Like most highly-anticipated events, this one was over and done with in a matter of moments. It might have been a four-day jaunt, but relative to it's preparation, it was a snap of the finger, a blip on the radar, a bolt of lightning.
For a program like Davidson, talented at the Division I mid-major level with aspirations of greater successes, calling the conference championship meet the pinnacle of the season would be a gross understatement. You dream of every conference championship unfolding just as you would plan the moment the previous conference meet concluded. It's just so important; it paves the way for next season's returning swimmers and divers and entices recruits to join a program headed upward and onward. It sparks alumni to relive past glories while assisting in future ones. The athletic department basks in the program's success while listening to methods of strengthening it's foundation. Other programs and individuals can boast of NCAA championship births or Olympic qualifying standards, but those are few and far between from the student-athletes at the majority of institutions.
The privilege accompanied with holding a ticket for that roller-coaster ride and having a spot on deck at the CCSA Championships did not come cheap. When you live by yourself in a small-town, away from friends, family, fiancee, and finances, there is plenty of time to ponder, reflect, and consider the path that you took to get in this very position. Please don't mistake this as a cry for help, a symbol of martyrdom (although I'm sure I do that a lot,) or a plea to escape. It is what it is - I have a lot of time to reflect - as do many others in my position. For me, the lure of collegiate swim coaching IS the conference meet, and not just those fours days, but the understanding of the journey to get to Athens and the subsequent unraveling of the meet.
It certainly did not disappoint.
You can measure a season's success and shortcomings in a variety of ways: best times, team discipline, turnover, hugs, revenue, etc. I can't say that the season was a complete success. After all, you would never want to rest on your laurels and settle for what you can improve. However, I can tell you that I could not have asked for a better group of kids to associate myself with, to guide, to learn from, and to carry me through the baptism of being a college swim coach. I know that I made plenty of mistakes along the way. It's very humbling hearing them steered right at you. In teaching, sometimes we tend to sugar-coat the truth when a good smack in the face or douse of ice water would have done the trick just fine. It's not just the student-athletes. The bond formed by the coaches must be predicated on trust and the understanding that we are working towards a common goal. Feelings can get hurt but never out of spite but, conversely, out of care.
Now bundle all of those thoughts, reflect on all of the dual meets, invitationals, gut-retching practices, all-nighters, early risers, bickers, tough love moments, ripped suits, speeches, and fatigue, and you've got yourself a season. That's racing through your head leading to meet and dominating your thoughts once the final chapter to the season has been written. This season has reaffirmed the commitment I would like to embody as a leader. The conference meet might have passed us in a flash, but the personal investment you make to those kids, whether the brightest star or the statistician, is as on-going as the earth revolving. I'm proud of what the team has accomplished and it makes every sacrifice worth-while.
I have learned a lot from these Wildcats and I would love to share all of these moments with you. I love coaching and teaching student-athletes to attain their greatest potentials. Yes, going best times when it counted the most was gratifying. It's also nice to store two more plaques in the office and to display such blazing speeds to future Wildcats. For me, though, the greatest sense of satisfaction is hearing those kids not only appreciate what THEY got out of the season, but what business has yet been unfinished and what they will do to finish it. The grind of a swim season can be like no other and the oasis of rest and a looser schedule is quite appealing. To push that aside, put your team first, and willingly challenge yourself to a higher standard is nothing short of motivating and inspirational.
Let's face it, next year's conference meet is right around the corner. It must be time to start thinking about it.
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