2016 LUBBERS CUP TABLE OF CONTENTS

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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2016 LUBBERS CUP 2 Table of Contents 4 Welcome / Parking 5 Preview 7 Race Times 8 Participants 13 Watcher s Guide / Trophies 14 Grub & Brew Fest 15 Hospitality Tent / Officials 16 Race Course / 2015 Results 17 Hello West Michigan 18 History 20 Sponsors GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY HOST UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI Grand Valley State University s (GVSU) main campus is in Allendale, Michigan. The university was established in 1960 on 1,237 acres and lies 12 miles west of Grand Rapids. GVSU also has campuses in Grand Rapids and Holland, Michigan. The university is home to over 25,000 students and over 1,500 faculty members. There are over 200 areas of study including masters and doctoral programs. Grand Valley State University Mission Educating students to shape their lives, their professions, and their societies. The university contributes to the enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and public service. Grand Valley Rowing Team Mission Grand Valley State University Rowing Club challenges its student-athletes to reach the highest level to which they aspire both academically and athletically, while continuing to build and sustain a nationally competitive intercollegiate rowing program. 15 UNIVERSITIES Case Western Reserve University Marquette University University of Dayton DePaul University Michigan State University University of Illinois Drake University Purdue University University of Michigan Eastern Michigan University Robert Morris University University of Minnesota Grand Valley State University University of Cincinnati University of Notre Dame 15 Citites 7 States Grand Valley State University President: Thomas J. Haas Dean of Students: Bart Merkle Student Life Director: Bob Stoll Director of Rowing & Head Rowing Coach: John Bancheri lubberscup.com lubberscupregatta@gmail.com whaleradio.org 2 3

3 WELCOME FROM JOY GAASCH PREVIEW OF THE 21ST ANNUAL LUBBERS CUP 2016 Dear Competitors, Coaches, Officials and Guests: Welcome to beautiful Spring Lake and Grand Valley State University s 21st Annual Lubbers Cup Regatta. GVSU s association with Spring Lake goes back to the University s earliest days when Athletic Director Charles Irwin held practices here. The history of rowing on Spring Lake dates back to The Grand Haven and Spring Lake Rowing Association sponsored an invitational on August 12 of that year, which brought competitors from around the Midwest to compete on the beautiful waters of Spring Lake against the world renowned sculler Captain Frank E. Yates. The Village of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Township and the City of Ferrysburg, along with The Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Ottawa Chamber Foundation continue to provide support to the GVSU coaching staff. It is with a great sense of pride that we recognize the many amazing volunteers and local committee member extraordinaire John Zevalkink who support this outstanding community event. We are also fortunate to have a number of sponsors who have come together to continue to build the Lubbers Cup on Spring Lake into the race to attend in the eyes of rowers throughout the America s. Our sincere thanks to the Boer Family Fund, Verplanks and Shape Corporation, the Brunhundred Foundation, Columbian Logistics Network, the Paul A. Johnson Foundation, PARKING Spring Lake Yacht Club NO PARKING Keenan Marina Spectator Parking Free shuttle to Yacht club Johnston Boiler Spectator Parking Free shuttle to Yacht Club SaundersWinterMcNeil Attorneys and Counselors, Don and Cindy Anderson, the Pat Le Blanc Family, Dave and Mary Eagin, the Holiday Inn, and our host Spring Lake Yacht Club. Due to the generous support of our sponsors, we would like to welcome you to our hospitality tent. We hope you will stop by to learn more about Northwest