Coach Michael Etheredge has been serving youth for over 30 years in ministry and sports this has truly been his gift and calling from God.

After leaving the Army in 92 Coach Mike moved to Pensacola founded Golden Elite with one athlete Little Mike Jr. he noticed his sons talents and love for running Coach Mike wanted to find a track program in our city that was positive and constructive unfortunately there wasn’t one; so he started training Little Mike himself , and he started winning, and other parents expressed interested in their child being trained and that is how Golden Elite Track and Field Club came into existence.

The mission at Golden Elite is to educate communities about the importance of leading a physically active, drug-free lifestyle that includes living with integrity and respect for oneself by using the sport of track and field. Over the past 20 years Coach Mike and volunteer coaches have helped well over 2500 youth, many who have received full ride scholarship to major universities.

Golden Elite is more than just a track club, they are family. They ensure that athletes have a positive, inclusive and safe place to come and to ensure they are provide the necessary tools like tutoring, mentoring, nutritional education, and life skill classes to help our youth to be productive citizens.