Comments for Coaches' Blog http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2 Ideas, ideals, and dealings from Tufts Coaches Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:11:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on The Burner by Markberry http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=467#comment-463 Markberry Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:22:33 +0000 http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=467#comment-463 Dan, this will be the nicest thing Ethan will ever say about you. It's all downhill from here. Seriously, welcome to the TUXC/TUTF graduate assistant family. I only wish I could've had the privilege of working alongside you instead of seeing you beat our athletes. Enjoy every moment you get to spend in that office because, before you know it, you'll be sucked into the "real world" and pretend that there is something better than coaching at Tufts. My heart will always be in Medford so I expect to see the boys putting out their best efforts in the hardest races. Good luck (you won't need it) and welcome! Dan, this will be the nicest thing Ethan will ever say about you. It’s all downhill from here.

Seriously, welcome to the TUXC/TUTF graduate assistant family. I only wish I could’ve had the privilege of working alongside you instead of seeing you beat our athletes. Enjoy every moment you get to spend in that office because, before you know it, you’ll be sucked into the “real world” and pretend that there is something better than coaching at Tufts. My heart will always be in Medford so I expect to see the boys putting out their best efforts in the hardest races. Good luck (you won’t need it) and welcome!

]]> Comment on Nationals Thoughts (Take 3) - The Wife by Drew Nichols http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=415#comment-444 Drew Nichols Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:03:22 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=415#comment-444 Marion - I think you also described why Ethan is such a good friend to all who know him. Sarah and I will miss seeing you two this weekend. Marion - I think you also described why Ethan is such a good friend to all who know him. Sarah and I will miss seeing you two this weekend.

]]> Comment on Nationals Thoughts (Take 3) - The Wife by Maggie http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=415#comment-443 Maggie Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:22:39 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=415#comment-443 You got it, Marion :) You got it, Marion :)

]]> Comment on Lacey’s 1st Boston Marathon by AK http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=385#comment-424 AK Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:36:22 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=385#comment-424 So true, what a guy. It's great to see Matt's still running some great times. So true, what a guy. It’s great to see Matt’s still running some great times.

]]> Comment on Look, Ma! I’m straddling a fence on a slippery slope! by Tim http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=363#comment-379 Tim Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:42:38 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=363#comment-379 I don't think it's fair to compare the case of Semenya to other athletes, like Shaq or Tayshaun who have genetic differences that enable to them to perform exceptionally well in their sport. The NBA isn't divided into two separate divisions: one for the tall and the short. Track, however, is: male and female. If the issue were that her pituitary gland overproduced GH and made her exceptionally tall, people wouldn't suggest that something had to be done to level the playing field before she could play in the WNBA. Other competitors would accept that she was born in a way that gave her an advantage over the other women. The question, however, isn't whether Semenya has a genetic advantage over other females; it's whether she actually belongs in the female category at all. It's certainly unfortunate that she has to be subject to all of the testing and a sports governing body then has to declare whether or not she's female, but I don't see any way around it. If she is ruled to be a hermaphrodite, how can she be allowed to compete in a division for people who are purely biologically female? I don’t think it’s fair to compare the case of Semenya to other athletes, like Shaq or Tayshaun who have genetic differences that enable to them to perform exceptionally well in their sport. The NBA isn’t divided into two separate divisions: one for the tall and the short. Track, however, is: male and female.

If the issue were that her pituitary gland overproduced GH and made her exceptionally tall, people wouldn’t suggest that something had to be done to level the playing field before she could play in the WNBA. Other competitors would accept that she was born in a way that gave her an advantage over the other women.

The question, however, isn’t whether Semenya has a genetic advantage over other females; it’s whether she actually belongs in the female category at all. It’s certainly unfortunate that she has to be subject to all of the testing and a sports governing body then has to declare whether or not she’s female, but I don’t see any way around it. If she is ruled to be a hermaphrodite, how can she be allowed to compete in a division for people who are purely biologically female?

