Jan. 8, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA...Paul Rassam has been around the Patriot women's rowing program for three years, but the 2003 spring season will be his first full campaign as head coach - and he's ready.

"We're going to be challenging ourselves from the start," said Rassam, who, after briefly serving as an assistant coach and then interim head coach, was announced as the program's head coach in June 2002. "We'll challenge ourselves with the goal of accomplishing things at the Dad Vail Regatta that we haven't accomplished before, such as making it to at least the semi-finals in the varsity eight division."

Additional goals include being in contention at the Kerr Cup/CAA Championship and the Mid-Atlantic Championship. Last year's team finished second at both of those regattas, and with 19 rowers back from that group, Rassam has plenty of experienced rowers to work with this year. But he also knows that it will take hard work and dedication in order for the team to maintain and surpass those standards.

"We're looking for the new members of the varsity eight, those who moved up from the novice eight, to develop and become more mature as athletes," he said. "And our returning varsity rowers need to continue to strive for improved performance levels."

Along with the large returning group of student-athletes from last year's spring season, a promising 2002 fall season has added to Rassam's enthusiasm.

"We demonstrated consistent development and improvement, which was good, and our speed has also continued to increase," he explained. "Our new rowers are learning what it takes to become a varsity rower, while our returning rowers continue to mature."

Highlights of the 2002 fall season included the first varsity eight finishing second in the Occoquan Chase, fourth at Head of the Occoquan and fifth at Head of the Ohio. The team also moved into the elite Collegiate Eight division at Head of the Charles, competing against some of the best teams in the country.

For the novice eight, fall highlights were winning its race in the Occoquan Chase and taking third at Head of the Occoquan.

"The future of George Mason rowing looks bright, as these novice rowers continue to impress," said Rassam.