Each year at the USTFCCCA Convention, we sit down with coaches for micro 5-10/ish minute interviews. This year we asked them "What are you a nerd about off the track?" in an attempt to learn about these amazing human beings outside of their roles as excellent track/field coaches. Their answers are as diverse as they human they are. We learned we were sitting with Lego enthusiast, history buffs, trail/mountain fans, and so much more.

ENJOY!

🌟 Explore Our Library:Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan,as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou(Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) andmany more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more foryour listening pleasure.

🎙️ 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 ConnectionsPodcast Network.

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

Andrew Balser joins us on the Gill1918 Project to teach us about a leadership lesson that made him a better coach, a better father, and a better husband. Early in his professional journey he thought leaders head to have a loud voice. Today he's learned that top leaders have the sharpest ear.

Andrew is the head coach of the University of Milwaukee track and field team and has earned the Horizon League Track and Field Coach of the Year award SIX TIMES!

Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.

Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!

Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.

📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read ⁠⁠THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE⁠⁠ for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!

🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!

#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast

David is a nationally known T&F announcer and is the Director of Client Relations for Coach O. Pulling from his decades

coaching experience, he shares how to simplify the teaching of new concepts for beginner athletes for all coaches, especially brand new coaches, with examples of starting blocks, relay exchanges, training on the road and getting new long jumpers started.

If you'd like to contribute an episode to this series, contact David HERE.

From competing as a multi-event athlete at the University of Rhode Island to leading the program as head coach, Trent Baltzell has lived every phase of the collegiate track and field experience.

In this episode, Trent shares how authenticity, relationships, and persistence have shaped his coaching journey—from first-time head coach at Assumption to returning home to URI. His story is filled with lessons about leadership, culture, and the power of staying true to who you are.

💡 Highlights include:

🏃‍♂️ Transitioning from athlete to coach — and learning to lead authentically

💬 The challenges of being a first-time head coach at a young age

🧩 Building and managing a coaching staff for long-term success

🏅 Returning to his alma mater and carrying on Coach Copeland’s legacy

🏟️ Designing URI’s brand-new track & field facility from a coach’s perspective

“I just tried to be myself — not who I thought a head coach was supposed to be. The athletes can always tell when you’re genuine.” – Trent Baltzell

🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into nearly 350 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 YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

🎙️ 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 Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.

Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!

Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.

📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read ⁠⁠THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE⁠⁠ for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!

🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!

#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast

Coach Jamal Moore is a speed and performance coach completing his first full year of coaching for PAP Sports in Upstate SC. Jamal recognizes the importance of positive relationships between coaches, athletes, and parents. He shares his refreshing insights to remind, encourage, and inspire coaches everywhere that those little personal details add up quickly.

If you are interested in contributing an episode to this youth-oriented series, contact David Mitchell to learn how.

Join us as we kick off Season 7 of the Gill Connections podcast as we welcome newly named Univ of Texas throws coach Mo Saatara to the show.

From surviving a revolution to shaping world champions — Mo Saatara’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

In this episode, Mo shares how his journey from Iran to Northern Arizona, Michigan, Cal Berkeley, and now Texas has shaped him as both coach and person. He reflects on losing his job through no fault of his own, guiding world champion hammer thrower Camryn Rogers, and now leading the throws program for one of the nation’s premier track & field teams. 🧠💪

✨ Highlights:

🧭 Life lessons from a revolution and how they shaped his coaching resilience

🧱 Building team culture at Michigan and Cal Berkeley

🎯 Coaching Cameron Rogers to world and North American records

🧠 Why great coaches focus on an athlete’s strengths, not their weaknesses

🔥 Inside the mindset of elite throwers and what separates pros from collegians

🏆 The move to Texas — stability, support, and the pursuit of championships

“When you’re in the fire, you either stand still and get burned, or you roll down the hill, scrape yourself up, and live to keep going.” — Mo Saatara

🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into nearly 350 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 YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

🎙️ 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 Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Coach Emeott's East Kentwood HS teams have won 8 State Titles and a National Team Championship. At EK they've built one of the biggest T&F programs in the country. Learn how they recruit within their district and why those methods matter to both the team and to each athlete.

If you’d like to contribute an episode, email David Mitchell at clientrelations@coacho.com.