Off Track: Meeting of the Unknowing Minds

About this podcast

An indepth weekly discussion from accompished collegiate Track and Field/Cross Country coaches regarding topics that affect Coaches in more ways then just how to make your athlete run fast. Have a topic you want us to dive into, just let us know!

Off Track: Meeting of the Unknowing Minds

Episodes

2021
Dialed In
This week we bring in one of the World's best Christian Taylor. The 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist and 4 time World Champion Triple Jumper sits down with the panel this week to discuss his background in athletics along with his mindset, approach and preparation for competition. He also discusses the current challenges for professionals in the sport of track and field and how as the president of the Athletics Association he is unifying and advancing the voice of Track and Field athletes world wide. Follow Christian's lead and get "dialed in" for this episode! https://athleticsassociation.org/ https://twitter.com/taylored2jump https://www.instagram.com/taylored2jump
March 1, 2021
96 min
Vision
This week Amy Deem, Director of XC/Track and Field at the University of Miami pulls a chair up to the table. Coach Deem talks about her desire to be a coach since she was little. The challenges she has faced at the 'U' and Coach Deems thoughts on the current state of NCAA Track and Field!
February 22, 2021
84 min
Perseverance
This week former NCAA 10k Champion, and runner up in the 2012 Olympic Trials (10k) Natosha Rogers pulls a chair up to the table. Natosha discusses the challenegs she faced at Texas A&M, the importance of having a proper support system around you in running and in life and why having unfiltered conversations with your Coach can go along way.
February 15, 2021
79 min
Bring It!
This week Florida cross country coach and Assistant track and field coach Chris Solinsky pulls a chair up to the table. Take a listen as the former American Record holder at 10k speaks about what he learned from his trials and tribulations throughout his collegiate and professional career. As well as the drive it took Chris to stay at such an elite level. Think you can "Bring It"?
February 8, 2021
92 min
Teacher
This week Walt Drenth, former Director of XC/TF at Michigan State pulls a chair to the table. Coach Drenth talks about the importance of having a work-life balance, the one thing Coaches should always remember the are and what not do if you are a freshman. A lot of hidden gems in this one, so many you may need to listen twice!!
February 1, 2021
79 min
Ambition
This week Chris Chavez pulls a chair up to the table. The track and field writer for SI, and host of the Citius Mag and Citius Podcast pulls a chair up to the table to discuss the 'Bill Simmons' side of track and field. Chris also discusses his writing and what his first question to Usain Bolt was. This one was a great change of pace with a lot to learn!
January 25, 2021
77 min
Get Up, Stand Up!
This week the incredible Russell Dinkens pulls a chair up to the table. We dive into Russell's athletic career at Princeton, his passion for advocacy and a moment that impacted his life from a young age. The passion Russell has for equality and advocacy is contagious and we hope you get as much out of this week's podcast as we did!
January 17, 2021
81 min
Real Work
To kick off the New Year, Ben Rosario, Head Coach/GM of the HOKA NAZ Elite team pulls a chair up to the table. We discuss the state of American Track and Field, the excitement of the new Pro Track Series and why it will work and how to become a professional coach....oh and stick around, there may or may not be some hidden outtakes after the show.
January 11, 2021
85 min
2020
Ep 27 - Burn The Ships
This week we sit down with the brilliant Victoria Jackson a sports historian, NCAA Champion and former professional runner. In this episode we dig into where we've been throughout the history of collegiate athletics and how we got to this moment in Track and Field. This was a fun and incredibly engaging conversation which will encourage you to look at our sport through a historical lens in order to understand where we are and where we are headed. Sit back and enjoy!
December 27, 2020
89 min
Ep 26 - The Switch
This week...we get hijacked by the the very esteemed and sneaky Mike Cunningham (Gill Athletics) and Rhonda Riley (Duke University). They flip the script on the panel as we get to know more about the backgrounds of the coaches and members of The Meeting of The Unknowing Minds podcast. This was a riot...tune in, kick back and enjoy!!
December 20, 2020
108 min
Ep 25 - Faith
This week Coach Kenneth Cox, Associate AD for SA Mentorship and Head XC/TF at Birmingham Southern College, pulls a chair up to the table. We talk Coach Cox's history as an athlete and a coach. We also talk in depth with the issues and challenges Coach Cox has faced throughout his career. This one had us rooted in our chairs, eager to learn more. Pull up a chair and hear the passion and love Coach Cox has for what he does and the city he lives in.
December 14, 2020
91 min
Ep 24 - Start Em' Up
We sit down this week with the new Dartmouth Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Porscha Dobson. After a storied collegiate career, Dobson is considered one of the best hurdlers in UNC History. Soon after UNC, she was climbing the ranks of the coaching world making stops at Seton Hall, Montclair State and Penn. She blazing a path all her own as she becomes the first black female Director in Ivy League History. We discuss her path in coaching, some of her greatest accomplishments and challenges along with the dynamics of walking into a new program and her vision for the future. We are also joined by the Dartmouth staff which has a unique perspective on the history of the Dartmouth program and the transition it is now making. Sit back and enjoy! This is a fun and enlightening conversation.
