The Trojan Navy now boasts the fastest crew in Southern California. Next-up: Stanford at Redwood Shores

By Danny Friedman

The most important characteristic of any organization is its culture. This is especially true when you consider a sports team. Athletes come and go for all teams; those that consistently compete at the highest levels do so more because of their culture than their talent.

Thus, the greatest challenge facing our Coach, Gene Kininmonth, when he came to USC this summer was not just recruiting exceptional rowers, it was changing the culture of mediocrity that had percolated throughout the program since it lost its varsity status.

Without even realizing it at the time, I myself had become a part of this mediocrity. I clearly remember Coach’s first email to co-captain Sean Miller and myself outlining his goals for the upcoming season. Beating Stanford, winning the Cal Cup at the San Diego Crew Classic, putting three boats in the Grand Finals at PAC-10s, and sending a varsity and a novice boat back to compete and win at IRAs.

Although I hate to admit it now, I emailed Coach back and told him that sounds great, but I just want to make sure we beat UCLA and LMU and establish ourselves as the best crew in the Marina. Coach quickly made sure I realized that things were changing and that we needed to plan on competing with the best in the country. My initial modest goals for the year were quickly realized by repeatedly beating LMU in scrimmages and then by crushing UCLA in our dual that many of you were present to see. Even after these victories, however, I still did not see us as a truly elite crew. Yet after we beat OCC, the defending Cal Cup champion, twice on their home course this December, I became a full-fledged member of Coach’s optimistic school of thinking.

Now our sights are set on one of the loftiest of our preseason goals, beating Stanford in a dual. Beating them will place us among the very best crews in the country, and leave us bursting with confidence heading into the San Diego Crew Classic and our dual season.

Additionally, thanks to an incredibly talented group of new athletes and the continued support of our alumni and friends, we have set our sights on two new goals: winning both the IRA National Championship and the Henley Regatta in England in a 4-man boat.

It sure is a long way from just wanting to be the fastest crew in the Marina. And all it took was a little change in culture.

Danny Friedman, 6'5," is a co-captain of the Trojan Navy and rows 5-seat for USC's varsity crew.