Q&A With New Lightweight Coach Doldron
July 25, 2012 | Women's Rowing
On June 29, former BU assistant openweight rowing coach Malcolm Doldron was named head coach of Boston University women's lightweight rowing program for its upcoming inaugural season. Doldron recently sat down with GoTerriers.com to discuss his new position and the future of the new lightweight program he will lead.
GoTerriers: How does it feel to be named the first women's lightweight rowing coach at BU?
Doldron: First I would like to thank (Athletic Director) Mike Lynch, (Deputy Director) Drew Marrochello, and (women's openweight head coach) Stacey Rippetoe for having the faith in me to build and lead the team. I'm truly humbled, honored and very excited to get started. I think it's going to be fun. It still really hasn't hit me yet. The workload keeps us from getting too far ahead of ourselves when it comes to those kinds of things. I do realize that it's a huge step and I am honored. I just would like to get everything going smoothly.
GoTerriers: What are some of the challenges you face starting a program like this from the ground up?
Doldron: Well there's already structure here in place. We have the resources, the staff and equipment. The first year we will be a walk-on program where the majority of our talent will come from on campus. The key will be to recruit a dynamic class for next year. Scheduling will be difficult initially as we will have to gauge the size and speed of our program during the first year. There will be many challenges and maybe a set back here and there, but I am confident we will overcome it.
GoTerriers: Can you talk about lightweight rowing and where it is right now and how excited you are to be working with the sport?
Doldron: There are 16 programs currently fielding lightweight rowing. At the top, you have Stanford, Wisconsin, Harvard, Princeton and Bucknell. We are excited to break into that mix. I am confident we can be in the conversation with those programs in three years.
GoTerriers: What is your coaching philosophy in general?
Doldron: I believe that any student-athlete can be developed. I think that as long as people are looking to improve continuously, as long as they know they have a role and they treat that role as if it's the most important role on the team, then the team is going to be successful. Coaches in general are here to help the student-athletes. It's for the leadership of the team to define their goals with the help of the coaching staff. After that, it's just hard work and trust in your team and anything can be accomplished.
GoTerriers: What type of student-athletes are you looking for?
Doldron: We are looking for women who want to be challenged academically and athletically, who want to build a tradition and be part of something that is greater than themselves. We aren't just looking for the fastest people. That is important, but it is impossible to build a team that way. We need leaders as well who are excited to be part of building a program. When I think of BU, I think of energy, excitement and toughness. Boston is a vibrant and energetic city, but at the same time, it can be a challenging place. There are bigger things out there than you. But if you're tough minded and focused on your goals, then you can be successful here. Those are the types of people we are looking for.
GoTerriers: What are your thoughts on the DeWolfe Boathouse and how it helps in developing this program and recruiting in general?
Doldron: The facilities are amazing. Everyday I walk through the doors of the DeWolfe Boathouse and look along the walls at the pictures of athletes that have come and gone and of the championship crews. It's a legacy that speaks volumes. It's palpable and you can't help but get excited about what you are doing while you are in there. It's not just a building. It is a symbol of how BU, the athletic department and the alumni desire for us to stand out and excel. You can see it in every corner of the boathouse, and I am so glad to be able to call it home.
GoTerriers: Since you're sharing the same boathouse, how do you see the openweight and lightweight teams working together and what kind of relationship do you see coming between the two programs?
Doldron: I think the relationships will become stronger. All three programs are trying to do the same thing, which is to excel. And when one team excels, they all do. The success of the men's team is the success of the openweight women's team and the success of the openweight women's team is the success of the lightweight team. It's great for BU, the student-athletes and the alumni. I really don't think of it as a separate entity. We are one big rowing family, and I am just glad to be part of it.
