Wish you were here

Where is here?

Here is with me and the many other ithaca College alumni, parents, friends, and team members who understand the enduring value of the IC Crew program, and who get that participating is even better than understanding alone! By joining our efforts together, we make the difficult easier, the distant closer, and the sometimes unreasonable delivered!

The IC Crew Endowment began back in the late 1990's and grows every day. We have big goals: top notch equipment for our athletes, dependable support equipment for our coaches, and someday, in the not too distant future, a IC boathouse that fully serves the demands of a first class collegiate rowing program.

All these goals have an associated cost, but who among us does not share the experienced willingness to take on some piece of any effort or cost in order to achieve the goals we with commitment set before us? Perhaps above all else, this capacity in our community defines the character and the spirit of the crew.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing a handful of my teammates together in Ithaca. In some cases decades had passed since we had seen each other, let alone cruise down the Inlet (be it glassy water or raging headwind). The feeling was superb as I again realized that together we had shared irreplaceable life and adventure, and, that I would still do anything for them, because I know that they feel the same in return - the unspoken deal sealed in our youth with sweat and countless oar-strokes.

This feeling is not reserved by me for a select few team members, but for all of you who have hoisted a boat, frozen your fingers on an icy Cayuga morning, numbed your muscles on the ergometer, and reached inside yourselves further than maybe your expected ever possible in order to be that IC team.

After 40 years, we each have over 1000 teammates. Most we don't know directly. in fact, most we have never even seen. I met some current IC rowers this past Spring who were not even born until well after my graduation from IC. Does that matter? Not to me. I would put my earnest back to the oar for the Freshman '09 as I would have for the guys in my Freshman boat in "77. I suspect that you would, too.

That is why I can persistently commit myself to giving to this endowment - not a ton at any given moment, but something, consistently, with dedication and persistence. That's the message; that is how as alumni we can participate and honor our teammates. I ride vicariously in an IC shell every day since 1981, and plan to do so for as long as I am in physical attendence (and then I shall let the residual gains in the endowment continue for me ad infinitum).

We know each other, you and I. When you are invited to give to the IC Crew, I hope you will not hesitate to do so - they'd do it for you!

Thanks.

Wind

Man, any of you following the ECAC races already know that the wind ruled the day. It's sort of like getting the chair pulled from underneath you; hard way to end the season for the Men's boats especially.

Anyhow, tomorrow is the banquet and I am sure that a little more cash in the hat would go a ways towards making them all feel like the outrageous bunch of athletes that they are!

I'm going in another $50 - how about you?!! Today is the last day, so it's now or never (till next year)!

Thanks to all!

Pete '81

This is when...

This is when I begin to get anxious about knowing just how far and wide the message for the Hat appeal has gotten! Hopefully it has gotten to you and you have responded with a very appreciated contribution to the Crew Endowment.

Busy weekend coming up for the teams traveling to NJ for the ECAC's. When they get back to Ithaca, lets have amassed a nice little Hat-full! Don't wait, take the plunge, make a gift, and join the hip crowd!

Off to a fine start!

I know, I was going to write another story, but it'll have to wait - I am too tired! But, I did want to let you know that some folks have jumped right into action in filling the Hat, and I (speaking for everyone else) really, really appreciate your willingness and participation - that's what makes it fun! Jumping in and making a difference!

I will get to writing emails to each of you directly with thanks, but for the moment, a blanket thank you.

More tomorrow.

Funny Memory

Ok, so back in the early days, Bob Tallman was still coaching the Men's Heavyweights and every other year the Dad Vails would conflict with IC graduation, so we would head out to Bookbinder's in Philly for a dinner after the races and it was a blast and a half. Parents, students, coaches all together in a socially active environment; real sense of extended family.

In fact, it was at Bookbinder's my freshman year that I was treated to a phrase that I still use today spoken by Coach in regard to a minor lapse in student judgement from an earlier point in that season (trying to not be too colorful, I will give rough indication and you can guess the rest): Coach Tallman, smirking and shaking his head speaks "Jes-- Cr---, that is what I call Sh-- for brains!"

Now, you really have to know the whole story to appreciate the full depth of the comment, but you'll have to buy me a drink and get me talking at some event someplace to get the whole story. For those of you who already know the whole story, tell me that you are not grinning from ear to ear right now! ( can also attest to the laser-like accuracy of the comment!)

Anyhow, we were perfectly imperfect and a happier bunch of folks you'd never see (unless you went to the boathouse or a race these days and you'd see the same happy folks all around the IC trailer and tent)!

IC Crew is great; write 'em a check!

Tomorrow I'll write a Ward story!

fun video of crazy rowing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbbGSglCKE4&feature=related

Day 2 HAT

Actually, day one, as the emails just went out this morning! That gives 24 less hours to get the word out and put together a good showing for the week!

I just got the crew newsletter yesterday. It is interesting when I see photos of boatloads of IC rowers; I can just glaze my eyes a bit and I see the hoard of folks who have peopled those boats over the years. In fact, I remember my freshman novice 8 just as it were yesterday (a stretch given that 1978 was not yesterday)!

I'll have more to write this evening