Join us for an exciting episode of the Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast with the remarkable Adam Ward, Head Coach of the University of Maine's Track and Field team! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

In this episode, host Mike Cunningham sits down with Adam Ward to discuss the journey, challenges, and triumphs of coaching at the University of Maine. 🌲🐻 Adam shares his insights on the transformation of the track and field program, his passion for the sport, and the incredible athletes he's had the pleasure of coaching. 🏅

Key Highlights:

Adam's transition from Augusta University to the University of Maine 🏫

The impact of new facilities and resources on the program 🏟️

The importance of fostering a positive team culture and developing young talent 🌟

Insights into training in cold weather conditions and adapting to new environments ❄️

The journey of taking a program from the ground up to national recognition 🌍

Adam's story is one of dedication, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether you're a track and field enthusiast, a coach, or an athlete, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and inspiring stories. 🎧✨

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 200 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends like Sean Carlson of Univ of Tennessee, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, Kyle Rutledge of Pitt State, and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍

🎙️ Gill Connections Podcast Episode: Unveiling Coaching Wisdom with Linh Nguyen! 🎙️

Get ready to dive deep into the world of track and field coaching with our esteemed guest, Linh Nguyen, the head coach of Emory University! 🦅✨ This episode is packed with valuable insights, heartfelt tributes, and inspiring stories that will leave you motivated and informed. 🌟

In this episode:

A heartfelt tribute to Brooks Johnson, a legendary coach whose impact resonates deeply within the coaching community. Hear about his legacy and the incredible influence he had on young athletes and fellow coaches. 🏅❤️

Linh Nguyen shares his coaching philosophy and the journey that led him to Emory University. Discover the wisdom behind his statement: "You can't teach an assistant coach character, integrity, loyalty, etc, but you can teach them workouts, philosophy, etc." 📚🤝

An exploration of Linh's early encounters with Brooks Johnson and how those moments shaped his coaching career. Learn about the lessons he took from Brooks and how they continue to influence his approach to coaching. 🌱👟

Insights into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from being a coach at a smaller program to leading a prestigious team like Emory's. Linh's journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence. 💪🏆

Join us for an episode filled with emotional reflections, practical advice, and a celebration of the coaching profession. Whether you're a coach, an athlete, or someone passionate about sports, this conversation will provide you with a deeper understanding of what it takes to excel in the world of track and field. 🥇🎧

Tune in and be inspired by the stories, lessons, and experiences shared by Linh Nguyen, a coach who embodies the true spirit of mentorship and dedication. 🌟👥

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 200 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends like Sean Carlson of Univ of Tennessee, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, Kyle Rutledge of Pitt State, and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of David Self, the head coach of Sam Houston State University's track and field program. From the challenges of summer ☀️ to his deep connections in the sport 🏆, David's story is one of resilience, passion, and dedication.

Join us as David shares his incredible journey, including his early days 👶, the transformative experiences at Garden City Community College 🏫, and his return to Texas 🏠. David opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the importance of mentorship 👨‍🏫, and the values he instills in his athletes 💪.

Highlight Quote:

"Coaching is not just about the wins and losses; it's about developing young men and women who will go on to be successful in life 🌟. It's about the impact we make beyond the track." - David Self

Tune in for an episode filled with insights 💡, personal stories 📖, and a deep appreciation for the sport of track and field. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or fan, David's journey will inspire and motivate you.

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 200 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends like Sean Carlson of Univ of Tennessee, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, Kyle Rutledge of Pitt State, and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍

In this thrilling episode of the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast, we're recording on the cusp of the 2024 Olympic Trials, buzzing with excitement for the track-filled summer ahead. Join us as we dive into a vibrant conversation with the remarkable June Villers, head coach at Waxahachie High School in Texas. June's journey from a shy seventh grader to a revered track coach is nothing short of inspiring.

We discuss her roots, moving frequently as a child before landing in Texas where her passion for track was ignited. Pam DeBoard, her middle school PE teacher, and Brent Jones, her high school coach, played pivotal roles in her development. Their mentorship not only shaped her as an athlete but also inspired her to pursue coaching.

June shares invaluable insights from her early coaching days at Palmer, emphasizing the importance of learning all event disciplines and the necessity of effective time management. We explore her transition to North Mesquite and then back to her alma mater, DeSoto, where she assisted her former high school coach before eventually stepping into the head coach role. Her story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and a continuous quest for improvement.

Tune in to hear about her strategies for handling the pressures of head coaching, fostering a positive team culture, and her take on the evolving landscape of college recruiting. Whether you're a seasoned coach, an aspiring athlete, or a track and field enthusiast, June's experiences and wisdom are sure to inspire and enlighten. Don't miss this exciting episode filled with passion, dedication, and the love for the sport!

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 200 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends like Sean Carlson of Univ of Tennessee, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, Kyle Rutledge of Pitt State, and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍

We love to bring you new track and field podcasts that are being published. This week we feature Julia Abell and Wendell McCraven from Texas A&M as they begin their podcasting journey. After listening, give them a subscribe (and 5 star rating and review!)

In this episode of the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast, host Mike Cunningham 🎙️ sits down with Greg Skipper, owner and vice president of Skipper's Elite Athlete 🏆, an authorized dealer of Gill Athletics track and field equipment. Greg shares his journey in track and field, from his early days in Oregon City 🏙️ to becoming a hammer thrower 🥇 at the University of Oregon 🦆. He reflects on his collegiate experiences, balancing academics 📚 and athletics 🏋️‍♂️, and learning from legendary coaches like Lance Deal and Stuart Togher.

Greg discusses the origins of Skipper's Elite Athlete and how they navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic 🌐. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with coaches 🤝 and providing exceptional service, highlighted in his quote, "We provide a service to coaches from coaches." 🗣️

Tune in to hear Greg's insights on the evolving landscape of track and field, the significance of team culture 💪, and the future of Skipper's Elite Athlete 🚀. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or track and field enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the sport and the business behind it.

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 200 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends like Sean Carlson of Univ of Tennessee, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, Kyle Rutledge of Pitt State, and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍

National Business Development Manager Mike Cunningham recently was invite to the Manufacturer's Mindset podcast to talk about his work as a Biz Dev Manager in a US based manufacturer. He gives a behind the curtain look at some of the functions and benefits of being a sporting goods manufacturer as well as speaks on track coach and dealer network's value to the Gill brand.

Join host Mike Cunningham, National Business Development Manager for Gill Athletics, as he sits down with Emily Webb, the passionate Assistant Head Coach and Throws Coach for Niceville High School in Florida. Emily shares her journey into coaching, emphasizing the impact she strives to make on her athletes: "I wanted to be a coach that I didn't have." 🏋️‍♀️🥇

In this episode, Emily discusses her approach to developing young throwers, the importance of building a supportive team culture, and the challenges and rewards of coaching in the highly competitive world of high school track and field. 🚀🏆

Listen in to hear about her experiences, insights, and the dedication it takes to mold the next generation of athletes. Don't miss this inspiring conversation full of wisdom and passion for the sport! 🎯🌟

🎧 #GillConnections #TrackAndField #CoachingJourney #Inspiration #HighSchoolAthletics

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 200 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends like Sean Carlson of Univ of Tennessee, Dave Smith of Oklahoma State, Kyle Rutledge of Pitt State, and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