Latest / The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast / #187: Robb Mathias-Gill Athletics Track Equipment Specialist

Transcript

#187: Robb Mathias-Gill Athletics Track Equipment Specialist · The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

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All right. Hey welcome back to the Gila
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buttocks connections podcast. So blessed that you would join
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us here today. You know, today is kind of fun.
0:49
We've got our anchor leg for season 3.
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This is it. This is the last episode of 2022
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before we kick off season for I really can't believe.
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We're actually going to season for.
1:00
It's quite amazing but you know it's only made possible by you
1:04
the listener. If you didn't listen, I don't
1:06
record. And so we're just so thankful
1:08
that you would be here today. And join us for really a
1:11
fantastic guest. I mean, Always I like every
1:14
guest but these are a little bit more special to me today.
1:17
I have one of my teammates here help me welcome our track
1:21
specialist truck sales rep here for our West Coast.
1:24
Help me welcome the wise. The wonderful mr.
1:25
Rob Mathias. See I knew I was going to screw
1:28
that up. Rob, how are you sir?
1:29
I'm good. Thanks for welcoming to the
1:30
podcast. Absolutely, I'm glad you're
1:32
here. You know, we from time to time.
1:34
We'll have one of our guests here.
1:35
You know, we've had River Morrow on the show, I say like you
1:38
don't know his last name River on the show we've had Jennifer
1:41
and Brian and You know, we interview guest coaches and
1:46
different track people from around the world really?
1:49
And these are always little bit more special because it's
1:52
somebody I should know in and out we've been teammates.
1:54
Now, for a year and a half getting close to a year and a
1:58
half, we've traveled together, but I just know that I'm going
2:02
to learn more about you today by you know putting in the hot seat
2:05
and asking you a bunch of questions.
2:07
So so I'm really looking forward to it, man.
2:10
Great. I'm excited to be on here.
2:12
Awesome. Well, rob.
2:13
You are a track sales rep for us here at Gillis latex and oversee
2:17
the west side of the country, right?
2:19
So it's kind of the, we divide that by the Mississippi River.
2:22
That's right. And all the way, that's a pretty
2:24
big territory. Let's before we get into kind of
2:28
what you do here at Gill and how you serve coaches around the
2:32
country. Let's maybe take a step back and
2:34
talk about your track record and you actually have a quite a
2:37
fascinating and in-depth them. It's tradition and track where
2:41
does track and field start for you and your life.
2:43
Well, it started sort of in grade school.
2:47
So, you know, I grew up in a small town at the, small rural
2:51
school district and so most gets played ball Sports.
2:54
Well, once a year, we had a field day and one of the events
2:57
was running the perimeter of the great school and from like third
3:01
grade on, I would always be one or two and so then I thought
3:05
when I can compete I would want to do track and field do now.
3:10
Be an older and wiser. Do you know how far that was?
3:12
I think it was between 500 and 700 meters.
3:16
Yeah, it's pretty far 446 that I want to run that far.
3:20
So that's pretty far. Wow.
3:23
So then when I got into junior high which for my school
3:26
district was in sixth grade, you get can begin competing.
3:29
You know, when I finally got to go out for track just like
3:32
everybody else I do I'm fast so I should run the 100 but it does
3:38
crack me up knowing you though it's so it didn't take me long
3:41
to realize, 100 wasn't I wasn't fast enough or it wasn't long
3:45
enough for something so then slowly moving up until I finally
3:48
landed on the 800 oh nice in Middle School, you gotta found
3:52
your event. Yeah.
3:53
So from pretty much seventh grade on Iran.
3:56
The 801 and some of what the mile.
3:59
Yeah. Was there a running culture in
4:02
your family? Did Mom or Dad or aunts and
4:04
uncles or they own cross country?
4:05
Teams are track teams or anything.
4:07
No, my sister was three years older than I was and she was a
4:11
sprinter and that's why I thought I would be good as a
4:13
sprinter. And so she had been in junior
4:15
high and ran track. And so my parents said, you
4:17
know, that's what you can do because we only want to do one
4:19
sport and it's easy to pick. You both up at the same time in
4:21
the same place. I gotta tell my kids that that's
4:25
a good that's a good play. Smart parents.
4:28
As you think about high school track and field?
4:30
You're doing the half-mile. Sometimes doing the mile.
4:33
Do you remember any coaches that had any kind of influence over
4:36
you? Well yeah, I would actually go
4:39
back to my first coaching experience.
4:40
He was the junior high science teacher.
4:43
He was very stoic and very disciplined.
4:46
And a lot of kids didn't like him, but I really took to it
4:49
because he was no-nonsense matter of fact and had some
4:53
Great training methods in terms of teaching, drills and and form
4:57
stuff. And so, I and then not so much
4:59
in high school. He was the football coach as
5:02
well. And so he had experience with
5:04
rose, so that was kind of where he spent more of his time.
5:08
So he just was go out and run basically for a middle distance
5:10
Runner. So you liked that kind of
5:12
structure. I'm almost call it.
5:14
Rigid type of coaching. Yeah, you just knew where you
5:17
stood, and you knew what you needed to accomplish and did, he
5:22
said he was pulled. All coach and kind of a throw or
5:24
side and you mentioned that you liked his training philosophy.
5:28
That might be my words. I don't want to put words in
5:30
your mouth. Did he do you know that?
5:32
He was he doing clinics and things like that back.
5:35
Then it was a different time and error for both.
5:37
Yeah, we're kind of the same ages, you know, there wasn't
5:40
YouTube. There weren't very many clinics
5:42
and things like that for us to just to go to not as easy as it
5:44
is. Today, you remember him doing
5:46
anything like that, coaching education for him.
5:48
Probably was first football and then secondarily track and
5:52
field. But I don't What opportunities
5:53
were available in that area. Certainly.
5:55
And we're you say, Gary where are we south of Decatur here
5:59
Illinois? Yeah, okay.
6:00
Alright, small town. You said yes, towns called make
6:03
and it's probably got 1,400 people in it.
6:06
So it says making Forsythe. That sounds just make now it's
6:10
Meridian. Okay.
6:11
So it was it's making a Blue Mound or that it's School
6:14
District now. All right, cool.
6:15
And as you were going through high school, you know, half my
6:19
life. It's an interesting event, you
6:21
know, and we have another half mile or here in Rtb as well,
6:23
right? Scott Phelps who was our sales
6:26
manager and we love him to death.
6:27
It's kind of that that odd tweener right your and that we
6:30
talk about the X's and O's but were you more of a in his style
6:36
of coaching more of a distance? Like where you doing, 30 40, 50
6:39
miles a week or are you more speed based in your training
6:42
more speed based? You know, I thought a long run
6:44
was for Miles. Yeah.
6:45
Well that it is actually for My Philosophy.
6:48
That is absolutely a longer on. Yeah.
6:51
So you were more speed like Quarter repeats and yeah.
6:55
Yeah you know for hundreds to hundreds, you know, up to
7:00
probably repeat 800s but we never did repeat miles or
7:02
thousand soon. And as you think about that time
7:06
and what was coach's name? It was coach gatchell code
7:09
schedule. Can you remember?
7:12
You know, put me on the spot here a little bit, just a funny
7:14
story, you know. I love football coaches, who
7:17
were track, coaches, especially, football, coaches, who were
7:19
doing non typical football. All track events very soon on
7:24
Sprints and throws and things like that.
7:26
Do you remember a time? Like, you know, just a funny
7:29
time or fun story or workout that you guys had with Coach?
7:34
Well, one interesting work out that he did so in the spring
7:38
early on when so, the distance Runners would run the section
7:42
from the school because it was Farmland.
7:44
That's how it's laid out, you know, square miles and so then
7:47
they would take these printers out there to the halfway the
7:50
Section Road and they would have to run back.
7:53
Back to school through the cornfield.
7:56
So just high knees all the way across the roast.
7:59
Like, full rows of corn. Yeah, well, they weren't planted
8:02
yet, but, okay, but it's all uneven.
8:04
Yeah. And it would be a wet muddy date
8:07
is today we come back. Totally money.
8:10
Was that something they look forward to or is this kind of
8:12
know? They'd read it, okay?
8:13
It's like publishing much easier to run the section.
8:18
Did you guys just look me? Like yeah, that's what you get.
8:21
Well, I mean, it wasn't all bad. They got at least a ride halfway
8:24
out there. So, you know, that is a distance
8:28
Runners went Alice, like, well, I had to run out there to give
8:30
back. I love it.
