WU Crew Alumni Network - Discussions

2010 Head of the Charles Regatta

by Stephen Moursund

The 2010 Head of the Charles Regatta has Alumni 8 events for both men and women. Registration is now open, and entry will be determined by random draw. Hopefully our luck will be better than it was last year when they pull the names out of the hat!

Cameron Carter Fun Run Fundraiser

by John Quin

On May 8, Coach Cameron Carter is hitting the trail to run a half-marathon to raise money for the Wash U Crew. Current rowers, alumni, friends, family, supporters and well-wishers are invited to sponsor Coach Carter on his mid-tempo run to glory and, if they are in and around the great St. Louis area, join Coach Carter on his run.

As of 18 April, pledges total $1,270. If you would like to sponsor Cameron, e-mail him at Carter@wustl.edu.

Donations can be sent to:

Washington University Crew

One Brookings Dr

Box 1067

St. Louis, Mo 63130

Spring Alumni Weekend

by Ricky Soukup

Has there been any sort of organization or discussion around a gathering in the spring for an alumni weekend event, perhaps to coincide with the home regatta? Since we didn't get an alumni 8 bid for the Charles, it might be nice to get together a boat and race some of those college children (I'm crossing my fingers that we can get a bid to such a prestigious regatta).

HOCR Fundraising

by Avi Glandon

Dear Alumni,

As some of you may know, last week the team decided it was not going to the Head of the Charles this fall even if they get a bid from the regatta committee. Due to the economic downturn, the team is not going to be able to subsidize this race in any way and the cost to the individual athletes is too high to justify going.

Upon hearing this, it is easy to think, “times are tough, everyone is tightening up, it’s just one race.” We all had different experiences during our time on the team. However, it is likely that at some point you really wanted to row at the Head of the Charles. Try and imagine how you would have felt to hear that “we practiced hard, we did the extra workouts, we got a bid, and we are ready, but we just can’t go this year because of money.” I think any of us would have been devastated.

The men and women on this year’s team are no different. They want to race in Boston. They have been working hard all summer and will be working hard all fall with that goal in mind, just as you did when you were on the team. And just as your hard work was rewarded, we believe that their hard work should be rewarded with the chance to compete in Boston.

Currently, the cost of the trip (assuming 2 boats) is $11,600. After talking to Coach Carter, the goal of the alumni is to essentially meet the athletes half-way and raise $6000. To accomplish this, we are asking for a pledged donation of $300 per alumni (although more or less is certainly accepted). If they don’t receive a bid, we would love to see you follow through on your pledge anyway, as this will be the first year of an annual fall fundraising drive. If you are able to donate, please send Avi Glandon an email with the amount you are willing to pledge.

The same economic downturn that is affecting the team has likely affected you all personally as well. We don’t expect the alumni to be able to completely pay to send the team and equipment across the country in October. The Charles has always been an expensive weekend for each rower and that isn’t going to change. We are hoping that as alumni, we can come together and subsidize the trip. Hopefully, we can put the cost per rower back into an affordable range. To this end, get creative. If you have the money, please donate it. Talk to your employer and see if they will match donations to a non-profit. If you don’t have the money currently, talk to your parents. Remind them of how important WashU Crew was and still is to you.

It would speak volumes to the progress this team has made over the years to have current and alumni rowers competing under the WashU Crew name at the Head of the Charles this October. Once bids are out, be on the look-out for instructions on how to donate the money. Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call or email any of us at any time.

Sincerely,

Julie Higgins, ‘07

Avi Glandon, ‘09

Ricky Soukup, ‘09

SPANDEX DRIVE!!!!!!

by Avi Glandon

Dear WU Crew Alumni,

With the end of summer comes a new school year and with that new school year comes another season of WashU Crew!

This year, the men's and women's captains came up with an idea that instead of taking all the new freshmen out to target or sports authority to purchase spandex, they would sell used spandex generously donated by sedentary alumni. The money would go toward the team as a fundraiser to help pay for major expenses such as the Head of the Charles (which could approach $600 per rower this year if the teams get bids).

