The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast20 Okt 2025

#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

🌟 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 Tuesdays through Sundays. 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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