Ottawa County and opportunities to play, work and live in one of the healthiest and happiest areas of Michigan. Promoting Michigan as a great place to work, Hello West Michigan staff will be present to share opportunities for employment in West Michigan. Relax for a bit in the tent and enjoy the camaraderie of our great waterfront community. Thank you all for coming to Spring Lake where Nature smiles for seven miles. We hope you enjoy the Lubbers Cup and that you have a little time to explore our communities and experience firsthand what we, who live here, recognize as the best place to live, work, play and learn. Kindest Regards, Joy Gaasch President The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Coach: John M. Bancheri Grand Valley State University Rowing Club Head Men s and Women s Rowing Coach The Lubbers Cup Regatta was first held in Back then it was a dual meet between Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University men s club rowing teams. The regatta has since grown over the years, in both size and prestige. For a time, as a small-level competition, racing was held on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. In 2009 the regatta was moved to Spring Lake the birthplace of rowing at Grand Valley State University (1964 under Dr. Charles Irwin) where, with the help of John Zevalkink, The Chamber of Commerce, and the communities of Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, the Lubbers Cup has continued to grow to what is now one of the largest and most prestigious intercollegiate regattas in the Midwest. Crews from across the country look to the Lubbers Cup results, as these will be many of the same boats making waves at the national championships. The regatta this year includes perennial contenders who are consistently finalists at the prestigious Dad Vail and ACRA National Championship regattas. Including ACRA National Champions, the University of Michigan (men) and Grand Valley State University (women). Competing this year along with the fastest Club crews in the nation are medalists and finalists from Purdue, Michigan State, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Illinois. They are joined up with the up and coming programs from Case Western (Cleveland, OH), DePaul (Chicago, IL) and Marquette. The Women s races are now a bit more interesting with strong Division I competition coming from Atlantic-10 Conference member the University of Dayton. Dayton is joining the regatta along with MAAC rivals Robert Morris (Pittsburgh, PA) and Drake (Des Moines, IA), as well as a resurgent Eastern Michigan squad. This 2016 Lubbers Cup looks to be the most competitive yet across the board. The regatta will feature, for the third year running, a double-dual format. This style of match-racing modeled on the well-known Henley format has helped increase the size of the event and gives every team the chance to race against all other competition at least once, giving racers more experience. The regatta gives Midwest universities an opportunity to see their competition early in the season. This unique event allows our athletes to experience multiple highlevel races. The intense competition enhances the development of our crews for national championship level competition later in the spring. It is also an important element in the history of Grand Valley Rowing as Don Lubbers remains one of the great supporters and proponents of the crew at GVSU. Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church Team Bus Parking 4 5

