from Varsity to Club Varsity

i: )
"- ..
Proposal for the Transition of the Men's Rowing Program
from Varsity to Club Varsity
Nature of the tea m
The men's and women's teams have been a combined entity since crew began operating at
Bucknell. It has been a successful mutual experience that has allowed for the teams to motivate
. each other to reach their respecive goals~ This sense of unity is highes atthe annual Patrot
League Championship where the teams compete for the league title, which Bucknell has won
more times than any other school in the league.
With the change In status for the men's program it wil be vital to retain and continue to develop
the current relationship between the Men's Oub Varsity program and the Women's Varsity
program. Though the teams wil have their own coaches and accounts there are various
components of the programs that wil naturally be able to remain connected. It wil be to
Bucknells advantage to foster a team spirit that strives to maintain a united squad that feels like
one team, rather than two distinct organizations.
Club Varsity
The transition to Club Varsity for the men's program comes with challenges that wil face its
rowers and alumni. These hurdles can be tackled with a joint commitment between current
rowers, ahimni and the ilOjversity commiinity With this joint effort the tasks to be completed for
Club Varsity to succeed past the planning stages can be surmounted.
If a crew team were to begin from scratch it would need a startup cost of approximately $60,000
for equipment In order to begin to compete successfully at the collegiate level. Club Varsity has
the benefit of having evolved from a successful varsity program that has proven itself over the
last twenty years both on the water and financially. As the team transitions to Club Varsity
various factors need to be considered in order to assist its development Into a competitive team
and one that can sustain itslf without university financial support.
The current men's team operates on an equipment base which would allow for the Club Varsity
team to continue rowing wit a seamless transition and allow for effort to move forward with
raising funds for the team's operating expenses and endowment. A succesfl transition wil be
dependent on the team's ability to continue to operate without hesitation and with a confidence
that wl1 support the team's development on campus.
To assist with the transition to Club Varsity, the alumni committee has defined and outlined a
series of recommendations to move the team from its current status as a varsity team to a viable
club varsity program.
Coaching Staff
The varsity crew program (men and women) has been coached by one full time coach and one
or two volunteer assistant coaches. With the men's proram shifting to Club Varsity the coaching
position that is currently funded by the athletic department wll be a full-time women's coach. In
light of this fact the men's program wil begin a national search for a coach in early 2002. This
coach wil be solely responsible for the men's noviæ and upperclass rowers, but wil work closely
with the women's coach to coordinate the operation of both teams. This coordination includes
such things as practce schedules, transportation to and from the river and races, equipment
purchases that would benefit both teams, and joint expenditures.
The coach's compensation would be a salary of approximately $25,000 to $30,000 that would be
fundraised from parents, alumni and friends of Bucknell Crew. In terms of benefits we would like
to determine the feasibilty of the men's program purchasing medical coverage through Bucknell.
Fundraising
This academic year the crew team celebrates Its twentieth anniversary. The fundralsing
campaign wil be kicked off as part of the twentieth anniversary celebration. The fundraising
effort has two distinct part. First, the goal is to endow the team within ten years. The
endowment goal is three millon dollars With the endowment in plaæ it woiiid proIde the tem
with $100,000 a year, whIch would cover the expenses of a full-time head coach ($40,000 salary
with $10,000 benefits package), a full operating budget ($35,000), and annual upgrades on
equipment ($15,000). The campaign would be organized into two segments. The first segment
wil be kicked off at the twentieth anniversary and culminate in five years at the twentieth-fifth
anniversary celebration with a goal of $1 millon. The seond segment of the campaign would
culminate at the thirtieth anniversary with a goal of raising an additional $2 millon dollars. The
initial $1 million dollars would endow the head coach's position.
In order to subsist while the endowment Is being raised the team must fundraise $50,000 a year
for a coach's salary and operating expenses; this constitutes the second segment of the
fURc:raisiR~ effrt. DUI'Ri; this "erlod ro~vers wil be 8ske to 1,8'1 ennuel dUe! of $300. The dues
wil be paid annually in January. This allows students to row during the fall semester to be certain
that they want to continue with the sport into the spring season. The spring is the premiere
season for collegiate rowing.
