Courtesy: DSPics.com Jason Degnan-Rojeski

Four years ago, the freshman class of the Crimson men’s swimming and diving team sat rapt while the seniors told them about commitment.

This team is about family and tradition, they said.

Harvard men’s swimming and diving is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life, they said.

Under the strong leadership of the class of 2004, those nine freshmen learned the meaning of respect and commitment to the team. Now, four years later, as seniors themselves, those same nine men are paying it forward and teaching the class of 2010 the real meaning of Harvard men’s swimming and diving.

The Class of 2007, made up of Joc Christiana, Nick Cirella, Jason Degnan-Rojeski, Brian Fiske, Richard Goettke, Kevin Koslosky, Patrick Morrissey, Alexander Paddington and David Sanford, relies on its strong friendships and unconditional support of one another to take on the season and the task of mentoring the rookies. The emotional bond the seniors share has its roots in that freshman season of 2003-04.

Goettke says his class has always been close and supportive of one another.

“Our freshman year, those of us in our class who were not swimming at the Eastern meet decided to take a train down to Princeton and watch the team swim,” recalled Goettke. “We all stayed at Nick Cirella’s house, commuted an hour to and from the meet for each preliminary and final session, and painted our faces crimson and black on the last night to show our support. Our class just wanted to be a part of the team as much as possible, even if we were not swimming.”

Four of the seniors even room together in Cabot House, a decision they made after their freshman year. All nine seniors get together frequently to talk and hang out, further strengthening their bond. According to head coach Tim Murphy, the dedication that has kept all nine of these men together is uncommon. Most classes start out with at least 10 to 14 athletes and lose some along the way, but that did not happen with this group.

“It speaks well of them individually and as a group that they stuck it out,” said Murphy. “You get a real sense of the pride they have as Harvard students, as athletes and as members of the men’s swimming and diving team.”

As a group, they have seen a lot of ups and downs over the last four years, although even the downs have been pretty high. In the 2003-04 season, they saw their team get edged by Princeton at the EISL Championships. The following year, when they were sophomores, Harvard went undefeated in the regular season and was able to regain the EISL trophy that spring. During their junior year, the Crimson again finished second in the EISL, but sent two athletes to the NCAA championships, finishing 20th. This weekend, the men will face their fourth EISL championship and hope to come out victorious.

Through all the highs and lows, the biggest constant has been their unwavering support of each other. Regardless of a how fast he is in the pool, every member of the Crimson plays a significant role on the team. Fiske believes strongly in the impact of every single member of the class.

“You don’t have to be the fastest swimmer in order to have an emotional impact at any meet,” said Fiske. “If a slower swimmer is having a great meet, it gets you just as pumped, if not more so.”

Paddington agrees.

“I think that the whole team effort of Harvard men’s swimming and diving is extremely appealing,” Paddington said. “Every member of the team is able to contribute to the team’s success at the end of the season.”

“We contribute something to the class,” added Fiske. “We all have a unique set of skills.”

Part of the winning attitude of the senior class comes straight from Murphy. In his ninth year as head coach, Murphy continues to inspire his swimmers to train hard and to stay excited about swimming for Harvard.

“Walking down [to Blodgett Pool] in the cold at 5:30 a.m. is not appealing, but having Tim there to inspire us and make some workout entertaining has been great,” said Paddington. “Tim even did a flip off the 7-meter board wearing clothes after we won the 2005 Easterns meet.”

The Class of 2007 swimmers are working hard to foster the same kind of dedication and commitment among the underclassmen, and Murphy has been impressed by the inclusiveness of the team this year. The two captains, Fiske and Degnan-Rojeski, feel a sense of responsibility for the emotional well-being of the team. And they take their roles as leaders and mentors seriously.

“You get to know the freshmen, sophomores and juniors each a little differently,” said Degnan-Rojeski. “They come to you with issues and you go to them with any issues that you may have. We try to show them they belong and help them adjust. We try to teach the life skills.”

The seniors have done well for themselves. In addition to their many accomplishments in the pool, all but one member of the senior class have committed to either a job or graduate program after college.

“In terms of jobs, we’re one of the strongest classes ever to come through,” said Fiske.

There’s no mistaking the sense of pride that the Harvard men’s swimming and diving team shares. Once the seniors graduate this spring, they hope to keep in touch with one another, but they can’t yet know down which paths life will take them. Whatever the outcome, each feels that he’s been a part of something larger than himself; a true team, in every sense of the word.

“It’s been a huge commitment,” said Degnan-Rojeski. “But it was worth it. I feel like I have 30-odd people to count on all the time. It’s a great support system.”

Never again will I spend such a large amount of time with eight guys, and that is really special,” added Goettke. “I wish everyone could experience having eight completely different and unique guys be their best friends.”