Dear Friends,
Momentum accompanies change and is often unpredictable. Frequently time reveals momentum’s bias. For Washington Rowing, change was an apt descriptor of last year, but the momentum that has followed is clearly forward.
As the school year began, conversations focused on how the women would respond to their new coach and how the men would react to a year in which rivals matched and bettered their boat speed. Both teams answered emphatically this fall, winning the Head of the American (women) and the Head of the Charles (men), and in doing so defeating defending national champion California along the way.
The two people least surprised by the results are head coaches Yaz Farooq and Michael Callahan. Yaz has upped the mileage and changed the culture. Michael’s athletes have spent the past six months earning their “W.” The atmosphere is charged at Conibear Shellhouse in anticipation of racing season.
There is also considerable optimism in seeing so many of you contribute to the program. Halfway through the 2016-17 Annual Fund campaign, the team is on pace to receive a record number of gifts. Thank you to those of you who have already contributed
For those who have not, we encourage you to consider a gift to this exceptional program. Times are different today, and our athletes and coaches depend on our support to maintain the level of competitiveness that has defined Washington Rowing for a century. This year we are setting a goal of 1,000 donors to Annual Fund campaign, and we hope we can count on you to be one of them.
The Cal Dual returns to the Montlake Cut on April 22. This is simply the greatest rivalry in collegiate rowing today as both programs are at the top of their game. Two weeks later, China will send crews here to compete in the Windermere Cup, once again highlighting the global reach and high level of competition this remarkable event attracts.
We invite you to join us in support and celebration of the Washington Rowing program this year. By doing so you will help the coaches and the team continue the positive momentum we feel today moving forward. Thank you and Go Dawgs!
Sincerely,
Jane Powers and Trevor Vernon
Co-chairs
Washington Rowing Board of Stewards
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Jane Powers, ’85, co-chair[/gdlr_column]
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Trevor Vernon, ’92, co-chair[/gdlr_column]
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