Orange Oar - October 2001

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SIT READY . . . READY ALL . . . • S.A.R.A. Board to Meet in Philadelphia on October 27. SARA LOGO HERE

• Frosh squad swells to 30 in early fall practices.

Editor: John Nicholson, OCTOBER 2001 ’68 Managing Editor: Rick Holland, ’83 Distribution Chief: Colin Goodale, ’90 Contributors: Tom Lotz ’57, Ken Miller, Bill Sanford ’63

• Campaign For Crew has raised $900,000 as of September 30, 2001. • 4th Annual S.A.R.A. Weekend set for May 3 - 5, 2002 in Syracuse.

October 2001 Volume 2—No.4

A CHAMPION SPEAKS . . .

The Orange Oar

S Y R A C U S E

A L U M N I

R O W I N G

A S S O C I A T I O N ,

I N C

SU OAR HERE

The Orange Oar Interview with Don Smith, ’90 In more than 100 seasons of Syracuse crew, perhaps a handful of team members have recorded achievements similar to those of Don Smith, ’90. He has earned places on two United States Olympic teams, as a member of the Men’s 8 in 1996, and as a sculler in 2000. From the Pan Am Games to the World Rowing Championships, he has earned a collection of gold medals that qualify him uniquely as a true world class oarsman. In an interview with the Orange Oar, Don shares his invaluable perspective on everything from collegiate rowing today, to what he believes is the key to future success for SU on the water. Many thanks to Don for sharing his insight — Orange Oar: When you were rowing as an undergraduate at SU, did you have it in mind that you would compete in the Olympics? (What were you thinking?) Don Smith: When I was rowing as an undergrad at SU, I never imagined that I would compete in the Olympics. When I first entered Syracuse, I wondered whether I would be able to compete at a major college level. Through my years on SU Crew, I grew more confident in my abilities, both through personal development and the success of our crews against the top competition in the country. My first real experience on the national team level was at a development camp in my junior year, when I learned that I could compete successfully against of the top college rowers on an individual level. But this was a second tier camp, with the selection camp for the eight and the four being the top level. Through visiting Jeff Pesot ’90, who was trying for a spot in the eight, and talking with other friends who were there, I started to wonder why I shouldn't be competing with that group for the eight or four, instead of the Olympic Festival. But I never really equated any of this with actually making the Olympic Team and competing for the US. OA: Does rowing a single help in your rowing in an eight or four and vice-versa? DS: In general, I think that rowing in a single can help your rowing in an eight. Rowing in the single gives the rower an appreciation for both the effect certain motions have on a boat and an increased feel for how to move a boat. However, it takes a long time for a sweep rower to pick up enough comfort in the single to be able to do actual workouts. Rowing in an eight and a single— (CONTINUED ON PAGE 3) . . .

IT’S HEAD RACE SEASON …

Inside this issue: From the President

2

SU Events Planned in Boston and Philly

The Orange Oar Interview

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If you haven’t been to a head race

The Sanford Henley Diary

5

2001 Henley Results

5

Zebra Mussels Plague Onondaga

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since you rowed in one, this fall presents an ideal time to gather on the banks of the Charles in Boston or the Schuylkill in Philadelphia. Contact Rick Holland at (508) 4299601 for the Boston events, or for Philly, call John Nicholson at (315) 453-3640.

Backsplash—Alumni News Calendar of Events

7-11 12


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Orange Oar - October 2001 by Syracuse Alumni Rowing Association - Issuu