8:32
I love it. Well, as you went through high
8:35
school and running the half mile and occasionally the mile, what
8:38
were you thinking? Career-wise and college wise.
8:42
What was kind of The Next Step you thought you had in your
8:44
head? Well, I'd hope to run you know.
8:46
Well enough to Do well at sectionals and qualify for state
8:49
so that I could try to run collegiately.
8:52
And so I was always just a little off on being that first
8:58
or second person at sectionals and didn't make it to state.
9:01
But did have an opportunity to run collegiately at Parkland
9:03
College and champagne here when they had a track team, the the
9:06
cobras? Yes, yes, correct.
9:08
There's rattlesnakes are cobras. Yeah, and they had a great
9:11
tradition, you know, a sadly drop their program, probably
9:14
around 02 03. Yeah.
9:18
You know, they did have a good program and a really interesting
9:21
coach. He was there when I was there,
9:23
who was kind of instrumental in want, got me thinking more about
9:27
participating in more into coaching track and field.
9:30
He was had some very interesting catchphrases and a really unique
9:37
personality who was at that was Ron Bas what?
9:41
You know, usatf now has a education award that they've
9:44
named posthumously after him. Yeah.
9:46
Okay. I'll say I knew that name.
9:48
I'm from somewhere. Yeah, Parkland was super,
9:51
interesting. And being here in Champaign
9:53
County, I can't believe we haven't gotten track back there
9:57
at Parkland. But I remember when I was at
9:59
Troy University, we recruited a couple of kids couple heard
10:02
there's awful, but we didn't get them, but recruited from Paris.
10:04
That's how I kind of learned about Parkland and kind of the
10:06
history and tradition there. What was right?
10:09
You said some catch phrases. So, you know, I'm going to ask,
10:11
what were some of the in? Remember, you know, we don't
10:14
edit so laughs out, because sometimes will be something and
10:16
exactly, What are the childproof catchphrase?
10:20
Don't know whiskey. That hay is in the barn and then
10:25
his start-stop was like a seal called.
10:27
I would like, Really, he didn't have a gun.
10:31
Didn't have a Clapton, have anything?
10:33
It was just this weird. See like salmon, it was time to
10:35
go. Oh, the other thing was he
10:37
between the intervals? He'd be like on the line feeling
10:40
fine. Even though you hadn't recovered
10:41
from the last one yet you weren't under what you were
10:43
five? Yeah, you were not fine.
10:44
And ready to get back on the line.
10:46
I said, you're up. So you're fine.
10:47
Let's go pretty much so you know because it's in my hobby area.
10:54
What? I don't understand.
10:56
I mean, I kind of understand it, but what was the Connection to
10:59
track with. Don't tinkle in the whiskey.
11:01
I not really sure. Okay.
11:04
All right, you know, we'd have these meetings before practices
11:06
and these phrases would come out and then his other favorite
11:09
thing. If he didn't think you were
11:10
running well enough was, he would tell you about his most
11:12
recent recruiting trip and how much faster everybody that he
11:15
was recruiting was than you. That's borderline.
11:19
Mental abuse. Has it?
11:21
The other thing was, If he, if you think you didn't trust what
11:23
he was saying, he would always say you want a junior colleges
11:25
only freshman sophomore. Seriously ask the sophomores.
11:28
They were so wise and so So experience, you ask them because
11:30
they knew everything the nineteen-year-olds exactly.
11:36
Well, I'm about to get to the bottom of that.
11:38
Don't tinkle in the way. Yeah, that must be the southern
11:40
expression. He was from the st.
11:41
Louis area. So I don't know.
11:43
It's so precious that you think st.
11:44
Louis is southern area, Southern Illinois.
11:46
So that southern part of Illinois as like you're talking
11:49
to a guy. I really like come.
11:50
Oh, we gotta keep going south. Well, if you know, I've never
11:54
heard that expression and I'm wondering it was tinkle not
11:58
really the word. He said he did okay, you know
12:00
because whiskey it could have been another that's always
12:03
wondered. Okay.
12:04
Well, if you know that, Say it hit me up on Twitter at my
12:06
Cunningham's. I really want to know, I've
12:09
never heard that in track and field.
12:10
I've heard the hay in the barn and, you know, those kind of
12:12
things. But that's awesome.
12:13
Well, we're on it. What a great name and pretty
12:16
special to be coached by him. You mentioned that, that kind of
12:19
started like, oh, well, maybe maybe I should be in this, I'ma
12:22
call industry. But whether it's a coach or Now
12:26
is working for Gil athletic, that kind of sparked like me, I
12:29
kind of want to stay in this sport in some form or fashion.
12:32
Yeah. So they're at Coach was an
12:36
instructor for level usatf level one.
12:39
So he took what was typically a weekend class and made it into a
12:44
full semester. And so then, you know, we had a
12:47
lot more Hands-On with the various jab, one of the various
12:52
grips and all that we would just go out and have lab and go out
12:56
to the track, you know? So anyway, I got my usatf level
12:59
one after that. I moved on to Illinois State and
13:02
then I minored in coaching education, And and get to meet
13:07
joycekeith, which was the women's Coach there at Illinois.
13:09
State for many many years. She had retired at this point.
13:12
Timing was just faculty, but man, she was incredible and not
13:16
just technique and and tactics for for coaching, but the big
13:22
picture of creating a budget and a travel plan.
13:24
And all of the administrative things that many coaches don't
13:27
enjoy. Oh, wow.
13:28
So you got a pretty early look at real coaching, what I mean by
13:33
that is some people think coaching is just Just staying
13:35
there with a whistle or standard the sandpit, having fun with the
13:38
jumpers. It's all-encompassing with your
13:40
high school or college, or you're doing a budget, you're
13:43
scheduling your recruiting and such a you gotta pretty early.
13:45
Look at that. Yeah.
13:47
Cuz she was just so experienced and so she passed that on to us
13:50
and in the class. So, yeah, and you got your level
13:54
one back. Then what year would that have
13:55
been That would have been probably 94, maybe they had
14:00
robbed it. We would have had taken a bet on
14:02
who got our level ones first, I would have locked.
14:06
That was said, will be, I've been in coaching forever, you
14:08
know, you beat me by a good three, four years man, holy cow,
14:12
and he taught through a semester or not, not a weekend, like we
14:16
get his today. Yes.
14:18
Oh, that's super interesting, man.
14:21
So, obviously you ever on buses a junior college coach and
14:26
teacher. You get your level 1 you.
14:28
Go to Illinois, State and you're running enjoy ski.
14:31
So obviously you became a coach once you graduated well even
14:33
before. So my last semester, I had an
14:36
opportunity to coach at a parochial school in Bloomington,
14:40
a junior high, Middle School to help coach there.
14:42
And so, I was able to assemble a staff and coach for that last
14:48
semester of college coach, with is tell us how that went.
14:52
It went okay, we had a couple, I mean it was a small parochial
14:55
school and they didn't have any Facilities.
14:57
In fact, one of the biggest coaching challenges was walking
15:01
30, middle school kids across four lanes of highway to get
15:04
them to Illinois. Wesleyan, 's track to practice
15:08
that seems like a liability because I can just see the
15:10
little ducklings, although it was again to get in there and
15:13
back was the biggest challenge. Crack that was success right
15:16
there. Yeah, that was, that was
15:17
success. If we started and ended the
15:19
practice with the same number of pins coming off 3131, where's
15:23
Johnny? Oh well, you know in that was
15:27
Middle School, your code. Yes.
15:28
Yeah, you know coaching Collegiate.
15:30
Kids is tough enough. You know, 1822 year-olds.
15:34
I had a few years experience. Coaching high school.
15:36
You know 14 18 year olds. I can't imagine coaching middle
15:40
schoolers helped. How tough was that?
15:42
It's like herding cats. Yeah, across a four-lane highway
15:45
bottom. Yes.
15:48
What do you remember about because the younger you go
15:51
though, I think kind of the more precious as well.
15:52
They, they You know big General swath here, they seem to have
15:57
more fun and maybe appreciate the coach is a little bit more.
16:01
Not saying that high schoolers don't or Collegiate.
16:04
Kids don't just you know just bright white eyed, 11 to 12 year
16:07
olds. You know.
16:08
I think there's a bit more bought in.
16:09
I mean, what coach says, they're like they're willing to try and
16:12
not think that, they know better, because they've done it,
16:14
you know, certain way for a period and get all that
16:16
experience. Yeah.
16:17
Good good. That's a good.
16:18
And they had some, you know, talented kids who pointed in the
16:21
right direction, you know, maybe encouraging not everyone to be a
16:24
sprinter. We got some results.
