Oct. 11, 2001
Tony
Azevedo: (2:00 PM ET ) I am here and will here answering questions
for the next hour. Thanks.
Erick ( Seattle ): Tony- Good luck to you and the Cardinal squad this season.
What sort of training regimen do you do out of the pool and during the off season
to prepare for such a high level of competition.
Tony
Azevedo: (2:02 PM ET ) Erick, right now I do the three hours a day
of training that our team is practicing but during the off season is where a player
gets better. That is the time where you can work on special techniques and do
the things you think you need to improve on.
Janice (Toyan): Boxers or Briefs?
Tony Azevedo: (2:03 PM ET ) Boxers more comfortable
Kim (Foster City): I love watching water polo for the strength and speed. What do you think is the best type of training and conditioning for water polo players?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:08 PM ET ) Kim, you are right. Water polo is an intense
sport so the type of workouts that you have to do must deal with a variety of
muscles. Running is something that really helps the endurance. Also lifting weights
and swimming hard are the obvious keys to becoming a great player. Something that
many take for granted though is ball handling, try to pass more and play with
the ball as much as possible
David (Rancho Palos Verdes): How does the level of competition at the college level compare to international play?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:11 PM ET ) David, it is a big difference. The international
game has changed so much. Now it is an intensely fast game where strength plays
a major role. In college you play with six foot tall players but internationally
I am the smallest and most guys are 6'5 240 lbs. And all of them are fast and
have great ball handling skills.
Carol (San Diego): My daughter is 12-years old, and loves to play water polo. What impact will women's water polo have in this country and at the Olympics in the years ahead. How much hard work will it take for her to reach her Olympic dream? Good luck to Stanford, and thank you
Tony
Azevedo: (2:15 PM ET ) Carol right now women's water polo is becoming
increasingly more popular. This is a great time for her to play. It will help
for you and paying her way to college since women's wp has a lot of money. Also
this is the right country for her to achieve her dream since we are the silver
medalists and since many of the players are old, the coach will be looking for
new young recruits.
Stewart (Fresno): Tony- I am always so impressed by how well you work your
ball. Any pointers?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:17 PM ET ) Stewart, ball handling is something that I achieved
with hard work. When I was young I would take an old ball and toss it against
the wall for a while. Also, make sure you concentrate when you are passing. Most
kids use that time for conversation but in fact it is a great time to practice
skills. Don't just pass back and forth but simulate what you would in a game.
Ted - Palo Alto, CA: I'm a freshman in high school and starting to play
water polo. Our coach wants us to be on the swim team as well, to make sure we
stay in shape for the polo season. How much do you swim in the off season? Do
you think it is really important?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:20 PM ET ) Ted, with the game changing every day I know
you want to hear that you don't have to swim but I can't say that. Yes it is boring
but vital to your success in wp. Make sure you go to practice in the off season,
but it is important that you don't forget to pass or shoot. Many people simply
swim and forget about the ball handling. So Ted I recommend that you swim but
also don't neglect the ball handling.
Brian (Clovis): It seems like you are clearly one of the more dominant players in the game. Do you find any challenges at the collegiate level anymore?
Tony Azevedo: (2:23 PM ET ) Brian, after playing against Manuel Estiarte (the best player ever) and many others it is hard to say that there is a dominant player. The thing in college that is difficult for me is trying to win. I don't go out and see how many goals I can score but simply how good I can make the players around me. This is the part that I work to try and achieve. Their are many great college players but its the team I worry about.
Bob (San Diego): What's it going to take to win the National Championship this year?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:25 PM ET ) Bob our team is looking great right now but
for us to come out with an NCAA ring everyone will have to play their role. We
can not get bigheaded that we are winning, we have to look at every game the same
and practice what we preach. Hopefully this will happen and the ring will be ours.
Aimee (Austin): If you could play another sport at Stanford, what would it be?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:26 PM ET ) Aimee, I guess I would play soccer not just
cause I am Brazilian but also cause as water polo it demands as much physical
prowess as mental.
Jerry (Van Nuys, CA): What other sports do you participate in? Freestyle? Tennis? What was your proudest moment in high school?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:29 PM ET ) I played baseball for a while but mostly swam
and played polo. My proudest moment was when my freshmen year hundred free time
was a minute three and when I came back, my sophomore year it was a 49.
Long Beach: Why did you choose Stanford over playing for your father at Long Beach State?
Tony Azevedo: (2:30 PM ET ) This was an extremely hard question but felt that my dad will always be there on the national team and one hour away. I could not turn down a Stanford education.
Chipper (Atlanta): What are you hoping to do when you get out of college? Play water polo as a career, or actually get a grown-up job?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:31 PM ET ) Well playing professionally in Europe six months
out of the year for eight hours a week is a pretty grown up job if you ask me.
But I would like to do something relating to international business.
Juan (Washington DC): Tony, congratulations on all your success. I have just a few questions for you. First, do you think any of your current Stanford teammates will ever be able to play with you on the International level? And secondly, is it true you like to make a lot of noise on New Year's eve? Thanks, keep up the great play.