]]> Comment on Look, Ma! I’m straddling a fence on a slippery slope! by Maggie http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=363#comment-378 Maggie Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:58:32 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=363#comment-378 This article got me all fired up, and not just because a Duke Law professor makes one of the most inflammatory statements in there. I think you provide a good discussion of the underlying issue, and I can understand both sides of the controversy: it would be hard to lose to a woman who has higher testosterone levels, and it would also be hard to keep such a woman from competing. I don't think there is a right answer to the question of whether Semenya can compete fairly. But what I found really disturbing about the article was the IOC medical panel's suggestion that athletes can compete if they agree to be treated, and if they do not agree to treatment they might be barred from competition on a "case-by-case" basis. Most track athletes I know would do almost anything to run (who here hasn't run on an injury?), so while treatment may be technically voluntary, I doubt many olympic hopefuls will want to submit their dreams to some panel's "case by case" discretion. If that means that athletes found to have medical conditions that cause hormone imbalances are effectively required to get medical treatment, that creates a situation that I see as a completely offensive violation of privacy. Medical treatment of a hormone imbalance isn't some easy fix, it is changing the chemistry of a finely tuned human body that is used to being the way it is. In a sport where success depends on the tiniest margins possible, the athlete is trapped between being expelled from competition and undergoing a treatment with effects that will likely render expulsion unnecessary. That's the point, isn't it? To "even the playing field" by making individuals with these conditions slower. I understand concern for the health effects of these disorders, but treatment decisions should be made by the athlete, not by some high panel of medical experts. I don't think it's right for the IOC to impose this policy as if it's a race of horses, not humans. This article got me all fired up, and not just because a Duke Law professor makes one of the most inflammatory statements in there. I think you provide a good discussion of the underlying issue, and I can understand both sides of the controversy: it would be hard to lose to a woman who has higher testosterone levels, and it would also be hard to keep such a woman from competing. I don’t think there is a right answer to the question of whether Semenya can compete fairly. But what I found really disturbing about the article was the IOC medical panel’s suggestion that athletes can compete if they agree to be treated, and if they do not agree to treatment they might be barred from competition on a “case-by-case” basis. Most track athletes I know would do almost anything to run (who here hasn’t run on an injury?), so while treatment may be technically voluntary, I doubt many olympic hopefuls will want to submit their dreams to some panel’s “case by case” discretion. If that means that athletes found to have medical conditions that cause hormone imbalances are effectively required to get medical treatment, that creates a situation that I see as a completely offensive violation of privacy. Medical treatment of a hormone imbalance isn’t some easy fix, it is changing the chemistry of a finely tuned human body that is used to being the way it is. In a sport where success depends on the tiniest margins possible, the athlete is trapped between being expelled from competition and undergoing a treatment with effects that will likely render expulsion unnecessary. That’s the point, isn’t it? To “even the playing field” by making individuals with these conditions slower. I understand concern for the health effects of these disorders, but treatment decisions should be made by the athlete, not by some high panel of medical experts. I don’t think it’s right for the IOC to impose this policy as if it’s a race of horses, not humans.

]]> Comment on Thanks JPak by jpak http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=359#comment-377 jpak Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:14:04 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=359#comment-377 it's called productive procrastination, coach it’s called productive procrastination, coach

]]> Comment on Thanks JPak by Drew Nichols http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=359#comment-375 Drew Nichols Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:36:31 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=359#comment-375 Good luck E. Good luck E.

]]> Comment on Thanks JPak by pete rodrigues http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=359#comment-374 pete rodrigues Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:43:06 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=359#comment-374 can you send it my way? can't have enough 40'ers in high school. can you send it my way? can’t have enough 40′ers in high school.