4 21ST ANNUAL LUBBERS CUP REGATTA RACE TIMES SATURDAY AND SUNDAY APRIL 9 AND 10, METERS ON SPRING LAKE SATURDAY AM RACES 9:00 am 1 Men s 1V Eights SATURDAY PM RACES 2:34 pm 1 Men s Open Four SUNDAY AM RACES 8:26 am 1 Women s 1V Eights Format: Double Dual format. 2 and 3 lane racing with outside open lanes for added crews and/or B boats. Two albano buoy lines. Guest Announcer: Coach Mike Stemo & Dustin Oramy from Traverse City Boardmen Rowing Club All varsity races will be announced and videotaped. 9:08 am 2 Men s 1V Eights 9:16 am 3 Men s 1V Eights 9:24 am 1 Women s 1V Eights 9:32 am 2 Women s 1V Eights 9:40 am 3 Women s 1V Eights 2:42 pm 2 Men s Open Four 2:50 pm 3 Men s Open Four 2:58 pm 4 Men s Open Four 3:06 pm 1 Women s F/N Eight 3:14 pm 2 Women s F/N Eight 8:34 am 2 Women s 1V Eights 8:42 am 3 Women s 1V Eights 8:50 am 1 Men s 2 and 3V Eights 8:58 am 2 Men s 2 and 3V Eights 9:06 am 3 Men s 2 and 3V Eights COMPETITORS 9:50 am Transit Time 9:58 am 1 Men s F/N Eight 3:22 pm 3 Women s F/N Eight 3:32 pm Transit Time 9:16 am Transit Time 9:24 am 2 Women s 2 and 3V Eights MEN: Grand Valley (host) Cincinnati DePaul Marquette Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Illinois Purdue Notre Dame WOMEN: Grand Valley (host) Case Western Cincinnati Dayton Eastern Michigan DePaul Drake Illinois Marquette Purdue Robert Morris 10:06 am 2 Men s F/N Eight 10:14 am 3 Men s F/N Eight 10:22 am 1 Women s F/N Eight 10:30 am 2 Women s F/N Eight 10:38 am 3 Women s F/N Eight 10:48 am Transit Time 10:56 am 1 Men s 2 and 3V Eights 11:04 am 2 Men s 2 and 3V Eights 11:12 am 1 Women s 2 and 3V Eights 11:20am 2 Women s 2 and 3V Eights 3:40 pm 1 Women s Open Four 3:48 pm 2 Women s Open Four 3:56 pm 3 Women s Open Four 4:04 pm 1 Men s F/N Eight 4:12 pm 2 Men s F/N Eight UM-C 4:20 pm 3 Men s F/N Eight 4:30 pm Transit Time 4:38 pm 1 Women s 2V and 3V Eights 4:46 pm 2 Women s 2V and 3V Eights 4:54 pm 1 Men s 2V and 3V Eights 9:32 am 1 Women s 2 and 3V Eights 9:40 am 1 Men s Open Four 9:48 am 2 Men s Open Four 9:56 am 3 Men s Open Four 10:04 am 4 Men s Open Four 10:14 am Transit Time 10:22 am 1 Women s F/N Eight 10:30 am 2 Women s F/N Eight 10:38 am 3 Women s F/N Eight 10:46 am 1 Men s F/N Eight 11:30 am Transit Time 5:02 pm 2 Men s 2V and 3V Eights 10:54 am 2 Men s F/N Eight 11:38 am 1 Women s Open Fours 5:12 pm Transit Time 11:02 am 3 Men s F/N Eight 11:46 am 2 Women s Open Fours 5:20 pm 1 Women s 1V Eights 11:12 am Transit Time 11:54 pm 3 Women s Open Fours 5:28 pm 2 Women s 1V Eights 11:20 am 1 Women s Open Fours 12:02 pm 1 Men s Open Fours 5:36 pm 3 Women s 1V Eights 11:28 am 2 Women s Open Fours 12:10 pm 2 Men s Open Fours 5:44 pm 1 Men s 1V Eights 11:36 pm 3 Women s Open Fours 12:18 pm 3 Men s Open Fours 5:52 pm 2 Men s 1V Eights 11:44 pm 1 Men s 1V Eights 12:26 pm 4 Men s Open Fours 6:00 pm 3 Men s 1V Eights 11:52 pm 2 Men s 1V Eights 12:00 pm 3 Men s 1V Eights AWARDS 12:30 pm NOTE: Transit breaks are required by the US Coast Guard for lake traffic to pass between races. 6 7

5 PARTICIPANTS Case Western Reserve University DePaul University Grand Valley State University Marquette University Founded as a club 25 years ago. This is CWRU s first time competing at Lubbers Cup, and we hope to be competitive here and for the rest of the season, with a team bigger than in recent history. ARCA Men s 2 bronze (Brown/Holdre) Women s 4+ Gold Head of the Gennesee Women s 8+ Fourth Head of the Hooch Aaron Marcovy Drake University Established 2013 DePaul Crew looks to continue the growth of its program. Coming off a 17th overall finish at ACRA last year, we look to improve on that and make waves throughout the collegiate rowing ranks. 3rd at ICRI 17th at ACRA 4th at the Milwaukee River Challenge. William Scherba Eastern Michigan University 51 years We are looking forward to a competitive Spring season. We look to continue our streak of Grand Final performances at the Dad Vail and ACRA Championships. We are excited to race some new fast teams at this years Lubbers Cup. Men s V8 2nd placeat ACRA Women s V8 1st at AcRA Women s Novice 8 2nd at ACRA John Bancheri Marquette University Club Rowing was founded in 1990 and just celebrated its 25th anniversary. We have a full schedule this season with trips to Lubbers Cup, Illinois Collegiate Rowing Invitational, and MACRA. These will prepare us for our championship races at the Dad Vail Regatta and ACRA Championship. We look forward to racing this spring! 