In an unprecedented gesture of support and solidarity, the Rutgers football program has pledged resources at its disposal to save Rutgers men's crew, slated to be reduced to "club" status at the conclusion of the 2007 spring season.
"Rutgers has a huge history with football, we practically invented the game," said Rutgers Head Football coach Greg Schiano. "Coming off a feel-good season such as we had, we felt it was only right to give back to our less fortunate brethern."
Though the deal does not guarantee a fresh infusion of cash to the Rutgers crew program, under the terms of the Football proposal, Rutgers men's crew would continue to exist as a Varsity sport. On non-football days, the crew coaching staff has the full use of a skybox at Rutgers stadium to use as office space and/or an erg room. As they have in the past, Rutgers crew will serve as parking attendants at home football games, and will be able to supplement their training by selling peanuts up and down the stadium steps.
The Rutgers administration welcomed the move. "Greg Schiano and his team have put Rutgers on the map again, or, back on the map, in the case of crew," said a university official. "With the explosion of high school rowing in the state, we recognize that Penn and Princeton cannot possibly have seats for all the high school rowers in New Jersey."
The true cash cow of the proposal is likely to be the arrangement whereby Rutgers subsitutes athletes from the Rutgers men's crew team for paid academic tutors and support staff for football on a pro bono basis. The cost savings involved in allowing rowers to tutor football players is estimated to be worth approximately six brand new eights per season.