Tony
Azevedo: (2:34 PM ET ) Juan, I think that their are numerous players
on our team that could go to the Olympics. I think Peter Hudnut is one of the
best players in college. Also Jeff Nesmith, Brian Darro , Mike Dercy , Pasi Dutton
and many others all have the skill but it is up to them to forgo this dream.
Jason (Alberta): Tony, if you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be?
Tony Azevedo: (2:35 PM ET ) I would be a squash because I am big and my name implies authority.
Jason (Costa Mesa): John Vargas will take over the Stanford water polo program next year. How is his coaching style going to be different from Dante's? What will it take for Stanford to win the NCAA's this year. I'm sure UCLA and USC will be in the hunt for the national title again this year. Good luck, and thank you
Tony Azevedo: (2:36 PM ET ) Vargas is an outstanding coach and his tactics are very similar to Dante's in that he stresses speed and ball handling. Our team needs to stay level headed and keep learning for us to achieve a title this year.
Jerry (Van Nuys): How do you rate Stanford's facilities with others you competed at nationally or internationally? Is the pool a great recruiting assistance?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:38 PM ET ) Jerry this pool is amazing. The facilities are
of equal value to any around the world. Though the pool in Greece is quite a spectacle.
But players should come for the school and coaching not the pool.
Atherton parent: I have a 7th grade son who has been swimming since he was 6, but is bored with it. He clearly enjoys the "goof around" water polo that goes on sometimes at the end of practice. What is the best way, besides swimming, to get him ready to play water polo in high school? Are there any camps you recommend?
Tony Azevedo: (2:40 PM ET ) The best way is not to pressure him because in high school he will get enough of that. But playing wp is pretty fun and if he likes wp I recommend my dad's shooting school because their you get to learn many new shots. And also the camp of champions.
Nick (San Diego): What was it like participating in the Olympics as a senior in high school? Any plans on 2004?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:42 PM ET ) The Olympics was amazing. Every where I looked
there was someone famous preparing for their match. It was the most impressive
event of my life and in Athens our team will make it better when we are in the
running for a medal.
Jerry (Van Nuys): What's your favorite meal regardless of pre competition preparation? Favorite hangout for snacks or meals with friends?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:44 PM ET ) Jerry, the best place to chill with the boys
and eat great pizza skins (pizza with out sauce) is at Pizzamania. Any lb guy
would know what I am talking about.
Eric (Santa Monica): Hi Tony,
Congrats on your team's success so far this year. You had mentioned how your proudest moment in high school was dropping almost 10 seconds off your 100 free time between your freshman and sophomore year. Was it during this time that you also reached a new level in playing polo? If so, what were some elements you changed in your approach and conditioning to improve your game? Good luck at Nor Cal's this weekend.
Tony
Azevedo: (2:46 PM ET ) Yes since I was not fast, I developed my ball
handling skills so when I became fast to guess. My game began to reach new heights.
I worked on my strength and still my speed, by doing many sprints and driving
things that is relevant in the game today.
Andrew (Belmont): With getting to see water polo around the world, how do you think the US stacks up against other countries right now? Do you see water polo continuing to grow in the United States?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:49 PM ET ) wp is definitely going to grow. The sport is
getting more popular everywhere especially in Europe where a simple match will
get three thousand people attending it. I think we are just as good as any other
country cause we are faster and stronger but it is the mental game we lack. Hopefully
with our new coach these weaknesses will turn to strength's.
Joe P (Costa Mesa): Did you play any other sports growing up? How did you get started playing water polo?
Tony Azevedo: (2:51 PM ET ) Joe I played baseball and basketball but wp was always my love. The event that changed my life was in eighth grade when I went to the 96 Olympics. After watching that, I realized this was my sport.
David (Dallas): Hi Tony, I play Water Polo here in Dallas and what is it like playing in the Olympics?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:53 PM ET ) David the Olympics is something I wish all could
experience. It is the most incredible thing when you go to dinner and you know
that everyone around you has put their life on hold just to achieve their dream.
Joe (Newport Beach): Since you were raised near Orange County, why do you think this area is so dominant in the sport?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:55 PM ET ) Joe, water polo is more popular in so-cal than
anywhere in the us and I think the weather has something to do with it. With people
dying of heat exhaustion in sports like football and b-ball what better sport
to do when it is ninety degrees outside than wp. You get to throw a ball at someone
in the water. That's ideal.
Doug (Stanford): Hey Tony, I've heard you follow a liquid diet. How has that translated to your success?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:56 PM ET ) Doug you are right. I do drink a lot of water
to keep hydrate!
Cas (Lexington, VA): How do you balance polo with your schoolwork and fraternity responsibilities?
Tony
Azevedo: (2:58 PM ET ) I really try and budget my time so that I am
not only practicing but also studying and having time to play. Sit down and think
of your schedule then leave time for everything. Don't wait till late night to
do work, but do it in the afternoon or morning so your nights are free.
David (Dallas): I am in the 7th grade and my Water Polo Coach Mihai Oprea
played on the Romanian National Team. He said you and I have a lot in common.