1V Top Finishes - 3rd at the Illinois Collegiate Rowing Invitational 7th at MACRA 6th at Head of the Eagle Gina Pagan 28 Years 14 years as a Division I NCAA program Drake is hoping to improve its 7th place finish at the MAAC Championship. MAAC Boat of the Week. Drake won the traveling trophy after their 23rd annual dual with Creighton University. V8+A placed 3rd at the Head of the Rock With a very strong group of Freshman to augment our returning Juniors and Seniors we are looking to build on the momentum of last year. Novice 8+ win at the Head of the Grand Varsity 8+ Winning the Harvey cup V4+ winning at the Lubber s Cup Charlie DiSilvestro Kemp Savage

6 PARTICIPANTS Michigan State University Purdue University Founded 1956 Since 1949 Fielding the deepest squad in recent years, the MSU Crew Club is looking to build on last years small boat success in this year s big boat events. Lubbers Cup 4+ Champions ACRA Dad Vail 4+ Grand Finals Bryan Pape Exceptional Lwt Men s V8 winning San Diego Crew Classic Novice Men s 8 Bronze at Dad Vail Regatta Winning Lubber s Cup Team Point Trophy David Kucik WEBSITE Robert Morris University University of Cincinnati University of Dayton University of Illinois 19 Years Rowing since years as a varsity squad In it s 11th year Looking forward to excelling in the MAAC Conference. Team Sweep at Spring Metropolitan Championships Nelle Stahura Trying to get better year by year! Looking forward to the Spring on both Men s Varsity and Women s Varsity. Also looking forward to a strong showing from our Novice crews! Women s Varsity JV 4+ ACRA Champions Women s Varsity 4+ 6th at HOCR; Men s Varsity 8+ Rolf Linder Need to wait and see. 4th in Varsity 8+ at Atlantic Ten Championships Mike Wenker looks to be a big year for Illinois. We have a quality group of new novices to join a core of one of the strongest returning varsity squads in team history. MV8-18th at ACRA 2nd at ICRI WV8-2nd at ICRI Bill Grier

7 PARTICIPANTS WATCHER S GUIDE TO ROWING TROPHIES University of Michigan 40 years, formed in 1976 Positive. Many returners from the 2015 team which was successful. Varsity Eight gold at NIRC Silver at Dad Vail Gold at ACRA Gregg Hartsuff Rowing-Team University of Notre Dame 51 years old Team looks deeper than last year as we look to increase our competitiveness. Spring should be fun for us as we have a deeper freshman class than we have had in many years. Also building off a good win at the Head of the Charles in the 4+. Varsity 8 7th at San Diego Crew Classic Freshman 8 3rd at SIRA 1st Head of the Charles Collegiate 4 Mike Lehmann University of Minnesota Established in 1957~58 Years We are coming off a solid fall season and are excited to see what we can accomplish this spring. 3rd MACRA V8+ 2nd MACRA V2- Dad Vail Semifinalist V8+ Aaron Schnell THE BOATS: The 60-foot-long, eight-oared shells are made of carbon fiber, reinforced plastic in a honeycombed structure and weigh about 200 pounds. All sculls are shells, but not vice versa. The normal configuration of a sweep boat has oars alternating between right and left, or starboard and port sides of the boat. Sweep rowers come in pairs (2), fours (4) and eights (8). They may have a coxswain, in which case they are called a four with coxswain (4+). The coxswain is the on-the-water coach and strategist who also steers the boat. Pairs and fours also come without coxswains (2- & 4-). The eight always has a coxswain (8+). OARS: The Lubbers Cup will have both eight and four-oared sweep events. Oars move the boat through the water and act as balancers. Sweep oars 12 to 13 long are approximately two feet longer than sculling oars. The standard blade shape since the 90 s is a hatchet. The Stroke: The whole body is involved in moving the shell through the water. Although rowing looks like an upper-body sport, strong legs are really important. There are four parts of the rowing stroke: Catch, Drive, Release, and Recovery. Together they flow in a smooth, continuous, powerful movement. DON T BE FOOLED: The motion