16:26
We had a pretty good 800-meter Runner, we had some good
16:28
hurdlers, you know, a couple good throwers, so it was
16:31
rewarding to see in the younger. You go, the more attention to
16:34
fun, you have to have it needs to be fun even as a Collegiate
16:37
senior, but the younger you go, you got to keep it games and
16:40
like, yeah, you know, Jim Acklin who coached for many years out
16:44
at st. Joe, there was a book that was
16:49
book of game running games and he had a few in there.
16:52
And so, yeah, things like that. We make a difference in practice
16:55
for that age group of kids. I feel like, I remember that
16:57
book. I can't remember the title of
16:59
it, but yeah, I don't think he, I mean, I know he had
17:01
contributed to it. I don't think he was the sole
17:03
author. Yeah, say it was a book about
17:05
games for track and field or cross-country movies.
17:07
Yeah. I remember when I coached at the
17:08
LaSalle Chicago, I remember a book, like, I remember guys a
17:11
big book collector and reader, you need to get my hands on and
17:14
I think I remember that because it was something, there was like
17:16
some balloon game, balloon relays that were in there as
17:18
well. You'll water balloon.
17:19
Yes. Yes, absolutely book.
17:21
That's really cool man. I wonder what will happen to my
17:23
book collection. I moved.
17:24
Two times. Yeah, exactly to.
17:27
So did you continue into coaching or what did?
17:29
So after that, I had an opportunity to coach at attract
17:32
Club here in Champaign County called the Illini heat.
17:35
And I was the distance coach for that and really good.
17:39
I mean, Club level. I mean, usually have kids that
17:41
have really bought in and so particularly so on the, the
17:45
young women's side. So there was some 11 to 14 year
17:48
old girls that were from Mostly from school around this area
17:53
called Muhammad. Which is well known for their
17:56
track and field programs and cross country anyway, but so
17:59
yeah, this group of young women work really hard.
18:01
I remember that first year, we Millikin University hosted a,
18:05
the Adidas National and these young women were able to win the
18:08
4x8. Wow, it was really exciting and
18:11
I don't see. I told you I'd learned something
18:13
new. I didn't know we were aligned
18:14
that heat coaching alums. Yes, but I when I first moved
18:17
here Morris's also, hey, we want to come coach and I did it early
18:22
in the morning and with our, I'm sorry that was the summer.
18:24
First, the Muhammad see, see more High School in the
18:27
mornings, and then that summer worked with the line I heat and
18:30
I God bless Club, coaches and younger coach.
18:33
I couldn't, I couldn't do it. I'm just not strong enough
18:37
meets. Take a long, long, long time.
18:39
That was it. No, no, Rob.
18:41
So practice was fine. It was great working with these
18:44
kids. Although one time I had this
18:45
little heard, there's a little boy and you know doing my girl
18:49
thing so there. I mean these tiny anyway.
18:51
I mean I don't know how old he wouldn't even maybe he was Cool.
18:54
But I don't think so definitely not high school.
18:56
So yeah, I had the hurdles. Damn fact.
18:58
I hadn't tipped over, because he was so young, right?
18:59
Word learning, three-step, and all the way through and his dad,
19:01
just hanging out on the fence, and it was all good, right?
19:04
And the second day, third day, whatever, and by the fourth day,
19:06
the dad looks at me, he goes, you ever going to move those
19:08
hurdles up and it was one of the only times I thought I really
19:12
need a big time this guy. Like he has no idea who I am or
19:16
who I was maybe at that point, you know, coaching who have
19:18
coach. And I was just like, we're good.
19:21
And I was like, man I don't do this to me just don't make me do
19:24
that. I can watch it go away, and then
19:26
we went to our first meet just up the road Morgan or something
19:31
57, right? And so, I go over to long jump,
19:33
and no one's breaking. So, I just, I rake and robbed
19:37
four hours later and maybe five, I'm still raking for the long
19:42
jump. We haven't even got to the
19:44
triple jump. Yeah, I can remember when we
19:47
hosted a meeting at the University of Illinois, it was a
19:50
14-hour day because the, it was so warm, they started the longer
19:54
distance races at 7:30 in the morning, and we were still
19:56
cleaning them up and closing things down at 7:30 at night.
19:59
Plus a little more time than that, I have so much respect for
20:03
Club coaches and Club officials and in Coke.
20:06
Participants Mills, kids are there and Club moms and dads.
20:10
I'm just, it's just not for me. I just came to.
20:12
I'm also the guy who doesn't necessarily like the college me.
20:15
Eat that starts at 7 a.m. and goes to 10 p.m. have been to
20:18
plenty of those as well. Not a fan, we need to figure out
20:20
my opinion. Need to figure out a shorten
20:22
these things up. That was my diet to, I'll step
20:25
off my soapbox for apparently, got into I'm proud of myself.
20:29
I usually get into that a little bit longer there.
20:31
So, keep going what you coached and what else did we start doing
20:34
career-wise. Um, so I was working at managing
20:36
and running store here in the Champaign area and coaching.
20:39
They're both at first at the club level.
20:42
And then at the middle school for school, here, south Down to
20:46
10, Unity at the junior high. And so first day of practice, it
20:51
was a Hot August day and there were three kids and I thought
20:56
oh, what's this season going to be like, well, it grew a little
20:59
bit more than that. But one of those kids that was
21:01
there, that first day also qualified for state and became
21:05
an All-State or wow. So, it was harder than coaching
21:08
30 kids. Three.
21:10
Obviously, that's really tough. Yeah, he ended up having that
21:12
much success. Yes, we did.
21:14
I give up on me. Meaning not necessarily him
21:17
individually. But, you know, if you have three
21:18
and across countries, you need at least five, you need seven
21:21
and you want 10 to 12 and more. Usually kind of checked out and
21:25
said well, we'll just, you know, I'll recruit the hallways until
21:28
next year but you kept at it and kept going did you see yourself?
21:32
What inspiration where that? Come from?
21:34
Where did you know kind of that? Hate three kids are 300?
21:36
I'm gonna well I have just felt like I've gotten so much from
21:39
the sport in my went as an athlete when participating, I
21:43
just wanted to give back and so if there Oh kids that were
21:46
interested. I was going to give them my full
21:47
attention and it was very difficult because the way it has
21:51
been set up the coach previous was a guidance counselor there
21:56
and so in order to make it work for her they practiced at 6:20
22:02
in the morning. So it will what Greg was.
22:05
This is 6th through 8th grade and they were 6:00 6:30 in the
22:10
morning. Yes.
22:13
So you change that, no, we kept the same from these poor kids.
22:18
Well they were used to it. And then the other thing is in
22:21
that small school football is huge.
22:23
So then the boys could do both. They could do cross country and
22:26
then they could do kiwi football in the evening at the practices
22:29
of like 6:00 at night. Yeah, I know what you were that
22:33
tough. You you?
22:34
A tough coach. This goes back to your football
22:36
coach in your Junior, High days. You're like, you're going to be
22:38
disciplined, we are going to be on time, we're going to do it.
22:42
Man, that's tough. I'm glad I'm glad I'm not on
22:44
your team. I'm glad you're not my coach.
22:46
I'm not an athlete for you man. I could have made it.
22:48
I'm like 6:30 you know 8:30 look just as good right coach.
22:52
Well one of the interesting things about you and all the
22:55
many of them are is the different kind of stages you had
22:58
in your career. How did you?
23:00
Because I know you don't stay in this area for your entire
23:03
career. Where do we go?
23:05
Because you went to Colorado and Military.
23:07
Tell me, where does this come in?
23:08
I thought we did this by now. Oh, Well so yeah.
23:12
I mean it wasn't quite as linear as I made it.
23:14
So yeah before. So after coaching the my first
23:18
coaching gig at the middle school in Bloomington.
23:19
I graduated I moved out to Colorado for six months tent
23:24
found it was beautiful but you couldn't eat beautiful out there
23:28
cuz so he was just expensive to live.
23:31
So I mean the price of living as compared to the wage you made, I
23:34
mean if I went out there to climb and mountain bike and be
23:37
part of the whole outdoor scene and it was just too expensive to
23:40
get to do any of that. But That brief period of time.
23:42
I did get to connect with the coach and help coach out there
23:45
at the North Platte River Rehab Club because Colorado's are
23:49
really have indoors. And that really exposed me to
23:54
one of probably the most interesting meats and coaching
23:58
clinics, which is the Simplot games out at Pocatello, you
24:02
know, the coaching clinics and the professionals they have out
24:05
there leading, those are phenomenal.
