A: We have great athletes here on the Farm. They are motivated and focused young men who have a passion for excellence. Stanford's combination of academic and athletic merit make it the best university in the country.

Q: How do you motivate your athletes to compete at the highest level?

A: The swimmers who come here are exceptionally talented but you still have to ask them to reach for greatness. As a coach it is my job to help them unlock their minds and perform to the best of their ability while striving for the next level. They must perform for their teammates and all the great swimmers that came before them as well. The tradition here at Stanford is storied and today's athletes must strive to add their names to our rich history.

Q: How tough is the level of competition in the Pac-10?

A: The Pac-10 is unquestionably the best swimming conference in the nation. Four or five teams will be in the top 10 at NCAAs every year. Every meet is a challenge.

Q: Talk about the Stanford swimming facility and what it adds to the program.

A: The Avery Aquatic Complex will be the premiere swimming facility both at a collegiate and national level. It will be the fastest pool and most expansive complex in this country. It maybe the best in world.

Q: What can we expect from this year's men's swimming team?

A: We will always give a great effort and compete with the top teams from around the nation. This team has goals that it will strive to reach day in and day out.

Q: What do you tell your student athletes on balancing academics and athletics?

A: I've been really lucky to have highly motivated athletes who care as much about academics as they do about their time in the pool. Balancing the two has never been a problem for this team. If they need help they ask for it. The athletic department has provided superb resources to help student athletes succeed in the classroom.

Q: Who were the greatest influences on your professional career?

A: Don Gambril, a five-time Olympic coach and George Haines, a seven-time Olympic coach and former Stanford coach as well as all of the athletes I have coached over the years. Their dedication and passion for the sport of swimming is an inspiration to me.

Q: How do the academic requirements at Stanford affect your recruiting?

A: The high academic standards here on the Farm are definitely a positive for us in recruiting. Our standards make the student-athletes degrees very special. We have had a 100% graduation rate in the past 21 years in the swimming program which is something we are very proud of.

Q: What type of student-athlete do you recruit? What intangibles are you looking for?

A: We look for the top-level student athletes who not only possess talent but are team players who exhibit class and caring for the people around them.