is so fluid, so smooth, and so seemingly effortless that the agony on the athlete s faces near the end seems out of place. The last 500 meters of the race are excruciating. The energy is gone, the muscles are burning and the body is well into oxygen debt. But the mental discipline remains, and the athletes continue, straining to synchronize each motion and mentally counting the strokes to the finish. Rowers also bear the pressure of knowing that each stroke they take affects their teammates; a weak link dooms the crew s efforts. THE STRATEGY: Continuous Motion - Rowing should be a continuous, fluid motion. Synchronization - Rowers strive for the perfect synchronization. Clean Catches of the Oar Blade - A lot of splash means the oars aren t entering the water correctly. The catch should occur at the very end of the recovery when the hands are as far ahead of the rower as possible. Oar Blade Coordination - As the blades are brought out of the water, they should move horizontally at the same height, just above the water. Consistent Speed - Shells move slowest at the catch, quickest at the release. A good crew times the catch at the right moment to maintain the speed of the shell. Strokes Per Minute - Stroke rates vary from boat to boat, depending on the number of rowers, age, and size of the athletes. At the start, the stroke rate will be higher, strokes per minute for an eight. The rate will settle down at the middle of a race to for an eight. Finishing stroke rates can go into the high 40 s for Olympic rowers. CHAD AND BRIE JEDLIC CUPS 2V/Lt Men & Women s Eights Chad & Brie coached the Varsity men and women of Grand Valley State University rowing 2000/ , respectively. Under their leadership, the team shifted to a more competitive mindset and they laid the foundation for the even more successful years to come. DON AND NANCY LUBBERS CUP Men and Women s Varsity Eights & Point Trophies President Emeritus of Grand Valley State University, Don Lubbers, and his wife Nancy have been long-time supporters of GVSU Rowing. The medals for the regatta are cast in Don Lubbers image. FRANK YATES CUP Men s Varsity Four Frank Yates was a National Champion oarsman from Grand Haven. MICHELE GOLIGHTLY CUP Novice Women s Eight Michele was the Student Life Assistant at GVSU. For over 25 years, Michele has served the GVSU campus community with her effervescent personality. MICHAUD FAMILY CUP Women s Varsity Four Paul & Alice Michaud, along with the people at Veits Landing, hosted GV Crew at Veits Landing on Spring Lake for the Captain Frank Yates Fall Training Camp in the past and have been supporters ever since. PAUL SPRINGER CUP Novice Men s Eight Paul Springer served for 12 years (1970 to 1982) as the Varsity Crew Coach at GVSU. He is a member of the Grand Valley Athletic Hall of Fame. SPRING LAKE YACHT CLUB TROPHY Overall Team Points In honor of the Lubbers Cup Regatta and training regatta hosts for the past six years

8 HOSPITALITY TENT OFFICIALS The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite Lubbers Cup Regatta viewers, sponsors and special guests to join us in the Hospitality Tent! Greg Soleau, Chief US Rowing Referee Bob Appleyard, US Rowing Referee (Chicago) Mary Carol Madigan, US Rowing Referee (South Bend) Danny Vainner, Referee (Grand Rapids) Fred Mekelon, Referee (Wyandotte) Gary Ellison, Referee (Wyandotte) Phil Bozenski, Referee (Wyandotte) Don Ukrainec, Referee (Wyandotte) This tent has been designed to provide attendees of the Lubbers Cup with a comfortable area to watch the races, converse and gather information. Amenities of the tent include: Community Information Additional Lubbers Cup Information Hello West Michigan See Article on page 16 Lubbers Cup Apparel: Hats, Long Sleeve Shirts, Sweat shirts, Polos. Attention Athletes Enter to Win a FitBit! To enter, visit the Hello West Michigan table in the Hospitality Tent and fill out a short survey between 12:30pm and 2:30pm on Saturday, April 9th. The winners will be announced