Miller contemplates future and amateur rowing status

Penn's Garrett Miller, arguably the best college rower in the country, may join the professional ranks. Garret Miller, arguably the best collegiate rower in the country and a likely participant in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, is currently considering leaving the Penn heavyweight crew team. Miller, winner of two world championships as a member of the U.S. Men's eight in 1997 and '98, may leave his post as commodore of the Quakers to focus full-time on his Olympic aspirations and pursue a professional rowing career. "Garret is making up his mind right now about what he wants to do," Penn coach Stan Bergman said. "He's had a couple long years and needs to rest and just regenerate." While the Wharton senior has managed to successfully coordinate both his dedication to Penn crew and his desire to compete in the Olympics in the past, these dual demands are now causing him to consider focusing all of his energies on the national team. "Developing for Sydney is my main consideration right now," Miller said. "My decision is going to be based only on my concerns about how I think I could develop best for the Olympics." Miller said that if he were to quit the Penn team, he would travel every morning to the U.S. National Team training center in Princeton to focus on his role with the national team eight. During the decision-making process, Miller has remained in constant contact with Bergman, who he considers "one of the best in college rowing." "He hasn't committed to anything yet, though I certainly hope he does commit [to Penn]," Bergman said. "He really brings our team up a notch." Miller, who earned a spot on the heavyweight varsity eight in his first year eligible as a sophomore, played an integral role in leading Penn to a 1998 Eastern Sprints Championship title. As a freshman, Miller set the Penn boathouse record on the ergometer, or rowing machine. He has twice won the collegiate indoor rowing championship for 2,000 meters rowed on an ergometer. Miller's struggle to balance his commitment to Penn rowing with his commitment to the U.S. team has never been easy. Last year, the Quakers remained on campus through July in order to train for the Henley Royal Regatta in England, a special trip the team organized after winning the Eastern Sprints. However, because the trip coincided with the beginning of the selection process for the U.S. team, Miller remained behind while Penn competed at Henley. This year, the possibility that Miller may not return has caused speculation from some Penn rowers. A source close to the team confirmed that infighting amongst the team in '98 may be playing a role in Miller's possible departure. Miller, however, denied any rumors that team chemistry affected his decision, insisting that his desire to train with the U.S. team has been and will be the only factor in his decision regarding Penn crew. "Not rowing at Henley was based solely on my concerns about making the U.S. eight," Miller said. "A decision to leave the team would also be based on my own training concerns." An additional concern for Miller, though, is one regarding a chance to row professionally. Miller has recently been in negotiations with the U.S. Olympic Committee regarding this issue. "There's some performance-based money from the U.S. Olympic Committee that could become an issue for me," Miller said. "But the money is not really a factor in my decision-making process right now." Neither Miller nor Bergman know as of yet when a decision will be made regarding Miller's status as a Penn rower and commodore. Though the departure of Miller would be a serious loss for the Penn eight, it might also be a boost for the country's hope for gold in 2000.