December 6, 2020
76 min
Ep 23 - Curtain Call
We have the pleasure this week of sitting down with former Eastern New Mexico University President Jeff Elwell. Jeff is an educator, playwright and former track and field athlete. He has a deep passion for track and field and has served as a USATF official working SEC, Big 12 and NCAA Championship meets. This is an in depth look at how athletics fits into the context of a University's overall plan and particularly how Track and Field and Cross Country and other equivalency sports play a vital role bringing in money for universities through tuition/room and board and other student fees. We also discuss the current climate of NCAA athletics and how track and field can better brand their programs within the context of an athletic department. This is an extremely educational discussion...you will find some great take aways!
November 30, 2020
83 min
Ep 22 - Legacy
This week Former All-American Running Back and Track and Field athlete at Notre Dame, Reggie Brooks pulls a chair up to the table. Reggie now serves as the Director of Student-Athlete Alumni Relations and Engagement at Notre Dame in addition to his duties as the Sports Administrator for Track and Field/Cross Country. This is a inside look into the world of athletics administration from a guy who knows athletics and knows coaches and athletes. We also dive into Reggie's time in college under Coach Lou Holtz, his transition to administration and what it means to part of a legacy. Buckle up...this is a fun one!
November 23, 2020
82 min
Ep 21 - Beat of a Different Drum
We have the honor this week of sitting down with USTFCCCA Cross Country President Vicki Mitchell from the University of Buffalo. We talk the recent cuts in Men's Track and Field at Clemson and then we dive into Coach Mitchell's incredible athletic career, her rise in the coaching ranks and the many challenges she overcame along the way. Sit back, relax and enjoy a chat with this truly inspirational coach and leader!
November 16, 2020
81 min
Ep 20 - Head of the Class
We have the honor and privilege of sitting down this week with legendary track and cross country coach Lance Harter of the University of Arkansas. Fresh off of his NCAA Titles in Cross Country and Track and Field, Coach Harter discusses his ascension to where he is now, how he manages his incredible squad, how he develops and hires young coaches and many other topics. This week we learn from the best! We hope you will too...enjoy!
November 8, 2020
80 min
Ep 19 - Up To The Challenge
This week we sit down with Oregon State head coach Louie Quintana where he's quickly made an impact bringing the cross country program up to a record ranking of 6th and qualifying for NCAA's for the first time in school history. We talk about his rise into coaching including his time as an athlete and 9 time All-American at Villanova and his long tenure at Arizona State coaching the likes of Shelby Houlihan and Amy Hastings. We get into the ins and outs of his recruiting style, what it's like to move across the country, looking for new challenges and of course...burritos!! Sit back and enjoy this one.
November 2, 2020
96 min
Ep 18 - Hold Em or Fold Em
Joining us this week is none other than Mike Cunningham of Gill Athletics. He serves as the National Sales Manager for Gill Athletics and is also the Host of the Gill Athletics: Connections Podcast. Mike has a lengthy resume as he spent time as a Head Track and Field Coach at Neosho County Community College, and also spent time at the NCAA Division 1 Level at Troy, Ball State and Mississippi State. Between coaching and Gill, Mike explored the world of professional poker, which we also dive into. This is one of the more entertaining podcasts we've done to date with ultimately a great message from a guy who has literally done it all. Pull a chair up to the table and enjoy as we play the best hand we have in this week's episode!
October 26, 2020
89 min
Ep 17 - Never Settle
We pull a seat up to the table with highly decorated athlete and coach Tonja Buford Bailey. In this high energy and candid conversation we discuss Tonja's career as both an athlete and a coach and some of the challenges she faces now coaching an elite track and field group in the "Covid" era. She provides an in depth look at what it takes to be an Olympic and World caliber athlete and make the transition to coaching both elite collegiate and professional athletes. Buckle up and enjoy this one!
October 19, 2020
83 min
Ep 16 - Protect, Move Forward and Fight
Joining us this week is Sam Seems, a man who has done so much for the sport of track and field and cross country and undoubtedly moved the coaching profession forward. Sam is the CEO of the USTFCCCA and has dedicated his life to track and field and cross country. His influence in our sport has been tremendous and he has been very outspoken about the recent cutting of programs. In this episode we discuss the state of the sport, the health of athletic departments in general, the USTFCCCA's accomplishments and challenges and what we can do right now to move our sport forward. Pull up a seat to the table for this thought provoking discussion with one of the great minds in Track and FIeld/Cross Country. Disclaimer: The audio during the first portion of the podcast was a little distant, but it improves as the podcast moves forward.
October 12, 2020
77 min

Off Track: Meeting of the Unknowing Minds

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

Off Track: Meeting of the Unknowing Minds

Episodes

Dialed In

Vision

Perseverance

Bring It!

Teacher

Ambition

Get Up, Stand Up!

Real Work

Ep 27 - Burn The Ships

Ep 26 - The Switch

Ep 25 - Faith

Ep 24 - Start Em' Up

Ep 23 - Curtain Call

Ep 22 - Legacy

Ep 21 - Beat of a Different Drum

Ep 20 - Head of the Class

Ep 19 - Up To The Challenge

Ep 18 - Hold Em or Fold Em

Ep 17 - Never Settle

Ep 16 - Protect, Move Forward and Fight