24:08
And I kind of just say it kind of serves as a national For the
24:12
West because, you know, the like I say, the high schools don't
24:14
have indoors in Colorado and I know of Simplot as, you know,
24:19
the great meat and everything. It's quite amazing.
24:22
How many kids they do and you know, I hate to say nothing
24:25
fancy but, you know, tracks been there forever but they still,
24:27
they get it done. In fact, one of the kids that I
24:29
signed at Mississippi, State signed the net set, the national
24:32
indoor for me to record at Simplot games.
24:34
I did not know that it was a there's a coaching Clinic
24:37
Campina. They had a I was part of the
24:39
meat. Yeah.
24:40
Does that still go on? I'm not sure I mean it's been
24:43
years since I've been out there but it did at that point in time
24:45
and we're talking about middle 90s, okay?
24:49
You think he knows what's changed but I'm sure I didn't
24:51
know that. Yeah, it used to be a big ordeal
24:54
that I think it is they because to your point there were less
24:57
indoor facilities back then as well.
24:59
Now thankfully, there's all a lot of indoor silly still.
25:03
We're missing a few out west. We need to have more out west.
25:05
But nationally, there are a lot more indoor facilities of
25:08
high-quality today. But simple, it used to be The
25:12
meet socially for that High School meet me in this.
25:14
This imply games was famous. I'm a member in Alabama, waiting
25:17
to read the results from it was such a big deal and not that we
25:20
had indoor track used to race. A horse barn in Alabama.
25:24
No i-i'll tell you a story one day, that's interesting.
25:27
It was amazing. Yeah, so what were you doing out
25:30
in Colorado? You working for that clinic?
25:31
What else are you doing? I was a reporter I have.
25:34
My bachelor's was in mass communication, so I was working
25:37
at a chain of newspapers that was just north of the Denver
25:40
metro area. So they were published twice a
25:43
week and so I had to produce eight to Fifteen pieces for the
25:48
paper on a weekly basis. That's interesting.
25:51
What why did you stick with that career?
25:53
I'm a journalism major as well. So it will.
25:57
So like I say out there, the economics weren't didn't make it
26:00
work for me, and I came back to Illinois and was able to get in
26:03
the paper industry for a few years.
26:05
But it's just the, you know, small papers, which I really
26:09
enjoyed because you get to. We're all basically all the As
26:11
other than the display advertising, it just took too
26:15
much time, even even with the all the computer upgrades for
26:20
pagination and things like that, a production day after
26:23
Gathering, the news all day would take you into the 8:00
26:28
9:00 at night and then news doesn't wait till you've taken
26:32
your comp time and so then you have to cover news when it
26:35
breaks. And so it's just just a
26:37
stressful long day and not conducive to raising a family,
26:40
right? And not In compensated for it
26:43
miserably as well. Thanks Sokka.
26:45
Right next lot. A lot of sense there.
26:48
And where does military life come in for you?
26:50
Well, so I joined the National Guard when I was a junior in
26:56
high school, so I had it was a six year commitment.
26:58
So I started like I say in as a junior and that went till a
27:02
couple years till I got out of college, you know?
27:04
And so had some really interesting experiences there
27:08
was deployed to Germany and Hungary.
27:11
We did an annual training camp in Panama for two weeks, one
27:16
year. And so, yeah, I had a lot of
27:18
good opportunities and it was convenient way to, you know, pay
27:23
for my school and not have to rely on an athletic scholarship.
27:26
If I thought, actually once I got started in, a didn't work
27:30
out, then you still got to do it because you need to get school
27:32
paid for and you live a much more interesting life than me
27:36
Frank, Germany, Panama, what did you experience any kind of
27:41
track? Components, when you were
27:43
overseas, not much other than that, the, the German culture
27:48
was pretty active and so whether it be hiking or running, you
27:53
know, they would have public areas to do that.
27:56
What they call like a garden, the garden plots was the name of
27:58
it, and you would just see Runners all the time.
28:00
And so then I met up with him a couple times and ran found that
28:05
the routes in the area and was able to run with some German
28:08
guys that I've got to go to like a track meet over there,
28:10
anything We did take a trip. We worked in Berlin and new
28:16
Chuan Stein. So we did get to see the Olympic
28:17
stadium. So.
28:18
Yes, in Berlin. So is that all it was
28:20
incredible. I mean, you know, that's kind of
28:22
it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
28:24
Sure. Yeah.
28:25
Oh my to be able to see where the history.
28:27
Yeah. And just made it that much more
28:29
real, you know, that's really cool.
28:31
That's so interesting. You know, because we can talk
28:33
about haven't seen a documentary on it or the pictures from her
28:36
video from a. You were.
28:37
You've been there. Yeah, that's so cool.
28:39
That's really interesting. So how did you Get back here to
28:42
Illinois and you mentioned working for The Running Store.
28:46
Talk more about that as well because that's a big part of
28:48
your professional life. Yeah.
28:49
So at once I my deployment finished, my wife said, you got
28:54
to get out. We're not going to do this
28:55
again. If we're gonna start a family, I
28:56
don't like, oh, I kind of like Europe and thought we might try
28:59
to figure a way to go back. So anyway, I listened to my
29:02
wife, which was one of the few times I've had 25 years of
29:05
marriage on still isn't my strong suit but anyway so record
29:08
now chamber was his the you don't ever listen to me like no
29:11
fault. I put this on wax.
29:12
I put this on the podcast. I listen to you, too.
29:14
Yeah, so yeah, I got out of the military.
29:17
We she got tired of those long production days and it just
29:23
wasn't enough money. And so then we look for
29:26
something different. I get in touch with my athletic
29:31
background again and just on a whim went to The Running Store.
29:34
One day and said are you guys hiring and their said, you know,
29:36
actually we are we just had someone leave and we're looking
29:40
for I'm position, but will search out part-time and see how
29:43
it goes from there. What have you wouldn't have gone
29:46
into that running store via? Exactly.
29:48
I mean, yeah, that would have wouldn't have have an account
29:51
for the last 20 plus years. Some have Library least not
29:53
consistently in one place. Right.
29:55
I did not know it. Was that kind of what's the
29:58
serendipitous? I think it's like, oh, I just,
30:00
you know, I was like, that'd be cool.
30:01
And, and they happen to be, I mean, how many places could you
30:03
have gone into? That was said, yeah, we're not
30:05
hiring. Thanks, but don't think, and
30:07
they were, and then they took a chance on you.
30:10
Exactly. That's right.
30:11
So tell talk this about, I don't know that we've ever had anybody
30:14
who's worked in a running store before and as far as long as you
30:17
did as well to tell us about the nuances of a running store.
30:21
So we may be all have been to one.
30:23
Even I have been too long so we know that, you know, the
30:26
different sections of shoes, but I don't really know what the
30:29
people who work there, do necessarily as compared to
30:31
someone who works for a Walmart Target, Etc.
30:34
Well, I mean, it's just a lot about customer service from the
30:36
start, you know, when someone comes in, they're just, you
30:39
know, they're there because they want to get shoes, but then,
30:41
Need to know more about what type of running.
30:43
They're doing what their experience is, what their injury
30:46
level have been. And then try to do a mini, gait
30:49
analysis to help them pick out a category of shoes that would
30:52
work for them and then let them try them on and run around the
30:55
store, run on the treadmill in the store, run out on the
30:57
parking lot in front of the store to kind of get a feel for
30:59
the shoes and when you say a category of shoes are you
31:03
talking about? I don't feel like you're talking
31:05
about brand name. I think you're talking more
31:07
about like thin running shoes. Now we have thick, I don't know.
31:11
I had a back then. Yeah, right.
31:12
So yeah, just across the gamut, whether the person's looks foot,
31:15
would dictate to have a neutral shoe, a stability shoe, if
31:19
they're looking for a racing flat, if they're interested in
31:21
the more minimal shoes, if they want a maximum shoe and The
31:24
Rocker. So, yeah, it's just kind of what
31:26
their interests are and then what would work with their foot
31:29
and what did you do? How did you learn that?
31:31
What did you do for? Look like coaching education,
31:33
but yeah, running education is a compares to Footwear.
31:36
Well, I mean, I think some of it just helped that I had the
31:38
background and experience. So I picked out shoes for my
31:41
Myself for years. And then, you know, I can't
31:48
think of his name, it used to be up at Louis University.
31:50
Used to write the shoe reviews for Runner's World, not Galloway
31:56
know. It was Tom Bruning, I think this
31:58
is a game. Hello, and he coached up there
32:00
as well, but our stride, a connection to him.
