#333: Mike Rosolino - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Building a Program, Moving to DII, Staying Power

From cross country-only to a full track & field powerhouse, Coach Mike Rosolino has spent two decades+ growing Embry-Riddle’s program with vision, patience, and a whole lot of heart. In this conversation, we trace the evolution: early proposals, a 100-athlete open tryout, staffing stability, the NAIA ➜ NCAA DII transition, competing in two outdoor conferences, and what it’s like to coach your own children.

In this episode you’ll hear:

🧭 Starting from scratch: building the blueprint (roster size, budget, equipment, staffing) and leaning on mentors

🏃‍♀️ Year 1 without a track: training on grass, borrowing facilities, and still attracting sprinters

👥 Staff that sticks: how continuity (20+ years!) multiplied culture and results

🏗️ Admin realities: adding 50–100 athletes affects everything—training room, tutors, housing, classes

🎓 NAIA ➜ NCAA DII: learning a new rulebook, two postseason “gap years,” and keeping athletes engaged

🏟️ Two conferences, one team: the rare setup of outdoor “track-only” and full “track & field” championships

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Dad & Coach: coaching his son (distance) and daughter (pole vault)—boundaries, fairness, and family

🔧 Evolving as a coach: from running with the team to mastering multis and technical event coaching

🚀 What’s next: breaking through nationally in DII while keeping ERAU’s student-person-player ethos

Quote:

“There’s something about this place that just brings people back.” — Mike Rosolino

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