John Cole is presently working as an investment consultant at Cambridge
Associates in Boston. The essay below was
for the Senior Letter-winners Dinner. The collection of these essays from
senior captains and/or senior members of the Student Athlete Advisory
Committee help to create a written history of the experiences of our
student-athletes. You can find the remaining essays at
http://gocrimson.collegesports.com/genrel/070605aae.html
John Cole Men's Swimming & Diving
Co-Captain Harrington Park, N.J. Biology Cabot House
On October 1, 2004, the Harvard men's swimming and diving team celebrated
the first day of practice with a traditional midnight workout. A few
minutes into the official beginning of the new season, coaches Tim Murphy
and Sean Schimmel had us list the team's values and goals for the season.
Atop our list of values were pride, commitment, tradition and
sportsmanship; and our main goal was to have an undefeated season. This
meant winning every dual meet and being victorious at the Eastern
Intercollegiate Swimming League Championship, two feats which had not been
simultaneously accomplished since the 1999-2000 season. With these goals in
mind, we printed a quote on the back of our team shirts with the final
phrase of the quote reading, "... and we will be PERFECT." Using this
phrase as motivation to push us through months of hard work and
preparation, our team recorded a perfect 8-0 season prior to winning the
EISL championship in our home pool
Making this year even more exciting, Harvard men's swimming and diving
celebrated its 75th anniversary. During a celebratory weekend in November,
current team members were privileged to meet former Harvard swimmers,
divers, coaches and family members who, since 1930, helped to establish a
tradition of success. We listened to their stories and learned how their
Harvard athletic experience shaped and even still continues to influence
their lives. While the specific details of the alumni's stories and
experiences may differ from those of current team members and more recent
graduates, each of the shared experiences expressed a common theme of
fraternity, tradition and pride - a trademark of Harvard athletics.
Indeed, this year really could not have been more `perfect' for me. As
a senior captain, I was fortunate enough to lead this team along with
co-captain Andy Krna and fellow seniors James Lawler, Alex Siroky, Ryan
Smith and Brian Zingale to accomplish a goal that we had not achieved since
2000. My experiences on the Harvard men's swimming and diving team are ones
that I will certainly value for the rest of my life. During my four years
on the team and my time as co-captain this past year, I've learned more
from coach Murphy and coach Schimmel, my teammates and from myself than I
could have ever anticipated. It has been a fun, challenging, exciting and
rewarding experience. To be able to compete in the sport that you love and
to represent the best university in the world is truly awesome.
Thanks John for a great 4 years!!!!!!!
