Badgering... Steve Berg, Jr.
May 27, 2015 | Men's Rowing
May 27, 2015
MADISON, Wis. -- A senior mechanical engineering major, Steve Berg, Jr., is a native of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, who rowed in the varsity eight at Eastern Sprints after racing in the second varsity eight for most of the season. We caught up with Berg earlier this year in a Q & A that originally appeared in Varsity Magazine.
As a Wisconsin native, what does it mean to compete at UW?
"I grew up rooting for the Badgers. My father graduated from UW-Madison so I've always had a lot of Badger pride. I chose to come to UW-Madison because of the mechanical engineering school. I was actually a volleyball player in high school. I was approached by the (rowing) coaches at SOAR and I decided to try out. After graduating high school, I knew that I wanted to still be an athlete and rowing provided a unique opportunity. I take great pride in the Motion W on my uniform because I am so proud of what it academically and athletically represents."
You earned a 4.0 last semester but had a pretty unique `class' schedule in your mechanical engineering program. Can you explain it?
"As an engineering student it is common to spend a semester and a summer to work full time to gain valuable engineering experience before graduation. I sought out a position located in Madison so I could continue rowing while also gaining practical engineering experience. I found a great opportunity with Sub-Zero Refrigeration. I applied and was offered a position as a design engineering co-op. To maintain full-time student status in the College of Engineering, I was enrolled in mechanical engineering's Cooperative Education Program.
"To my knowledge I am only the second athlete to have done this program in recent years. I am very grateful to my athletic advisor, Jill Hadfield, for doing the mountain of paperwork in order to make it all possible.
"I am very proud of this semester despite the fact that I did not earn the 4.0 in the classroom. I balanced a 40-plus hour work week and rowing to earn that grade. I managed to balance both athletics and academics by getting a lot of sleep and making sure that I ate a lot of calories."
Your team forgoes traveling somewhere warm to train for week's like spring break and instead uses the Rock River. How do you handle that?
"My strategy has always been to wear lots of layers to keep warm and dry. I have also found that eating and sleeping a seemingly excessive amount are the best way for my body to cope with the training. After the hard week of training there is a sense of accomplishment. The end of spring break also signifies the beginning of our racing season, which is quite exciting."
Your coaches were accomplished rowers themselves. Does that help you relate to them?
"It's great. All three of them were walk-ons so their experiences are very relatable. Each one of them has rowed at the highest level of rowing. Knowing that they have been in every possible racing situation imaginable and won is really incredible."
What has it been like to be a leader on such a young team this season?
"I really enjoy it. It was not that long ago that I was in their position. Rowing is a simple sport so the younger guys might not have as much college racing experience, but raw power and athleticism go a long way in this sport. As an older guy on the team, I value the younger guys and their abilities to be boat movers. As long as a fast lineup is put together, age is irrelevant."
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
"My goal is that the first varsity eight, second varsity eight and freshman eight all make their respective grand finals [at IRAs]. I have to keep in mind that this is not an individual sport. I will only provide an eighth of the power to the boat and I need to make sure that the power I provide is in the positive direction."
What have you learned in your three years competing at the IRA national championships?
"I've learned to trust my teammates and focus on one race at a time. At most we only race four times at this regatta and each race only last about 6 minutes. We put in a season of work for just a few opportunities to show what we are made of. I have to trust that my teammates are going to lay it all on the line for each race."
What has been your favorite competition at Wisconsin?
"Our Devil's Lake regatta in 2012. I was two seat in the freshman eight and we defeated Dartmouth, MIT, and Boston University. Our race against Boston was especially memorable. With about 250 meters to the line we were neck and neck, but with a strong move from our coxswain we rallied with the strength to blast through their boat and ended up beating them by 2.2 seconds (about half a boat length). That single race really cemented the bond I have with my teammates."
How do you think you have developed as a student-athlete in your time at UW?
"I think I've become a more well-rounded individual. I knew from the start that I would pursue mechanical engineering, but I could never have guessed I would be a rower. I don't consider myself just a student or just an athlete. I think college has shown me that there is a lot more to life than just sports and school."
