Indiana University Athletics
The Smile of a Champion
4/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
BOSTON, Mass. - The great Vince Lombardi once penned, "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, his greatest fulfillment to all that he holds dear, is that moment, when he has work his heart out in a good cause, and lies exhausted on the field of battle victorious."
For the Indiana women's water polo team, the feeling, the wanting, the desire to be the best, was seen in many different forms Sunday at Blodgett Pool on the campus of Harvard University.
Senior All-American Kristin Stanford seemed dazed in the water as the final seconds ticked away, almost appearing stunned as to what was happening. Stunned because she wasn't sure if she should keep guarding her Brown opponent, or start to celebrate the Hoosiers' 7-5 win over the Bears in the CWPA Eastern Championships final.
Jessica Goldner practically mirrored a bobble-head doll in the closing seconds, following every pass with her head as if somehow the two tying goals would be scored within 10 seconds.
And then of course, underneath the overhanging balcony of Hoosier fans standing in unison, sat an exhausted Indiana head coach Barry King. One could only wonder the emotions running lively throughout his body, due to his outside appearance so calmly subdued.
Perhaps that is what success really feels like.
The culmination of your team's hard work and dedication. The fulfillment of your one and only season goal. Or maybe just the fact that yes now, you can call yourself...a champion.
It has been many years since Barry King has spent time in the pool. But just as the case in every major aquatics championship, the Hoosier coach knew that a dip in the water was not far away. He slowly removed his socks and newly shined brown loafers, placed them on the pool deck, and had no choice but to get wet.
Several Hoosiers, including the four seniors of Stanford, Sarah Butler, Jamie Marley, and Ginger Wang, closed in on the sixth-year coach and tossed him in. Shortly thereafter, first-year assistant coach Kristie Dickey found the water as well.
With "Indiana, Our Indiana" bouncing off the hallowed rafters, the Hoosier faithful and players culminated--no wait--celebrated in the continuation of the most successful season in IU water polo history.
Clearly the most intriguing moment of the day, or the weekend, or heck, even of the entire year, was not seen at any one given time. It's one moment, or at least the same type of feeling, but it occurs at different times with different people.
As the Hoosiers returned to Bloomington Sunday night, you could see when a player was having that moment. One would be reading a book, or listening to music, or even doing homework, and she would stop. A smile came to her face, but for no other reason except for the fact that she just couldn't help it.
And you know it's that moment when you see players awkwardly smiling while doing homework. It's that feeling. It's the feeling that each of these 14 young ladies and both coaches have longed for throughout their career.
A player will turn her head slightly, as if she was thinking, "Man, did what just happen really happen?" And then she would smile. At that time, you just knew. You knew what that smile meant.
"We did it. We actually did it. We are champions."
It didn't matter whether it was a freshman or a senior...a first-year coach or a six-year veteran. When asked how it felt to be a champion, not one person could describe it in words.
But that's OK. A smile will do.
For the Indiana women's water polo team, the feeling, the wanting, the desire to be the best, was seen in many different forms Sunday at Blodgett Pool on the campus of Harvard University.
Senior All-American Kristin Stanford seemed dazed in the water as the final seconds ticked away, almost appearing stunned as to what was happening. Stunned because she wasn't sure if she should keep guarding her Brown opponent, or start to celebrate the Hoosiers' 7-5 win over the Bears in the CWPA Eastern Championships final.
Jessica Goldner practically mirrored a bobble-head doll in the closing seconds, following every pass with her head as if somehow the two tying goals would be scored within 10 seconds.
And then of course, underneath the overhanging balcony of Hoosier fans standing in unison, sat an exhausted Indiana head coach Barry King. One could only wonder the emotions running lively throughout his body, due to his outside appearance so calmly subdued.
Perhaps that is what success really feels like.
The culmination of your team's hard work and dedication. The fulfillment of your one and only season goal. Or maybe just the fact that yes now, you can call yourself...a champion.
It has been many years since Barry King has spent time in the pool. But just as the case in every major aquatics championship, the Hoosier coach knew that a dip in the water was not far away. He slowly removed his socks and newly shined brown loafers, placed them on the pool deck, and had no choice but to get wet.
Several Hoosiers, including the four seniors of Stanford, Sarah Butler, Jamie Marley, and Ginger Wang, closed in on the sixth-year coach and tossed him in. Shortly thereafter, first-year assistant coach Kristie Dickey found the water as well.
With "Indiana, Our Indiana" bouncing off the hallowed rafters, the Hoosier faithful and players culminated--no wait--celebrated in the continuation of the most successful season in IU water polo history.
Clearly the most intriguing moment of the day, or the weekend, or heck, even of the entire year, was not seen at any one given time. It's one moment, or at least the same type of feeling, but it occurs at different times with different people.
As the Hoosiers returned to Bloomington Sunday night, you could see when a player was having that moment. One would be reading a book, or listening to music, or even doing homework, and she would stop. A smile came to her face, but for no other reason except for the fact that she just couldn't help it.
And you know it's that moment when you see players awkwardly smiling while doing homework. It's that feeling. It's the feeling that each of these 14 young ladies and both coaches have longed for throughout their career.
A player will turn her head slightly, as if she was thinking, "Man, did what just happen really happen?" And then she would smile. At that time, you just knew. You knew what that smile meant.
"We did it. We actually did it. We are champions."
It didn't matter whether it was a freshman or a senior...a first-year coach or a six-year veteran. When asked how it felt to be a champion, not one person could describe it in words.
But that's OK. A smile will do.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
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