The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

Alan Wardsworth’s story doesn’t start on a pristine track facility—it starts in chaos.

A childhood that spanned continents. A high school that literally burned to the ground. A kid who wasn’t focused in the classroom… until sport gave him a reason to be.

And then, almost by accident, he finds track and field.

What follows is a journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to figure things out—from breaking school records in his first week, to learning events through instinct, to eventually becoming the kind of coach who impacts lives far beyond marks and medals.

This one is a reminder of what makes this sport so powerful:
➡️ It meets you where you are➡️ It gives you a reason to grow➡️ And if you let it… it can change everything

🔑 In this episode:

🌍 Growing up around the world and how it shaped his perspective🔥 Experiencing a high school burning down—and what that taught him about adaptability🏀 How eligibility struggles became a turning point academically💡 Discovering track & field almost by accident (and breaking records immediately)🧠 Early signs of a coaching mindset—problem solving before he even knew it🏃‍♂️ The environments and mentors that helped shape his coaching philosophy

“I didn’t have the strength for the shot put… so I figured I had to use my legs. I didn’t know that’s what you’re supposed to do—I just knew I had to figure something out.” -Alan Wardsworth

🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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!
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📲Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow onTwitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