This week, we flip the script and feature one of our amazing dealer partners who helps us empower coaches every single day. Meet Mike McCarroll — former pole vaulter, college coach, and now a Game One sales rep helping athletic programs across Texas get the equipment they need.

Mike shares his journey 📈:

🦅 Growing up a proud Texas pole vaulter with a family legacy

🎓 Choosing McMurry University over a D1 powerhouse — and how that changed everything

🤕 The injury that unexpectedly launched his coaching career

👨‍🏫 High school cross country, college multis, and the joy of building athletes

🛠️ His transition into serving all sports through Game One

🤝 The impact of helping coaches elevate their programs

🗣️ “You’ve got to do what you enjoy doing. If you’re passionate about something — go for it.” — Mike McCarroll

Whether you’re a coach, a rep, or someone somewhere in between, Mike’s story is a reminder that the journey doesn’t always go as planned… but often ends up exactly where you’re supposed to be.

🌟 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! 🎧👍

Shannon is the Founder & CEO of MyBya.com and the MyBya App, the author of The Lactate Revolution and a 4-time World Championships Triathlon top-10 finisher. This speed-focused talk is the third in a series that Shannon has prepared for us on using lactate data to improve training and performance.

If you've got a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

To celebrate Boo Schnexnayder's induction into the 2025 USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame tonight in Dallas, Tx we're replaying his original interview from 2021. As you can imagine, Boo's episode is our #1 most listened to episode EVER! In an effort to uplift and honor his amazing legacy (that continues to be built to this day!) we hope you enjoy listening to this episode again, and if it's your first time listening, ENJOY!

Congratulations Boo! We love you and are grateful for all you do for our sport and for our coaches!

Original episode description:

A Legacy of Coaching Excellence: A Conversation with Boo Schexnayder

Join host Mike Cunningham on the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast for a heartfelt and enlightening episode featuring the wise and wonderful Boo Schexnayder. This episode is a must-listen for track and field coaches at both the high school and college levels, as it explores the philosophy, experiences, and wisdom of a coach who has left an indelible mark on the sport.

Boo Schexnayder's story is one of passion, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From his early days as a high school athlete in Louisiana to his current role as a coaching consultant, Boo shares his journey, his coaching philosophy, and his vision for the future of the sport.

In this episode, Boo talks about the challenges and rewards of coaching, the nuances of working with various events, and the importance of building relationships with athletes. He also discusses his transition from engineering to coaching, his love for the chess match of coaching, and his impact on the lives of countless athletes and coaches.

One of the standout moments in the conversation comes when Boo reflects on his career and his approach to coaching. He shares, "I kind of loved the chess match of coaching... I'm a problem solver by nature... I also like the fact that there are infinite variables in coaching... there really is no single road map to success and so many coaches do it in different ways."

This episode is not just about the technical aspects of coaching; it's about understanding the human aspect, the individuality of athletes, and the importance of authenticity, connection, and continuous learning. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, Boo Schexnayder's experiences, wisdom, and passion for the sport will inspire and motivate you.

Tune in to this engaging conversation and let Boo's journey guide you in your own coaching endeavors.

⁠WATCH ON YOUTUBE⁠

Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?Connect with us: Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: ⁠@mikecunningham⁠Email: ⁠sales@gillathletics.com⁠Phone: 800-637-3090Twitter: ⁠@GillAthletics⁠Instagram: ⁠@GillAthletics1918⁠Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/gillathletics⁠LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/