Are They Too Good?

It's hard to believe anybody could ever be too good. But here in the home of the "best and the brightest," one team may have accomplished too much for its own good.

The Harvard men's volleyball team recently completed the best season in its short history, but the high level of play brings novel problems that threaten the program's continued success. The spikers' goals furthered by their great success now conflict with the limits of time and budget faced by minor Crimson sports.

This year the spikers dispatched all of their New England opponents easily, capturing two local tournaments and compiling a perfect division record. Outside New England, however, Harvard couldn't quite match the less academically oriented powerhouses of the Eastern College Volleyball League.

To compete with teams like Penn State and Rutgers, the spikers would have to run a more structured and less relaxed program. The Crimson would have to increase its practice schedule from twice a week this year to five or six times.

This season the spikers worked their athletics around their academics, missing practices and matches when necessary. To be competitive with the best teams in the East, the players would have to work academic commitments around athletic ones.

Crimson Coach Mike Palm favors the more relaxed attitude. "The players had their athletic commitment in a very healthy perspective," Palm says. "You don't want to be unrealistic about the sort of improvements you're trying to make."

Still, Palm warns, "this is no time for backsliding."

Unfortunately, the team could slide. Palm's coaching expertise has played a major role in the spikers' success, but the 1982 New England Coach of the Year will not be calling the shots next season. Palm is leaving his post as a senior adviser to take up a new job involving travel commitments that prevent him from continuing as head volleyball coach.

In Palm, Harvard loses not only an expert coach but a volunteer one. When last year's search for a coach came up short, Palm offered to donate his services.

The loss of Palm costs the spikers a top-rate coach willing to donate his time. His replacement won't be as good or as generous. "There are so good volleyball coaches in the area whom I don't know," Palm says, adding that none of them have the time to take on the responsibility of coaching a college team.

The search for a replacement would pose a much smaller problem if the spikers hadn't become so good. Palm's charges need a coach who can teach more than just the fundamentals. Harvard must find someone with experience in high-level competition rather than a physical education professional.

The difference between this year's Crimson and first-rate college teams is mostly knowledge about the game. Harvard needs a coach who can teach the timer points Unfortunately such coaches are not hanging around to be a part time tag-on athletic--department Palm says.

The search for an adequate replacement is quires a firm financial commitment from 60 Boylston St Qualified prospect in the Boylston area have careers in the professions, and enticing a doctor or lawyer to coach in his leisure time won't be case.

Even if the spikers find a willing coach, they need a larger travel budget if they are to gain needed experience against top-rank petition.

"Our funding is adequate to play Boston area teams but given the level of our players that's not an appropriate schedule." Palm explains, "From a budgetary standpoint the quality of play has risen to an unfortunately high level."