row2k Features
Interview
HOCR Director Fred Schoch
December 2, 2010
Ed Hewitt, row2k.com

Fred Schoch takes a spin at the '08 HOCR

Everyone knows what Fred Schoch and his team at the Head Of The Charles do in October, but it is what happens the rest of the year that makes it all happen. We talked to Fred this week to see what they are up to in the 'off-season.'

row2k: Everyone knows what you do in October, but what happens in the HOCR offices the rest of the year?
Fred Schoch: First, it might help to explain the structure of the HOCR. We have three full time staff, myself, an Assistant Director, Mason Cox, a Director of Operations, Lib Diamond and a ¾ time CFO, Tom Martin. The Regatta office runs year round. As a 501-3-C not-for-profit, We work in coordination with a 15 person board of directors, five of whom are “managing directors” as well as an 11 person Race Committee. The RC meets and works year round preparing for the ensuing event. In the fall, a 75 person Race Operations Committee meets weekly to manage the 1,500 volunteers who show up on Regatta weekend.

row2k: Perhaps other than attracting sponsors, what is the hardest thing to make happen?
Fred Schoch: The HOCR is committed to running the best Regatta in the world; that means we seek ways to innovate and improve the experience for all the interested groups we touch: Competitors, Spectators and Sponsors.

row2k: How is HOCR weathering the economy?
Fred Schoch: Contrary to popular thinking…the HOCR works feverishly every year to break even. Some years are easier than other; as the economy goes, so does the level of sponsorship which pays for our overhead.

row2k: You have made changes and added events each year for the past few years; which changes do you see as having been most successful?
Fred Schoch: No question that adding races for emerging categories has been well received and fun. Collegiate Eights a few years ago was a big hit, as was the Alumni Eights two years ago. The Parent/Child Double and Directors’ Challenge Quads have been wildly popular and have added significant dollars to our permanent endowment. Thank you rowers! Of course, in 2010, the Adaptive Race was also a success.

row2k: Any more changes coming for 2011?
Fred Schoch: We are exploring a stand-alone Youth Single Event. We tried night racing…it’s tough to light the river!

row2k: How would you describe the pressure to innovate/change an already successful regatta like HOCR; do you innovate for the sake, or react to suggestions and events?
Fred Schoch: Innovation is one of the fun parts of this job…but we make all changes after careful consideration. Our biggest problem is the lack of any more available racing daylight hours. We are fairly maxed out!

row2k: You didn't get to row on Saturday this year; did you see anything by staying on land that surprised you?
Fred Schoch: No major surprises. The beauty of this organization is that it has highly committed and skilled leadership in all areas. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of so many talented people giving countless hours to Race management.

row2k: Running a huge event is a series of crises and fire alarms; how do you all keep it fun and interesting?
Fred Schoch: Knock on wood…there are been few “fire drills” in the 20 years I’ve been Director. Computer Timing is always running on a knife’s edge. Results, safety and fairness are our most important goals.

row2k: What is the most fun part of the job? Worst or toughest?
Fred Schoch: The most fun has to be kicking back on Sunday night with the Race Committee after a successful Race Weekend having watched 9,001 competitors of all abilities race on the Charles. We also get a kick out writing the April Fool’s posting for Row2k every year!

Fund-raising is a full time job…we have a great product, but also a demanding budget target each year. Sometime we get lucky and a rower will call us asking if their company can get involved, but most of the time it’s old fashioned cold calling and networking to bring on companies who value event marketing. We have a lot of competition in Boston for sponsorship dollars.

row2k: Is there a part of running the HOCR that no one knows about, or would surprise people?
Fred Schoch: I think people would be surprised by how much detail is involved in organizing a race of this magnitude. It’s truly an organizational tour de force and we hope we are able to provide a model for any the other “head” race who wishes to borrow from our experience.

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