After months of practice rowing, indoors and outdoors, the Saint Louis University Crew Club was officially chartered a student organization on Wednesday, April 18. Now they plan to continue seeking funds and support in hopes of competing next fall with other universities.

Lisa Yellin came to SLU as a freshman with the hopes of being on the rowing team. When she learned that none existed, she decided to start one. With the help of others, she formed the SLU Crew Club and now serves as president of the 50-member organization.

Crew members have been waking up early for several months now to practice on either Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They meet behind Griesedieck Hall at 5:30 a.m. and drive to the St. Louis Rowing Club at Creve Coeur Lake.

Scott Allison serves as the volunteer coach for the group. He rowed in college and wanted to help SLU get its team established.

“I’m really proud of the work they’ve done,” Allison said.

Allison expects to have the team competing next fall, possibly as early as fall break. He said that the practices in the fall will get more intense in order to prepare for the competition. He noted that Washington University is excited to have some local competition.

Funding a crew club is expensive. Eight-man boats cost nearly $20,000, and a good team often has several of them.

SLU Crew Club is planning on requesting some funding from the Student Government Association. They have also approached the administration concerning funding, but have yet to receive an answer.

Nikki Morton, another member, is sending a memo to the administration showing them what the group has accomplished and where they hope to go in the future.

“It’s been very challenging,” Morton said. “It’s something I’ve never done before.”

Why row?

“When it’s done well, it’s a beautiful sport,” Allison said. “It’s the ultimate in team sports; there are no stars.”

Crew member Tom Hare echoed that sentiment: “If one person messes up, the whole team suffers. If everyone works well together, the team succeeds.”

Students interested in being a part of SLU Crew Club are encouraged to join in the fall.