The Next Step

The season is just about over. Medals have been won, friendships have been formed, and excitement for next season is beginning to emerge. And rightly so, this year Fox Chapel had a break through year of unprecedented success. We established ourselves at a formidable power in the Midwest. But where does the program go from here? With no seniors on the current team the immediate future is very promising, but what comes in 07 when we graduate almost a third of the team? Will there be a fall out for a year or two? Or will we just continue on the path with little letdown? The answer to that question will not ultimately be answered for a few seasons, but the process begins now.

If Jay and I had our dream next season we would have a freshmen and 2 novice 8’s as well a new DL, and DM V1. In reality 16 novices and a new 8 are what we would like to see. The responsibility of these expectatios becoming reality lie in your hands. Jay and I can only do so much to get new rowers; neither of us is affiliated with the school district, or has access to any underclassmen. It is up to you to generate interest in our under supported team. My suggestion is have a get together of some kind possibly a cook-out at the boat house or a park and have every one bring a frind. Freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, I don’t care. Any one that has ever heard you talk about rowing, or expressed and interest have them come. If each of you only brings one person that is 30+ potential rowers. Can we accept that number, no but I would rather have the problem of to many than not enough. This would be an excellent way to get guys interested. I know myself half the reason I enjoyed rowing so much was all the fun that we had together. Having a informal gathering would allow potential rowers how much fun we have with out pressuring them into a meeting.

The second issue new boats. I think that it is fairly obvious that we need a new heavy 8. With the potential of having a V8 with an average of 190+ next year there is no shell in our current fleet that would conferrable hold guys this large. At this point in the season the club is running low on money, as it should. With the purchase of three new hulls, there is no way that we would not have a cash shortage. One way that we can ensure that we get a new boat next season is start collecting money now. Over the summer I know that there are aother things going on, jobs, vacations, and numerous other commitments, but a small fundraising effort over the summer is necessary. My suggestion is two or three car washes. These are easy ways to make a large sum of money in a short amount of time. This past weekend’s car wash that lasted only a few hours made $1000, with a better location and a few more hours $2000 is not unthinkable. Doing three of these spaced through out the summer could potentially bring in half the money needed to purchase a new shell.

The final step to future success is mental. We are not unbeatable, yes we won The Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships but that was last year, after June 11 the season starts all over again. To repeat will require many things, strong novices, a new shell, and finally more commitment. This will be a team effort and will require effort by every one. But if we can win The Midwest then anything is possible. I encourage feedback, maybe I am being too demanding of you, but I feel that what I have proposed is well within reason. Let me know your thoughts and I will work with you as we take the next step.