The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Originally published January 27th, 2020, we're bringing back our OG guests to uplift and honor the trust and courage they had to be our very first guest!

We're going to publish the first 10 Gill Connections Podcast guests EVER each Thursday for the next 10 weeks. ENJOY!

🔥 Reigniting the Fire: A Conversation with Coach Reginald Dillon 🔥

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast as we sit down with Reginald Dillon, the dynamic head coach of Hinds Community College in Mississippi. In this episode, Coach Dillon shares his journey, insights, and the powerful revelation that has reignited his passion for coaching.

🏃‍♂️ Coach Dillon dives into the realities of the college transfer portal, the challenges athletes face transitioning from high school to college, and the importance of staying grounded and trusting the process. He candidly discusses his experiences with athletes who initially struggled but found success through perseverance and the supportive environment at junior colleges.

💡 A highlight of this episode is Coach Dillon’s reflection on his own transformation: “I've got a new burn inside of me.” Discover how this renewed energy and determination are driving him to innovate and elevate his program to new heights.

🌟 Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on resilience, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Don’t miss out on Coach Dillon’s wisdom and the exciting future he envisions for Hinds Community College.

Tune in to catch this and more on the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast! 🎙️

🌟 Explore Our Archive: Dive into over 250 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) and Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) 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 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! 🎧👍

Defying the Norms with Dustin Allen of Cuthbertson (NC) HS

Join Mike Cunningham in an enlightening episode of the Connections Podcast, featuring the remarkable journey of Dustin Allen, the head coach of Cuthbertson Cavaliers. Dustin, with his unconventional entry and success in the track and field coaching realm, shares his story, breaking barriers and defying the norms. You'll be astounded to hear this National Coach of the Year never ran track...ever! This episode is not merely a narrative of Dustin's career but also a testament to the possibilities that lie in passion, dedication, and a willingness to learn and adapt in the world of track and field. Whether you're a coach, an athlete, or a sports enthusiast, Dustin’s insights provide a fresh perspective, offering valuable takeaways and inspiring listeners to explore paths less trodden. Tune in and connect with the stories that shape the track and field world, only on the Connections Podcast.

Check us out on YouTube, Twitter, GillAthletics.com, and more.

Connect with host Mike Cunningham on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email (mcunningham@gillathletics.com) or by text (217-898-3038)

Balancing Football and Track: A Coach's Inspiring Journey

In this episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, we delve into the world of coaching with a remarkable guest, Chris Arthurs. He's a coach who wears two hats with equal passion and dedication - football and track. Join host Mike Cunningham as we explore the intriguing dynamics of coaching both sports and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

We set the stage for an exciting two-part series aimed at debunking the myth that you can't successfully coach both football and track simultaneously. Our guest, Chris Arthurs, is the Head Track Coach for Naperville North (IL) HS and the Defensive Coordinator for Naperville North Football, making him the perfect embodiment of this philosophy.

Chris reflects on his coaching influences, beginning with his father, who continues to coach on the defensive staff. Chris shares, "My father laid the groundwork for a positive coach-father relationship." His high school coaches, Coach Ron Muhitch and Coach Ken Halberg, also played a pivotal role in shaping his coaching philosophy, emphasizing positivity, encouragement, and pushing athletes to be their best.

Chris recounts a crucial moment during his junior year when he decided to pursue coaching as a career. He was inspired by his high school coaches' ability to provide exceptional experiences for their athletes, fostering a passion for helping young adults become their best selves. Chris says, "It laid the groundwork for how I wanted to live my life."

The conversation explores how coaching football and track complement each other in Chris's life. When asked if he's a football coach who coaches track or a track coach who coaches football, Chris replies, "I believe they both serve each other well." He discusses how the strategic aspects of football, such as game planning and opponent preparation, enrich his coaching repertoire.

This episode unravels the intricate balance of coaching two sports and delves into the invaluable life lessons Chris Arthurs has learned from his coaching influences. He emphasizes that coaching is about building strong relationships and helping individuals become their best.

Chris concludes the episode with this quote: "Coaching is about providing amazing experiences within the sport and helping individuals search for and achieve their best."

Join us on the Gill Connections Podcast for this thought-provoking episode that celebrates the dedication and passion of coaches like Chris, who shape the future of young athletes. Whether you're a coach, an athlete, or simply interested in coaching, this episode promises insights and inspiration that transcend the playing field.

Check us out on YouTube, Twitter, GillAthletics.com, and more.

Connect with host Mike Cunningham on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email (mcunningham@gillathletics.com) or by text (217-898-3038)

As we prepare for the 2023 Gill Connections LIVE podcast at USTFCCCA, let's look back at last year's guests. We'll be highlighting one guest each day until December 11th when we'll go LIVE again on YouTube at 5:30 Denver time.

Bookmark this URL and catch us LIVE in Denver for the 2023 USTFCCCA Convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa4A8nzYnYk

As we prepare for the 2023 Gill Connections LIVE podcast at USTFCCCA, let's look back at last year's guests. We'll be highlighting one guest each day until December 11th when we'll go LIVE again on YouTube at 5:30 Denver time.

Bookmark this URL and catch us LIVE in Denver for the 2023 USTFCCCA Convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa4A8nzYnYk

As we prepare for the 2023 Gill Connections LIVE podcast at USTFCCCA, let's look back at last year's guests. We'll be highlighting one guest each day until December 11th when we'll go LIVE again on YouTube at 5:30 Denver time.

Bookmark this URL and catch us LIVE in Denver for the 2023 USTFCCCA Convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa4A8nzYnYk

As we prepare for the 2023 Gill Connections LIVE podcast at USTFCCCA, let's look back at last year's guests. We'll be highlighting one guest each day until December 11th when we'll go LIVE again on YouTube at 5:30 Denver time.

Bookmark this URL and catch us LIVE in Denver for the 2023 USTFCCCA Convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa4A8nzYnYk

As we prepare for the 2023 Gill Connections LIVE podcast at USTFCCCA, let's look back at last year's guests. We'll be highlighting one guest each day until December 11th when we'll go LIVE again on YouTube at 5:30 Denver time.

Bookmark this URL and catch us LIVE in Denver for the 2023 USTFCCCA Convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa4A8nzYnYk