The exact method used to raise the money needed for the team to remain viable is to be
determined. It wil be critical to have members of the alumni committee and current coaching
staff meet with University Relations and Bison Club persnnel to determine the appropriate plan
of acton. Their expertse and support wil be importnt in allowing this to be a succl
fund
raising campaign.
Bucknell Crew Alumni Association
A secion needed here outlining the alumni board and Its role In the fundraising effort and the
relationship with the current team.
Facilties and Equipment
'---~.
The Bucknell crew team has had the privilege of having access to the river by using land that is
owned by the Skotedius (sp?) family. John Skotedius was the first crew coach for Bucknell and he
has remained a dose friend of the team. Currently the men's and women's team uses a dock,
boathouse and equipment shed, which the Bucknell program has built. The change in status of
the men's program should not influence the men's access to these facilities. It wil be the
responsibilty of the men's coach to coordinate with the women's coach to determine mutually
agreeabie scheduling for the use of the fadlltles. The expenses accrued for upgrading and
maintenance of these facilties would be shared by the two teams (In most cases also shared with
Susquehanna University which also uses the same facilties).
In terms of equipment, there are various components that allow for the development of a
successful crew team. Some of the equipment is gender specific, though much of it is shared.
Below wil be listed each component of the equipment owned by Buckell and those that are
recommended to be passed to the men's program for its foundation.
Rowing shells:
Bucknell owns four eights, one four, and four doubles. Some of these shells are specifically
designed for men. It Is recommended that the men retain the shells that have been traditionally
used
by the men's program. This includes a iightweight men's eight and XX fours, XX doubles.
Oars:
Bucknell owns five sets of sweep oars and it is recommended that the men's team retain two sets
ofigeears.
Cox Boxes (amplification system for the boats):
Bucknell owns six cox boxes and it Is recommended that the men's program retain two cox
boxes.
Coach's launch:
Bucknell owns three launches and three outboard engines. It is recommended that the men's
program retain one launch and one outboard engine.
Egometers (Indoor rowing machine):
Bucknell currently owns twenty three ergo
meters. It Is recommended that these machines
continue to be used by both teams. The men's and women's coaches wil coordinate the
scheduling of practices on the machines. As with the facilities at the river, the ergometers would
be a shared expense between the two teams in terms of maintenance and upgrades to newer
machines.
Uniforms:
Bucknell owns many men's uniforms and it Is recommended that these uniforms continue to be
used by the men's program. Purchasing additional uniforms wil be the responsibilty of the men's
program.
Club Varsity Request of the Athletic Department:
Coch's offce spaæ:
("
\..)
The current offce space wil be retained by the women's program. It is requested that
the men's coach be provided with offæ space within the athletic departent. This wil
facilitate the coach's abilty to communicate with athletic departent administration, the
women's crew coach, and with students. It is reuested that the offæ be equipped with
a telephone, computer, and that the coach have access to Bucknell network services.
Locer room:
The men's program currently has access to a section of the men's iocker room in Gerhard
Fieldhouse. They also have the use of the university Issue athletic clothing. It Is
requesed that this privilege be continued.
BisonOub:
Critical to the fundraising effort wil be the team's connection with the Bison Club. This
relationship wil be further clarified in discussions with the Bison Club Director and
University Relations.
Areas in question:
Insurance
Sport information
Club Varsity connection to Bucknell Athletics Web site
\. ..)
Club-Varsity
Operating Guidelines
C) nransition Plan
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Depàrent ~f Athletics ~¡,kêcreation
DRA - Januar 31, 7002,
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Club-Varsity status has been established in order recognize and increase support for club sports
that have reached a level of competition, budget, and organization beyond current Club levels. ¡
Club-Varsity teams are self-funded and administered through the Office of Recreation Services.
Club-Varsity designation wil provide the club with the additional support needed to properly
fundraise, publicize, and manage all aspects of the program the program with oversight by the
Coordinator of Recreation Services. Additional resources shall be provided through other campus
departments when necessary.
The mission of the Office of Recreation Services is to promote personal growth and development,
and provide the best available resources, which wil allow participants and clubs the ability to attain
their goals as student club participants, both in the classroom and playing field.
_ ~ Minimum Standards. To obtain Club-Varsity status, a Club must meet the following criteria:
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Provide advanced levels of intercollegiate competition to the participants. ~
., li .,c."2
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Achieve 'good stanjing' status as a Club for a period of 5 years. +:
..-\ \. X d \'... Maintain a minimum of 15 active club members for a period of 5 years.
