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Transforming Lipscomb: Nick Polk's Path to D1 Success 🏅

Airey Bros.'s Radio
Airey Bros.'s Radio
Episode • Feb 7 • 1h 5m
In this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we dive into the incredible story of Nick Polk, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Lipscomb University. From coaching All-Americans and breaking records to managing a diverse team culture in the heart of Nashville, Nick shares his approach to developing elite student-athletes while fostering personal growth.We talk about:
  • His journey from Grand Valley State to Lipscomb 🏃‍♂️
  • The strategy behind recruiting top athletes (even from international pools!) 🌍
  • Balancing athletics and academics at a Christian University ✝️
  • Breaking records: Lipscomb’s historic performances in the NCAA 🔥
  • Managing the evolution of Division 1 athletics in the NIL era 💼
Whether you're a coach, athlete, or fan of the grind, you’ll be inspired by Nick’s philosophy on leadership, resilience, and building a winning team.


Show Notes / Time Stamps

[0:00] Introduction
  • Overview of the episode
  • The origins of Nick Polk and Lipscomb’s track program
[7:00] Nick’s Journey
  • Growing up in Indiana & running at Grand Valley State
  • His corporate stint at Nike and transition back into coaching
[15:00] Building Lipscomb Track & Field
  • Recruiting strategies and building a program from the ground up
  • Success stories: Sub-4-minute milers and All-Americans
[24:00] Balancing Athletics & Faith at Lipscomb
  • The role of Christian values in the program
  • Student-athlete development beyond sports
[35:00] The Evolution of College Recruiting
  • How NIL and social media have transformed the game
  • The importance of program culture in attracting talent
[45:00] Coaching Philosophy & Long-Term Goals
  • Lessons learned from failures and challenges
  • Nick’s take on cross-country state meets and dual meets
[55:00] Nashville Life & Closing Thoughts
  • Why Nashville is a key recruiting advantage
  • Fun anecdotes about running into celebs like Theo Von
📢 Available NOW on ALL podcast platforms! Don’t miss it! 🎧🌟

Lipscomb XC/TF
Lipscpmb Athletics 

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🎙️ Your go-to destination for inspiring conversations on mindset, endurance sports, wrestling, and beyond. Dive into our unique take on college recruiting for runners and wrestlers looking to land opportunities at mid-major NCAA programs, D2/D3 schools, NAIA colleges, and JUCO programs. Whether you're an athlete chasing your dreams or a fan of the grind, we've got you covered.🔥 Don't miss out—follow, subscribe, and share with your squad!

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