How does a pole vault pit help manage the forces created when an athlete lands from height?

In this episode of the Gill1918 Project Podcast, Mike Cunningham explains the design considerations and safety-focused evaluations behind modern pole vault landing systems.

The conversation covers:

• Why foam is the heart of the landing system

• The balance between comfortable landings and preventing bottoming out

• Landing-surface consistency across multiple pit sections

• Seam, gap, top pad, and attachment-system design

• Why vinyl construction and weather protection affect long-term performance

• The difference between meeting minimum requirements and maintaining a safe facility

• Why regular inspection, repair, installation, and storage matter after the pit arrives

A landing system’s original design matters—but its condition over time matters just as much.

The full article, “How Are Pole Vault Pits Tested for Safety?” is available through Gill Athletics and Mike Cunningham’s LinkedIn article series.

Coach Tizzo Johnson led a discussion with his own kids, Khamani, a collegiate thrower for NC Central where he is the MEAC silver medalist in the Hammer, and Zoey, a youth thrower who was the 13-year-old Discus Champion at Club Nationals. In this episode, the young throwers talk about their experiences, motivations, and advice for other throwers, offering many useful insights for coaches. Tizzo is the founder of UglyThrowsOnly.com an innovative new apparel company for throwers and their supporters. He shares how his coaching cues led to that catchy company name. Listen, learn, and enjoy!

If you have a topic to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

Chris Sullivan never planned to become a track coach.

Growing up in Cocoa Beach, Florida, he was a football player first, a basketball player second, and a high jumper who mostly showed up for meets. He didn't even realize track and field was a college sport until he arrived at Florida International University.

Fast forward a few years and Chris went from football walk-on to Division I decathlete, NCAA East Regional qualifier, NCAA Championships qualifier in the high jump, and eventually FIU assistant coach.

In this episode, Mike and Chris discuss:

✅ Growing up in Cocoa Beach and surfing before school

✅ Why football was his first love

✅ The unlikely path that led him into track & field
✅ Transitioning from football to the decathlon
✅ Qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the high jump
✅ Coaching at his alma mater
✅ Recruiting in today's college athletics landscape
✅ NIL, roster changes, and the new five-year eligibility model
✅ The mentors who shaped his coaching philosophy
✅ Why helping athletes succeed means more than his own accomplishments

Chris shares an honest look at his journey from athlete to coach and why developing young people remains at the center of everything he does at Florida International University.

Dive into nearly 400 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 Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!

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

What happens to your pole vault pit when the season ends?

In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham shares the practical steps coaches can take to protect a landing system during the off-season—and avoid expensive surprises when athletes return.

You’ll learn how to:

• Inspect and repair the pit before storage

• Clean and dry it properly

• Reduce moisture, UV, and rodent risk

• Store and stack sections without creating unnecessary stress

• Protect the pit when indoor storage is not available

A few intentional hours at the end of the season can help preserve foam, vinyl, safety, and long-term value for years to come.

Should your program invest in a weather cover, a pit garage, or both?

In this Gill1918 Project episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down the practical difference between the two—and why, for most outdoor facilities, a weather cover should be the first priority.

You’ll learn:

• What a weather cover protects against

• What a pit garage adds beyond a cover

• When a pit garage makes financial sense

• Why neither option replaces regular inspection and maintenance

• How to choose the right level of protection for your facility

The goal is not simply choosing which option is “better.” It is protecting a major equipment investment in a way that fits your climate, facility, and long-term plans.

If you're coaching long or triple jumpers who struggle with inconsistent approaches, missed boards, or fouling their biggest jumps, Coach Keinan Briggs' 1-Day Approach System breaks down the approach principles he uses to help jumpers develop a more consistent, repeatable runway. In this episode, Keinan shares a portion of his system to help coaches avoid a common coaching error. To get the full 1 Day Approach System, go o https://www.leapmentality.com/stop-fouling and enter the code: COACHO for a $10 savings. Regular Price: $55 | Coach O Price: $45

If you've got a topic to share with our youth T&F coach audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

Fort Bend Marshall girls head coach Shahira Ehiemua joins the Gill Connections Podcast to share her remarkable journey from running for Track Houston as a fourth grader to leading her alma mater to four UIL State Championships (so far!).

Mike first met Shahira while hosting the Texas High School Coaches Association Clinic, where her presentation on culture became one of the most talked-about sessions of the week. In this conversation, Shahira shares the lessons she learned as a Marshall athlete, her experiences competing at both UTSA and SMU, and how those experiences shaped her leadership philosophy today.

The conversation dives deep into building culture, developing championship mindsets, creating accountability within a team, balancing individual athlete goals with team success, and why she believes strong foundations matter more than trophies.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports leader, you'll walk away with practical insights on leadership, intentionality, and creating environments where people can thrive.

🎙️ Topics Include:✅ Growing up with Track Houston✅ Competing at Fort Bend Marshall, UTSA, and SMU✅ Returning home as head coach✅ Winning four state championships✅ Building culture that lasts✅ Developing athletes for success beyond high school✅ Why "we still won" doesn't always mean a state title✅ Leadership lessons from coaching and teaching

Dive into nearly 400 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 Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!

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