( );'1 '\~'i \to \Wø ".
Cf.. . ~ .'tí. 4. Identify a coach that meets the minimum criteria as outlined on the attached job
'i. 'oa" t\c"'
description and submit this recommendation for final approval by the Coordinator of
viV
~
Recreation Services (Refer to APPENDIX - B).
Adhere to the same code of conduct fo¡ Bucknell University students participating in
~.
Varsity athletics programs. ~,,\v. 'w~
6. Be recognized by the Bucknell Student Government (BSG), so long as BSG remains the
funding authority within the University structure for Club and Club-Varsity programs.
7, Attain approval by the ,?be\tarsit 8EWialASQaflt óJ("c elf lOe.
Benefits of Club-Varsity Status. Enhanced benefits for achieving Club-Varsity status include the
following:
1. Assistance in fund
raising and Alumni tracking provided by the Division of University
Relations.
2. Dedicated Club-Varsity office located in the Recreation Services office suite, on a space l,.+ VJt\~J~ ~~
available basis. i (\ ÚJ r ~r ~ -r ",J: c v. Cr.tw i1\ t~ wL W(,Æ~t;l' //v-,
3. Program assistance through the Coordinator of Recreation Services.
4. Facilty assistance through the Coordinator of Recreation Services.
5. Priority over other Club sports when scheduling facilty use.
6. Assistance with securing weight training assistance through the Coordinator of Recreation
Services
".
~
\....._....
7. Assistance in equipment purchasing.
8. ,~in risk management.
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Club Varsity Operating Guidelìnes
Page NO.2
;; ~
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SUPERVISION: - S
)' joe. ~O\-\o("~l\ e.
The Coordinator of Recreation Services serves as the official representative for the University with
direct oversight for the Club-Varsity program. In this role the coordinator or his/her designee(s
wil provide the following:
. Assist in the coordination of all administrative operations for the Club-Var .
o Schedulin 1. 7
. Communicate regularly with Club-Varsity members and advise on
o Participan :elìgibility Nc.A+. V;r4.~ ~
o Coaching and ns ruction
o Finance
o Equipment purchasing
o Safety and risk management
o Travel
. Assist w~h marketin
Relations.
. Assist with the c
Var' m.
e
rsity participants.
niversity and the Department of
ractice and competition activities wiU be the
as outlined on the attached job description (Refer to
APPLICATION PROCESS:
A P isting Club team or a Varsity athletics team no longer being sponsored by the University
wishing to transition to Club-Varsity status must follow the outlined application process (Refer to
APPENDIX - A). Participants shall be required to submit the Club-Varsity application materials as
required and submit the information to the Coordinator of Recreation Services (Refer to APPENDIX
- A). Secondly, an application and proposed budget shall be subm~ted to the Bucknell Student
Government (BSG) for Club-Varsity approval and funding. Additional funding shall come from
participant dues not to exceed $700.00 per participating individuaL. A Club-Varsity election will take
place electing president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Additional positions may be
added when necessary. The new officers wil develop the Club-Varsity Constitution and submit the
document to the Coordinator of Recreation Services for review and approvaL.
Club
Club.
Varsity
Varsity
NCAA
Grad. Asst
. Volunteer
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. 'yolunteer
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S-li (( V;iV.
. Volunteer
.
. Casual FT
(FT Line)
. Full.Time
COACHING
POSITION
CLASSIFI.
CATIONS
Page No.3
-Alumni
Office
Gifts
Yes"
Athletics
Departent of
Through the
. Major
No (3)
NETWORK
Yes
Yes
CONSULTING SCHEDULING
&
ACCESS
WEIGHT II PRIORITY
TRAINING FACILITY
COMPUTER
.,.........;
,/,.e:.......\
~universilY
Relations
Yes
SPACE PHO
LIN
OFFICE I DEDICATED
DEDICATED
~ l/~ r.Q..J~
. Bison Club
Operating
- University
FUNDING
Cli;¡;.varsity Operating Guidelines
('
-/
SPORTS
to Ii
No
Services Logo
bucknellbison.com
to Recrea1ional
resuhs thro
Ability
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
No
No
Yes
"
'''
No
~c.C-"'. Å"~ ;AW:~
."t .W 0 r -+r"';
5~t~ d~ urr¿
No;i
Yes
U,.v )~ r (. S $ l;r C.r~ (øt:J.
