With a brand new boathouse, a brand new head coach and most of the core members of its top two boats back in the fold, along with the infusion of nearly a dozen rowers from the Hawks' highly-successful novice crews, expectations are high for the Saint Joseph's University men's rowing program in 2002-03. The first new boathouse on Philadelphia's famed Schuylkill River in nearly a century, SJU's Robert Gillin, Jr. boathouse gives the Hawks a significant presence both on and off the water. Another new presence at the river will be that of new head coach Drew Hill. Bringing a new energy to the program, Hill was elevated to his current position after serving as an assistant coach last season. The 1974 SJU grad previously had captured numerous national titles as a prep coach. The Hawks will hit the water with a young, but experienced group this season. The Varsity eight returns four members from last year's boat, anchored by juniors Chris Barrett, Matt Gantner, John Joyce, and Drew Parassio. Likely to press the incumbents for seats in the top boat, members of the squad's talented heavyweight freshman eight should have a significant impact on this years varsity team. Returning from that boat are sophomores Mike Dyczkiewycz, Matt Mullin, Chris Rountree, and Ray Cawley. The varsity lightweights, coming off a fourth place finish at the Dad Vail in 2002, also return the core of its crew. Back from last year's eight are senior Jason Bansh and juniors Lee Bink, Joe Franks, Justin Marconi, and Patrick McGettigan. The are joined by some talented lightweights from the novice team, including Kevin McHale. While the present bodes well for the Crimson and Gray, the future may be even brighter with the team bringing in arguably the deepest and most talented crop of newcomers in program history. Highlighting the Freshman heavyweight squad are Evan Pierce, George Gantner, Justin Jones, Devlin Murdoch, Sean O'Hara, Mike Leahy, and Dan Fazio, along with two experienced coxswains in John Hayes and Charlie Koob. Among the notable lightweight freshmen are Brad Pearson, Eric Mushel, Marty Quinn, Mike Santoro, and Joe Kenney, Joe D'Amato, Russ Lampman. Strong from top to bottom, coach Drew Hill will have the luxury of hitting the ground running with crews that have a combination of youth, experience and athleticism. His first season at the helm has the makings of a very special year on Hawk Hill.