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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