🎙️From Grenada to Greatness: Alleyne Francique’s Remarkable Journey In this captivating episode of the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast, host Mike Cunningham welcomes Alleyne Francique, whose journey from the grass tracks of Grenada 🇬🇩 to global track and field greatness is filled with inspiring moments and life lessons. Alleyne shares how his passion for track and field began in Grenada, where he ran barefoot, clocking a stunning 47.3 in the 400 meters 🏃‍♂️💨. He also recounts the hilarious story of being offered a “full ride” to Essex County Community College—thinking he was getting a car 🚗, not realizing it meant a scholarship! A pivotal figure in Alleyne's career is legendary coach Pat Henry, who played a crucial role both as his college coach at LSU and later as his mentor when Pat hired Alleyne as an assistant coach at Texas A&M. Coach Henry's trust, guidance, and unwavering belief in Alleyne not only shaped his career as an athlete but also instilled the confidence that helped Alleyne become the successful coach he is today. 💼🤝 Alleyne's coaching journey has seen him mentor elite athletes to success at the U.S. Olympic Trials, guiding champions in events ranging from the 100m to the 800m. He discusses his unique approach to coaching, the lessons learned from Coach Henry, and the mission that drives him to push the limits of track and field. 🏅 He also shares insights into his work with Fred Kerley, guiding the sprint sensation from the 400m to the 100m with remarkable results. Alleyne's story is one of humility, resilience, and dedication to his craft, and it's sure to inspire athletes and coaches alike. 🌟 🎧 **Tune in now to hear Alleyne Francique’s incredible journey and how Coach Pat Henry's influence helped him rise to the top!** 🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into over 250 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) and Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure. 📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow him on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), shoot him an email at [email protected], or send a text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from our listeners! 🎧👍