From the Other Side

There has been so much to look forward to between the last day of finals on Davidson's campus (December 18th) to the first day of the spring semester (January 12th.) I've been visiting many families and friends over this extended time away from my current residence and it's all been terrific, complete with many highlighted moments. Two of these highlights from Northern Virginia and Pittsburgh came in watching Fairfax High School battle Westfield on Friday night and Paul VI compete on Saturday.

Now I've only known Fairfax High School Swimming and Diving from the coaching perspective and the unique experience from watching behind the glass certainly was a challenge. But observing kids you used to coach and opponents you used to try to defeat from up top was enjoyable, if not unique. The races and dives came and went and once the meet concluded, the best moments soon followed. Being able to congratulate so many members of the team made the trip worth-while. I wanted to pull 70 chairs together right there in the Wakefield parking lot and have a huge talk with the group about how much I missed them and how much I think about their season as it unfolds. There is never enough time to get caught-up with every one's happenings in a 5-second handshake or hug. It was special, though, and it couldn't have commenced my Christmas any better.

The following day I saw Michelle (Patty's youngest sister and my favorite person) swim for Paul VI. Michelle had not swum on any other team other than Villa during the summer and in this her senior season, she decided to dedicate three months to swimming for a more intense program. Not only did she do well in the relays, but she looked terrific in the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, two events she would not have dreamed of swimming just one month earlier. Two other Villa swimmers, Marcus and Connor toughed it out in difficult events, leaving their comfort zones of sprint freestyle to face more challenging obstacles head-on, like the 200 IM and 500 free.

When you cultivate these relationships with athletes, witnessing their successes is a privilege. To see Fairfax guys and girls beat Westfield and to see those PVI swimmers makes my so glad to be associate with athletics. It's ironic how, in the previous entry, I wrote about what it takes to be a fan. Until last weekend, I never thought about the transformation of coach to fan and how can have such a profound effect on me. I may not always be the coach for those kids for that season, but I'll always be their fan.

Being a Fan

The biggest game in the AFC took place yesterday in Baltimore and I had been looking forward to it about five minutes after the Cowboy win. CBS moved the previously scheduled 1PM Steelers at Ravens match-up to accommodate more national attention and casual fans. Like many Sundays, I plan my day around the Steeler game. I've been lucky, in many regards, that a) many of the games this season have been on national television or b) if I did not get the game, I had Christa texting me updates every 4 minutes with what was happening because I was not near a television, Internet, or telephone-appropriate atmosphere.

I didn't really think twice about the Ravens game - I would get home from the office at 4:10PM and calmly sit on the floor, like always, and will the guys on to victory.

Unfortunately for me, the ONLY regions in the United States of America that were not showing this clash of gladiators were Denver and CHARLOTTE. Thanks a lot Panthers.

Now if any of you know much about my elitist fan habits, many things may and may not occur when I watch my teams. Of the 18 rules I religiously uphold, in the top three is never watching games in public. I don't deal well with unintelligent commentary, cheering, chit-chat about how work is going, people that claim to be fans and embarrass our fine city and my family, smoke, the opposing fans, people who are "smarter" than the coaches, people who think they are smarter than me, and people cheering for their fantasy players. But here I was at a crossroads. I could stay in my apartment, hitting the refresh button on the computer with extreme vigor and hoping they show highlights every 5 minutes, or I could go somewhere to watch the game.

I reluctantly pick up the phone and start dialing some numbers. First option - only showing the Panthers game. Second option - we don't show games. Third option - Tropicana Sports Bar. I call and the "gentleman" on the phone says something like "yeah we're showin' the Steelers game on one of these TVs." Out the door...

(Here's how one person describes my destination: "The building itself is fairly non-descript. It shares a parking lot with a smoke shop, and a small sign on the roof is your only clue that you are looking at a sports bar. The atmosphere is definitely unpretentious and laid-back. It isn't super-spacious, but let's face it: at the end of the night, after you've already had a few, it doesn't really matter.")

(Chagrin)

Upon entering, the SEVEN people around the bar are watching the Panthers game and in the corner on a 25-inch box is my game. The bar table directly in front of the game has one ashtray, one Styrofoam cup and no people. And there I would sit - for roughly three full quarters gazing at the defensive slobber-knocker.

