#346: Laurie Feit-Melnick - Univ of Rhode Island | 33 Years of Leadership, Legacy & Trailblazing

From Long Island in the early 1980s—where girls weren’t even allowed to run cross country—to becoming the second head women’s coach in University of Rhode Island history, Laurie Feit-Melnick has spent a lifetime breaking barriers, building community, and shaping generations of women.

In this powerful conversation, Laurie takes us through a journey few could imagine:

🏃‍♀️ Starting her high school's first-ever girls cross country team

🎓 Navigating personal tragedy during college and the life-changing mentorship that kept her running

📚 Becoming a coach not through design but through service, curiosity, and courage

🏅 Moving from Miami (OH) to URI—first as an acting head coach, then building a 33-year legacy

🍼 Raising a family inside the sport while coaching with her husband John

💙 Empowering young women, championing community, and serving as a role model for women in coaching

🏟️ And now—ushering in a NEW era at Rhode Island with a state-of-the-art outdoor track & field facility

This is not just a coaching story.

This is a story about resilience, opportunity, mentorship, motherhood, leadership…

…and the ripple effect one coach can have across thousands of lives.

“It’s not always about wins and losses. It’s about connection—helping young people become the best they can be.” — Laurie Feit-Melnick

An uplifting, emotional, and deeply inspiring episode showcasing the power of women in coaching—and the profound legacy Coach Feit-Melnick continues to build at Rhode Island.

🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into nearly 350 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 for your listening pleasure.

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📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