"Rowing can offer many things. You gain awesome physical and spiritual strength. You learn the secret of focus and discipline, which are critical for success in any arena… We row to fill in some missing piece of ourselves. If you stay with it long enough, take enough hard strokes, win and lose enough races, you will find what you're looking for."
-Brad Lewis, "Wanted: Rowing Coach"
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the start of what will most assuredly be a successful year of racing here with Granby Crew! The expectations are high, the talent pool is vast, and an undercurrent of nervous excitement clearly flows through all who remember the exceptional results of last spring, results that form the foundation for the year that is now upon us. There is no denying it: Granby Crew can race against any team in the Tidewater Area, in the State of Virginia, and at the highest levels of competition. You are a member of that crew; the one others want to beat. Do not forget this truism...
As I enter my second season with Granby and my first as Head Coach, I could not have asked for a better group of student athletes with whom to work. I have rowed and coached in the United States and overseas, and the dedication I see from your sons and daughters is unique to Granby; their drive for perfection, inspiring; and their motivation and care (and sense of humor!) truly beneficial in what can perhaps be an intimidating training regimen and busy schedule. But it will not get any easier. My expectations are very high, as they well should be considering the goals that lay before us. As simple as they may appear on paper, we must strive to accomplish the following: a rowing team average GPA of 3.0, a record-setting number of state championships, numerous qualifications for the Scholastic Rowing Association National Championship, and acceptance of rowers into premium racing camps and by top colleges/universities. These are possible dreams that will require not only work on the part of the rower but also support and care from the parents. I expect challenges, and I expect difficulties... if this were an easy sport, everyone would participate.
Since beginning the rowing adventure in 1998, my personal coaching goals have remained simple and unchanged. I want to develop in your student-athlete a love of this, the ultimate team sport, a sport for life that has introduced me to phenomenal people, allowed me to travel to amazing locations around the world, and forced me to examine myself and how I function as a rower and coach, but also-and more importantly-as a person. With the aforementioned forming the thesis of coaching operations, the staff that have the privilege to work with your child will place them in positions to be successful and form them as rowers, scholars, and leaders, helping them develop mentally, physically, and socially in a healthy and safe environment. High school coaching consists of a relationship between coach, rower, teacher, and parent; all are vital to guarantee success. I highly encourage you to contact me with any concerns, problems, joys, elations, or requests. My contact information is at the bottom of this page, and I always carry my cellular phone.
We are all a team, and I recognize greatly and appreciate sincerely the trust you have instilled in me to work with your son or daughter. Thank you for this honor... the National Championships are in 238 days. Here's to a great season together!
Most Sincerely,
Matthew A. Goetz, USRA, RN&RM ARA (UK)
614.749.1167
If you are a Granby High School Student interested in joining us, or just looking for more information, please contact team manager at: granbycrewmanager
Greetings from the Granby High School Crew Team Booster Club! If you have rowing news or photos you would like to share, or if you are interested in writing a column for the website, please feel free to email me at: webmaster@granbyrowing.com
