Fan's Q&A With Gregg Troy
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 | Men's Swimming & Diving
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- As the University of Florida swimming and diving team nears the start of the 2015-16 season, head coach Gregg Troy took time away from his schedule to field questions from Gator fans via social media. Here's what the 2015 SEC Men's Coach of the Year had to say.
Jamie Lewis: What do you like most about Gainesville?
Gregg Troy: It has a small town feeling with plenty of great things to do. It's also an easy drive from three major cities [Jacksonville, Orlanda, & Tampa Bay]. And it's a very friendly place all around.
Forrest Gmitro: Who was your favorite childhood superhero?
GT: I wasn't much of a super hero guy growing up (though Superman was the leader). I was much more focused on real life historical figures like Davey Crockett, Theodore Roosevelt, etc.
Andy lazar: What advice would you have for a 10-year old who enjoys swimming -- but might not be ready to compete at the division I level?
GT: There are several levels of college swimming. Division I, Division II, Division III, and even NAIA -- they all provide a great experience.
Austin Pleasants: What's your favorite pizza place in Gainesville?
GT: Blue Highway
David Varnadore: My brother and I swam for you in Bradenton, FL back in 1970. Was that your first coaching job?
GT: Yes, the Bradenton Country Club swim team that was my first head coaching position. It was a lot of fun and a tremendous learning experience.
Zach Dirlam: When was the first year you decided to the start growing the mustache?
GT: 1972
Ben Schmitz: Had it not been for swimming and diving, what type of career would you have pursued?
GT: I would have attended law school and pursued law.
Kim Tim Lakelyn Ziegler: My daughter has been swimming for 6 years. She's a good swimmer and fighting to get her junior national time this year. What does she have to do in order to go to a Division I college?
GT: It depends upon the college. She needs to keep working toward her goals and trust her coach.
Cathy Brewer Johnson: Is there any way fans can get a Gator Swim Cap?
GT: Fans can find our swim caps at the Gator Sports Shop located inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Kelly Sullivan Gillespie: What percentage would you rank these categories in how a swimmer develops: (1) natural talent (2) training (3) coaching (4) nutrition (5) desire to be the best?
GT: Giving each a percentage is very hard -- they are all extremely important. No matter how well you do in each of the areas, there is no replacement for the desire to be the best. It is also key to use your talent (which is a necessity at the DL level), it is a requirement to train at the highest levels CONSISTENTLY, and it relates to the self-discipline when following nutrition guidelines. It is also essential to work with your coach.
Georgian Mae Hohmann: What's your favorite Taylor Swift song?
GT: I like country music, but I am not much of a Taylor Swift fan.
Janet Ellis-Cranmer: What advice would you give to the parents of young swimmers? College swimmers?
GT: Parents, your most important role is to encourage and make the opportunity available for the athlete. They will only be as successful as the support mechanism. Parents of younger athletes need to understand that being unsuccessful (especially in time areas) is normal and part of the process. College parents should understand this even more: it has to be the athletes swimming -- not the parents. In both situations, the parents need to realize that the best source of information is usually the coach. They not only have the interests of the athlete at the forefront, but in most cases -- they will also have a better understanding of the sport in long-range terms.
Caeleb Dressel: What time would you take in a 50 free for you to shave your mustache?
GT: Short course 18.39 / Long course 20.89
Stewart Headquist: What are the best exercises to build muscle in the legs?
GT: It depends upon the age and the actual goal of the individual. Leg strength for longer events may be best gained through running, skipping, rope, and aerobic type of activities that focus on the lower body. Breaststroke events can benefit from cycling. In the weight room, squats, power jumps (box jumps), and well-supervised specific exercises can be good selections.
Paul Smith: I want to attend the swim meets at the O-dome, is it possible to get tickets beforehand so I can assure myself a seat?
GT: All of our swim meets are on a first-come first-serve seating basis. Conference rival meets are almost always at capacity. You would be well served to come early (30 minutes prior to the start). Before meets there is good music, an interesting warm up, and video displays for viewing. Other non-conference meets do not typically fill up until after the meet begins.
Glauco Fonteles o E Silva: Does Caeleb Dressel have a chance at the 2016 Olympics?
GT: Caeleb Dressel is an extremely talented and focused young man. Certainly his summer performances have put him in the picture as one of the possible contenders for the US team and beyond.
Simon Morley: Going into an Olympic year, are you going to approach training and meets differently? And if so, how?
GT: The Olympic Year requires a much greater long-term focus. You have to be much more aggressive in the start to your season as there may be multiple targets. In addition, long course requires greater conditioning. We will swim a much greater amount of our season (as much as 3/4 of our training) in the long course pool. We will prepare much less for the short course, if any, during the first semester of competition. In doing so, we will sacrifice any preparation for any dual meets and the final preparation will be reduced depending upon the individual, events and timing of their Olympic qualification meet.
