Last year, in his twelveth season as the head men's rowing coach at the University of Wisconsin, Chris Clark led the Badgers to their first IRA Varisty 8+ title since 1990. Despite that recent success, Clark has been one of the most vocal proponents for men's rowing move toward NCAA status.
row2k: You've been a strong advocate for the move of men's rowing to the NCAA. What are some of the key points behind this, and how do you think this would be beneficial for the sport?
Chris Clark: There are 380,000 college kids competing today in NCAA sports. What is it that makes men's rowing think that one, we have a better idea, and two, that the athletes themselves might not be better for it? I know that the guys on my team would sure rather be NCAA Champions than always having to explain what the IRA is. For those of us on the front-lines of college athletics and rowing, we get reminded on a regular basis that we are second class citizens. From dozens of meetings where an administrator ends a sentence with "except men's rowing", to "you are not an NCAA sport so that's why you don't get A, B, and C." Believe me, these are not isolated examples. This stuff happens everyday in Athletic Departments across the country. Even more acutely, now, with the economy in a tailspin, I know that discussions have occurred in certain athletic departments about dropping men's sports and not being NCAA is the #1 excuse given for that vulnerability. As a matter of fact, a coach of a prominent program just emailed me on this very subject wondering how the NCAA push is going. He has been told that they could be on the chopping block in 2010.
I could go on ad infinitum on this subject but how about a championship that travels every year, not just once a decade or so? Or, also, a championship that is without cost to those that have qualified? Or, a strict championship protocol that doesn't allow the coaches that get to the organizers first to change rules on the spot or even whole events on a whim? What I would like to say to my few colleagues at successful programs that so far do not support the move, what is the worst that will happen? On a fairly regular basis you are going to just have to bear the burden of being called "NCAA Champion"?
row2k: What are some of the negatives you see, if any?
Chris Clark: I have heard all sorts of objections. All of them are of the "Fall of civilization as we know it" variety. From the end of frosh rowing to it's an "elitist" move have been tossed around. Without a doubt rowing will change. I am certain it will change for the better. Yes, the field will be more restrictive. The result will be a regular season that matters more and a championship that is all that sweeter. I had a prominent coach/administrator say to me 'Well, you know, in the NCAA format you guys may not always earn a bid'.True. Then we will be like every other sport and game in life.
row2k: What are the next steps and major hurdles?
Chris Clark: The next major step requires sponsorship of the proposal by multiple conferences. Also, as men's rowing is the "farm league" for the 8 events that comprise the Olympic men's rowing program, we expect that USRowing and by extension the USOC will be in strong support. The biggest hurdle is that we (the large and growing group that supports this) are coaches and not lobbyists. Due to this, we are moving slowly. We will not set this in motion until we are certain of victory.
row2k: Now that you've had time to reflect on your squad's performance from last year, what are some of your lasting impressions, and was there anything in particular that you learned?
Chris Clark: Chiefly that success can come disguised in different packages. In '02, we were fantastically strong. In '08, we were near lightweights. It is the heads that matter most. Sure, natural talent, ergs, etc... are all factors but no head, no win.
row2k: A lot of championships are won against the worst of odds; was there episode or adversity last year that they overcame that could potentially have derailed the crew?
Chris Clark: Only that our lake did not open until April 10. In a year with a slower group, we would have been affected. Last year, we barely noticed. For those that are not from cold weather rowing climates, there is no conception of how cold-water rowing helps promote speed. Why? In the spring, you are frozen to the bone every stroke. The only chance you've got at warmth is rowing as hard as you can all the time.
row2k: You're well into a new year, with some very good results behind you from the fall. Are you going with the same basic plan from last year, or do you prefer to change it up a bit?
Chris Clark: I have no plan. We work the h--- out of them and pray for the best.
row2k: Do you think it is harder to win the IRA the first time, or to repeat? Put another way, is it harder to get guys who haven't done it to do it the first time, or is it easier once the guys know it can be done?
Chris Clark: There is no question to be the hunted is way tougher than being the hunter.
row2k: With the IRA on the west coast this year, will it feel like a homecoming for you?
Chris Clark: Not really. I do miss the low humidity and 7-11's though. I am addicted to soda so if you see me I'll be certain to have a Big Gulp in my hand.
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02/13/2009 2:52:23 PM
04/13/2009 9:48:54 AM
02/13/2009 1:21:57 PM
02/12/2009 8:11:15 AM
02/06/2009 7:04:38 AM
02/05/2009 9:12:37 PM
02/05/2009 1:12:29 PM
I can see why the NCAA reached out to womens rowing (Title IX $$$ spend). I'm not sure why an AD at a D1 school w/o a lake or a river would support this. Not a revenue sport, expensive, not a media darling, no river = no Directors Cup points. I think sailing is a non-NCAA sport for similar reasons. I think the idea is an OK one, I just wonder even if rowing ADs promote the agenda, that their non-rowing peers will buy in enough to make it happen at the National level.
Those programs that think they're at risk might better spend their time fund raising from alums/parents/sponsors.
02/05/2009 12:28:06 PM