PersonallFamily
Remainder-
(BU Accident)
$2,000
PARTICIPANT
INSURANCE
COVERAGE
drr'.)""~""
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I APPENDIX - A
Application Process for
(~')
........-
Club-Varsity Sports
The following application materials must be provided.
. One-page letter of application from participants providing rationale for
Varsity status.
1 r~ Ç~i ~: Date of initial Club inception and recognition by Bucknell
:r s . w-" s~'t. S . Copy of the Club's Constitution. Included
of practices in place to ensure adheren
. Information on the Nati
qualiication proc
s semester on each participant.
or past three (3) years with win-loss records.
n b it .ê Bucknell Student Government (SSG), so long as BSG remains the
authority within the University structure for Club and Club-Varsity programs.
d: (117 ,'t ~ d ~ i-~."jt..~ L-i .. &~~- )l)\~v,. JJo v..s.~ (-~
A lications wil be considered by:
C,.\f .
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Joseph Santorine, Coordinator of Recreation Services
Terrie Grieb, Associate Director of AthleticslBusiness Services
Coaches of Club-Varsity Sports
Oters as may be aproprte" Dean of, Facilties, Athletics)
Íøoo-
CJsiw FT
BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS & RECREATION I APPENDIX. B I
Lewisburg, PA 17837 .
l ';.
JOB DESCRIPTION: CLUB.VARSITY COACH
~.. )
REPORTS
Coordinator of Recreation Services
TO:
POSIiIONS SUPERVISED:
Club-Varsit Assistant Coaches
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelors degree preferred, experience in intercollegiate athletics.
BASIC FUNCTION:
Responsible for management and administration of all phases
team, within the guidelines, rules and regulations of Recr
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBIUTIES:
1. Schedule and conduct regular practice sessions in and out of season as all
Determine and implement the strategies necessary to motivate t team to
2. Conduct coaches preparation meetings and coordinate t
3.
4. Be responsible for the searc
Services, in accordance
5.
6.
â the University and be accountable for expense
() 7.
arrangements for team travel, practice and competition.
8.
ss of student-athletes. Work closely with all appropriate Departental personnel
9.
10.
uns tudent-athletes when appropriate and direct the student-athlete to professional staff when needed.
11.
ure communication and enforcement of rules and regulations regarding student conduct, appearance and behavior.
12.
~-
rcement of Departmental policies on study programs and require class attendance and completion of work missed due to
iate competition.
Department. .
13. Schedule practice and training sessions within the guidelines of established Departmental and University policy.
14.
Demonstrate a coperative attitude toward all other sports programs, intramural programs, and other functions of the Universit and the
15. Participate in any and all fundraising activities as assigned by the Coordinator of Recreational Services.
16. Faithfully and dilgently carry out Departental related duties as requested or assigned.
17.
,
\...~._~.,
Develop a positive working arrangement wit all support offces both in the Departent and on Campus, Le. Athletics, Recreation
Services, Admissions.
18. Be responsible for all travel arrangements for team; including insuring safe transportation to the contest site and back to capus.
19. Attain an up-to-date CPR and First Aid Card.
December 2001
TRANSITION PLAN -MEN'S CLUB-VARSITY CREW
I APPENDIX - C I
.'g'--,
( )
TIMELlNE: The reclassification of the Bucknell Men's Varsity Crew prOgram wil occur at the conclusion of
the Spring 2002 semester. Beginning with the Fall 2002 semester, men's crew team will no long be
sponsored as a Varsity intercollegiate sport and thus, receive no financial support through the nt
of Athletics.
APPLICATION FOR CLUB-VARSITY SPORT STATUS: Students interested .
crew progra from Varsity to Club-Varsity shall be required to follow the
as outlined in Appendix - A and submit the information to the Cor .
APPENDIX - A). Secondly, an application and proposed budget sha
Government for Club-Varsity status approval and possi funding,
en's L
process ~y.;\à ìr1
(refer to (ß i ~. \.
