2008 Woodie Awards
Water polo coach remains face of program
By Rebecca Olesky
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Sports
"Our goal is to win, we want to be at .500," Yeamans said. "We strive to win and get better. A lot of enjoyment comes from winning. Hunkler taught me the strength of the game, which I pass on to the team."
Yeamans' best achievement came in 1993 when he earned Eastern Men's Coach of the Year honors. Also in the fall of 2001, he was named as the Division II representative on the NCAA men's water polo committee.
"No matter what level you are at, coaching is hard," Yeamans said. "I enjoy coaching, it just comes natural. But the rewards come from getting e-mails and phone calls from former players, saying on how much you appreciate them. It is hard to say goodbye to them."
Last year at this time, Yeamans career as a coach was threatened when the university planned on cutting both the men's and women's water polo and swimming teams.
However, Yeamans, along with some of his players, went to federal court and was able to get both women's swimming and women's water polo reinstated under Title IX.
"It was heartbreaking and devastating," Yeamans said. "It has been difficult for everyone to understand. It has been a difficult path to go down, and there is still a threat to eliminate our team. We proved our case, but it seems the administration wants us sliced."
Yeamans has not yet figured out what he wants to do after coaching, when or if he retires from the Rock.
"It is a ways off, and I don't know what the future holds," Yeamans said. "I focus on my team, my family and my job. I want my team to win and strive to do their best."
Yeamans' best achievement came in 1993 when he earned Eastern Men's Coach of the Year honors. Also in the fall of 2001, he was named as the Division II representative on the NCAA men's water polo committee.
"No matter what level you are at, coaching is hard," Yeamans said. "I enjoy coaching, it just comes natural. But the rewards come from getting e-mails and phone calls from former players, saying on how much you appreciate them. It is hard to say goodbye to them."
Last year at this time, Yeamans career as a coach was threatened when the university planned on cutting both the men's and women's water polo and swimming teams.
However, Yeamans, along with some of his players, went to federal court and was able to get both women's swimming and women's water polo reinstated under Title IX.
"It was heartbreaking and devastating," Yeamans said. "It has been difficult for everyone to understand. It has been a difficult path to go down, and there is still a threat to eliminate our team. We proved our case, but it seems the administration wants us sliced."
Yeamans has not yet figured out what he wants to do after coaching, when or if he retires from the Rock.
"It is a ways off, and I don't know what the future holds," Yeamans said. "I focus on my team, my family and my job. I want my team to win and strive to do their best."
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