I've always wanted to coach college rowing. Club, varsity, women, men, it didn't matter. I believed that situation would fit me very well, given my college experiences. I also plan on coaching at the college level after Emily is done with her doctorate and we leave Pittsburgh.
So, I really jumped at the opportunity to become the assistant coach for the University of Pittsburgh. This early in my career, this was a great "step up" and the additional income is welcome in our household. More important, learning under an experienced coach and international oarsman like Dan Grancea is a valuable education. I really have been making things up as I go along with the FC guys, and it will be comfortable to learn a new rowing style and have somebody to back-stop me from making "rookie" mistakes. My first two years with FC have seen a few goofs by me that got in the way of the guys. Thankfully, I don't believe they blame me for any of these, and I'm always willing to own up to my screwups.
While I'm still just getting my feet wet and learning all the names, a few impressions have already jumped to the forefront. The Pitt rowers are passionate about the sport, perhaps more than I was in college. While I had a comfortable situation, with travel, uniforms, equipment and food expenses paid for, they have to fund-raise all these things. I trained hard. They train just as hard, then give more time in the organization and funding of the club.
Finally, they get up for a 5:30am practice five days a week. Some row twice a day, here in the fall. Imagine how much undergraduates must want success in this sport to maintain those sort of hours. Heck, some undergrads are still crawling home from late-night parties on Friday morning when these guys are launching boats. Such dedication can only pay great dividends in the future, and I'm very impressed by such devotion. I hope that I prove worthy enough to lead such rowers.
I'll be able to keep coaching the FC boys, but I'll have to step back from them a little. There will be conflicts between the two crews, and I'll have to go with Pitt in that situation. Hopefully, I can become as close with the Pitt crew as I am with the FC boys.
Categories: Pitt, College, Rowing, FC
11 comments:
jay, this is sweet for your career. I feel you made the correct decision. Now when are we going to race them, and when are we going to hear these awards.
What awards?!
the ones you forgot to brign to the barbeque, the ones you forgot to bring to the row-a-thon, and the ones you forgot to type up. Those awards. the ones from last year.
What shell is the v8 going to row at hoto?
Jay-
Just wanted to let you know that you've made more of an impact
on me than any other coach I've ever had. I definitely would not have the enthusiasm for the sport were it not for your leadership. It's great that you have this kind of opprotunity, but I hope you won't forget the Band of Brothers.
p.s. it said that one of the players you want is locked. I accepted the trade, but it wouldn't let me.
Way to ruin a great comment with fantasy football. But seriously Jay, it has been great rowing for you. I've also never had a coach that not only cared this much about the sport that they coached, but also about the individuals on their team. I've never gone out for breakfast after practice at Pamela's with another coach. I've also never pushed myself this hard for another coach and I'm sure everyone on the team could say the same. Coaching college students will certainly be different Jay so I wish you the best of luck with that. According to their hoto time trial and ours, it can only get better for the guys over at Pitt. Speaking for most of the guys, I assume, we would very much like for it to "be on" between us and Pitt as well as boats within FC.
D****t Jay, you weren't supposed to get another job until after we (the seniors) graduated! I don't care if you don't actually do much at races, it's just the fact that you're there. I hope that when you leave you won't forget about your first year, because I know that those of us that were there won't.
KIRK! chill out! For everything Jay has done for us, we should only support his job promotions!
Really no need to post anonymously there first of all. Second of all, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And lastly (is that even a word?) Kirk is not, not supporting Jay's new position. He is just saying that its not going to be the same more or less. Sorry, just had to jump in there.
jay, after finding out that we beat the experienced rowers from pitt at and 18, i think it is time to start scheduling a scrimmmage with pitt. And who knows, well give them a head start.
p.s. my word verification is tcwixka
Thanks, Drew. I'm not angry, just selfish. We all (I'm assuming) don't want things to change and Jay to spend less time coaching us. That comment was meant to be more humorous, "anonymous". I'm not an angry person, just very competitive. rrkkt
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