I Student c:",,~h'M;'1
fUndin~~
choos
process
authority within the University structure for Club and rsity pr
to restructure the funding authority for Club and C ty prog
shall be communicated to all necessary individuals.
official ~
b-Varsity ~ll~
"ty Crew J~ o~ ü
ay be added w n necessary. ~
submit the document for review t.; \
ovide funding for a qualifed coach
ice and competition activations (refer to
nts shall be charged a participation fee not to exceed $700 per individuaL.
. N. (lch~S lb5Sikl"-Ashf
Fund ed monies for the 2001-02 academic year are all encumbered at this time. However, there is a
limited amount of money already raised by the men's and women's team for next year. As such, the Men's
Club-Varsity Crew program shall be entitled to one-half of those monies. In addition, it is anticipated that
donors to the Men's Club-Varsity Crew program wil receive personal tax benefits consistent with similar
donors making contributions to other University programs.
SUFFICIENT COMPETITION - CURRENT SPONSORSHIP AND COMPETITION TRENDS: Inasmuch as
men's crew is not an NCAA sponsored championship sport, scheduling and participation does not preclude
Varsity and Club teams from competing against each other at all competitions, including the IRA seasonending championships. Therefore, the same scheduling opportunities wil be available for Bucknell Men's
Club-Varsity Crew participants under the Club-Varsit designation, should the participants choose for that
scheduling philosophy to continue.
Transition Plan - Men's Crew
Page
No. 3
EQUIPMENT: Due to the historical relationship between the two programs, n is recmmended that one boat,
one set of oars, and one coxswain box be assigned to the Men's Club-Varsit Crew program immediately,
while implementing a plan for additional sharing throughout this first transitional year. In future years, it wil be
each
most beneficial for both the Club-Varsity men's program and the Varsity women's program to co-exist by
having dedicated equipment.
"' r.~ '\ur s
For the first transitional year, the sflaring of equipment shall be equitable for each of the programs' needs,
while continuing to provide safe participation opportunities to the participating students.
Further, uniforms and specialized gear utilzed by male crew participants wil become t
responsibilty of the Men's Club-Varsity Crew program at the conclusion of the Spring
FACILITIES: The Men's Club-Varsity Crew program shall continue to h
through the appropriate scheduling proæss under the direction of
and the Department of Athletics. Facilty usage time shall be
facilties
Services
with the
women's Varsity crew program. General expenses inc ed for 0
s such as
the boathouse, ergometer room and the dock sMI respon
expenses
resulting from specific incidents being the responsi e resp
rtation to practi egattas and
partment of Athletics' business
o not provide daily practice or event
Further, there are no plans to provide
.M'I.
atment of injuries through the general student services
ell Universit's comprehensive fee, all students are covered up to $2,000
cid y' underwritten by Student Resources, Inc (a division of Mega Insurance,
of e existing personal insurance coverage provided through the University wil
Ho participants in Men's Club-Varsity Crew shall not be eligible for the $48,000 Excess Layer Policy
for intercollegiatelvarsity athletes or the NCAA Catastrophic Coverage for medical expenses above
$50,000.
# # # # #
C..-
University of Michigan
College/University
XIXIXIX
X
Students Pay $50.00
xixi X
Students pay for overnight stays
Students pay for Transporttion
Students pay dues of $125.00
Students Pay Dues of $85.00
Students Pay Dues of $350.00
Students pay Dues of at Least $500.00
Web Master, Public Relations
Description
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I APPENDIX - ò-'./J
XIX
Student Fees Comparison - Menl's Club-Varsity 'few
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, CREW "
Proposal for the Continued Growth of the Bucknell Men.'s Crew Program
Purpose
The purpse of this doCument is to give key members of the University a concise opinion on the
preferred future of the Bucknell Varsity Men's Crew team as it relates to pending 1itle IX decisions. It
has been prepared by a group of Buckell Crew alumni. This group has met with University
administrators, trstees, and current students to help understand the current issues faced by the
experience at Bucknell and our conversations With the
rowing program. Our
University and the
above listed constituencies have allowed us to reflect on these'issues and consider alternatives which
wil help the University
continue to operate a succeSsful rowing program that wil carr on the strong
competitive rowing tradition which has been initiated and cultivated by dedicated students over the
course of the last fifteen ye?lrs.
.0..
.
"
Current Situation
¡.
