Moses Was Good, But Not Perfect

The sacking of Paul Moses as the Harvard women's squash team coach, after what was by almost any standards a highly successful season, raises many questions.

The racquetwomen's prospects at the beginning of the season seemed uncertain at best. Sarah Mlezcko, a superb squash player and one of Harvard's finest athletes, decided to take a rest from competitive sports. The Crimson had to rely on the improvement of Becky Tune, the development of freshmen Cynthia Stanton and Courtney Stimpson, and the performance of junior transfer student Nell Foreman.

With all the variables involved, the racquetwomen performed admirably. Just how much of their success was attributable to Moses is a matter for conjecture.

There is no doubt the squad was in top-notch condition. There is also little room to complain about an 11-2 head-to-head record and a third-slotted national ranking, especially given the won-lost marks of most Harvard teams this winter.

But as the season progressed, the racquetwomen did not. A ray of hope shone through in the Crimson's 5-2 loss to a Princeton team that uses high-powered recruiting to secure the country's most devastating squad. Only a couple of cliffhanger losses and a default due to injury prevented the racquetwomen from upsetting the Tigresses in Jadwin Gymnasium that Sunday afternoon.

The ensuing Wednesday, however, in the comfortable confines of Hemenway Gym, the racquetwomen fell to Yale, a team equal in skill but mentally tougher. Jack Reardon, director of athletics, attended the tail end of that match.

To say that one loss cost Moses his job is inaccurate. Most team members said they felt the success of the team directly resulted from coaching before they came to Harvard. Although Tung and captain Jenny Stone have improved immeasurably since their arrival, anyone as dedicated as they are is bound to improve.

Some players developed personality conflicts with Moses. This happens on many teams at Harvard, but squash is an individual sport and requires the rapport necessary for solid student-teacher relationships. Beyond that, many of the players felt Moses simply did not possess the fundamental teaching skills.

The sad thing is. Moses loved his players. He was a good coach: look at his record. Whether sobbing after Stanton's tragic death or smiling after a satisfying victory, his devotion was obvious.

Coaches like that do not pop out of nowhere.