PRINCETON, N.J. - Princeton National Rowing Association has been named the 2011 USRowing Club of the Year, the organization announced on Wednesday.
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. This is the first time that the Princeton National Rowing Association has won the award.
"We are honored that USRowing has recognized the Princeton National Rowing Association as the 2011 Club of the Year," PNRA Executive Director Kristopher Grudt said. "It is a great recognition of the efforts and achievements of our athletes, volunteers and staff. As an organization, we are dedicated to providing an environment where athletes of all levels can excel and grow through the sport of rowing, from the elite athletes training with us to the novice, junior and master rowers.
"We are especially proud of our newest partnership where our rowers are teaming up with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County to provide mentors and rowing opportunities to students in the Trenton school system. Our rowing activities would not be possible without the support that we receive from Mercer County, West Windsor Township, the Mercer County Parks and the local community."
The Princeton National Rowing Association was established in 2000 as the Princeton International Regatta Association to host the 2001 FISA World Cup Regatta. The non-profit organization operates the Finn M.W. Caspersen Rowing Center, which is located on the shores of Mercer Lake, West Windsor, N.J. The center is home to the USRowing national and Olympic teams and is licensed as an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. It is also home to the Hun, Lawrenceville and Peddie School rowing programs.
PNRA continues to host multiple regattas each year. In 2012, these will include the United States Olympic Rowing Team Trials (returning to Mercer Lake for the fifth time), the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships (returning for the second time), Big East and Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships and one of the largest junior regattas in the country, the Mercer Lake Sprints. PNRA also recently hosted the 2011 FISA World Rowing Youth Coaches Conference. PNRA runs the Mercer Junior Rowing Program, which provides rowing opportunities for the youth from more than 30 greater Mercer County area high schools. PNRA provides rowing opportunities for masters through the Mercer Masters Program. During the summers, PNRA hosts both learn to row camps and the Resolute Racing Camps for experienced junior rowers. PNRA also has hosted national team selection camps for the senior, under 23 and junior national teams.
As the 2011 USRowing Club of the Year, the Princeton National Rowing Association will be honored on Saturday, December 3, at the USRowing Annual Awards Reception in Hartford, Conn.