Bucknell University is currently in its third year of a five-year program to become compliant with 1itle
. ix regulations that mandate equal athletic opportunities for men and women in proportion tothe
gender distribution found in the student body. The University faces. the challenge of eliminating a
large gap between men and women in terms of both athletic opportunities and funding in order to
obtain compliance. Eliminating or adding a single team wil not correct the situation. In order to
obtain compliance, many dramatic changes wil need to happen within the Bucknell athletic
community including roster caps, team additions and eliminations, and changes in funding.
. Astte UnIversIty ISCUr.1derhlg.tlie.llyJladoicptiol:i¡,:i¿-elin'rllal:ioli oHhe Bl:eknell Varslqi neft's
Crew program rises to the top for various reasons.
1. The Men's and Women's program share a coaching stff (one head coach and volunteer assistnt
coaches). The elimination of the Men's team would allow for the coaching stff to solely serve the
women's program and offr a better experience for the women within the rowing program.
. .
i. Crew is not a Patriot League sport and therefore does not contribute to the Presidents Cup.
3. Men's Crew is not sanctioned by the NCA. .
Although these reans are valid as it relates to the 1itle iX decsion, the University community
recnizes the benefits that the team provides to BucknelL. .
1. The opportunity that rowing provides to Buckl1ell students perfec suits the stdent culture at
the university. Bucknell stdents are active individuals who are in search of copetitie .
environments and physically challenging opportnities. For the last fifteen years, crew has given
students the opportunity to walk-On and join a competitive athletic program and benefit from a
collegiate varsity athletic experience. These stdents have not trined through high school to
. make the team, as is the case with the majorit of varsit athletes at Bucknell. Mos of the crew .
team is comprised of students who did not row in high school, and are thrilled to have the rowing
program provide them the opportnity of competing at the varsity level in college.
2. The team provides intercollegiate competition with frame of reference colleges and universities,
as well as schools in the upper tier (Ivy League). .
3. The team consistentiy has athletes that represent the highest stndards of academic
achievement.
('-.').
\\..- .
4. Team members have historièally played, and continue to play, a significant role in the operations
of the team, providing valuable leadership opportunities. .
5. The alumni exibit above average invoivernent in both the team and the University after
graduation.
Current rowers and alumni, including both men and women, passionately feel that the benefi of the
Crew team are èonsistent with the overall goals of both the University and the Athletic Departent.
these benefi should be taken very seriously as they are evaluated against the
Furtermore,.
"equation" being used to. make Title IX deåsions.
.
.
ream. .
Implications of a Change! to Club Status
Crew team to
Because one of the options being considered, by the University, is changing the Men's
a club sport, we would like to outline the issues that would face the team with a change of sttus.
1. Inadequate funding would seriously endanger the on-going existence of the
The team currently fund
This is achieved with a
raises more than half of its operating budget.
constnt series of fundraisers that occupy much of the free time of the varsity team. A change in
status would reduce the funding by the university by approximately 67%. The expetion that
raisers is unrealistic. Additionally, it
the team could make up this difference with additional fund
r\
¡
..-'
would place an unfair burden all the time of these athltes afld æuld hamper their abilit to mee
their academic commitents. . .
2. Alumni/Parent fundraising would decrease dramatically.
After reviewing data collected by University Relations, it is evident that crew alumni (men and
women) and parents are regularly among the top donors to give to a sport at Buckell. Last year
crew alumni and parents were seond in gMng among varsity sport. This reflec the alumni's
commitment to the University and the sport of rowing, as well as parents' support of their child's
decsion to row. Because a change in status would mean that the men's crew team would be
part of BSG and dub sport, donations would not be able to be given direcly to the team.
_, -:"tvònetarygift.toau6'spÕ¥re.âlvldëd among all dab Sports. A second coiÎcèïn Is that: - -,..~. ._--."-~
donations to club sport are not ta deductble. Lastly, dub sport do not benefit from the .
University's trcking of alumni. This is critical for successful fund
raising campaigns as well as
keeping alumni informed of the current success of the.team.
3. Competitiveness of the team would decrease dramatically.
Varsity athletes' commitment to their sport and
their teammates differs from that of athletes
competing at the dub level. We are concerned that with the finandal struggles, expense of the
sport and the lack of varsit recognition, there wouid be a decrease in competieness, both
Additionally, the varsity sttus allows the Men's Crew team to
within the team and nationally.
more effecvely recruit and retain qualitY rowers, as well as coaches.
