Lawyers for the University of California at Berkeley are bringing suit against the United States Olympic Committee and US Rowing to allow the University of California men's varsity eight to challenge the US eight in trials for the right to represent the US in this years' World Championships and next years Olympics in Sydney.

Alumni from the University brought forward the suit after the stunning winning margin Cal enjoyed at the San Diego Crew Classic. Not since Ky Ebrights' crews in the 20s 30s and 40s dominated IRA regattas, and represented the US in multiple Olympics has the enthusiasm among the old Blue been at such a fever pitch.

'Just like the old days, and we want to see our boys back in the Olympics again' said Clark Pengrove, class of '49.

There had been no resistance from National Coach Mike Teti to a challenge to his crew, and welcomed the racing but in a brief message to Steve Gladstone, asked if perhaps Steve was going to bring a crew with Americans in it to race to make the US team.

The lawsuit from UC Alums came about not because of the viability of the open trials, but of the requirement that US National teams be American citizens.