Hansen Addresses Media
November 07, 2005 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Wisconsin head swimming coach Eric Hansen was recently appointed as the head coach of the U.S. men at the 2006 Short Course World Championships. He discussed that honor as well as the swimming program at the University of Wisconsin with the media Monday.
Opening Statement: "I've been selected by United States swimming to lead 13 men in their short course world championships, which will take place in Beijing April 5th through the 9th. And included in that, which I'm happy to say, Carly Piper will be on the women's team and I was just recently notified at the end of last week that Tim Liebhold, one of our fifth-years, will be on the men's team. So it's an exciting time for our program. And I appreciate the opportunity. But more than that, I just appreciate the recognition that our program has received and as we continue to make some strides and continue to move up the national charts."
QUESTION #1: Something like this would help recruiting-wise, would it not'
HANSEN: "I'm hoping so. That is one of our big battles. I feel we do a great job with the kids that we get in the door. And in terms of swimming, the Sunbelt is such a fertile place. Everybody wants to be outside.
But if we get kids to Madison and introduce them to the University of Wisconsin, see a football game, then we had two great weekends. We're in a different place now. Now we're recruiting against the top schools. So it 's kind of a double-edged sword. When you win it's great, and those victories aren't quite as numerous as when you're recruiting the developmental kid."
QUESTION #2: I would assume a goal would be the gold with where you're going in Shanghai, but what's realistic for the United States'
HANSEN: "I was the head coach in 2002 in Moscow and we took 13 kids, 13 guys over there, and it's an interesting format. It's very similar to college swimming, but you're taking a group of mostly post-grads and a few college kids, and it's fun because it's a quick format. I think it's a five-day format. And you have to really utilize your resources.
"And we'll swim different people from prelims to finals and relays, and so trying to figure that out and put together your best team and put them in position to win. The media always tallies gold medals in the medal count and things like that, so that's something that we'll look at. But for the most part, it 's to, for everybody to be at their best over there and chase medals and also maybe take a look at a few records over there."
QUESTION #3: Just as far as both your programs, you pretty satisfied with where you're at right now'
HANSEN: "Satisfied, I wouldn't say satisfied. I think we're headed in the right direction. I have one senior and one junior on my men's side, so we're painfully young. But I have a group of guys, a group of freshmen and sophomores that are going to be monsters. It's going to take time. And on the women's side, we've got a pretty special group this year. I think it's probably our best group we've had in the seven years I 've been here.
"So, we put all of our eggs in one basket and that's the NCAA championships. And I know there's a lot of programs that focus on the Big Tens and so on and so forth, but I think a lot of times people leave their best there. And the main thing that matters to us is director cup points and see how high we can climb nationally. So I'm happy, but we've got some work to do."
