Gill Athletics: Track and Field Connections

Summer is a former NC HS all-state hurdler whose collegiate career at NC Central and UNC Charlotte recently ended earlier than expected due to medical retirement. She shares her insights on her transfer portal experience and reflections on the highs, the lows, and the inherent beauty of experiencing both in a sport she dearly loves. This is a great episode for athletes, coaches, and parents to hear! Connect with Summer on IG (@shesosummer -- personal) and (@ssummer.studioss -- creative arts business). If you've got a topic to share with our youth T&F audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

There are episodes… and then there are full-circle moments.This week on the Gill Connections Podcast, Mike sits down with Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Woods — a former athlete he once coached — for a conversation that spans mentorship, adversity, growth, and what it really means to build a program and a life.Chris opens up about his journey from a late-start high school athlete to SEC head coach, including the pivotal moments that shaped him — getting kicked out of school, discovering track, and the coaches who stayed consistent when he needed it most.The conversation goes deeper than X's and O's. Chris shares the reality of getting fired (twice), navigating uncertainty, and how those moments ultimately positioned him for the opportunity he has today leading one of the premier programs in the country.At its core, this episode is about impact — the kind coaches have on athletes… and the kind athletes can have on coaches years later.

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

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

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

Powered by Coach O Katie is a licensed counselor and mental skills coach for Elevated Performance following a 13-year career as a pro runner, which included winning a US Road Mile Championship and being a 3000m World Championships finalist. In this episode, Katie helps athletes and coaches flip the script on how injury is perceived and how the athlete can move forward in positive ways. She'd love to learn about your experiences overcoming injury on IG (@follettkb) or via EMAIL.If you have a topic to share with our audience, contact David Mitchell to find out how. 

There are coaching journeys—and then there are life journeys that shape how you coach.In this episode, we sit down with James Randall of Warsaw Community High School in Indiana, a coach whose path didn't follow the traditional route. From trade school to the sidelines, James built his coaching career through curiosity, mentorship, and a deep commitment to doing things the right way.But this conversation goes deeper than Xs and Os.James opens up about the influence of strong mentors, the lessons that shaped his leadership style, and how his perspective on coaching changed when he became a father. His son is now one of the top high jumpers in the country—recently signing to compete at University of Georgia—and that journey adds a powerful layer to what it means to coach with purpose.This is a conversation about balance, legacy, and understanding that coaching isn't just about developing athletes—it's about developing people.

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

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

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

DeeDee is not only a 3-time Olympian, she's also an Executive Pastry Chef at Taste of Gold Bakery, a global keynote motivational speaker, and the author of the inspirational book I Can. I Must. I Will!. DeeDee is truly an expert on goal-setting and goal-getting! Great for coaches and athletes, this episode was originally released in July, 2025.If you feel inspired to share on a topic near to your heart, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

Joanna Hayes is one of the most accomplished names in track & field—but this conversation goes somewhere different.Instead of reliving Olympic gold memories, we rewind to where it all began… and fast-forward to how she became the head coach at UCLA Bruins.From discovering track at just nine years old, to not even touching hurdles until her junior year of high school, to navigating the identity shift from elite athlete to coach—this episode is about growth, perspective, and purpose.Along the way, Joanna shares the real transition moments most people never hear about.

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

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!

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!

Micheal "Coach Welly" Wellington has coached hurdlers of all ages and skill levels from youth beginners to elite athletes. Over the past 25 years, he has refined his coaching system into what he calls Foundational Hurdling which includes the Four Components of Good Hurdling he shares with us here. He's also co-owner of Two8 Bands. Learn about his ongoing work and his July 18-19, 2026 Hurdle Hero camp HERE, find him on IG & YouTube (CoachWelly), or reach out via EMAIL with questions.If you have a topic you'd love to share, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

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.

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:

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.