Why hasn't Water Polo grown in the U.S. as much as it has in other countries?
Tony
Azevedo: (3:00 PM ET ) Well David with the other sports like b-ball,
baseball and football being so popular it will be hard for a sport that is hard
to watch on TV to became popular. Don't worry though, in time it will grow and
once we win a medal we will have the money to start promoting it right.
Annie (Omaha): Hey Tony, I hear you live with a pretty wild and crazy bunch
of fellas out there in California, how does that affect your concentration and
performance?
Tony Azevedo: (3:01 PM ET ) Annie the guys I live with are a little crazy but I guess you have to be sometimes. Usually I focus on my work but everyone needs to relax and have fun sometimes.
Jeff: What are your long term goals for the sport of water polo? Have you thought about coaching in the future?
Tony
Azevedo: (3:03 PM ET ) I would like to stay involved with the sport
but I don't know about coaching. I would like to get money and really promote
the sport like it should be promoted. With beach competions and ocean games off
secluded islands.
Jerry (Van Nuys): How important is being able to throw with either right or left hand?
Tony
Azevedo: (3:05 PM ET ) Jerry being ambidextrous is not an essence for
water polo but if you are that's great. It can help so much and that will give
you a heads up on your opponents
Sam (San Fran): Tony, congrats on the season thus far. What will it take for Stanford to win the National Championship this year?
Tony
Azevedo: (3:06 PM ET ) dedication and our team focusing on us and not
outside distractions. The team is all mighty and we must thinks that way
Chris (Palo Alto): As a new fan of the sport, how much punishment really goes on underwater? It looks like there is an awful lot of contact!
Tony
Azevedo: (3:07 PM ET ) Chris you would be surprised how much stuff
happens that the public cant see. Many times the players have to where two suits
so they have something on by the end of the game. And lets just say that I wish
we could wear cups during a game.
Johnny (Sacramento): Did you develop any nicknames when you were a younger player on the national team?
Tony
Azevedo: (3:08 PM ET ) Johnny. Every one called me babyfoot . because
as a fifteen year old on a team with thirty year olds I guess your feet are smaller
than theirs.
Dave (San Diego): Congratulations on a great start for the Cardinal. Good
luck this weekend. My son is interested in aquatics and is taking swim lessons.
How important was swimming in terms of your water polo career, and what made you
decide on playing water polo as opposed to be a swimmer?
Tony
Azevedo: (3:10 PM ET ) well with the fast moving game swimming is very
important but as far as my decision to play wp and not swim that was purely because
I found swimming boring , I mean you cant throw anything or talk while you are
playing
Sharon (Fremont): Stanford plays at Long Beach State on Oct. 20. Your father is the head water polo coach at Long Beach. I'm sure you will have a lot of family and friends there at the game. What strategy is your father planning on stopping Stanford and you? And likewise, what will be your game plan in beating the 49ers.
Thanks
Tony
Azevedo: (3:12 PM ET ) Sharon I cant tell you our game plan because
then my dad would find. Out. But you are right this game will be big because it
is at home and also I know my father has a few hundred tricks up his sleeve
Eduardo (Guadalajara): Si es posible, por favor digame cual es la fecha de hoy y tienes algunas planes por la noche?
Tony Azevedo: (3:14 PM ET ) Eduardo. Es el 11 de octubre y el quiero dormir durante la noche. Gracias.
Ed (Boulder, CO): What was the biggest adjustment for you going from the Olympics & National Team to Stanford? What was the easiest part?
Tony Azevedo: (3:16 PM ET ) Ed, the biggest adjustment was the referees in college the game is much more calm. You can't play as rough. The easiest part was shooting. That is my favorite thing to do and in college I get an even bigger chance to do it.
Jerry *(Van Nuys): Besides ours of course, who are the 2 or 3 best goalies in the NCAA who are the most difficult to attack?
Tony Azevedo: (3:17 PM ET ) Brandon Brooks is the most dominant goalie in college. He his huge and reads a shooter very well.
Alicea (Goodyear): What is your typical day like? How do you manage to balance studying and practice?
Tony
Azevedo: (3:18 PM ET ) Alicea, I usually wake up at eight and go to
class then practice at night and between then I try to get as much homework as
possible done.
Dave (Fremont): Who do you see as Stanford's strongest competitor for the national title this year? Does the team feel any extra pressure to win a title for Coach Dettamanti since he is retiring after this year? Good luck the rest of the season!
Tony Azevedo: (3:19 PM ET ) Dave, it is tough to say. I guess right now UCLA is proving they are not giving up but lb and USC, Cal and others are still pretty tough to play.
David (Dallas): Are you staffing any summer camps at Stanford this summer? What is a good one to go to?
Tony Azevedo: (3:20 PM ET ) Azevedo Shooting School and Camp of Champions are my favorite.
Tony Azevedo: (3:21 PM ET ) Sorry if I did not get to your question but hopefully some of you will come to our games this weekend I will be more than happy to answer your questions. Thanks, Tony
