Coach Dusty Mattison is the highly-regarded head coach of the University of Wisconsin’s Lightweight Rowing program. We met at the Porter Boathouse, where she described

1.  Lessons she learned from her background in swimming;

2.  Teaching “the basics;”

3.  The importance of everyday steadiness;

4.  Some of her key organizational strategies;

5.  Her “practice binder” – and the down-to-the-minute practice plans that she develops;

6.  Why she utilizes email instead of apps for team communication;

7.  Her use of a “daily focus” for each practice session;

8.  Why she pumps music during early morning practice sessions;

9.  How organization at home affects her coaching;

10.  Developing a balance between coaching and family life;

11.  Finding the balance between technology and old-school work in training;

12.  Encouraging athletes to develop life skills;

13.  Weekly check-ins with individual athletes.