In an effort to channel some good old bulletin-board inspiration, the men's lightweight crew team picks daily quotes for the boathouse, chosen for their encouragement and insight.
Dave Mannion's favorite?
"It's from Ben Hogan," the sophomore rower prefaced.
He paused before revealing the legendary golfer's maxim; delivery is everything.
"Hogan once said, 'It's in the dirt.'"
For the sophomore class, that may be where success this year is found.
The 2008 lightweight team faces a formidable dilemma, one that puts extraordinary responsibility - and pressure - squarely onto the sophomores' shoulders.
Last year, 10 seniors graduated, leaving a mere four upperclassmen on this year's varsity roster. The sophomores boast eleven members and make up the vast majority of the team.
"Only having [four] guys back is tough," head coach Mike Irwin said. "We're trying to compete at the top without the depth that almost every other program has. We're trying to overcome that with a sophomore class that has yet to race at a varsity level."
At least four of the varsity boat's eight seats are open, giving the younger rowers a critical opportunity to gain a seat in just their second year.
In other words, the grit of the Class of 2010 will play a huge hand in the team's success going into the spring racing season.
Irwin, who has coached at Penn for six years and led a boat to a bronze medal at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta in 2005, doesn't seem to be worried.
"I'm very confident that they understand their role as a class," Irwin said. "They have tremendous enthusiasm and are working very hard. That's the thing I want to see out of them right now, more than anything."
Mannion, who lives with most of his class in an off-campus house, said, "The most important thing is we haven't gotten bored with each other. We keep things pretty light. When we have to work, we can put on the work."
"As soon as we get in the boat, we don't talk," sophomore Andrew Voss said. "It's 'shut up and pull hard.'"
Voss also participates in Penn's Navy ROTC program, compounding the physical demands of rowing's practice schedule.
"I think they augment each other," he said. "ROTC is better because I row, and rowing is better because of ROTC. It makes me a better person."
Voss' free time might consist of activities that differ vastly from those of his teammates. Beyond running marathons and participating in Ironman competitions, Voss tried to climb Mt. Rainier - a 14,000-foot peak in Washington - over winter break.
"It was my second time up the mountain and it was really, really bad weather," he said.
He only made it halfway up the mountain, but his response reflects his class' determination.
"I'm going back this summer," he said.
While the spotlight is now on the inexperienced rowers, Irwin emphasized that his sophomores have given nothing but sweat and blood in assuming their roles. They'll get their first real test this weekend in their home opening regatta against Rutgers and Navy.
"There is nothing that is going to prepare them for the intensity of what's going to happen this weekend until they get to the line," Irwin said.
Delivery will be everything.
