Support Staff Plays Key Role in Louisville's Success
December 15, 2014 | Rowing
Head coach Derek Copeland meets with the Cardinals during the 2014 NCAA Championship.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville rowing program experienced its greatest year ever in 2014. The highlights included the program's first NCAA Championship berth, the first conference title and the fifth All-American honoree.
As is the case with any successful team, numerous factors played key roles in the triumphs on and off the water for the Cardinals during the record-setting season. The foundation for success in Louisville includes a talented roster of determined student-athletes training in the nation's premier collegiate rowing boathouse under the direction of a trio of knowledgeable and experienced coaches while representing one of America's most supportive universities.
However, there is another important ingredient in the Cardinals' recipe for success that was not included in that description - the support staff. At Louisville, that highly committed group of people working behind the scenes inside the rowing program have been integral in reaching new levels on and off the water.
"I can say without hesitation that I work alongside the most talented and driven group of people each day and they're an extremely important reason for the success we've had," said Louisville head coach Derek Copeland, in his third season leading the Cardinals. "From boathouse manager Ed Oxlade, to graduate assistant Claire-Louise Bode, volunteer assistants Lina Azarova and Mark McIlduff and athletic trainer Hannah Brinza, this is a group that truly loves the sport of rowing and that also desires to succeed at the highest level."
Whether it's on the water each day coaching, supporting and encouraging the Louisville rowers during intense training sessions, or working in the G. Garvin Brown III Rowing Center covering the numerous details required to improve each day, the members of the Cardinals' support staff provide the help needed so that Copeland and assistant coaches Sarah McIlduff and Robbie Tenenbaum can do their jobs at the highest level.
"We have experienced, passionate and energetic people in key roles and we have great women in the program," said Oxlade, who hails from the United Kingdom and is in his second season managing the Cardinals' boathouse. "And when those days come where the rowers may struggle, there is such an upswell of enthusiasm and passion for what we do, which only helps push the team forward. This staff is ridiculously talented and we're fortunate to have each of these people."
As the person who oversees all of the numerous pieces of equipment used by the Cardinals each day in training and in competition, Oxlade is the primary point person for how things operate in and around the rowing center. With an extensive background in the sport covering 27 years as a coach and a competitor, Oxlade has a great perspective on how to do his job well.
"Coming from a coaching background, I've seen when things don't work right and the negative impact that can have on training so I work hard to make sure everything works properly each day. It's all about efficiency for me - the goal is to be at our optimum efficiency."
On the water, support and assistance comes from the trio of Azarova, Bode and McIlduff. With extensive rowing backgrounds, each of them brings unique perspective and tremendous experience while teaching, motivating and encouraging the Louisville rowers.
"There is so much love for the sport in this group. We're all so passionate for it and Derek has the vision needed to guide all of us. It's a fun group to be around," explained Azarova, a native of Pskov, Russia who rowed for the Cardinals and served as a graduate assistant prior to transitioning to a volunteer assistant role this season. "Having been an athlete here, working as a GA and now as a volunteer, my love for Louisville continues to grow. There is so much pride in not only the rowing program, but for the entire university."
Bode is in her first season as a graduate assistant with the Cardinals following a highly successful collegiate rowing career at Ohio State, where she won back-to-back NCAA championships and was a two-time All-American. A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Bode assists on the water during training while also assisting off the water with workout logs and team communication.
"I can't get away from rowing no matter what I do and I want to coach at some level after grad school. I'm learning all of the details of what goes into the coaching side of it, which is very useful for me," said Bode. "This is a really diverse group. We all have different perspectives and ideas, which allow us to put our heads together and find the right answer when problems arise."
McIlduff, who is married to Louisville assistant Sarah McIlduff, is in his third year assisting with the Cardinals. A native of Flint, Mich., he works alongside the varsity team giving the team another set of eyes to monitor what's happening on the water.
"I am appreciative of the chances for volunteers to work in a program like this," explained McIlduff, who rowed collegiately for the club team at the University of Dayton and was coached by Copeland. "Having so many resources and facilities is certainly a great benefit for the team, but it's also a close-knit group who doesn't believe in shortcuts."
With so many talented and fully committed people pulling the same direction, it's easy to see why the Cardinals have found so much success on and off the water. However, expectations are at an all-time high following the leaps in 2014 and the move to the ACC in 2015.
"The framework is here to win. With the resources we have and the support we have from the institution, there is no doubt in my mind all of the parts are here," said Oxlade. "All of the bells and whistles compliment having the right people and the right commitment. The stature of the university if constantly rising and being in the ACC is a massive step for us."
However, no matter what the expectations become or what goals are achieved, the coaches and support staff are do all they can to keep everything in focus.
"This is not a job. We're really lucky to do this and to get paid for it, but we're even more fortunate to do it here with this group of athletes," Oxlade explained. "It's a thrill to do this each day and I don't lose sight of that."
Fans can follow Louisville rowing on Twitter (@UofLRowing) at http://twitter.com/UofLRowing.
