[HMSD] An essay from John Cole '05

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!!!!!!!