Brown Sees Capable Freshman Crew, but Finds 'Less Material'

The freshman crew squad is "more capable than last year's, but not as deep," according to the 150's coach, Joe Brown. He explained that while there is less material this year, those who are responsibly good are developing faster.

Brown and heavies coach Bill Leavitt will practice with slightly less than four boats each. Although this is one full boat less than last year's total, Brown pointed out that three of the boat crews have had previous rowing experience, half again as many as in the previous season.

The crew will try to get out on the river during the last week in February, according to head manager Fritz Osterr '57. "Although we might not make it until March, the river is pretty soft now, and we hope that it will break up in time," he said.

Coach Brown feels that the weather, rather than lack of men or equipment, is the prime factor operating against his crew. He pointed out that Harvard is the northernmost large rowing college, except for Dartmouth.

"Although the rowing tanks are of great value, there is no substitute for the water," he continued. "Several hundred miles of intensive preparation are necessary for a ten minute race, and the crews will have to remain in Cambridge to practice during spring vacation."

The attitude among the coaches is one of "guarded optimism." Brown said that "the possibilities this year are better than in quite a while."