Mike Bull - University of Birmingham Sport Athletics Coach

Bud Baldaro - Endurance/Distance Coach

Name: Mike Bull

Sport: Athletics (specialising in Combined Events – Heptathlon & Decathlon)

Birthplace: Hull, East Yorkshire

School & University attended: Hornsea School, University of Nottingham (’88 – ’92), University of Queensland (’05 – ’10)

Sport played: Football, Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, Athletics & Cross Country at school, Football & Athletics (Decathlon) at University and beyond

Greatest coaching achievement (so far!): coaching BUCS medallists in Heptathlon & Decathlon in 2004 and working with XC & Athletics squad in 2009/10.

Most memorable occasion in sport: My favourite occasion (or rather picture) is one at the end of a Decathlon (European Champs 1986?) where the winner, Daley Thompson, is the last man standing just beyond the finish line in a sea of collapsed athletes!

Likes: sunny days (especially on the track!), good wine and food

Dislikes: smoking, dishonesty, not delivering on promises

Hobbies & interests: athletics, dining out

Person who most influenced your career and why: Bud Baldaro – always interested in you as a person and willing to listen and help.

Favourite ground or stadium: Don Valley, Sheffield…until the Olympic Stadium at Stratford is completed!

Last book read: Bounce: How champions are made

Favourite movie: any romantic comedy with Meg Ryan

Favourite music: Gershwin’s “An American in Paris”

The best thing about playing sport and studying at UoB: The freedom and support to take your sport as far as you want.

e: m.p.bull@bham.ac.uk

Sport: Athletics (specialising in distance running)

Birthplace: Birmingham

School & University attended: Holly Lodge Grammar School for Boys, Cardiff University, Loughborough University (postgraduate)

Sport played: Athletics, football, cricket, basketball, volleyball, most things really

Greatest coaching achievement: Birmingham winning both the mens & womens BUSA cross country in 2006; Wednesford High School winning the West Midlands Schools; coaching Olympians, Commonwealth medallists, World & European champions and several UK record breakers.

Most memorable occasion in sport: Kelly Holmes winning the double, Sebreselassie beating Terget in Sydney in the 10,000m.

Likes: Women, food, music, good novels, politics

Dislikes: Intolerance, favouritism, obscene banking wealth

Hobbies & interests: Athletics, reading, theatre - Blood Brothers, cinema

Person who most influenced your career and why: Academically my history teacher Bill Lewis & sportswise Pete Hutchinson my PE teacher

Favourite ground or stadium: Oslo

Last book read: Desiradeo

Favourite movie: The Godfather

Favourite music: Faure Requiem

The best thing about playing sport and studying at UoB: Realisation of the full potential of yourself.

e: bud@baldaro.com