PRINCETON, N.J. - USRowing is pleased to announce that Boston-based Community Rowing, Inc., has been named the 2012 USRowing Club of the Year recipient.
More than 1,100 USRowing member organizations across the country were eligible for the award, which is based on a points system focusing on the following criteria: performance, community outreach, service to rowing, USRowing participation, technology and communications, and safety.
CRI, one of largest and most diverse rowing clubs in the country, previously won the award in 2004 and 2009 and is the first three-time winner. CRI will be honored December 1 at an awards reception held in conjunction with the 2012 USRowing Annual Convention scheduled for Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
"We are honored, delighted and so happy to be a partner with USRowing in helping to grow this sport and make it more accessible. We have an incredible group of people," said CRI Executive Director Bruce Smith. "We have an amazing board, amazing coaches and an amazing staff, who are really dedicated to making this sport open and accessible, and when you mix those things together, it's incredible what can happen."
This is the second club award for CRI this year. The United States Olympic Committee honored CRI in September when the club was named a Rings of Gold honoree for its contributions in youth and diversity in youth rowing.
"CRI is one of the preeminent rowing clubs in the United States," said USRowing Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Merry.
"Their leadership, vision and action across multiple platforms of the sport result in the expansion of rowing to previously underserved communities in Boston and elsewhere. Under Bruce Smith's leadership they have invested in innovations that will support the sport for future generations such as their coaching college. I am pleased to recognize their efforts and accomplishments to support rowing in Boston, in the northeast and in the United States."
Located on the Charles River in the Harry Parker Boathouse, CRI has programs for all ages, all socioeconomic demographics in the Boston area, and outreach programs for both adaptive rowers and for veterans returning from conflict abroad.
More than 700 young people participate in CRI's competitive rowing program and its outreach programs that not only teach the sport, but also provide academic support for at-risk student-athletes from the underserved neighborhoods in the Greater Boston area.
The military program is one of the newest for the club, and this year will have a men's and a women's veteran four rowing October 20-21 in the Head of the Charles Regatta.
USRowing recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions and achievements in the sport in 14 categories.
Seven of the awards will be presented November 14 at the Golden Oars Dinner including the USRowing Medal of Honor, awarded to Stan Pocock; Male Athlete of the Year, awarded to Glenn Ochal; Female Athlete of the Year, awarded to Oksana Masters; Jack Franklin Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded to Kate Godwin; Jack Kelly Award, awarded to Mike Knopp; Anita DeFrantz Award for Advancing Diversity in Rowing, awarded to RowLA; and the Isabel Bohn Award for Achievement in Adaptive Rowing, awarded to Oksana Masters and Rob Jones.
Seven additional USRowing Awards will be presented Saturday, December 1, at the 2012 USRowing Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, Okla., including the John J. Carlin Service Award; Clayton W. Chapman Award; Joan Zandbergen "Mama Z" Award, awarded to Elaine Roden; Julian Wolf Award, awarded to Lloyd McDonald; Man of the Year Award; Ernestine Bayer Award (formerly Woman of the Year); and the Club of the Year Award, awarded to Community Rowing, Inc.
Seven Fan's Choice Awards also will be presented at the Golden Oars Awards Dinner. They include the National Team Rower of the Year; Junior Rower of the Year; Masters Rower of the Year, Collegiate Rower of the Year; Junior Coach of the Year; Masters Coach of the Year; and Collegiate Coach of the Year. All seven winners will be announced October 24.