The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast5 Maj 2025

#309: Dana Jaster-Waunakee (WI) High School

🎙️ From Sawdust to Stadiums: The High Jump Journey of Dana Jaster

This week’s guest is more than just a high jump coach—he's a living legacy of resilience, joy, and lifelong impact. Meet Dana Jaster, the high jump coach at Waunakee High School (WI), a Paralympian, and a coach whose influence spans decades and generations.

🔥 In This Episode:

🪵 Throwback to sawdust pits and the birth of the Fosbury Flop

🦿 How Dana went from high school high jumper to Paralympian at the 1992 Barcelona Games

🧰 Coaching philosophy rooted in joy, personal records, and deep relationships

🧑‍🏫 The transition from California’s tech scene to small-town Wisconsin coaching

🧠 Adapting coaching styles across decades and tech-driven generations

💜 Why fun is a non-negotiable in Dana’s coaching—and how it unlocks hidden potential

🎤 “The legacy I want is for some kid, when they’re 50 years old, to say: ‘Coach Jaster was the best.’”

— Dana Jaster

Coach Jaster’s story is an inspiring reminder that coaching is less about X's and O's and more about showing up with heart, consistency, and belief in young people. From sawdust landings to stadium roars in Barcelona, Dana’s journey is one-of-a-kind—and it’s still going strong.

🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ 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 YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.

📲 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! 🎧👍

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