4. Threat to the shared experience between the Men's and Women's rowing
prorams.
The men's and women's rowing programs have always had a symbiotic relationship. . The teams.
have depended on each other in many ways, but partculany financially. The programs share
most of the equipment and the cos that come with trveling and team operatins. The men's
program, as a club sport, would plaæ a burden on both teams, partularly if the shared
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experience would no longer be allowed to continue and develop.
'( )
5. Team selectvity
As a club sport, supported by BSG, crew would not be allowed to be selective. Club sport are
required to be open to all students who are interested in partcipating; This .requirement would
plaæ significant burden on the team in terms of competitivenes and finances.
Due to these factrs, we sinærely feel that a move to club status would mean the end of the Men's
Crew program at.Bucknell in the near future.. .
Ideal Situation
Ideally, we would like to see the Men's Crew program remain varsity. It would allow the team to
continue to grow and compete at a high level. It would also allow Bucknell students to partpate in
a varsitY program that has a trdition of graduating exceptional student athletes who continue to give
back to the univerSity and partcipate actively as aiumni. However, we recognize that due to Tite IX,
Bucknell finds itself in a diffcult situation.
A Compromise Proposal
In assessing the situation with the hope of finding a compromise, our group of alumni identified the
aspec of varsity status that were importnt to the program. Additionally, we looked at the factors
~OC . . .
which are important for the University to achieve compliance with Title IX. As part of this
compromise proposal, we have identified the three central components which the men's program
would lose, butthe loss of which would assist the Uriiveisil) in meng the reuirents set fort by
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\.
. Male varsity athletic opportnities
. University funding
. Coaching positions
As we wrestled with the issue of losing these three components of the program we reached out to
rowers and coaches at other universities who are encountering the same issue. The University of.
Michigan Athletic Department (please see attched artcle) has spearheaded a program that we feel
Bucknell can !Jse as a model, and wil help Bucknell with Title ix compliance while allowing the Men's
~."~.,,_., ,c." .:Creiieaiwtb 'continue to compete at a. high levet.. This iiOOel ëalls tor thë dêvelö¡!i~ ièï'it- Òr:-I.leW'::':':~;'~"M"!"
athletic sttus calle "Oub,Varsity". This status would allow the universit to "eliminate" the sport
from the "varsity" category. This would benefit Bucknell in terms of
lit
Ie ix regulations becuse it
would allow for the University funding, coaching positions, and varsity athietic opportunites which
are currently shared by the men's and women's programs to be solely allocated to women's athletics.
With the.Ciub Varsity distinction, the men's program would be allowed to retain Importnt
components which would contribute to the legitimacy of the team and ensure its future success both
on the water and financially. The Men's Crew program would continue to have acces to;
. The Bison Club (for fundraislng effort and alumni tracking)
. Continued insurance coverage through the university
. Training & locer room facilties
.
Coching faciiities (Offæ, etc.) .
. Equipment sharing between the men's and women's crew programs
. Ergometer room facilites
. Oub Varsit sttus for increase legitimacy to assist with recriting and retention
. Sport information offce coverage .
. Information dissemination through the Athletic Departent (e.g. BuckneIlBison.com)
The changes to the team would eliminate the University sponsored coaching position and Universit
/_.". funding. This would be accomplished in a threephased approach.
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Phase
1
1. Members of the Men's Crew team would be required to pay $350 per year due at the .beginning
of the second semeser. This funding would cover the operating expenses of the team that were
once provided by the University.
2. Coching of the men's team would continue under the aJrrent sysem with one head coach for
both the men's and women's team. This salary and benefits would continue to be furided by the
University during Phase 1.
3. A campaign for a men's crew endowment would begin and would be lead by a Buckell. Men's
Crew Alumni Ascition, which would be accountable to the Universit for meeting th goals of
this proposal; The endowment goals would be:'
a. $1 MiliOn dollars within 3 years to endow the Men's head coaching pqsition
b. $3 Millon dollars within 7 years to endow the Men's head coaching position ånd the
operating expenses of the team. .
