The year 2001 is only two weeks old and already New Year's resolutions are dying hard. Faithful promises to quit drinking, smoking or swearing have been broken as the holiday hangover subsides.
The optimism of a fresh start or a second chance is encouraging in all areas of life, but especially in athletics. The phrase "wait until next year" becomes a reality as the calendar changes and coaches and athletes everywhere look forward to the opportunity.
University of Memphis coaches are no exception when it comes to renewed hope in the new year.
Brenda Cash, head women's track and field coach, is looking to do better in the conference after finishing last in 2000.
"Our New Year's resolution would be to work hard, play rough and be a family," Cash said.
Cash said she believes she now has the talent to be successful, as new recruits will have the chance to step up and be competitive.
"They are very dedicated and determined," Cash said." If we can keep everything positive and uplifted, we can definitely place higher than last year in the conference."
Cash said her team's motto for 2001 is, "positive togetherness."
Men's tennis coach Phil Chamberlain has also placed expectations on his players in the new year.
"Our goal is to recruit better, harder and stronger," Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain said he would also like to qualify for the Top 50 and a berth in the NCAA Regionals, for the team or an individual player -- an event that has not occurred since 1976.
Incoming head baseball coach Dave Anderson is beginning a new job in a familar place. Anderson, a former U of M player, is looking to return to the success he enjoyed while playing in the early 1980s.
"I'm looking to bring back the excitement that I felt here as a player," Anderson said.
Anderson also added that his own personal resolution is to be a better father than the previous year, but also has expectations for the approaching season.
"Our number one goal is to get back to the conference tournament," Anderson said.