Since I'm a fairly positive person, let's start with the positives of the experience. First, I had a seat. Second, no one sat with me. Third, did I mention I had a seat.

But damn it, the boys needed me. If I needed to drive through the rain and inhale the smoke, listen to "GO D'ANGELO" for when the Panthers' RB would run, tolerate the swearing, spilled booze, randoms throwing 100% accurate nuggets of knowledge my way, no volume, and the darkness, than that's what I was going to do. That's what happens, though, when you're a fan. You'll do things you never thought you would because YOU affect your team's fate. They need your focus and subliminal play calling through the television to get into the endzone. You need to only eat non-fruit items at halftime because that's what the team would want you to do.

And with just over three minutes remaining in the game, down 3 and 92 yards away from the endzone, Tropicana did seem like such a bad place. Our boys shrugged off 57 minutes of JV offense to score an incredible touchdown a catapult us to a North Division crown. The game was a classic and I was so proud of our guys for looking at the Ravens nose-to-nose and walking away as the better defense (and offense.) There were so many big plays that determined the outcome that it's hard to anoint anyone the players of the game. And I saw it.

After getting in the truck, I immediately called Robby to get his reactions and get a gauge for his excitement. He proceeded to state that we won the game because of what he had done in the bar right before every possession the Steelers scored upon and thus, we owe the first-round bye to him.

I'd like to think we both had something to do with it - maybe even more than usual.

The Pittsburgh Report - December 12th

Every so often, I'll be posting my thoughts on how things are going in the homeland. This could range from how the Steelers recap of the previous week, to how the schools still don't close despite 18 inches of snow - to what Mammaw made for Sunday dinner. It will most likely be in bullet format, but if I get really fired-up, I may throw in the occasional rant. Enjoy:

* The Steelers are in a battle this week. Hines has a great quote about the Ravens: “Anybody in purple, they’re hated. It’s a respect, but there’s no love for them. They’re not inviting me to come out and eat crab cakes with them.” Both team will want to control the ball and field position. Watch out for Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth - if they have big games, we'll win.

* The Penguins had lost 3 in a row before beating the Islanders by a touchdown. It's a game they needed to win, but I hope they saved some goals for their next 12 against conference foes.

* In honor of the Pirates selecting Donnie Veal in the Rule 5 Draft, I wore my Buccos sweatshirt to practice today. This is a sign that we are moving up - I hope. Pirate fans count to date: 20

* Pitt football - At last, the boys are in the Sun Bowl with nine wins playing on New Year's Eve - count me as someone that did not think that would happen after losing to Bowling Green in the first game.

* Pitt basketball - I'm going to have a lot of fun watching them this season. They've had some nice wins against Washington State and Texas Tech. Tomorrow they face Siena, one of the surprise NCAA tournament teams last season.

Family Notes:

Christa continues to work hard for the Pitt sports information department. I really hope they consider taking her to El Paso for the Sun Bowl. I promise that no one in the Salerno family tree will have ever traveled farther for their job.

Dad went to the Steeler/Cowboy game last week and stated it was "the coldest he's ever been in his life." But, he says, "all the idiots that yell were too cold to stand and make jag-offs of themselves. So that was nice."

Mom is currently looking for non-pleated pants for me for Christmas. This will mark the 18th straight Christmas I look to upgrade my wardrobe solely on December 25th. Thanks Mom!

Have a great weekend everyone!

That Was Then, That Was Now

I remember when I was about 10 years old and I discovered our soccer team would be going to an outdoor tournament in the Middle of Nowhere, Ohio. I was really excited at the prospect of STAYING IN A HOTEL and getting to PLAY SOCCER WITH MY FRIENDS against COMPLETE STRANGERS in the BITTER AUTUMN CHILL. I specifically remember playing in short sleeves (despite the snow) and feeling so tough - even if I was only ten. We returned to Ohio a few other times for soccer and each tournament was just as enjoyable as the previous year's. And yes, I still continued to wear short sleeves.

