Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/157779
Class is in Session By Jil Price W hen first-year University of Iowa head rowing coach Andrew Carter looks at the program he inherited, he sees no boundaries. The third coach in program history is excited to be at an institution offering full support, with the opportunity to bring a program to the top of the Big Ten Conference. — from the new coaches coming in and the students being open-minded and having open hearts with new ideas — I think we can start talking about competitive benchmarks. The key is going to be to get to know them." "I think (what excites me most are the) limitless possibilities," said Carter. "There is no question that the university and the athletics department have gotten behind the rowing program here. The resourcing that is available is second-to-none, and I have no sense that there is a ceiling for the program. After spending more than 10 years as a college teacher, Carter's coaching philosophy centers around education. He believes as athletes become more educated on the sport of rowing and the process, they become more powerful and competitive on the water. His goal is to ultimately be redundant in preparing, coaching, and educating the athletes so that they don't need him on competition day. "That's exciting. I've had the opportunity to meet some of the women on the team and they have that same look in their eye that they think there is a lot left for them to do." During the Carter coaching era, Iowa rowing fans can expect a technically-sound team on the water and a rowing team full of well-rounded ambassadors of the university. Carter, who has long-term goals of competing at the top of the Big Ten and for titles at the NCAA Championships, believes that none of that can be accomplished until he and new assistant coach Jeffrey Garbutt get to know the team. This interaction will be key in their ability to accomplish success as one. "If I do my job, they should expect to see technicallysound rowing, a high level of boat-moving ability and boat-moving skills, and a deep understanding from our students about what they're doing," said Carter. "What we should expect from all of our teams is that these women represent this university in first-class fashion on and off the water. "My first goal is to really get to know this team," said Carter. "For the team to progress further than it has already I need to understand them at a deep level and they need to understand me. "Getting to know the team is going to be critical in the coming year. If we do a good job of that on both sides "They should be ambassadors of this department, of our sport, and of the university and community. These things are important, and they all contribute to how they will perform in the sporting arena. If we instill that level of respect and collegial nature of our sport, it will rub off, and they will be winning more races." 47