]]> Comment on Best moments ever… by JRags http://www.gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=333#comment-343 JRags Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:25:25 +0000 http://gojumbos.com/cblog2/?p=333#comment-343 I can't pass up an opportunity to add my two cents after a list of legends like the ones seen above. I've barely been around long enough to get a taste for this program, but I've had my share of amazing moments. 5) Going hunting at BU - This always reminds me of the quote from Running with the Buffaloes: "We work everyday, and when we go to town, we tie up the horse, spit on the dog, and we leave without a word" When we roll up to BU, we go to town. We've put in the time, and now we are methodical and calculating in exacting our payment. I always loved that attitude the distance guys brought to BU meets. Shut up, run an unbelievable time, and get back to work tomorrow morning. 4) Sorensen winning the DMR at DIII New Englands indoors - That race turned the tides and just about sealed the deal for us to take home the hardware on our own turf. I don't think I've ever screamed that loud in my whole life. 3) JB getting choked up after NESCACs - I had just finished a not-so-stellar leg on the DMR to end the meet, and JB took his opportunity to address the team for the last time in his career. As he thanked us and congratulated us for giving the team everything we had for the last 4 years, he broke down in tears, and so did I. I realized I didn't want to win for me, I wanted to win for the seniors. I would have done anything for the opportunity to hand him the NESCAC plaque. 2) DMR indoor NE's 09 - Anchoring the DMR at indoor New Englands sophomore year was the first time I realized that I had become a leader on the track. A year prior, I watched Sorensen win us the relay, and now the team and coaches were looking for me to bring home the same result (which we did, thanks to Melnick's 800 leg). 1) XC Regionals 07 - To this day, I will never know why this was one of the most emotional moments of my life. I had the honor of being 8th man for us, so I was spiking up, but not to race. The whole week leading up, we knew we were ready to put on a performance we had not yet shown in the regular season. Staying loose and doing strides at the starting line, I was unbelievable overcome by a potent mix of excitement to see what would happen, pride in how hard we worked to get where we were as fit as we were, and utter confidence in our mental and physical preparedness. Looking into everyones eyes, it was so obvious we were ready to make some noise. We didn't win the race, but we heard our favorite phrase, "Where the f--k did Tufts come from?" I can’t pass up an opportunity to add my two cents after a list of legends like the ones seen above. I’ve barely been around long enough to get a taste for this program, but I’ve had my share of amazing moments.

5) Going hunting at BU - This always reminds me of the quote from Running with the Buffaloes: “We work everyday, and when we go to town, we tie up the horse, spit on the dog, and we leave without a word” When we roll up to BU, we go to town. We’ve put in the time, and now we are methodical and calculating in exacting our payment. I always loved that attitude the distance guys brought to BU meets. Shut up, run an unbelievable time, and get back to work tomorrow morning.

4) Sorensen winning the DMR at DIII New Englands indoors - That race turned the tides and just about sealed the deal for us to take home the hardware on our own turf. I don’t think I’ve ever screamed that loud in my whole life.

3) JB getting choked up after NESCACs - I had just finished a not-so-stellar leg on the DMR to end the meet, and JB took his opportunity to address the team for the last time in his career. As he thanked us and congratulated us for giving the team everything we had for the last 4 years, he broke down in tears, and so did I. I realized I didn’t want to win for me, I wanted to win for the seniors. I would have done anything for the opportunity to hand him the NESCAC plaque.

2) DMR indoor NE’s 09 - Anchoring the DMR at indoor New Englands sophomore year was the first time I realized that I had become a leader on the track. A year prior, I watched Sorensen win us the relay, and now the team and coaches were looking for me to bring home the same result (which we did, thanks to Melnick’s 800 leg).

1) XC Regionals 07 - To this day, I will never know why this was one of the most emotional moments of my life. I had the honor of being 8th man for us, so I was spiking up, but not to race. The whole week leading up, we knew we were ready to put on a performance we had not yet shown in the regular season. Staying loose and doing strides at the starting line, I was unbelievable overcome by a potent mix of excitement to see what would happen, pride in how hard we worked to get where we were as fit as we were, and utter confidence in our mental and physical preparedness. Looking into everyones eyes, it was so obvious we were ready to make some noise. We didn’t win the race, but we heard our favorite phrase, “Where the f–k did Tufts come from?”

]]>