The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Originally recorded as two separate short episodes, we combined them to get your November started with a Double Shot of Emeott! Dave is a highly successful high school coach with 9 state titles, 14 consecutive regional wins, and a 100% graduation rate. He is also the author of the highly-rated (4.9 out of 5 on Amazon) book Beyond the Finish Line: The Art of Transformational Coaching. The audio version, read by the author, is also now available! Note: This episode was initially released in December, 2025.

If you have something to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell for more information.

No coach checking on him. No teammates waiting at practice. No guarantee that the work would pay off.

Justin Anderson kept training anyway.

In this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, Alabama State University assistant coach Justin Anderson shares the remarkable journey that took him from Jacksonville, Florida, to a worn-down track in Great Bend, Kansas—and ultimately to the NCAA Division I Championships.

After two years at Barton Community College, Justin returned home without his associate degree. He worked full-time, paid his own tuition and continued training alone while finishing school. His destination never changed: he wanted to become a Division I student-athlete.

That discipline eventually carried him to Texas Southern University, the NCAA Championships and a coaching career built around helping athletes find a clearer path than the one he had to navigate.

🎯 Why every athlete and coach needs a destination programmed into their “GPS”

🏃 The reality of leaving Florida for junior college life in Great Bend, Kansas

💪 How Justin balanced full-time work, school and training without a team or coach

🏆 His journey from an unrecruited walk-on to the NCAA Division I Championships

🤝 Why his own difficult road inspired him to become the coach he once needed

📣 What recruiting teaches coaches about relationships, rejection and adapting to their environment

🎓 How mentors, trusted peers, clinics and speaking opportunities continue shaping his coaching

🔥 Why Justin is now “excited about getting them excited” at Alabama State

This is a powerful conversation about discipline, accountability, personal growth and refusing to lose sight of the destination—even when the road takes an unexpected turn.

Press PLAY and meet Coach Justin Anderson.

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! 🎧👍

Buying pole vault standards involves much more than choosing two uprights to hold a crossbar.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham walks through a practical buying guide for coaches and facility planners. Topics include minimum and maximum height range, NFHS and NCAA peg requirements, standard base pad compatibility, ease of movement, durability, maintenance, replacement parts, customization, and planning for future program growth.

The right standards should support the athletes using your facility today while giving your program room to grow over the next decade.

Pole vault standards influence every jump, every practice, and every competition—but they rarely receive the same attention as the landing system.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down the factors coaches should consider before purchasing standards, including accuracy, ease of adjustment, visibility, durability, mobility, maintenance, replacement parts, and long-term value.

A set of standards should not simply hold a crossbar. The right set should make practices more efficient, competitions easier to operate, and facility management simpler for years to come.

What should coaches look for when buying pole vault standards?

In this pod, Mike Cunningham discusses the details that matter most: accurate and readable scales, smooth adjustments, reliable locking systems, durable frames and wheels, maintenance needs, replacement-part availability, and long-term facility planning.

The least expensive standards are not always the best long-term value. The best standards are the ones that work accurately and reliably every day—without becoming something coaches have to think about.

Along with being a 3-time World Champion in the 4x4, Greg also is a 2-time USATF National Champion in the open 400. He earned gold medals both indoors and outdoors in each of those events. He shares his experience and insights on setting up, practicing for, and successfully competing in the indoor 4x4. Greg is also a coach and entrepreneur making technology and expertise accessible for coaches at every level with AthleteIQ (joinathleteiq.com).

Follow Greg on IG (@gregnixonjr) to learn more.

If you've got something great to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell to find out how.

Every race begins with a line—but have you ever wondered who puts that line there?

For the first time on the Gill Connections Podcast, we step behind the scenes with a professional track striper. Corey John of Athletic Marking Companies—better known as @TheTrackStriper on Instagram—reveals the remarkable precision, patience, and craftsmanship required to transform a blank track into a competition-ready facility.

Corey entered the profession with absolutely no track and field background. Today, he travels across the country, stripes approximately 80 tracks a year, and has become one of the most recognizable personalities in an incredibly specialized industry.

In this episode, Corey pulls back the curtain on a job most coaches and athletes never realize exists.

🎨 Why track striping is equal parts science, craftsmanship, and art

📏 How Corey measures a blank facility and creates an accurate 400-meter track

🔴 Why nearly 70% of the job happens before any paint touches the surface

🏟️ What separates a new track layout from a standard restripe

🌧️ How rain, sprinklers, leaves, surface types, and even birds can disrupt a job

🛴 Why a Segway helped Corey become a more efficient one-person crew

🚐 What life is like when you spend weeks traveling from one track project to another

📱 How @TheTrackStriper made an overlooked profession fascinating on Instagram

🤖 Why Corey welcomes automation and believes technology can make his work even better

Corey’s work is an essential part of our sport. Without accurate lane lines, hurdle marks, exchange zones, start lines, and field-event markings, competition simply cannot happen.

Press play for a fascinating look at one of track and field’s most important—and least understood—professions.

Follow Corey on Instagram: @TheTrackStriper

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 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Pole vault standards may not be the largest purchase in a vault facility, but they influence every practice, every competition, and every bar adjustment.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham discusses how coaches can choose standards that support their athletes and facility for years to come.

Topics include:

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Rule compliance and adjustment ranges

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Accurate, readable height and depth markings

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Ease of movement and adjustment

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Durability, wheel systems, and maintenance

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Indoor versus outdoor considerations

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Replacement parts and long-term support

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Planning for future program growth

The best standards are not simply the least expensive option. They are the ones that help coaches operate efficiently and give athletes reliable, consistent equipment every day.