32:02
And so then I just started reading all of those four year
32:05
after years reviews, until I kind of learn the nuances of,
32:09
you know, of shoes in the anatomy of a A shoe and then the
32:12
anatomy of a foot from my experience.
32:15
In the, my coaching minor where we had to go through, anatomy
32:18
and physiology. And so, it just all kind of came
32:21
together when I was running poorly, I always racing Flats
32:26
was trying to think of what I was talking about.
32:28
Then she's running. So did a lot of racing Flats
32:30
because I just I bought it. It was during the Michael
32:32
Johnson are right? So you know, the lightest shoe
32:34
possible, those kind of things. I was like, well, I'm going to
32:36
run half mile Etc. I'm gonna be in racing Flats.
32:39
No matter what? I don't remember.
32:41
That this was a thing back then and it seems like more recent
32:45
now. We have you know, from the ho
32:46
cos and even the the new Nikes and Adidas and stuff we have
32:49
these big thick heel type shoes. How have you seen that change
32:55
buying patterns or even stride pad?
32:58
Anything has that actually worked going to the stick side
33:02
or well? So just to back up a little bit,
33:04
you know, prior to the thick oversized shoes, were the
33:06
minimal shoes, the five finger, you know.
33:08
And that was a fad for a while and I think it helped A lot of
33:12
podiatrist buy a second home and a lot of Runners decide.
33:16
Maybe running wasn't for them. Are you talking about the Vibram
33:19
FiveFingers? Yes, first of all, you know,
33:20
they went to a lawsuit whole thing that was a layers but, you
33:22
know, our own teammate who we've got on the podcast, you Brian
33:25
Corral used to wear Vibram, FiveFingers to work.
33:30
Ha ha. And I used to make fun of him.
33:32
Every time I could. I mean, I was just like, what
33:34
are you first of all, we're in an office.
33:36
What are you doing? But those things were, they were
33:39
a joke, right? Like they weren't well, I think
33:41
There needs to be more education, a sold along with the
33:44
pair of shoes and it, but it's just like any fat.
33:46
It just kind of takes on a life of its own and then it goes to
33:49
its peak and then bottoms out, you know, and then in its place
33:53
came the maximum shoe which like we just talked about Hoka but I
33:58
mean the important thing in the running industry with both of
34:01
those and what kind of seem extreme is the value of form
34:05
form is the thing that's going to help you run the longest and
34:08
be the most successful. And the shoe is a tool in your
34:11
toolbox. Box to do it with form of the
34:12
shoe, or the form of the running, right form.
34:15
Got it. So you've got to make up for any
34:17
deficiencies or multiply any positives you have in the form
34:21
side of what you run. Yeah.
34:22
I mean, it's Yeah, the more, the more that you run, the more
34:24
efficient you become but there are certain Ideas of what good
34:30
for Ms. And the closer to emulating.
34:32
Those are the more healthier you're going to be through your
34:34
running career. It's awesome.
34:37
That's enough distance running shoes for me, buddy.
34:41
You know, I'm not a shoe guy, you always have to go shoot game
34:44
and not even like tennis shoe type great.
34:46
You know, she have good shoes, man.
34:48
I guess that's what happens when you work for a shoe company.
34:51
Tell us the name of the Running store because they're awesome.
34:53
We love these. Its body and soul Sports.
34:55
Yeah, they have been around. I don't how long they've been
34:57
here. And they say about 40 years is
35:00
that right? Yeah you know they were big I
35:03
don't know if it was their ownership but they were a big
35:04
part of the it maybe still are big part of the Chicago mayor.
35:07
I'm sorry, champagne marathon in series that we have here and you
35:11
know, they're still really tight into that.
35:13
Yeah, they do a great job and, you know, that champagne
35:16
marathons actually, pretty young.
35:17
I remember when they were starting it because they came to
35:20
us, we did race clocks form for the Bowing out along the course
35:23
and stuff. My wife ran the 10K as part of
35:25
the series there and everything. So shout out to be And so will
35:28
they do a great job? They do a really, really great
35:31
job. Great.
35:31
Great resource. Definitely for our Runners and
35:34
not only are one of my color competitive runners or any high
35:37
school kids and that are on the teams here, post cleat or
35:40
Collegiate that come back, things like that.
35:42
But for are just general, hate to say it old guide, me and you
35:46
community out there. They do a great job.
35:48
So that's really cool. Love those guys.
35:50
So that's all well and good Rob. I mean, it's awesome to hear
35:53
about, you know, some of the coaching experience, you had
35:55
some personal experiences that you've had and even your
35:57
professional, For body and soul. How did, how the heck did you
36:01
get here to give? I thought it was so well.
36:03
So I was just looking for something.
36:06
Well, I guess it's again. It's a lot of what's dictated.
36:09
My career choices has been my family, from those long
36:12
production days, that didn't work for my as a newlywed to
36:16
being involved in retail and having to work the weekends and
36:18
not be able to watch my kids, run their cross-country and
36:21
track meets. So I was looking for something
36:23
that would give me that opportunity and I had known.
36:28
No, David and Steve and well, David was a customer Steve, I
36:34
think I met it a sporting goods trade show and we're like oh
36:37
they're from Champaign were from Champaign.
36:38
And so we just stopped at the booth and talk to him for a
36:41
while. I had some co-workers and some
36:44
acquaintances that had worked at Gill and so then I just took a
36:46
chance. Wow.
36:48
And you know I'd be remiss if I didn't ask this question, you
36:50
know, you get two beautiful children who are superstars my
36:53
friend in the running Community. They are awesome.
36:56
Did your wife will? She arrive her at all?
36:58
If it's a tennis player is that, right?
37:00
And so when we were dating and then early in our marriage, the
37:04
only way that I could beat her is, if I was in good enough
37:06
shape, because she would make me go all over the court, and she
37:10
could control the ball, and so then, so she's legit.
37:13
Yeah, get it back over. She was placing it.
37:14
Yes, exactly. Wow.
37:16
Did you guys do the kids ever express any tension?
37:19
Tennis interest. We didn't do tennis with, and
37:21
they've done basketball. They've done soccer, and then
37:24
they kind of found their Niche and in distance running.
37:26
Does she like running at all or she?
37:28
He's like, yeah, you guys go do your thing.
37:30
You know, she's not opposed to running its, I think she might
37:32
like most track parents are opposed to the weather in
37:36
Central Illinois during track season.
37:38
It's hard to cheer your kids on when you have chattering teeth,
37:42
and you're shaking and trying to keep warm.
37:45
Yeah, that sounds like me post, run by the way, students
37:47
chattering, well, I'm just, I was just thinking as you have
37:51
met your wife was several times. Now she's like the most awesome
37:54
person. I watched you guys at the
37:56
Christmas party that we had recently It as a lot of couples
38:00
there. I didn't see any two more
38:01
couples working together more than YouTube.
38:03
And I just thought it was you guys are right across from us.
38:06
Another couch. And I was just like, man, those
38:07
guys were meant to be together. It was, it was really cool to
38:09
see, so I didn't know if she was a runner but most of the time
38:11
it's not I should say most time A lot of times it's not, it's
38:14
someone who's yet has a wholly different interest in you guys.
38:16
Create new people who have interest like the two kids that
38:19
you have now, man. So that's, it was really cool to
38:21
see you guys do a great job. So you knew David our CEO here,
38:27
Steve, our VP of sales. Sales through different trade
38:29
shows and stuff like that. And then you got on, you got
38:32
here to Gill, man. What was that like?
38:34
Well, I really enjoyed it. It was, you know, Scott, you
38:38
know, I remember waiting on him and fitting him for shoes.
38:40
When I was at the running stores that, right?
38:42
And it was really a, yes, I didn't know.
38:44
That was really exciting. There's a well-known coach in
38:47
the area and he also does the announcing for the University of
38:50
Illinois track meets when Scott broke his school record because
38:54
they went to the same school, really?
38:57
It was that, that was Steer it. Okay.
38:59
I don't know if I know that name.
39:01
I didn't know Scott was a customer of yours.
39:04
They are so what a community, man, I missed out by not growing
39:08
up here. I swear, that's well, I mean, if
39:09
you're right it's a really unique Place, particularly for
39:12
runners and yeah, that's really cool.
39:15
So, tell us, what do you what do you do?
39:17
They're probably doing here, man.
39:19
When you do here and go up on EX?
