Status of the Men's and Women's Crew Team

The life of any organization is marked by moments of transition and it is what is done in these moments that dictate the future success or demise of that organization. Bucknell Crew is now entering one of those critical moments as it reorganizes due to institutional decisions to address Title IX gender equity legislation. Along with the current rowers and university administration we, the alumni committee, have begun to pave the path for the team's future success, but it will be a journey that will require significant support from alumni, parents and friends of Bucknell Crew. As the team approaches its 20th Anniversary, it is time to secure the future of these programs and to give the students the tools needed for Bucknell Crew to succeed.

Beginning in September 2001 it became clear that Bucknell Crew was going to change. The university began developing plans that would shift the men's program from a varsity sport to a club sport. This meant that the team would lose all varsity privileges and university funding. On May 2, 2001President Rogers announced that the men's crew program would be reclassified to a club varsity sport. The club varsity classification emerged from our work with the institution to find a viable option for Bucknell to meet the needs of the crew team (men and women) and the requirements set forth by the Office of Civil Rights.

The club varsity classification fits hierarchically between varsity and club sports. Crew will be able to maintain some of the advantages that come with varsity status but become a self sustaining program with no university funding. The women's program will continue as a varsity sport with an increased budget and additional coaching support.

On February 2, 2002 members of the alumni committee along with current rowers met with upper administration of both athletics and university relations. The purpose of the meeting was to come together with a vision and plan for the club varsity classification at Bucknell, as well as an opportunity to outline the details of the men's transition to a club varsity sport upon the conclusion of the Spring 2002 racing season. The meeting was very productive and allowed for many voices to be heard regarding a myriad of details regarding the transition and future of the program. Consistent with Bucknell Crew's history there is no doubt that the road ahead will continue to be an uphill climb, but with the conclusion of this meeting both the men's and women's programs are another step closer to begin planning the future of the team.

Bucknell Crew alumni, parents and friends have worked hard and been generous in order to give Bucknellians the opportunity to experience the thrill, excitement, and camaraderie that come with a collegiate rowing career. From establishing the team, to transitioning the team from club to varsity, to moving the competitive level to the national and world stage the Bucknell Crew program has depended on the dedication of its rowers, alumni, parents and friends to succeed. The challenge that has come before us with university decisions regarding Title IX must not be seen as an obstacle but rather as a veiled opportunity.

For the first time in its history the men's and women's programs will benefit from having their own dedicated full-time head coaches. With the elimination of the men's program from the athletics department crew budget the women's budget will be enhanced to better support the needs of the program. The men's program has been handicapped for the past several years due to roster caps keeping the team at a maximum of 20 rowers (novice and varsity). The club varsity status will allow the team to once again flourish to a roster that has the potential to field competitive eights.

This future is highly dependent on the continued support of alumni, parents, and friends of Bucknell Crew. This spring will be busy for the men's program as the search begins for a head coach and fundraising efforts kick off. The men's team will have to annually raise an operating budget of $50,000 which includes the coach's salary, begin purchasing equipment, and begin raising an endowment that in the future will fund the coach's salary and operating expenses.

The current rowers are ready and enthusiastic to begin organizing the future operation of the club varsity program. They will continue doing many fundraisers throughout the year to support the operating budget and they will begin paying dues next fall to supplement the budget.

As Bucknell Crew alumni we can take this opportunity in the history of the team to come together and rekindle friendships and our connection with this vital part of our educational experience at Bucknell. As an alumnus you have an opportunity to become an active participant in the future of the team. This spring and summer regional gatherings will be organized and next fall we'll have the opportunity to come back to campus to celebrate Bucknell Crew's 20th Anniversary. We are now in a position to ensure a bright future for Bucknell Crew.

You can review the documents developed by our committee and the university by going to the following website, www.bucknellcrew.org. In the coming months we will be forming an alumni association which will provide alumni the opportunity to reconnect with the team and to assist in making certain that the men's and women's crew programs will remain a part of what makes Bucknell such an extraordinary institution.

An e-mail will be forthcoming that will more specifically address the alumni association and the challenges that lie ahead. If you prefer an alternate means of communication such as fax, mail, or want to add your e-mail address to the alumni list, please call or e-mail Victor Arcelus.

Victor Arcelus '96 M'98
Brian Burke '98
Sara DenBesten '96
Tim Keen '97 M'00
James King '90
Michael Marquis '96
Brad Peterson '96
Margaret Whitman '96