#314: Jim Vahrenkamp-University of North Dakota

The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

🎙️ "Our Job Is to Teach" — Jim Vahrenkamp, University of North Dakota

From a childhood of tagging along to practices to leading a D1 program, Jim Vahrenkamp’s coaching journey is one of relentless curiosity, purposeful growth, and staying true to the educator's heart. In this episode, Jim shares how being raised by a coach shaped his mindset, what academic failure taught him about accountability, and why leadership—at every level—matters.

💡 In This Episode

🧠 “As coaches, our job is to teach.” Jim dives into how coaching and education are inseparable

🛠️ Construction, coaching, and grad school—how hard work off the track shaped his philosophy

📚 The girlfriend who held him accountable (and saved his math grade)

🌱 The billion-dollar transformation at UND and what it says about institutional leadership

🔍 From reading 1,500 pages a week to digging deep into international throws theory—why he never stops learning

🔄 Identity after athletics: helping athletes reframe success beyond championships

💬 “Leadership isn’t just about seeing next year. It’s about envisioning 20, 40, 60 years ahead.” — Jim Vahrenkamp

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