CLASS NOTES
“ Denny and the coaching staff taught me that with hard work and dedication , you can become a ‘ bonafide badass .’ I wasn ’ t recruited by any schools and was ready to retire from water polo , but Denny took a chance on me . I was able to secure my starting spot , team captain title , and led the team to two NCAA championship appearances . Thanks , old man !”
– CAMERON RAVANBACH ’ 15 , MBA ’ 18
YO , COACH !
They cheer on the victories and help work through defeat . They set the expectations and build players up to meet them . We asked Tritons how their coaches made an impact on them — tell us about their impact on you at : tritonmag @ ucsd . edu
“ I was freaked when a teammate before me had an injury , and I was up to do a similar dive . My coach helped me put aside my fear , reminding me that nothing had changed about my dive and to draw from my practice and training as a source of strength .”
– ADAM BURGASSER ’ 96
That ’ s my word for Coach [ Gerckens ]— unconditional love , expectations and unconditional effort she required of us . She made such a huge impression on us — and I don ’ t just mean the time we had her portrait shaved onto Dallas Hernandez ’ 07 !”
– JAMIE HURST ’ 05
“ I wasn ’ t a UCSD athlete , but through friends and P . E . classes ( yes , P . E .!), I got to know soccer coach Brian McManus quite well . As a campus employee , I ’ d visit him at the practice field as often as I could . His coaching helped hone my skills , and his friendship gave me insight into team building and strategy .”
– IAN KAUFMAN ’ 94
“ During summers in the late ’ 70s / early ’ 80s , the San Diego “ Super ” Chargers had offseason camp at UCSD . I was lucky enough to socialize with them at El Torito restaurant just off campus . Hall of Fame coach Don Coryell made the biggest impression on me — a no-nonsense guy , who demanded excellence from his players and his coaches . It was amazing to know him . ‘ Air Coryell ’ is one of the most prolific passing regimes in the history of the NFL !”
- BRUCE RICHLAND ’ 84
Zach Johnson of Men ’ s Crew made me into a man . Early mornings , accountability and pushing us past our limits were invaluable experiences he shepherded for us .”
– JAMES MORGAN ’ 11
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