39:20
Well, I mean, I it's just part of our mission, you know, to
39:23
empowering coaches so they don't have to worry about their
39:25
equipment. So it's advising coaches and the
39:29
sporting good dealers at the coaches work with to help them,
39:31
get the best equipment that they can for their programs with the
39:34
budgets that they have. So I think there's a lot of
39:38
whether it's misconception or just I have no clue what people
39:41
that Gil do. They may be?
39:43
Kind of know that we're manufacturer so you know 90% of
39:46
everything they see in the catalog is made right across
39:48
that wall that we have here but I don't know that they
39:50
necessarily know what do, what is our Rob Mathias?
39:53
Do on a daily basis, what's up? And no day is average I realized
39:57
that so it's kind of a tough Question, but what's an average
39:59
day for you? Well, I mean before we talk
40:01
about that, I think the one thing that I that is I think is
40:05
the coolest is just like you said that, not everybody.
40:07
Realizes that here in Champaign. In the middle of these corn
40:10
fields that were manufacturing, a majority of this equipment is
40:13
not coming from overseas. We have people that are citizens
40:16
of this community making this equipment and the other cool
40:19
thing is is, you know, I'm just steps away from going back to
40:23
where the product is made to get a question answered for a
40:25
customer through like well how does this part work?
40:27
And I'm like, well, I don't know.
40:28
So let me just go grab one and find out, you know, so it's
40:31
really cool. I mean I those are the
40:35
superstars too many are the people in the factory that are
40:37
building the stuff, because if they didn't build it, I couldn't
40:39
sell it. Not just tell people, it's to me
40:42
in part of it is I don't have the brain to put things
40:44
together, kind of stuff, but it's like voodoo magic to me,
40:47
you know, will bring in sticks of Steel and aluminum, they cut
40:50
it. They willed it, they paint it.
40:52
And voila there's a pole vault standard, I'm like, oh my God,
40:54
how did I couldn't visualize how that happened in these guys?
40:58
Al's do it daily from Cobalt standards to hurdles to you know
41:03
our basketball and volleyball side.
41:05
It really is like it's Willy Wonka's chocolate factory out
41:08
there, right? Well again, and you say, what is
41:10
a day in the life look like? Well, one of the things that we
41:12
get to do, is bring guests through and let them see what
41:14
that looks like behind the scenes.
41:16
And every time we do these dealers are just just over the
41:20
moon about how incredible, just what Mike was describing their,
41:23
you know, how that stuff all comes together in our Factory.
41:26
So that's one thing that we do. Do you know?
41:28
So the other things that we do are answer questions about
41:31
product and make recommendations, you know and
41:34
then we have a opportunity when it's not in season.
41:39
So when it's not January to June where we can go out and meet
41:44
dealers and meet coaches and so we get to go to trade shows and
41:47
make connections there. And you recently were at one of
41:51
our largest trade show Sporting, Good industry type thing are
41:56
nfhs athletic directors Chin in Nashville.
41:59
Yeah, I know that was really good because you get to be right
42:03
face-to-face with a decision makers.
42:04
They know what their budget is, they know what their priorities
42:07
are and when they come over to talk to you, it's because they
42:10
are interested in what you can do for their facility.
42:12
And so it's a really great dialogue to say.
42:16
Oh, tell me about your facilities, what you like, what
42:17
don't you like? What are you, what is your next
42:20
project? And just kind of steer and guide
42:22
them to the right dealers that can help get them the right
42:25
products at the best value for their school.
42:28
You went last year, it's in a VHS ATVs.
42:30
Yeah. So this is my second here a
42:32
couple. And I've always been a little
42:34
bit to what you were just saying they're the athletic directors,
42:37
specifically. I think I thought of directors
42:39
around the country, but specifically, the ones that are
42:41
going to the convention boy, they are tuned in to track and
42:44
field, you know. I think sometimes athletic
42:46
directors get a bad rap that they're only concerned about
42:49
football and basketball, Maybe baseball.
42:51
And then everything else tennis and track and what have you is
42:55
wherever its 10th on the list, right?
42:57
But I'm really always amazed. I wanted to get your take on it,
43:01
the athletic directors that I've spoken to that, they really
43:03
care. They know that the track and
43:05
field team, whether it has 10 people or 100 people.
43:07
It's a part of their athletic or these athletic directors, care
43:09
about their elected athletic department.
43:12
Not necessarily one and only one sport.
43:15
What was your exact? No, I totally agree.
43:17
I mean, I think it's about the facility as a whole.
43:19
And I mean, they have to break it up sport by Sport and and
43:21
dedicate a certain amount of resources to it.
43:23
But, I mean, yeah, they want a really nice facility overall and
43:26
they want it to represent their School and their community.
43:29
And if they have the budget there, they're going to spend
43:31
the money to get what they can. The best equipment, they can
43:34
afford and what is the done that and you done some other things
43:39
whereas trade shows and we're going to talk about ncaa's here
43:41
in a second. What is the funnest thing that
43:44
you've been able to do here you've been with us almost a
43:46
year and a half we're getting close to that.
43:48
What see as you look back on a year and a half what you know
43:51
rookie season it's just so it's awesome to see that what's been
43:54
like the may be a fun thing that you didn't know was part of the
43:58
Oh man. I get to do X or I got to meet
44:00
someone. What's?
44:01
Yeah, that's just, it is to meet Elite athletes.
44:06
Who have vaulted on our polls this summer.
44:09
We had the opportunity to host the 2009 women's world gasca
44:15
that. Yes, I never got an answer to go
44:17
out to dinner with her and then to look down on the table and
44:19
say, that's the guy that made the pole that made you
44:21
successful and have that all, you know, tied up in and at
44:24
night, boat, all there at dinner, isn't it?
44:26
Cool. I mean, that would be the
44:27
equivalent. Point in your, when you were her
44:30
percent running shoes of going to me like a Tinker Hatfield at
44:33
Nike, you know, major designer for shoes and be like, holy
44:36
crap. You design the shoes that
44:37
Michael Johnson Ward and have Michael Johnson there, by the
44:41
way, because we had Anna here. You're right.
44:43
That's amazing. He was a great.
44:45
It was probably once in a lifetime experience.
44:48
Do you ever get like surreal moments?
44:51
Like what in the world? What am I doing here?
44:53
There's an over gasca. There's the guy that built the
44:56
pole like this is crazy. Gets that opportunity, it's
44:59
awesome. I mean fortune.
45:01
I'm very fortunate because I've had that experience in my other
45:03
career as well where I would say oh hey guess what?
45:06
Today I fit an Olympic medalist for shoes and they're like oh
45:11
really. I'm like yeah.
45:12
So when perdita Felician was in town, you know so you know ready
45:15
to annoy run out great all the way around a Great Canadian
45:17
Runners. She's just a great person you
45:19
know and so to be able to fit her with shoes and I always
45:22
lobbied eyesight. Now pretty, if you ever need
45:25
anybody to hold, be your block holder.
45:27
I would be very Honored she never took me up on your
45:30
qualified for that job like that I can do.
45:32
Think I could do that perdita got no, you listen Rob just
45:36
wants to help. He's just a servant leader.
45:38
He just wants to give just let him help you out here if I see
45:43
you. Well, she's retired now but if I
45:45
see you, in the Olympics old in blocks because perdita has the
45:47
connections, I'll know that really I made it happen through
45:50
the podcaster. Fact, I would even settle for a
45:52
signed autograph of her book. There you go.
45:54
Oh she has a book. She's come out with a book in
45:56
the last year, so about I think it's about a combination of her
46:00
career and then now, as an athlete and as a broadcaster and
46:03
now as a mother, yeah, it did she she didn't do bobsledding,
46:07
did she she didn't had several Illinois.
46:09
Women's track. Yeah.
46:11
Happens. Is that I think the current you
46:14
vile. Um, that's on a bobsled team for
46:16
the US. And while that's super unique,
46:19
you know what I consider the most unique thing about her?
46:22
I think it's her freshman year in the indoor, Big Ten, she was
46:25
finalist in the 60s and the shot put yes but I thought was so
46:28
cool and then when you hear, she went on to be become an Olympic
46:31
bobsledder and I believe she's the only one who's won a medal
46:36
in both the summer, and I may get that wrong that I'm not sure
46:40
about that statistic. And it was a bobsledder track
46:43
that, maybe as low load, no slow, didn't get a medal anyway,
46:47
but it makes sense that she would go on to be a bobsledder.
46:49
It's like, oh man. She's fast enough to make the
46:50
big 1060 and strong enough to make the Big Ten final in the
46:54
shot as well. Come on, man.
46:55
That's it. Seems like a bobsledder.
46:57
What are unique? Yeah, it's amazing.