on Sunday, April 10th during the awards ceremony (must be present to win). RACE COURSE: Jim Beebe, Clerk of Course Lexie Benton 15 (GVSU) Costas Ciungan 14 (GVSU) FINISH LINE: Mike Stoll 09 (GVSU) Marco Benedetti 12 (GVSU) Breck Davis 12 (GVSU) Alexandra VanderArk 10 (GVSU) Maja North (Grand Rapids Rowing Club) STARTER/ALIGNERS: Rick Anderson (Rockford) Mark Azkoul (Grand Rapids) David Morrison (Grand Rapids Rowing Club) COLOR COMMENTARTY: Dustin Ordway (Traverse City - Boardman Lake RC) Mike Stemo (Traverse City - Boardman Lake RC) ON-WATER ANNOUNCER: Jimmy Wilkie 13 (GVSU) DOCKMASTER: Sam Cecil 10 (GVSU) Dayna Wilkie 14 (GVSU) Chris Meldrum (St. Charles, IL RC) RESULTS: Michelle Goodwin (GVSU) Eric Garvelink (GVSU) GVSU Student Life Club Sports 14 15

9 EXPLORE CAREERS IN WEST MICHIGAN By: Rachel Bartels, Hello West Michigan West Michigan has a distinct culture, lifestyle, and economy. At Hello West Michigan, we aim to show you the best the region has to offer, and provide the resources you need to have a successful relocation. We have some of the country s fastest growing industries including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, agribusiness, renewable energy, aerospace and defense, and information technology. Besides having great jobs, West Michigan has a low cost of living, which makes it a great place to start a career. Urban city, quaint towns, or rural areas the West Michigan region has a diverse set of communities catering to everyone s tastes. There s plenty of fun to be had too. Whether you re into outdoor recreation (like rowing), arts and music, professional sports, or the local food scene, West Michigan has exciting activities no matter what your idea of fun is. Feeling enticed? Learn more about the area at www. HelloWestMichigan.com, a hub of regional information. There, you can learn about the dynamic companies that drive our economy, the array of towns that make up our great region, and the activities and events that make West Michigan truly unique. If you re looking for a place to start your career after graduation, then say hello to West Michigan. Visit Hello West Michigan in the Hospitality Tent. SPRING LAKE RACE COURSE 2015 RESULTS 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place MEN S 1V U of M GVSU U. Cincinnati MEN S 2v/3V U of M GVSU Purdue U. (A) MENS S 4 MSU U of M U. Illinois MEN S 1F Purdue U. U. Notre Dame U of M WOMEN S 1V GVSU Purdue U. Eastern Michigan U. WOMEN S 2V GVSU Purdue U. Drake U. WOMEN S 4 Eastern Michigan U. U. Cincinnati Purdue U. WOMEN S 1F Purdue U. (A) GVSU U. Cincinnati OVERALL Purdue U. GVSU U. Cincinnati 16 17

10 HISTORY Lubbers Cup The Lubbers Cup was originally established as the team trophy for the annual Michigan State University (MSU)/ Grand Valley State University (GVSU) dual race. After the MSU women went varsity, the cup was awarded to the MSU/GVSU men s team with the most points after the race. There was also a cup established for the winner of the men s varsity eight race. In 2000, it was moved towards a multi-team regatta that included MSU, University of Michigan, University of Western Ontario, Eastern Michigan University and Northern Michigan University. The timing of the regatta and Michigan weather has always presented a challenge. In 2004, Coach Jedlic remembers the river was still frozen solid on the Wednesday before the regatta. Luckily, it opened up and racing commenced. Spring Lake & Rowing Article compiled by Becky Vargo, Grand Haven Tribune Spring Lake was once the site of many rowing regattas in the late 1800s, according to GVSU rowing coach John Bancheri. Spring Lake was also the home of a national rowing champion of the time, Frank Yates. A Grand Haven Tribune article from 1893 reported: Also about that time Grand Haven, through the personal efforts of one man, became one of the principal centers of the oarsmen and rowing and sculling fraternity of the country. Frank Yates resided here then and was as fast as any of them. For