University of Virginia Library

VIEWPOINT

By Ted McKean

IF THERE WERE a "rags to riches" sports award for
the 1967-68 athletic year at the University, it could go to
only one recipient: the Virginia Crew, formally known as
the University of Virginia Rowing Association. Primarily
through the diligent efforts of Captain Steve Plott and
Coach Tim Kerr, the Association now runs on an annual
budget of $8,000-difficult to believe since the organization
is little over a year old.

Second-year man Plott, a high school rower, got the ball
rolling last spring when he announced an organizational
meeting of anyone interested in crew which drew 200
people. A temporary coach, Dick McKay, was lured in on
the deal, some old equipment was purchased on time, and
20-25 loyal members panned out. Several regattas were
held, despite an obvious lack of organization and efficiency.
At the end of the school year, collapse, in short, would
have been the easiest way out.

WITH A NEW COACH, however, renewed hope sprang
up in September. Tim Kerr, ex-crew coach at Marietta
High School (Ohio) and a man who knows the rowing
world well, just happened to be at the University working
toward his doctorate degree. Through his effort, the crew
was on the water in the fall, and worked with interval
training weights over the winter to stay in shape. In addition,
through his labor and Captain Plott's, a group of
townspeople were recruited as backers, and the University
of Virginia Rowing Association was formally founded
this fall.

A multitude of problems remained to be overcome, the
primary one, money. The Student Activities Fund which
supports the Rugby and Polo Clubs, offered $1,500. This
unfortunately, could barely dent the capital equipment
outlay necessary to purchase racing shells and a boathouse.

PRESIDENT of the Association, Mr. McGruder Dent,
and Vice President, Mr. Evinghim Blake, came to the
rescue, with a fund drive that yielded another $1,500.
Thanks to the generosity of the Secretary, Mr. John
Dix, a local contractor, an efficient boathouse was erected,
and liberal payment plans were arranged.

The bulk of the financial responsibility, however, falls
on the shoulders of the rowing members of the association
itself. A requirement to join for those who plan
to row is a contribution of $50 per person, no small
sum for any poor University student. This nevertheless
is looked on by the rowing contingent as a strong point
of their organization. Although the financial restriction
may seriously limit the number of possible members, those
who pay the $50 membership fee undoubtedly have shown
a sincere interest and desire to row.

IN KERR'S EYES, student support of crew has flourished
proportionately with the growth of the rowers' physical
plant. Improvement, in the coach's words, "has been remarkable."
Coaching is no longer done from the shore or
from canoe, where its value was dubious at best. Kerr
now rides behind his oarsmen in a powered launch providing
instruction. The first eight now rows in a new
shell valued at $2,500. Consequently, the Virginia Crew
has gone well out in front of the rest of her mid-South
competition, and, at Kerr's estimate, should rank in about
the middle of the list of small rowing colleges. Whether
or not this is true will be determined soon, in the Dad
Vail Regatta, which should feature all the small rowing
college powers.

What has the crystal ball in store for the young Virginia
bunch? Money poses the main problem, restricting
growth, and therefore proficiency. Big rowing colleges, like
Harvard, work on an annual budget of about $100,000,
as opposed to Virginia's $8,000. Yet the future is bright,
without any doubt. Despite the lack of money, Virginia
possesses a large enough student body to promise expansion
of the Association. And currently, in the coach,
and the oarsmen, there is a crisp, fresh enthusiasm as
strong as any sport at Virginia enjoys. Growth has been
hard-earned and exciting: the benefits are just now
beginning to roll in. It is a pleasure for us to see the
success of this most newly organized collection of Virginia
athletes, The University of Virginia Rowing Association.