Episode 447 of Airey Bros Radio features Coach Travis Floeck, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at Colorado Mesa University.
With over 20 years of coaching experience—including 14 years at the NCAA Division I level with Idaho and Oregon State—Coach Floeck brings elite-level insight into building championship programs, developing All-Americans, and recruiting high-character student-athletes.
Since taking over at Colorado Mesa in 2024, Floeck has led immediate success:
• RMAC Indoor Championships podium finish (Men 3rd)
• NCAA Division II All-American (Teo Casados – 200m)
• 45 new Top-10 marks in program historyIn this episode, we dive into:* Building a winning culture in NCAA Division II track & field
* Coaching Olympians and NCAA All-Americans
* Recruiting philosophy: talent vs. character
* Athlete development, injury management & long-term growth
* RMAC competition and national-level standards
* Why Grand Junction, Colorado is a hidden gem for runners
🎙️ Whether you're a high school athlete, college recruit, coach, or fan of cross country and track & field, this episode is packed with insights on what it takes to succeed at the next level.🔥
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⏱️ TIMESTAMP SHOW NOTES
0:00 – ABR Origins & Mission* From radio roots to a recruiting-focused podcast * Helping athletes “get out of their bubble” and find the right fit
2:17 – Show Intro + ABR Philosophy* Value-for-value model * Powered by Black Sheep Endurance
3:00 – Coach Travis Floeck Introduction* 20+ years coaching experience * D1 background (Idaho, Oregon State) * Early success at Colorado Mesa
4:10 – Recruiting & Contact Info* How athletes and families can connect * Social media + podcast plug (Just Athletics)
5:30 – Coaching Roots & Early Career* Southern Oregon background * Lane CC opportunity at age 25
9:30 – Origin Story in Running* From multi-sport athlete to 800m state champion * Discovering talent through lifestyle and environment
12:30 – Transition into Coaching* Influence of running camps * Nike sports marketing experience
15:00 – Coaching Philosophy & Athlete Development* Eliminating regret for athletes * Process-driven coaching approach
18:20 – Lessons from D1 Coaching (Oregon State & Idaho)* Athlete connection and trust * Building programs from the ground up
22:00 – Culture & Recruiting Philosophy* Core values first, talent second * Importance of character, academics, and team fit
24:30 – Building Culture at Colorado Mesa* Transitioning into a new program * Gaining athlete buy-in through communication
28:30 – Managing a Full Track & Field Program* Balancing all event groups * Leading with a strong staff
29:20 – Evaluating Recruits* Talking to high school coaches * Identifying red flags and intangibles
33:00 – Evolution of High School Coaching* Impact of technology, clinics, and podcasts
34:30 – RMAC Competition Level* One of the deepest conferences in NCAA DII * Competing against national-caliber programs
37:20 – 5-Year Vision for Colorado Mesa* Building a complete program * Raising distance performance
39:00 – Athlete Breakthrough Stories* Huge performance jumps through health + belief
43:40 – Indoor Season Recap* All-American performances * Freshmen breaking school records
46:30 – Outdoor Season Preview* Fast turnaround from indoor * National-level ambitions
48:00 – Scheduling Philosophy* Balancing local meets vs elite competition * Exposure to national-level racing
50:50 – Training at Altitude (Grand Junction)* Benefits of 4,500 ft elevation * Adjustments in training approach
51:50 – Recruiting Strategy (Domestic + International)* Casting a wide net * Finding overlooked talent globally
53:30 – Grand Junction Perception vs Reality* Breaking stigma * Outdoor training paradise
57:15 – Final Four 🔥* Coffee habits ☕ * Daily routines & sleep optimization * Podcasts, music, and books * Guilty pleasure: ice cream 🍦
1:09:30 – Closing Thoughts* Shoutout Colorado Mesa * Preview of next episode