If you have old spandex you aren't using or would like to buy some and donate it to the team, please mail them to

Becky Chanis

Campus Box 7388

6985 Snow Way

St. Louis, MO 63130

Thanks

Avi Glandon

Crewlumni Fantasy Football 2009

by Stephen Moursund

Crewlumni Fantasy Football is entering its 3rd season, and I'd like to invite everyone interested to join. Were looking to expand to a 12 team format this year, and have only 9 (unconfirmed) returning managers.

Overview: It's an ESPN league with standard roster and scoring settings (with a slightly expanded bench). We're playing with keepers for the first time this year as well, so all returning managers will have 1 keeper from last season, and new managers will draft first. A $20 buy-in is required that I handle via PayPal, and 1st-3rd place pay out $180, $40, and $20 respectively.

Rowers are extremely competitive people, so expect people to take everything WAY too seriously, and be ready for high volumes of smack talk on the message boards and matchup walls. Email me if you're interested at stephen.moursund@gmail.com and I'll add you to the league with returning managers getting priority, and new managers being added on a first come first serve basis.

2009 Head of the Charles Regatta

by Stephen Moursund

The 2009 HOCR is going to be a very alumni-friendly event, and there are several ways that we can get involved and get together. First of all are the alumni 8 events. Last year the waiting period for institutional membership with the regatta stymied our efforts to get a boat together, but with new rule changes that obstacle has been removed!

For those that just want to enjoy the regatta and watch our boats compete the Reunion Village is situated around the halfway point of the course, and features food and refreshments (beer and wine included), live commentary on racing, and a big screen television with live race footage and scrolling results. If enough people will be around to warrant it, a 10x20 ft tent space can also be reserved along with 7 parking passes for a fee of $750.

Total cost for rowing or coxing in the Alumni 8 events will be roughly $130. That number is based on the $250 annual institutional membership fee, $450 boat registration fee, and $450 rental and trailering fee that I estimate it will take for us to get a boat to Boston. Please join this event if you plan on attending the regatta, and email me at stephen.moursund@gmail.com if you would like to row in one of the alumni 8 events. I'll keep a list here of people interested in rowing.

Men's Alumni 8:

Stephen Moursund, Pat Hunt, John Pasinski, Brandon Harris, Ricky Soukup, Avi Glandon, Nick Paden

Women's Alumni 8:

Stephanie Chang, Amanda Virkus

ACRA National Championship Results

by Stephen Moursund

Wash U Crew competed in the 2nd annual ACRA National Championship Regatta this past weekend, this year held in Oak Ridge, TN. Here are the finishes of the boats WU entered:

Women's 1x Grand Final: 1st place (row through)

Men's 2x Petite Final: 1st place

Men's Varsity 4+ Petite Final: 3rd place

Women's Novice 8+ Grand Final: BRONZE MEDALS

Men's Lightweight 8+ Grand Final: SILVER MEDALS

Full results can be viewed here:

http://www.americancollegiaterowing.com/Files/ACRA2009SundayResults.pdf

2009 HOCR Alumni 8 Rule Changes

by Stephen Moursund

The 2009 HOCR features two new Alumni 8 events (mens and womens) which allows for the 1 year wait period for organizational membership to be waived. This is AWESOME news, as it means that the WU Crew Alumni will be able to field a boat under our own name at the upcoming regatta.

Annual organizational membership with HOCR costs $250, and the registration fee for the alumni 8 is $480, making registration costs approximately $80 per person for 8 oarsmen and one coxswain. Renting a boat and set of oars will likely cost around $300, depending on who trailers it and who we're renting from, so the total cost of the event's overhead not including lodging and travel will probably be around $115.

Based on last year's interest, I think I'm going to go ahead and apply for organizational membership with the regatta, but please reply here if you think rowing in an Alumni 8 in Boston would be something that interests you. Remember, THERE ARE A MENS AND WOMENS ALUMNI EVENT, so speak up and lets get this thing rolling!

WU Crew Alumni Weekend

by Stephen Moursund

Scheduled to coincide with the WU Crew Invitational Regatta, this will be the second annual Alumni Weekend. More details will be forthcoming once we get a feel for how many people are interested but I anticipate reserving a block of hotel rooms, making a large dinner reservation for Saturday night, and having an alumni tent at the regatta complete with alumni beverages.