Tag Archive for: Bill Bowerman

The Bowerman influence – 50 years later

Bill Bowerman had a huge influence on my decision to be a track coach. In the winter of 1968; my senior year in college at Fresno State, Bowerman came to speak as the featured speaker at the first ever Fresno State Track & Field Clinic. He was brought to Fresno by Red Estes, assistant track coach at Fresno State (later to be head coach) who had competed at the University of Oregon under Bowerman. What can I say: Bowerman was Bowerman, passionate, direct to the point, outspoken and strong in his beliefs. He was obviously very knowledgeable in all disciples of track and field even though he was known as a distance coach. Read more

GAINcast Episode 91: Endurance Methods and Concepts

If you break down athleticism into its key compenents, there is one component we have not covered much on the GAINcast: endurance. It is not due to lack of experience or knowledge; we just simply haven’t gotten around to it. The wait is over though. We are going to take an in-depth look at the topic, starting with this week’s episode where we introduce the basic tools of training for endurance by explaining endurance training methods and concepts. Read more

GAINcast Episode 48: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Knowing who came before us and what they did is a key factor in becoming a better coach. After all, everything old is new again. On this week’s episode Vern runs down a list of some of the giants whose shoulders he stands on, providing a great starting point for those wanting to learn more about this history of training. Read more

Learning From the Past

Much of what I stand for is not new, we already know it, it has worked in the past in a myriad of environments but has been rejected as old fashioned, not high tech, not scientific. We have abandoned proven methods in the name of progress. Certainly in every field of endeavor everything old is new again, but because of our society’s rejection of the past we have not studied the coaches who paved the way for us. Read more

The Bowerman Influence

Bill Bowerman had a huge influence on my decision to be a track coach. In the winter of 1968; my senior year in college at Fresno Sate Bowerman came to speak as the featured speaker at the first ever Fresno Sate Track & Field Clinic, he was brought to Fresno by Red Estes, assistant track coach at Fresno State (later to be head coach) who had competed at the University of Oregon under Bowerman. What can I say; Bowerman was Bowerman, passionate, direct to the point, outspoken and strong in his beliefs. Read more