#235: Gill1918 Presents Mike Cunningham "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Schools Make When Buying a Pole Vault Pit!"

Most schools purchase a new pole vault pit only once every 10 to 20 years. Unfortunately, that lack of buying experience can lead to preventable—and expensive—mistakes.

In this episode, Mike Cunningham breaks down the five biggest mistakes schools make when selecting a pole vault landing system:

• Choosing the cheapest pit instead of the best long-term value
• Buying only for the program’s current needs
• Assuming every pole vault pit is constructed the same way
• Ignoring the total cost of ownership
• Failing to ask manufacturers enough questions

Mike also shares one bonus mistake: not speaking with coaches who have owned the same landing system for several years.

The goal isn’t to purchase the cheapest or most expensive pit. It’s to choose the landing system that best supports your athletes, facility, budget, and long-term program goals.