Buying a used pole vault pit can save a program money—but only if it is still safe, compliant, and serviceable.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down what coaches should inspect before purchasing a used landing system:

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Current NFHS or NCAA compliance

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Foam condition, including hard spots, soft spots, and compression

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Vinyl, hardware, and repair history

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Storage and weather-exposure history

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What is actually included in the sale

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Freight, repairs, weather protection, and other hidden costs

A used pit can be a smart value. It can also become an expensive problem quickly.

The key is not how old the pit is. The key is what condition it is in today.

Listen before you commit to a used-pit purchase.

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 2 of 4 in his series across the remainder of 2026 on coaching the horizontal jumps. Part 2 focuses on how to maximize long jump distance at takeoff. 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 awesome to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell to find out how.

What would make a coach walk away from nearly unmatched success to start again with nothing?

After winning 25 state championships at Centennial High School, Roy Session could have comfortably finished his career as one of Nevada’s most accomplished coaches. Instead, the retired fire chief accepted an entirely new challenge: building Nevada State University’s track and field program from the ground up.

In this episode, Roy shares his remarkable journey from growing up in West Las Vegas and discovering that track could take him to college, to serving 30 years in the fire department, building a youth club, creating a high school dynasty, and giving Nevada athletes a new opportunity to compete at the collegiate level.

🔥 How the fire service shaped Roy’s leadership philosophy

🏆 What it took to win 25 high school state championships

🤝 Why empowering assistant coaches produces stronger programs

🦂 The challenge of building Nevada State track and field from scratch

💪 Why Roy’s teams live by one standard: “We will not be outworked”

❤️ How coaching allows him to give young people opportunities he never imagined for himself

Roy Session doesn’t run from difficult challenges—he finds purpose in them. Press play and meet a coach whose humility, competitiveness, and commitment to serving others have changed countless lives.

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 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

How does a pole vault pit help manage the forces created when an athlete lands from height?

In this episode of the Gill1918 Project Podcast, Mike Cunningham explains the design considerations and safety-focused evaluations behind modern pole vault landing systems.

The conversation covers:

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Why foam is the heart of the landing system

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The balance between comfortable landings and preventing bottoming out

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Landing-surface consistency across multiple pit sections

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Seam, gap, top pad, and attachment-system design

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Why vinyl construction and weather protection affect long-term performance

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The difference between meeting minimum requirements and maintaining a safe facility

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Why regular inspection, repair, installation, and storage matter after the pit arrives

A landing system’s original design matters—but its condition over time matters just as much.

The full article, “How Are Pole Vault Pits Tested for Safety?” is available through Gill Athletics and Mike Cunningham’s LinkedIn article series.

Most pole vault pit storage damage does not happen during practice or competition.

It happens when the season ends.

In this episode of the Gill1918 Project Podcast, Mike Cunningham walks through the common off-season storage mistakes that can shorten the life of a landing system—and the practical habits that can help avoid them.

You’ll learn why coaches should pay attention to:

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Moisture trapped before storage

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Small tears, broken straps, and missing hardware

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Outdoor exposure and weather protection

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Wooden pallets and uneven pressure points

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Rodents and nesting animals

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Improper stacking

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Weather covers that have worn out

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The danger of storing a pit and forgetting about it for months

A few hours spent cleaning, drying, inspecting, repairing, and protecting a pit can help prevent much more expensive problems later.

The full article, “Common Pole Vault Pit Storage Mistakes,” is available through Gill Athletics and Mike Cunningham’s LinkedIn article series.

Coach Tizzo Johnson led a discussion with his own kids, Khamani, a collegiate thrower for NC Central where he is the MEAC silver medalist in the Hammer, and Zoey, a youth thrower who was the 13-year-old Discus Champion at Club Nationals. In this episode, the young throwers talk about their experiences, motivations, and advice for other throwers, offering many useful insights for coaches. Tizzo is the founder of UglyThrowsOnly.com an innovative new apparel company for throwers and their supporters. He shares how his coaching cues led to that catchy company name. Listen, learn, and enjoy!

If you have a topic to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

Chris Sullivan never planned to become a track coach.

Growing up in Cocoa Beach, Florida, he was a football player first, a basketball player second, and a high jumper who mostly showed up for meets. He didn't even realize track and field was a college sport until he arrived at Florida International University.

Fast forward a few years and Chris went from football walk-on to Division I decathlete, NCAA East Regional qualifier, NCAA Championships qualifier in the high jump, and eventually FIU assistant coach.

In this episode, Mike and Chris discuss:

✅ Growing up in Cocoa Beach and surfing before school

✅ Why football was his first love

✅ The unlikely path that led him into track & field
✅ Transitioning from football to the decathlon
✅ Qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the high jump
✅ Coaching at his alma mater
✅ Recruiting in today's college athletics landscape
✅ NIL, roster changes, and the new five-year eligibility model
✅ The mentors who shaped his coaching philosophy
✅ Why helping athletes succeed means more than his own accomplishments

Chris shares an honest look at his journey from athlete to coach and why developing young people remains at the center of everything he does at Florida International University.

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! 🎧👍

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:

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Inspect and repair the pit before storage

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Clean and dry it properly

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Reduce moisture, UV, and rodent risk

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Store and stack sections without creating unnecessary stress

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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.

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:

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What a weather cover protects against

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What a pit garage adds beyond a cover

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When a pit garage makes financial sense

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Why neither option replaces regular inspection and maintenance

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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.

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.

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! 🎧👍

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.

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.