsistent approaches, missed boards, or fouling their biggest jumps, Coach Keinan Briggs' 1-Day Approach System breaks down the approach principles he uses to help jumpers develop a more consistent, repeatable runway. In this episode, Keinan shares a portion of his system to help coaches avoid a common coaching error. To get the full 1 Day Approach System, go o https://www.leapmentality.com/stop-fouling and enter the code: COACHO for a $10 savings. Regular Price: $55 | Coach O Price: $45 If you've got a topic to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

    #239: Gill1918 Presents Keinan Briggs “Stop Moving the Mark!” Powered by Coach O

  4. 3d ago

    #383: Shahira Ehiemua-Ft Bend (TX) Marshall HS | From Marshall Athlete to 4-Time State Champion Coach

    Fort Bend Marshall girls head coach Shahira Ehiemua joins the Gill Connections Podcast to share her remarkable journey from running for Track Houston as a fourth grader to leading her alma mater to four UIL State Championships (so far!). Mike first met Shahira while hosting the Texas High School Coaches Association Clinic, where her presentation on culture became one of the most talked-about sessions of the week. In this conversation, Shahira shares the lessons she learned as a Marshall athlete, her experiences competing at both UTSA and SMU, and how those experiences shaped her leadership philosophy today. The conversation dives deep into building culture, developing championship mindsets, creating accountability within a team, balancing individual athlete goals with team success, and why she believes strong foundations matter more than trophies. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports leader, you'll walk away with practical insights on leadership, intentionality, and creating environments where people can thrive. 🎙️ Topics Include:✅ Growing up with Track Houston✅ Competing at Fort Bend Marshall, UTSA, and SMU✅ Returning home as head coach✅ Winning four state championships✅ Building culture that lasts✅ Developing athletes for success beyond high school✅ Why "we still won" doesn't always mean a state title✅ Leadership lessons from coaching and teaching 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 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 Instagram (@MikeCunninghamTF), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

  5. 6d ago

    #238: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "Do You Need a Weather Cover for Your Pole Vault Pit?"

    Do you really need a weather cover for your pole vault pit? If the pit lives outdoors, the better question may be: what are you willing to let happen to that investment without one? In this episode, Mike Cunningham explains why weather covers should be viewed as part of a pole vault pit’s maintenance plan—not simply as an optional accessory. 🌧️ How rain and standing water can create larger problems over time☀️ Why UV exposure, dirt, debris, snow, and ice all matter🛡️ Why the cover protects the foam and components underneath✅ The simple end-of-practice habit that makes the biggest difference🏠 When a pit garage may also be worth considering A weather cover cannot make a pit invincible. But consistently using one can help protect a much larger investment for years to come. Press play before you leave the pit uncovered after practice.

    #238: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "Do You Need a Weather Cover for Your Pole Vault Pit?"

  6. Oct 1 ·  Bonus

    BONUS: Track Tribe with host Marc Jones-Building Distance Runners with Coach Shawn Siemers

    How do you build a championship distance program starting from scratch?In this live session of The Track Tribe, we’re joined by Coach Shawn Siemers (2024–2025 High School Girls Sport Coach of the Year) to break down the exact process of developing elite endurance athletes from the ground up.Whether you’re taking over a fresh program, trying to get kids off the couch and onto the track, or looking to refine your athlete evaluation, this stream covers the practical blueprint for long-term distance success.📌 What We’ll Cover:Starting from Scratch: How to recruit, develop, and motivate runners with zero background.Evaluating Endurance Talent: What key physical and mental markers to look for in potential distance runners.Program Culture & Retention: How to transition individual success into a thriving, sustainable team culture.

  7. Sep 30

    #237: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "7 Pole Vault Inspection Mistakes That Increase Liability"

    Most pole vault safety problems do not begin with one dramatic failure. They begin with a small tear that gets ignored. A vault box collar that is never inspected. A concern that is noticed but never documented—or corrected. In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down seven inspection mistakes that can create unnecessary risk for coaches, schools, and athletes. 🏃 Why a casual “it looks okay” is not a real inspection 🔍 What coaches may miss when they only look at the vinyl 📝 Why inspection logs matter 🛠️ What should happen after a safety concern is discovered 📅 A simple before-season, in-season, and post-season inspection rhythm The goal of an inspection is not to find problems. It is to prevent injuries and make sure athletes have a safer place to train and compete. Press play before your next pole vault inspection.

    #237: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "7 Pole Vault Inspection Mistakes That Increase Liability"

  8. Sep 29

    #236: Gill1918 Presents Jeremy Fischer “Long Jump Approach Considerations” Powered by Coach O

    Jeremy Fischer is an elite jumps coach and educator who has coached athletes to 19 Olympic and World Championship medals, plus 20 Para and Para World medals. This is part 1 of 4 in his series across the remainder of 2026 on coaching the horizontal jumps. Part 1 focuses on an overview of developing an effective LJ approach. Jeremy is the founder of Maximum Velocity Athletics and will host the live online Horizontal Jumps Masterclass on January 2-3, 2027 along with an incredible team of clinicians. Registration is open now at https://www.maximumvelocityathletics.com/. If you've got something to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

    #236: Gill1918 Presents Jeremy Fischer “Long Jump Approach Considerations” Powered by Coach O
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About

Unlock the world of track & field coaching with The Gill Connections Podcast! Host Mike Cunningham brings you inspiring stories, real conversations, and coaching insights from leaders at every level. Discover a new coach's interview every Monday. Plus, don’t miss the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts with our NEW Gill1918 Project episodes Tuesday-Sunday — short, powerful lessons from top coaches to help you grow on and off the track. Powered by Gill Athletics — Supporting Coaches Since 1918.

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