From Joe's backyard to more than an acre of runways and pits.
Pole Vault Elite was founded in 2007 by Collin Gayde with the help of Joe Herron as Indy's pole vault club. It started in Joe's backyard. Today we train on more than an acre, all year long.
We keep it fun, safe and laid-back, so athletes of every age can break down their vault and make real breakthroughs in technique.
Collin and Joe in Key West.
Our coaches aren't our athletes' parents, but every athlete is like family to us. We build trust, respect, discipline and accountability, the way a family does.
We've traveled across the country to watch former athletes compete in college. We've been to their weddings. Many of them came back to coach.
To keep a long tradition of mentoring young athletes into the best people they can be, using the pole vault: hard work, dedication and integrity, built on excellence and family-first relationships in our community.
Our PVE family at the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno.
Founder · Head coach
Collin founded Pole Vault Elite in 2007 with Joe Herron, in Joe's backyard, and has grown it into a year-round club with four pits, indoors and out. He loves the moment a vaulter finally feels the pole bend and carry them, and he still builds the club's tools himself, including VaulterHQ.
Co-founder · Coach
Joe co-founded Pole Vault Elite in 2007; the club began on the runway in his backyard.
Coach
Mason coaches at PVE and is a club parent too: his son Peyton won the 2024 Indiana state title at 16'3".
You'll always see Joe and Collin at practices and meets. Sometimes they even compete.
