Why is it that nobody pays attention to women’s crew at Fairfield?
Well, there are probably a bunch of reasons.
Crew, or rowing, as a sport often just doesn’t get a lot of attention, regardless of gender orientation.
It’s not what many would call a “spectator sport” and, to that end, there are not too many spectators showing up to … spectate.
One could imagine that placing fourth out of six in the MAAC did not help either.
But what if change was on the horizon?
Rowing has to be one of the most difficult sports out there, not only to perform physically (it’s almost entirely dependent on how the other rowers are doing) but also to simply manage in terms of logistics.
In addition to needing the boats to row, the boathouse in which to store the boats, and the body of water on which to row the boats, a skilled team capable of making their boats go faster than the other school’s boats needs to be present.
Fairfield University has always had all of these things, but one tremendous difference about this year is that just about everything is new and improved.
Mary McGrath ’10, on women’s varsity, speaks highly about the prospective season.
“We’re all very willing to put in the time and the effort, and we all want it,” she said. “I think we’re going to do well.”
Her words do not ring hollow. Confidence in one’s fellow rowers is a must-have, and a good sign at that, especially when synchronized paddling is quite literally what moves the team forward.
She added, “It’s really important for everyone to want to do everything for the right reasons, and this year I think everyone does.”
Also new to the Fairfield rowing scene this year is the director of rowing David Patterson, formerly of Iona.
This guy knows his stuff. Not only is he someone who has good and established crew coaching experience at various colleges, but he’s won numerous collegiate events himself, and actually rowed for the Scottish National Team.
He later won a bronze medal at the United States Club National Championships. What kind of coach he’ll be for Fairfield depends completely on the performance he sees.
“I’ll be whoever I have to be for the team to win,” he said.
Regardless of what direction Patterson decides to take, it seems as though Fairfield University crew is entering into a legitimate building year and maybe even something more than that.
Whether or not the teams receive the recognition that their efforts deserve is inconsequential.
There are more immediate goals being laid out.
“It’s really just about trampling [first place] Marist,” said Patterson.
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