Phase
2
1. After the establishment of the $1 MIllon endowment, the Universit funding of the Men's head
coaching position would be eliminated. .
$350 in dues to the team for
- 2. Members or the Men's crew team would stll be required to pay
operating exenses.
Phase
3
1. After the esablishment ofthe $3 Milion endowment, the student dues system would be
eliminated.
It Is important to notett-oing the implementation of Uiis plan \l1ie-~ not be ro
'...,.....
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caps placed on the men's crew program.. Currently, the team Is capped at twenty rowers. This
allows for ten noviæ rowers and ten varsity rowers. In order to ensure the success of this plan there
needs to be a stong group of current rowers to allow for a competitive athletic experlenæ, and to
team. This is not possible with a
crew
continue the historically successful fundraising effort of the
team that is held to twenty rowers.
We feel that this proposal addresses the situation that faces the University and the Men's Crew team.
We wouid appreåate the opportunity to discuss the details of this proposal with you in person.
Please feel free to contact anyone of us if any quesions arise.
Thankyou,
55' ". . ...-- "," ..... ,. P~'-"'-::_-- .'~"'~
~_.'" "_.-'
." ,.-.... "M_ . :"~i.~:,'r_...:.::$~:,'
The Men's Crew Team Alumni Committee
Mlchaei Marquis '96
Tim Keen '97 M'OO
Home Tel: 215-504-4218
Home Tel: 240-631-8031
Work Tel: 908-874-2073
Work Tel: 301-816-5220
E-mail: mmarqui(gcpius.jnj.com
E-mail: neekmit(Qhotmall.com
Victor Arcelus '96 M'98
Brad Petersn '96
Home Tei: 570-577-5159
Home Tel; 617-818-1291
Work Tel: 570-577-3772
Work Tel: 617-927-4244
E-mail: arcelus(gbticknell.edu
E-ma¡I~.petersn(gebord.com
Brian Burke '98
Home Tel: 610-832-5669
Work Tel: 800-776-7438 x6715
E-mail;bburke(§p21.com
James King '90
Work Tel: 202-687-3156
E..mail: kingjim(§gunet.georgetown.edu
f. ..,
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University Facilties and Services
t,~_..j~
As laid out in the Oub Varsity Proposal the Bucknell Club Varsity Crew Team wil have full acces
to the locker room, universit issue clothing, and university triners. The athletic departent is
also asked to provide a coch's offce with a telephone and computer (with access to Bucknell .
network service). . .
It wil be crtical for the program to work closely with various athlec and university
organizations. As noted above, the team and steering committee wit work colla~oratively with
.
raising effort. The team. also seeks
support from Sport Information by including the men's club varsity program as part of the
the Bison Oub and University Relations to assist with the fund
athletics website, and including It in athletics newsletters. The club varsity program wil also
coordinate with university administrtion to be covered as part of the university's insurance
policy.
In terns of individual recognition of athletes we ask for the athletic department to continue to
recgnize male rowers in their Bucknell sponsored scholar-athlete awards and honor roles.
Bucknell crew has celebrated many years of being at the top of the scholar-athlete awards and it
success both on
wil be importnt for the men's program to contlnue to be recognized for their
the water and in the classroom.
Nature of the team
)
I,.. _ ~~
The men's and women's teams have been a combined enti since crew began operating at
Bucknell. It has been a successful i:utual experience that has allowed for the teams to motivate
each other to reach their respectve goals. With the change in sttus for the men's program it
wil be vital to retain and continue to develop the current relationship between the men's club
varsity program and the women's varsity program. Though the teams wil have their own
coaches and accounts there are various components of the programs that wil naturally be able
to remain connected. It wil be to Bucknells advantage to foster a team spirit that strives to
maintain a united squad t1at feels like one team, rather than two distinct organizations.
1. The Bucknell Crew Name:
. In all national and
intercollegiate regatts the Bucknell Women's Varsity Crew Team
eIRd tle BuclcRell Mei:'s O'lb \fai:ittn:eil\(Teai:l:rwjj..timtluvrir~te under the single. .
name Bucknell Crew. . .....
2. Team Celebrations and Gatherings
· The men's and women's teams wil continue to celebrate their accomplishments as a
united group. The annual banquet, crew reunions, anniversaries, and the team's
presence at regattas wil continue to be one that includes both'men and women.
4
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