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The Daily OrangeYear in Sports | Rebuilding a powerhouse: Dave Reischman wanted the challenge of bringing SU's men's rowing back on top. In less than 6 years, he's accomplished plenty
By Matt Levin
Posted: 4/24/08, 10:42 PM EST Section: Sports
Reischman brings a "fierceness" to every race, Etem said.
Reischman's honest, blunt - not afraid to share his thoughts, including the insight he's picked up through the years. Etem said he believes quality helps create victories. And it's a trait others also have noticed.
"He's a very diligent driven guy, who puts all his energy in his programs, teams," said Kris Sanford, SU's women's rowing head coach. She toured Reischman around the athletic facilities, the first time he came to campus, while considering the Syracuse job in 2002.
"I think it came across very clearly he was somebody who liked to build programs," Sanford said.
Walking through Manley Field House and the boathouses with Sanford, Reischman said he could sense potential. But he realized he'd have to change nearly every single aspect of the program to discover that capability.
First, he noticed a disconnect on the squad. Reischman wanted his players to have a certain attitude. He got rid of the ones who didn't and implemented his own regime. He applied a little bit of everything he had learned over the years. Everything from watching stroke counts while peddling his bike in Czech to what he picked up form mentors on his path to Syracuse.
Throughout his 21 years of coaching - including 19 as a head coach - Reischman remembers studying and apprenticing from older coaches. But his greatest mentor was the first he met. Harvard head coach Harry Parker, who Reischman described as the "Vince Lombardi" of rowing coaches, took Reischman on as an intern when he graduated from college.
"He's pretty green when he first came," Parker said. "He was very observant. He showed very good judgment. Even then he had confidence in himself and his ability to teach. That's important."
Even today, Reischman likes to pick the brain of the 71-year-old Parker. The two still go rowing together - one of the most recent tours was at the prestigious Henley Regatta in England - discussing their lives and the sport that dominates it.
Reischman's honest, blunt - not afraid to share his thoughts, including the insight he's picked up through the years. Etem said he believes quality helps create victories. And it's a trait others also have noticed.
"He's a very diligent driven guy, who puts all his energy in his programs, teams," said Kris Sanford, SU's women's rowing head coach. She toured Reischman around the athletic facilities, the first time he came to campus, while considering the Syracuse job in 2002.
"I think it came across very clearly he was somebody who liked to build programs," Sanford said.
Walking through Manley Field House and the boathouses with Sanford, Reischman said he could sense potential. But he realized he'd have to change nearly every single aspect of the program to discover that capability.
First, he noticed a disconnect on the squad. Reischman wanted his players to have a certain attitude. He got rid of the ones who didn't and implemented his own regime. He applied a little bit of everything he had learned over the years. Everything from watching stroke counts while peddling his bike in Czech to what he picked up form mentors on his path to Syracuse.
Throughout his 21 years of coaching - including 19 as a head coach - Reischman remembers studying and apprenticing from older coaches. But his greatest mentor was the first he met. Harvard head coach Harry Parker, who Reischman described as the "Vince Lombardi" of rowing coaches, took Reischman on as an intern when he graduated from college.
"He's pretty green when he first came," Parker said. "He was very observant. He showed very good judgment. Even then he had confidence in himself and his ability to teach. That's important."
Even today, Reischman likes to pick the brain of the 71-year-old Parker. The two still go rowing together - one of the most recent tours was at the prestigious Henley Regatta in England - discussing their lives and the sport that dominates it.
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Gregg Doherty '55
posted 4/25/08 @ 5:34 PM EST
Dave's dedication was obvious at the San Diego Crew Classic earlier this month..His Varsity Eight crew competed with the best in the nation and presented themselves very well both on and off the water. (Continued…)
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