The Full Court Press: Liv Coffey '11

Today, February 9th, the sun set at 5:09pm. For most students, this symbolizes the end of those obnoxiously short winter days, but for the members of the women’s rowing team, late sunsets means racing. In this exclusive interview, The Full Court Press meets rowing co-captain Olivia “Liv” Coffey. The Leverett senior, who placed second at the 2009 World Championships, knows that nothing beats the moment when the Charles River melts and racing can start again. Except maybe Cedric Diggory and turtles. Every week The Full Court Press gives you the sort of personal scoop that you’re not likely to hear at a typical press conference.

Name: Liv Coffey

Year: 2011

Stats: Since freshman year, Coffey has been in the top varsity boat. An Olympic hopeful, the senior has raced with the U-23 National Team twice, finishing second in 2009 and winning in 2010. Prior to that, Coffey helped lead the team to second place at the EAWRC Sprints Championships and an NCAA Championships invitation.

Bring on the questions!

1. Typical pre-game meal:

If by pre-game you mean pre-race, then a cranberry nut muffin and a diet coke.

2. List four songs you listen to before races to get pumped up:

Stuntin' Like Mufasa, Teenage Dream (DJ Megaman Remix, of course), Tonight (I'm F... Loving You), and Club Can't Handle Me on max volume.

3. Favorite team to race against and why?

Princeton! The only thing they have going for them is their Tiger mascot.

4. Most ridiculous thing that has taken place in your team's locker room:

What happens in the Radcliffe locker room stays in the Radcliffe locker room.

5. Most embarrassing moment you've had rowing:

This January during our training trip in Sarasota, Fla., I made an extremely clever and equally inappropriate "that's what she said" joke while sliding some launches into the water. As soon as the words left my lips, I realized my coach was right next to me. I turned bright red and she just laughed. I'm sure, deep down, she appreciated my humor.

6. Animal that best represents your style of play and why:

A turtle. I like turtles.

7. Most ridiculous thing you have heard a fan yell at a race you were in:

It's rowing. Besides our parents, we don't have fans.

8. If you could play for another sports team at Harvard, which would it be and why?

At one point I would’ve said ice hockey, but now that I've invested so much in rowing, I'd probably go train with the lightweight men's team, only because I would probably have to lose a few appendages to make weight for the lightweight women's team.

9. Position you would play in Quidditch:

Cedric Diggory's broomstick.

10. If you could go on a date with any professional athlete, who would it be and where would you take him/her?

That's easy, Ray Allen. I would be too nervous to go on a one-on-one date with him. Instead, our date would consist of me watching a home game on the Celtic's bench and after each three he makes, he would point to me and mouth the words, "That was for you..."