What Crew Means to Me
~ By Lisa Reed

Joining the USC Men’s Crew Team as a coxswain has been one of the best decisions I have made so far in college.

Just as I applied to USC on a whim, I randomly decided to look into becoming a coxswain when I saw the tall, handsome rowers walking around on campus recruiting. It didn’t take much convincing to get me to attend the informational meeting, or even to get me out to my first practice at 5:45 AM.

In the first couple weeks, we saw coxswains come and go. However, I chose to stick with the sport because of a few reasons. The team has become a second family for me, which I particularly enjoy as my own family is back in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Now, I have twenty older brothers who are always looking out for their young coxswain. In addition to providing a place of belonging, crew has become a stress relief. Being out on the water early in the morning is an experience like no other, especially when it is enjoyed in a perfectly balanced boat with a fully functioning cox-box.

Above all, races have proved to be the most enjoyable part about crew. My crew has beaten UCLA twice already this year, and I’m very eager to crush them in the spring races. I was also very proud of the novice crew’s finish at the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival. I have seen all the guys make incredible improvements, and I know that we have a season of victories ahead of us. Already I have enjoyed many swims after being tossed in for our first place inishes. I am willing to brave the cold water many more times in my college coxing career if it means destroying other crews.

This season has already proved to be an exciting one, and I know that my time spent with the team will only get better. I hope to see all of you – parents, alumni, donors, friends – at races in the spring. Fight on ‘SC!

Lisa Reed is a freshman and coxswain of the Novice Crew.