University Southern California Trojans
Mark Trakh Conference Call Quotes
April 14, 2004 | Men's Tennis
April 14, 2004
MARK TRAKH QUOTES:
"I feel very honored to be named the new coach at USC. It's a great institution. I grew up admiring USC. It's a dream come true. I'm looking forward to the challenge and getting USC back to national prominence.
"I learned a lot about the college game at Pepperdine, how to get kids ready to play. It's been a great experience. I concentrated on the process, getting kids playing experience and getting their degrees. If we do that, the wins will come, the championships will come.
"I'm a coach in the Pac-10. I don't see it as being a male coach. You don't go into a game saying it's a male coach against a female coach. You go in seeing two Division I coaches.
"I want to get in the gym with the players as soon as I can and work them and assess them. We've got to get the young players ready for Division I basketball. So we'll push them. I know how hard to push and how to nurture. We've got to get them ready right away.
"About a week ago, I felt I was in the running for the job. I had some great conversations with Daryl Gross and Lisa Love. We hung in there and then I got the great news last night.
"I know a lot of the USC players from the recruiting process. Now I get to coach them. It'll go well. I know them and have developed relationships with them already, so that'll help the transition.
"The key is keeping the local kids home. There's enough talent in California to make powers out of the local schools.
"Pressure is just a state of mind. The most pressure I feel is from me. If you can't deal with pressure, you're in for a hard time. I believe in just working hard, concentrating on the process and the results will come."
DARYL GROSS QUOTES:
"Mark has been on our radar for a long time. He's done a remarkable job at Pepperdine. He's a perfect fit for USC."
LISA LOVE QUOTES:
"Mark has proven himself at the high school and college levels. We like his complete package. We like how he has blended the student and the athlete."
