row2k Features
Interview
Fordham's Billy Haug
March 7, 2016
Erik Dresser, row2k.com

Haug racing at 2015 HOCR

This week row2k features Fordham Lightweight rower Billy Haug. Haug walked on to the Fordham squad from Reno, Nevada following a crushing leg injury in a car accident.

row2k - What was your athletic background in high school?
Billy Haug - I ran both track and field and cross country for two years in high school, competing in the 1600m and 3200m in track and the 5K in cross country.

row2k - You had a pretty devastating injury, tell us about what happened?
Billy Haug - While driving to school one morning I was rear-ended and had to pull over to the side of the road. This first accident was nothing major, but while standing outside my car waiting for the police to arrive, a distracted driver of a third car, a Ford pickup truck, came through the intersection and hit the car that had initially rear-ended me. This led to me being momentarily pinned between that car and my own. I suffered extensive damage to my left leg, specifically in the form of excessive swelling in the fascia of my leg, formally known as compartment syndrome. I also separated the tibia from the fibula at the knee joint and detached the ACL and MCL ligaments.

row2k - What was the recovery like?
Billy Haug - Looking back at it, the recovery period went by rather quickly. The injury occurred in mid February and I was back doing low intensity plyometrics and jogging by April. The first few months of inertness were the hardest ones to get through, as I wanted to get back on the track as soon as possible. I attribute my swift recuperation to the incredible doctors and nurses that cared for me, the steadfast support from my friends and family, and the guidance I received from both the physical therapists at Reno Orthopedic Clinic and my high school cross country and track coach, Matthew Pendola.

row2k - How did you find your way to Fordham and start rowing?
Billy Haug - I found my way to rowing purely out of curiosity and was drawn to it by its similarities to running. My decision to pursue the sport followed the same logic that led me to attend Fordham. I wanted a completely new and unfamiliar experience, one that I understood would produce memories and lessons I'd never forget.

row2k - What is your favorite part of the sport?
Billy Haug - My favorite part of the sport is definitely the spring racing season. Nothing compares to the rush of energy you get lining up and coming out of the stakes, and of course, hopefully, winning a medal.

row2k - What has been your most memorable race and why?
Billy Haug - So far my most memorable race was the 2015 Dad Vail Lightweight Four Final where we won a silver medal, marking the first time Fordham medaled at the Dad Vail since 2009.

row2k - What are you studying at Fordham and do you have any plans yet for after college?
Billy Haug - I'm currently studying Engineering Physics at Fordham with hopes to attend medical school and ultimately become a U.S. Navy flight surgeon.

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