several summers regattas were held on Spring Lake and Grand River, and those who remember still delight to tell of the throngs of people from here and abroad who thronged the banks to witness the races....but the people in this vicinity went to see Frank Yates win and he generally kept good the trust. Capt. Yates is in Chicago now and the Chicago Times of Sunday had a very fine sketch and portrait of him. We take the following from the sketch: Capt. Frank Yates is a splendid example of what a man who takes good care of himself may become. The captain took to athletics as naturally as he did his meals... It was old Bill Curtis, now editor of the Spirit of the Times, and so aptly named Father of Athletics, who first induced Yates to try sculling, and so proficient did he become at the game that inside of a year he had won the American Championship. That was in He and Charles Courtney, then an amateur, doubled up and their mile-and-a-half time made in centennial year at Philadelphia is still the best on record. At the Lubbers Cup, the Varsity Men s Four Champions Cup is named in honor of Frank Yates. Grand Valley State University Rowing Then In 1964, rowing was offered as a Physical Education course at Grand Valley for the first time. Rowing sparked so much interest and enthusiasm that two years later the Athletic Director, Charles Irwin, began holding team practices on Spring Lake. In 1967, the first varsity team was formed and crews began to race among other colleges. In the early years, the team stored their equipment at the American Legion Post, just North of the North Park Street bridge on the East Bank. The Grand River boathouse that currently holds the team s fleet was established in The boathouse is now only a short jog from the Allendale campus. The team saw some changes in 1979 when the men and women s rowing team switched from varsity to club status. However, the program was maintained by passionate, recently graduated varsity athletes who wished to see the GVSU Rowing tradition continue. And Now...Thirty-seven years later, the rowing tradition carries on. While the team still maintains club status, they race and compete against scholarship athletes. In 2013, the Women s Varsity Eight raced in the DI event at Dad Vails and returned to Michigan with gold. At the 2014 Head of the Charles, the men placed third and the women placed fourth in the collegiate eight event. Last year the team finished strong with a Women s Varsity 8 first place finish and a Men s Varsity 8 second place at ACRA. With a young and dedicated crew this year it is well-fitting that the team returns to Spring Lake again this weekend to race, returning to the place where the tradition began. Arend D. (Don) Lubbers The regatta is named in honor of Arend D. (Don) Lubbers, President Emeritus of Grand Valley State University and former chair of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council. Lubbers became president of Grand Valley in 1969 at the age of 37, making him one of the youngest college presidents in the nation. When he retired in 2001, he was the longest-serving public university president in the country. In the 32 years between, Lubbers led the university s evolution from a small, liberal arts college to a regional university. In 2008, he was honored by the NCAA for his exceptional contributions to the entire NCAA Division II membership and Division II student-athletes. At the awards presentation, Mike Marcil spoke on his behalf, Division II emphasizes student-athletes learning through academic achievement, through athletic competition and through engagement with their communities. The initiatives that President Lubbers supported and helped implement have enabled all Division II institutions and conferences to provide a student-athlete experience that is second to none

11 THANK YOU SPONSORS! The Boer Fund Dave & Mary Eagin The Verplank Family The Brunhundred Foundation Don & Cindy Anderson Paul A. Johnson Foundation SPRING LAKE YACHT CLUB