Since it's founding in 1986, The University of Vermont Crew has built itself up from a team lacking even a boat of its own to become a program of highly successful men's and women's novice and varsity teams.
For most college freshman and inexperienced rowers, there are the men's and women's novice teams, which are a perfect opportunity to learn to row and compete without all of the pressures of varsity rowing. Novices practice in the evening and have a full schedule of competition against other novice programs. This year, Men's Novice Coach Casey Clark had two boats progress to the final heat at the New Englands Rowing Championships, with the top boat racing to a silver medal. Women's Novice Coach Bri Parke led the women to two gold medals in the first and second eights races at New Englands. The typical rower is taller than average and athletic, but successful rowers have come in all body types and athletic backgrounds. The team also needs coxswains who will steer while encouraging and directing the rowers. These individuals are usually around 120 pounds and thus tend to be shorter in stature.
Men's Coach Alex Graham is an experienced former Harvard lightweight and has been named the ACRA's coach of the year. Under his direction, both Varsity Men's Fours this year won gold medals at the New England Rowing Championships, and the prospects for next year seem just as bright
Women's Head Coach Rick Kelliher has amassed a variety of coaching experience at Jacksonville University, UMass- Amherst, and at the U.S. National Team Development Center. During his many years at UVM, Rick has built a strong team of committed and successful rowers, while also inventing devices such as the Swingulator, a soon-to-be patented indoor rowing simulation machine.
Crew at UVM is a club sport that competes against (most often defeating) other collegiate programs, both club and varsity. The club title does not refer to level of competition or commitment, but rather is an issue of funding sources and the student-led basis of the organization.
Spring Break Trip is a highly valued part of UVM Crew, with the team recently traveling to Lake Lanier Olympic Rowing Facility in Georgia and Camp Bob Cooper in North Carolina. This is an awesome and exhausting trip with rowing multiple times a day in warmer weather, while the water up north is still frozen over.
Racing is a highlight for most rowers and occurs many weekends in the fall and spring. UVM has many head-to-head races against other competitive teams, and each season is highlighted by some of the most prestigious regattas, such as the Head of the Charles (Boston), New England Rowing Championships (Worcester, Mass.), and Dad Vail Regatta (Philadelphia). Each race day is filled with exhausting, but rewarding races, an inexhaustible supply of food, and the echoes of the renowned UVM cheer. This cheer is representative of what makes UVM stand out from all other crew teams.
At most races, when the race is passing by the fans, there is the regular applause and a few yells, but when a UVM boat is within sight, the repetitive cheer "U-V-M" bellows from the UVM rowers and fans across the water, inspiring the rowers to find that last bit of strength to sprint out the finish. This is perhaps the most encouraging sound ever heard while racing down the final stretch of water. While the best crews can compete with our teams on the water, none have ever come close in enthusiasm.
--By Ben Carlson
Updates
First Weekend in the Books!
After a successful weekend of racing, the Men's and Women's teams are back from Worcester and Boston respectivly. The men got 2nd and 3rd in the 4's races, while the women fought a good race on the Charles against some very high caliber teams.
Spring Races are Up!
Want to know where UVM Crew will be this spring? Head over to our Events page to find out where you can see the green and gold oars rowing down the course. We look forward to seeing you!
Rent-A-Rower
Our team is 100% student run. That means we pay for our own equipment, entry fees, professional coaching, and other expenses through fundraising and generous donations from our supporters. If you need help raking leaves, painting, shoveling snow, or any other task you see fit for a group of Burlington Rowers, drop us a line (or an oar handele) and let us help you out. Head over to our fundraising page to get more information and see how we can help you!