Fast forward to this past weekend. When I had heard of the prospect of traveling NORTH to Ohio for a swim meet, again I was extremely excited. I had never been to this particular Middle of Nowhere, Ohio (Gambier) but I could not help but recall those frigid days in shin guards, on the pitch, with my pals, playing great games and having a blast.

Our trip this past weekend was a success on many fronts. First, the team broke ten school records, which is not easy to do when you are not fully tapered. Even if records were not broken, most of the 23 Wildcats that made the voyage swam season bests and stood toe-to-toe with some of the fastest swimmers in the country, noteably Penn, host-Kenyon, and Kansas' women's team. Second, no one got hurt or sick. You might think this is a silly success, but I am surprised how over-prepared the team was for the elements. Some brought hats and gloves and others we ready for the Ididarod.

Most importantly, though, the team continued to grow a little closer. It's amazing how people's perspectives change when you witness a teammate achieve a best time, have a good continental breakfast, or chase squirrels in the snow for five minutes. Instantly, being nervous for the 400IM does not seem so daunting because, after all, you know what you're doing and you'll be great for swimming it. Yes, the team was tired at times, but that comes with the travel, the late nights studying in the hotel lobby and, most noteably, the pressure-inflicted racing.

These trips are very special because they are so rare and such a terrific chance to be away. We may never get snow in Davidson this year and we may not swim against teams this fast. It all refers back to opportunity and making the most of that chance. I have the opportunity to be around some very special kids every day and to know that they enjoyed their trip to Kenyon made my experience that much more fulfilling.

I'm sure that if I were in a profession that required continuous travel from state to state and time zone to time zone, the luster of relocating would dim. There's just something great about knowing your will be STAYING IN A HOTEL and getting to COMPETE WITH FRIENDS against COMPLETE STRANGERS in the BITTER AUTUMN CHILL that is very enticing. The swimmers made my first adventure to Gambier very memorable - almost as if I were ten all over again.

My New Makos

Back in 2004 when I was wrestling with the idea of becoming a year-round swim coach, there was an array of doubts drawing me away from such a prospective opportunity. My primary questions I can’t posing to myself was “would my coaching principles become too myopic to the sport of swimming and, almost more important, would my coaching philosophies shift more to the individual than the team?”

My four years on-board with Makos brought more optimism from the sport than I could ever imagine. I know that I would not be in Davidson without the guidance that I received from my USS experiences and my fellow coaches.

Since moving to Davidson, I never thought that I would miss Makos as much as I do. The increased responsibility over the years was both humbling and very rewarding. I had two groups of my own and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them. On one group I had teenagers that were starting to commit themselves to the sport and rising to new feats in their age groups. In the other groups, I had middle school swimmers that were looking to not only get better, but to continue to improve and enjoy the occasional thrill of competition. Both had positive attitudes and they grew on me with every practice and competition; they are irreplaceable.

Now I have the responsibility of coaching two groups for the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club comprised of swimmers that have quite a few differences from my Makos groups. The first group of swimmers, labeled the Junior Swim League, meets for 45 minutes. All of these kids are great in their own right. Half of them think I’m pretty lame, a quarter of them think I’m entertaining, and the remaining fourth usually are underwater when we are trying to accomplish something…anything. Note – this proportion is eerily similar with the college swimmers. The second Mecklenburg group is labeled Teen Fit (similar to the ‘High School’ group of Makos.) They is a lot of talent there, but many of them are unpolished in several aspects of the sport and look as if the interest in swimming was never fully sparked.

MAC is much larger than Makos – it spans four different facilities across Mecklenburg Country and the Charlotte Metropolitan area. There are many differences to Carolina Swimming from the Potomac Valley, but one things remains – the opportunity to teach.

I don’t expect to form life-long bonds with these swimmers from North Carolina in a couple of months. It took a lot of time, communication and good fortune for that to unfurl. For all I know, I might be on my way to open brand-new door to a future I could not have imagined (say, in 2012) thanks to MAC. But one thing that Makos and MAC have done is allowed me to continue to teach young people and stay enthusiastic about coaching and the sport of swimming. For both organizations, I am very grateful.

This weekend, I’m in Ohio and for the first time, a substitute will be monitoring my swimmers back in Davidson. I hope everything goes well – just like I hope it does back in Fairfax. I miss them all when I’m not around them.