47:00
Well, speaking of great athletes like perdita and nausea and
47:03
many, many others. You know, one of the things that
47:05
we do here that is really special and unique for us is our
47:09
NCAA sponsorship. So we get to equip every NCAA
47:13
division, 1 division to division, three indoor and
47:17
outdoor Championship with brand-new the biggest and the
47:20
brightest Gill Athletics, equipment.
47:23
This year, you're taking over our D to efforts.
47:26
Are you excited? Nervous lab well, posed Oh yeah,
47:28
but I mean I am excited and, you know, I've gotten to do my site
47:31
visit for the indoor facility staff out there is phenomenal.
47:34
Their track is great. I'm really looking forward to
47:37
that event and helping them put on an excellent meat and that
47:40
was in Virginia Beach. Have you seen a indoor facility
47:42
like that before in your life? It's really nice.
47:45
It is, I mean it it solves some of the problems that some of the
47:48
other facilities have when you've got line of sight issues
47:51
and things. I mean it was a facility that
47:53
was built for track not retrofit for track.
47:54
Yeah it makes a big difference it's amazing and I can't wait.
47:58
For them to host. Oh and large, they're going to
48:00
do a bang-up job, they do their to have some of the bigger
48:03
meets. It's pretty high-profile meets
48:05
their in the facility. So this would be just another
48:07
feather in their cap. Absolutely.
48:09
Before the ncaa's move in there, having the a you championships.
48:12
So, you know, so they know they're no stranger to big
48:14
meats. So what are you looking forward
48:15
to the most @d to indoors there in Virginia Beach?
48:19
Well, I mean, I think, once all the equipment set up and see
48:23
that all that and its Splendor is going to be awesome, but then
48:26
to see the athletes and and, and all the AMA that unfolds
48:28
throughout the week of the meat, have you been to a D2 and no, I
48:32
have not, you know, I hadn't either until I came to Gill and,
48:37
you know, I had the I don't want to call it.
48:39
Typical, I'll call it my Cunningham typical bias because
48:42
he has the vision one coach and power 5 and I like iced up.
48:45
So I was like, oh the to it's gonna be good but you know
48:48
they'll be an occasionally, good athlete or performance man.
48:51
I was blown away. You hit the nail on the head.
48:54
When you said the drama of the meet, you know, how the meat
48:57
shakes out. Is going to be the winner on the
48:59
men and women side. It was one of the more into
49:02
bumped into several now and they have all been some of the more
49:05
interesting meets I've been to, to see how the team shakes out
49:09
and brother, I was wrong, when I said one or two, good athletes
49:12
performances, it's across the board.
49:15
Like I'm not sure I could coach Andy to and be successful.
49:17
That's how good that meat is well and, you know, that's with
49:21
a day in the life, you know, you get to interact with some of
49:23
those coaches and there's nothing about their preparation
49:26
or their Perience or their attitude, that separates them
49:30
from deewan, you know, those, I mean, except for, they may have
49:32
a chip on their shoulder because some people don't respect E2.
49:35
That would be the only difference.
49:36
Yeah, I agree. You know, now, having known
49:39
coaches across the Spectrum, many i-83 Juco, Etc. 31, there
49:44
is no difference. You're exactly right.
49:45
You know, it's difference. What's on their shirt.
49:47
That's what's different. They are out there.
49:49
Working just as hard as any quote unquote big-time D1 or
49:53
however you want to put that right there.
49:55
Putting in as many hours they care.
49:58
Asthma. I mean it's really the only
50:00
difference is what's on their shirt and what incidentally
50:03
dictates is D1 D2 D3 and so the different rules and such like
50:07
that but they get after it as coaches and the division, two
50:11
NCAA world man it's quite amazing.
50:13
You're going to enjoy that be I can't wait.
50:15
I get to share it with you this year's.
50:16
Yeah, it's gonna be awesome. Can't wait.
50:18
And I recently because I was out there, I did your site visit for
50:21
Colorado State Pueblo as well. We need to talk about this but
50:25
that is going to be phenomenal. And you've actually been in
50:29
Pueblo before. Well I've been to the springs I
50:32
haven't been quite down to Pueblo.
50:33
You've been in Colorado Springs. Yeah.
50:35
So so you were like 45 minutes to an hour just shy of it.
50:38
Okay. Another beautiful earrings.
50:40
I didn't visit the UCCS University of Colorado, Colorado
50:43
Springs and the Air Force Academy Island.
50:45
So bad Air Force Academy. It's incredible, it's
50:50
incredible. I was blown away.
50:52
Thank you, scary stuff in for that tour.
50:55
It was amazing and UCCS is facility, is top-notch.
50:58
We'll have a bunch of pictures coming up here on Twitter.
51:01
You know we're so blessed and humble their new indoor
51:03
facility. They got about four years ago,
51:06
chose all Gil. I mean it's just it's it's
51:08
beautiful it's quite amazing. The way where it sits as well,
51:11
kind of sits up a little bit, not entirely the mountains but
51:13
it kind of sits up. So you kind of oversee the you
51:15
see the city and Stones. That's not it's pretty sweet.
51:18
And you know we will enough. They had a Raising Cane's
51:21
experience like basically where I get one here to diagnose.
51:24
I'ma go pro but I'm so excited. I love raising kids.
51:28
So yeah, that's gonna be a lot of fun man and it's a big
51:30
responsibility to be one of the on-site people, add an NCAA
51:34
championships and you're going to get to meet some of the most
51:36
amazing people who choose to be track coaches on that level me.
51:39
I'm excited for, you know, I'm excited to meet the coaches.
51:43
I know that, you know, with the site visit in Virginia Beach and
51:45
the phone conversation that I've had with CSU Pueblo, they've got
51:48
really great people on the ground there and facilities and
51:50
building the meat should be awesome.
51:52
Yeah, the facility never her exact title facility director
51:56
but definitely the He's on a facilities for the incidentally,
52:00
was a shot putter for Pueblo. So she first of all cares
52:03
especially about the throws but she knows it.
52:06
So she's gonna they've got some great plans there for spectators
52:10
and presentation and student athlete experience for the
52:13
throws and the the rest of the meat itself.
52:15
It's, it's going to be cool, man.
52:17
I'm excited about it. That's for sure.
52:19
Well, Rob, as we wrap up here today, the one of the things I
52:23
probably should have asked you for the very GetGo for anybody
52:25
who's watching us on YouTube right now, is so So, what's up
52:28
with BYU? You have a BYU shirt, that's an
52:32
interesting story, but, you know, I grown up in Illinois,
52:37
but it only fan all my life and then it just kind of was a
52:41
cyclical pattern where they were close but almost but not, it's
52:44
almost like the Cubs wait till next year, you know, it's so it
52:47
gets to be a little frustrating. And then in one of our moves
52:50
along the way, my wife was responsible for, consolidating
52:53
all of our Electronics, the the phone, the internet, the
52:56
television, and They said, do you want any sports packages?
53:01
And she said, oh how much? And she said, oh no, we can't,
53:03
we don't want that. So when we first started, you
53:05
know, when we first got the service, then they tease you
53:07
with some months of like, Big Ten Network, are they like, oh
53:10
good, we don't need it if it's already on there, you know.
53:12
And then when that went away, the only sports that I could
53:16
find on the TV, that wasn't like the game of the week, on ABC,
53:19
Fox whatever was pyu real and so that I thought well, watch it.
53:25
See, it's so that they had a pretty good couple players on
53:28
Their basketball team, you know, they were, you know, then they
53:30
were independent. Now, they're getting ready to
53:32
join a conference but, you know, for football they would go, they
53:35
wouldn't shy away from any competition and and you know, so
53:38
it was kind of fun to watch and and they were kind of on the
53:41
upswing and then as it turns out all teams kind of are on the
53:44
same way they're close but not there and then they're there and
53:47
they're not there yet. I was so not a lot different
53:49
than world. No heartbreak exactly becoming a
53:52
BYU Cougar Fan but then you know I also the other thing and
53:56
you've had her on your podcast. I am It fascinated with Diljit
53:59
the way she approaches and at ice down and the program that
54:03
they have out there on the distance side is phenomenal.
54:05
Yeah. Mark Robinson, who's the Alum
54:08
Nikka rheneas? That's coaching their throws.
54:10
They do a fantastic. I have.
54:12
You had a chance to be on campus.
54:13
No I'd love to. It looks like it'd be a
54:15
beautiful facility so it's it's well I don't want to say
54:19
life-changing that seems a little bit hyperbolic but it was
54:23
unbelievable. I did a tour through Utah and
54:25
get to visit. Southern Utah and Weber and
54:28
University, Utah, Utah, State, and of course, BYU.
