Steve Peterson, a 1996 Olympian in the lightweight double scull, is starting his second year as the IU women's rowing coach. Peterson became only the second coach in IU rowing history after leaving a similar post at George Washington University. IU will host the Big Ten women's rowing championships on Lake Lemon April 30, 2005. \nIndiana Daily Student: For women new to rowing, what kind of athletic background might improve their chances of success on the IU crew team?\nSteve Peterson: We are looking for tall women who have a strong endurance base and are powerful by nature. Swimmers make great rowers, as do volleyball and basketball players. The biggest thing we are looking for is someone who is a self-driven, competitive athlete. There are no stars in our sport, so anyone who crews has to want to do it because they love the challenges it presents, not because they are going to get much attention.
IDS: What specific mental preparation does competitive rowing require? \nSP: The wind conditions, rowing course and regatta schedules are never the same from one race to the next. So we prepare for what we can control, and that goes hand-in-hand with our physiological preparation. We not only spend time physically rehearsing race strategy and rowing technique, but we also talk and think about what we want to achieve. We try to develop mental "cues" so that in a race, when all is going wrong, the crew can refer to them and maintain technique and strategy.
IDS: Does crew prepare a rower for life outside the boat in school or career? \nSP: Absolutely! The majority of people go to work every day, work extremely hard and get very little recognition. Rowing teaches the individual to find value in doing things and working hard for themselves, not in getting recognition. Rowing teaches the athlete about teamwork, which is also a big part of life. Rowing is often called "the ultimate team sport" because it requires nine individuals to work closely, physically and mentally, toward a common goal.
IDS: What role has Title IX played in the growth and popularity of intercollegiate women's crew? \nSP: It has had a huge impact for women's and, indirectly, for men's rowing. As Title IX evolved and schools had to find more athletic avenues for women, rowing was a natural fit. The large number of athletic opportunities the sport offers women and the fact it is a sport that a person can take up at a later age and be competitive makes rowing popular at the collegiate level. The increase in popularity at the college level has trickled down to the high schools, and we are seeing a huge growth in the sport at the junior level. As more and more girls have started rowing, and as more girls programs have started up, it has been easy for boys to take up the sport at the high school level.
IDS: You have impressive rowing accomplishments. How beneficial to coaching crew are credentials like that?\nSP: My experiences as a coach and as an athlete have helped me better understand what makes a good rower and what will make the crews go the fastest. Having experienced this sport as someone who learned to row in college and eventually made it to the Olympics has also taught me that ours is a sport that anyone can do. It just takes hard work and dedication. That is what I try and teach my athletes about our sport and life.
IDS: Crew teams name their boats. What are the some of the names of the IU shells, and how are they selected? \nSP: Shells are named after special people who have had an impact on the team, the school or the rowers. Our newest shell that we got last spring was named the "Chuck Crabb '73" after the well known "Voice of the Hoosiers," who has been a huge supporter of the program. Other shells are named the "Class of 2003," after the first class of rowers who made varsity as freshmen and were on varsity all four years. We also have the "Herman B Wells" after the former IU president, and the "Cream 8," but I am not sure how that name came about. \n-- Contact staff writer Bill Meehan at wmeehan@indiana.edu .
