"I wouldn't go back to the working life for anything," says Bill Leavitt, cox and captain of the 1951 varsity crew, who's now starting his first spring season as coach of the freshman heavies.

Leavitt spent last year on teaching jobs in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and despite the time he has to spend prodding his Yardlings into shape for the river, he is extremely enthusiastic about his now position.

"It's fun," he says, and his attitude seems to have affected the freshman crew all for the best. The first eight, which opens against M.I.T. in the Basin tomorrow, is a relaxed, smooth-working outfit.

The first boat, which has been working as a unit since Leavitt made the last changes two weeks ago, has looked fairly well coordinated on its first few runs over the racing course.

"The times haven't been sensational," Leavitt admits, "but at least the fellows are convinced we can get over the course at a full racing stroke of 31 or 32."

Although the boat is unusually heavy for a freshman outfit, averaging over 184 pounds per man. It hasn't shown its full power yet, but the new coach isn't worrying. "Coordination, for a freshman boat, is the main thing," he says. "The power will come along."

Odd Man In

Leavitt has some good, experienced men to draw from, at least on the top level. Only one oarsman, number five man Dick Darrell, has not had any rowing experiences prior to last fall, while the others were all on top prep school crews last season.

Stroke Len Wheeler, for example, rowed stroke on a fair Exeter boat last spring. A slim, steady oarsman, he's almost the smallest man in the shell at 176 pounds. Behind Wheeler, on the starboard side, is Mike Metcalf, while Ned Brookfield holds down the number six slot. At five and four Leavitt has placed Darrell and Howle Cushing.

Randy Harrison holds the third slot, and Neddie Bliss, brother of Bill Bliss, varsity hockey and crew star, goes at number two. AI Dann gets the nod for the bow seat, while John Pratt, a Groton man, will cox.

The second boat, in which only number seven man Bill Newlin has had any previous rowing experience at all, includes: AI White at stroke, Bob Zollinger at six, Serge Horeff at five, Nick Baker in the fourth seat, Ted Reynolds at number three, Ken Mendheim at two, Jack Woodell in the bow, and Bill Crowther as cox.

Big Shoes

Leavitt, who not only enters the coaching field for the first time, but must also step into the place of former freshman and present varsity coach Harvey Love, is not particularly optimistic about the season's prospects, but then, neither is he weeping and wailing. In point of fact, Bill Leavitt is a coaching rarity. Bill Leavitt admits to being happy.