Spring Break
The Daily OrangeCrew | Syracuse taking laid-back approach in chase for historic Goes Trophy
By Alexandra Rowley
Posted: 4/17/08, 11:46 PM EST Section: Sports
Dave Reischman quipped that his nine-man crew is just a bunch of idiots from Syracuse.
The SU men's crew head coach made the comment in reference to his team's expectations for this weekend's race and the overall laid back attitude.
"This is a different group of guys," Reischman said. "I think they do a good job of just keeping things simple…What do we have to lose?"
That casual attitude comes as a surprise considering this weekend's race. The Orange will compete for the Goes Trophy against No. 10 Cornell and Navy. The Midshipmen are currently tied with SU for the No. 12 spot in the U.S. Rowing Collegiate Coaches Poll. The Goes Trophy is the most important cup on SU's schedule, excluding the Eastern Sprints and the I.R.A. Regatta (the oldest collegiate race in the country). The race for the Goes Trophy has been around since 1955 and is competed for exclusively by the varsity eight teams from the three schools.
"Out of the cup races on our schedule, this one has the most history," Reischman said. "It is the one that most of our alumni are most fond of, so it's an important race."
Syracuse has won the cup for the past two years, but has never won the race for three consecutive years. In fact, SU has won the cup the least amount of the three teams, tallying a total of only nine victories in the 52 years of the cup's existence. Despite the opportunity to make history, junior Mike Bagnall does not feel pressured to produce a win. He said his main goal for the weekend is to just focus on the race.
"All I can do is focus on staying relaxed and putting maximum effort in getting the boat down the race course for a full 2,000 meters," Bagnall said.
Reischman explained that crew is unique in the sports world. While a defensive strategy is present in most sports to prevent a defeat, crew can not do anything to deter another team. Each crew can only control themselves. Because of this, Reischman insists a race must not focus around the results.
The SU men's crew head coach made the comment in reference to his team's expectations for this weekend's race and the overall laid back attitude.
"This is a different group of guys," Reischman said. "I think they do a good job of just keeping things simple…What do we have to lose?"
That casual attitude comes as a surprise considering this weekend's race. The Orange will compete for the Goes Trophy against No. 10 Cornell and Navy. The Midshipmen are currently tied with SU for the No. 12 spot in the U.S. Rowing Collegiate Coaches Poll. The Goes Trophy is the most important cup on SU's schedule, excluding the Eastern Sprints and the I.R.A. Regatta (the oldest collegiate race in the country). The race for the Goes Trophy has been around since 1955 and is competed for exclusively by the varsity eight teams from the three schools.
"Out of the cup races on our schedule, this one has the most history," Reischman said. "It is the one that most of our alumni are most fond of, so it's an important race."
Syracuse has won the cup for the past two years, but has never won the race for three consecutive years. In fact, SU has won the cup the least amount of the three teams, tallying a total of only nine victories in the 52 years of the cup's existence. Despite the opportunity to make history, junior Mike Bagnall does not feel pressured to produce a win. He said his main goal for the weekend is to just focus on the race.
"All I can do is focus on staying relaxed and putting maximum effort in getting the boat down the race course for a full 2,000 meters," Bagnall said.
Reischman explained that crew is unique in the sports world. While a defensive strategy is present in most sports to prevent a defeat, crew can not do anything to deter another team. Each crew can only control themselves. Because of this, Reischman insists a race must not focus around the results.
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