54:31
And it's, it's hard to describe. I mean, it feels like, you know,
54:35
you can see the mountains right there, but they're so close to
54:38
something and BYU's campus. It feels like if you just
54:40
reached out like, you would touch the mountain.
54:43
It was pretty special, great facilities there again.
54:45
Great, you know, again, so humble to choose a majority of
54:49
guilt that executes. Yeah, it's awesome.
54:51
Amazing job and you mention one of my all-time favorite people
54:55
deal G Taylor, you know, we had her on the podcast, she's
54:57
actually Lee. I think she's our third most
55:00
popular podcast we've done. I can this is like number will
55:03
be on 104, you hired 1989. Some people are laugh right now
55:07
because they're looking at their podcast apps going.
55:10
That's right here dummy. I lose count.
55:12
I'm from Alabama. It's hard to count, right?
55:15
But, you know, we're getting close to 200 amazing coaches
55:18
from around around the world. And Dill G is sitting pretty at
55:23
number number three, man, and it's will desert.
55:25
If you haven't heard her podcast, you've got To wrap it
55:29
up here today, once we finish up here, whatever happier using
55:32
right now, just search deal, G Taylor, Maybe BYU probably,
55:36
spelled it out, boys. Stood, Brigham Young & Gill
55:39
Athletics, that'll bring up her episode.
55:41
You've got to listen to it. It's phenomenal.
55:43
And she's phenomenal is quite quite amazing.
55:47
Well, Rob as we wrap up today, man.
55:49
What you know, what are you looking forward to most in the
55:52
2023 season? Well, I think just, you know, to
55:55
successful NCAA Nationals. I It's going to be awesome to be
55:59
part of it to get like, I say to see the meats and see the
56:01
athletes and the coaches and then, you know, those two
56:05
facilities are both top-notch and have, you know, a lot of Gil
56:08
equipment which just is awesome to see in use in its in its
56:12
native habitat. Instead of back there in the
56:14
factory getting made or getting on a truck getting shipped
56:17
somewhere. That's right.
56:18
That's true. We it's so funny you'll
56:20
everything gets made right here. Yet we rarely see you know it
56:23
just it just happens. I mean these guys and gals on
56:25
the other side where they do just a phenomenal Job.
56:28
So it is kind of special and precious when we actually get to
56:30
see it in the wild. I love it, they will rob.
56:34
You know I'm super excited. You know what are the things
56:36
that I love about you is your organization?
56:39
You mentioned what I asked you about, what was it about working
56:43
in a running shoe industry news? The first thing you said was oh
56:46
it's about customer service, I've got to help this person.
56:49
Not just some one pair of shoes. I'm trying to help them get the
56:52
right pair of shoes at the right time for them and it's been
56:56
awesome to see how you Put that learning experience over 20
56:59
years plus into what you do here at Yale application.
57:03
I hear you on the phone with customers, I hear you're the
57:04
phone with our dealer network of the industry's best dealer
57:07
Network. We have out there and you are so
57:11
caring and so turn over the rock type of attitude, like you don't
57:16
let anything like if there's something important like hey mr.
57:19
Business customer, hey mr. Dealer mrs.
57:20
Dealer have you considered, have you thought?
57:23
What are your thoughts here? You're always asking really good
57:27
questions. Ins to help unlock, what is the
57:30
right size pit? What is the right vaulting pole,
57:33
and if I don't know what, let me use my team to help out.
57:35
You just do a phenomenal job serving coaches across the
57:40
country and I'm just so proud to have you as a teammate.
57:42
I really am. And I've seen you.
57:44
It's hard to say Blossom over a year and a half because you
57:46
already came with such a great background, you know, it's like
57:49
some of our you know I are right out of college teammates that we
57:52
have but you have certainly pulled all this amazing
57:56
collection of experiences, you've had To an amazing
58:00
profession and career here, serving coaches around the
58:02
country made. I'm just so proud of you.
58:04
So proud to be your teammate. I love, we're going to go to
58:06
Texas here soon. I just love traveling with you.
58:08
Were gonna get good barbecue again.
58:10
They excited about that but I can't say it enough, man.
58:13
I'm just we're so lucky and blessed to have you here.
58:16
As far as I go out that x-team our coaches and the high school
58:18
and Collegiate level are. So lucky to have you here,
58:21
you're one of the guys out there that maybe not every coach has
58:25
talked to or knows about but doesn't understand how much Such
58:28
your influence is pushed towards them to help them to repeat
58:33
exactly what you said earlier. So that they don't have to worry
58:35
about equipment, get the get the right equipment in the best
58:37
equipment and go do what you love to do.
58:39
And that's coach young people, man and so you're phenomenal at
58:43
it. And again, we're just so lucky
58:45
to have you here at go off attics.
58:46
I'm glad for the opportunity to do it.
58:48
It's fulfilling to be able to help people and know that you're
58:54
making a difference in providing the equipment for the kids so
58:57
that they Have a quality experience and then you know,
58:59
who knows where that track career will take them and it
59:02
started out with wherever they started with some, hopefully,
59:05
some some good equipment and they blossom and move on from
59:08
there. That's it.
59:09
Man. If you, you got to get to know
59:11
this guy. So obviously, thank you for
59:13
listening today, and hearing his story, but if you're going to be
59:16
in Virginia Beach for the indoor Nationals for division, 2 or
59:19
Pueblo for the outdoor division to Nationals, find Rob, he'll be
59:23
the Gill guy. He'll have company.
59:24
Won't have be only have a why? I know he will not make.
59:27
Sure, I was like brought you can't do that.
59:29
He'll have his guilt but exert on go up.
59:31
He's so good and Percival just walk up and introduce yourself
59:34
and to say, Hey, you know, I heard you on the podcast or you
59:37
held my dealer and US pick out the right starting blocks or
59:40
what have you, but get to know this guy in person.
59:43
You'll be better for it. He'll be better for and and will
59:46
be an even better team as we continue to work for your
59:49
program where you're at there in division two.
59:52
So, Rob. Thank you again, man.
59:53
And thank you guys and gals for listening.
59:55
This is a wrap. Rob was my anchor.
59:57
You Officially the last guest of 2022.
1:00:01
So 2022 podcast is over in season 3 is done.
1:00:04
We're out, we're out. So because this is the last
1:00:06
episode and I can't remember if at this point I put this on
1:00:10
Twitter I'm going to make the announcement of who our guest.
1:00:12
Number one for season 4 is I like to like to kick off each
1:00:15
season would just like hashtag legendary.
1:00:18
Okay now I don't know from your background you'll know this name
1:00:21
but you attract guys, so you will know this thing.
1:00:24
Does the name Dan path? Mean anything to you?
1:00:27
Wow. Ow, let's debate.
1:00:28
That's going to be your guest that's January 2nd.
1:00:30
So, one week from today, January 2nd, Dan path.
1:00:34
The legendary damn path is our guest for kicking off, season 4
1:00:38
of the Galaxy connections podcast.
1:00:40
So, that's going to be awesome. Put it in your calendar.
1:00:42
Take, That's it, man. I'm telling you.
1:00:43
And let me tell you, you have already conducted the interview.
1:00:47
It's everything. You can think of he drops every
1:00:51
diet. You think coach bus had some
1:00:53
sayings. Let me tell you about Vamp
1:00:55
apples. Got something and they don't
1:00:57
have tingling. Whiskey in it at all, anywhere
1:00:59
at all. So, so, join us next week.
1:01:01
You know, we'll have Dan path. And I've got an amazing crew.
1:01:04
We've already got lined up for season 4 going to keep doing
1:01:07
this. As long as people, listen 52
1:01:09
coaches a year. We're going to bring straight to
1:01:11
you and hopefully make you better and will continue to
1:01:14
uplift. An honor coaches around this
1:01:15
country. So, Rob, thank you for joining
1:01:17
us. All right.
1:01:17
Mike, appreciate it. I appreciate you guys have a
1:01:19
great holiday season. Thanks Mike what an incredible
1:01:30
journey coach has been on so awesome to hear their story in
1:01:33
their own words, tremendous proof of the positive effects
1:01:35
coaches make on a daily basis. Help us spread the word of this.
1:01:39
Great journey by sharing on your favorite social, media channel.
1:01:42
And don't forget to take a minute to rate and review the
1:01:44
podcast. You just might get a shout out
1:01:46
on a future episode, that's it for today.
1:01:48
Join us next week, when we'll connect you with another amazing
1:01:52
crunch.