row2k Features
Arshay Cooper and AMBTIF Impact Grows to 19 Cities and Programs, Now Including a Rowing HBCU
October 17, 2024
Ed Hewitt, row2k.com

Mike Teti, Nate Chase (Washington), Marcus Chung (Harvard), Vincent McClure (Trinity), Wesley Walker (Dartmouth), Cooper; AMBTIF supported the athletes training at CRC

When folks think of the work of Arshay Cooper and the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund (AMBTIF), they often think of the movie, of Arshay's inspiring and motivating speeches, and seeing reports now and then of events to dedicate boats or honor benefactors. This view glosses over the boots-on-the-ground reality of the fund's efforts, and a commitment to long term support of the athletes and programs.

(If you haven't seen it, the film, A Most Beautiful Thing, is available to watch on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.)

The AMBTIF is the official arm of a true grassroots, boots-on-the-ground effort by Cooper and 19 programs around the country – including the first HBCU that AMBITIF has supported – that includes funding for sure, but also swim lessons, private school placement and guidance, college application assistance and placement, coaching education, elite development, and more.

AMBTIF kids are going to private boarding schools that have partnered with AMBTIF to identify and attract students, who are then fully supported both economically and socially by AMBTIF and their new schools. They are attending elite camps at Craftsbury, California Rowing Club, and more. They are continuing to to make college teams at some of the most prestigious universities in the country.

When Cooper and the AMBTIF connect with a young rower, they will follow and support them from the well-known intro movie screening all the way through to college and beyond, including mentoring, tutoring in high school, swim lessons, private school placement, college recruiting, tutoring again at the college level, support of coaches of color, direct financial funding of all of these elements, and more.

AMBTIF Impact By The Numbers

The numbers tell the story; Cooper and the AMBTIF have seen:

  • Over 8000 young people attend speaking events/film screenings/ergometer demonstrations/on-the-water events
  • Over 1200 middle and high school students in “learn to row” sessions on the water
  • Over 350 students who are actively training in with AMBTIF partner programs (these students also receive tutoring support)
  • Over 500 students who have learned how to swim
  • With the help of sponsors Concept2 and HUDSON Boatworks, AMBTIF has distributed 210 ergometers, 70 pairs of oars, and 19 racing shells to partner programs
  • AMBTIF has donated $25,000 per year to each partner program, dedicated to training expenses, transportation, regatta entry fees and an “I Rise” Stipend to support coaches of color - for a total of $500,000
  • 40 coaches of color are now employed in AMBTIF programs via the I Rise Stipend

Ultimately, AMBTIF is responsible for over $3,400,000 in funding for partner programs, and Cooper meets monthly with each partner program to help with any facet of the program that needs assistance.

AMBTIF athletes at Craftsbury
AMBTIF athletes at Craftsbury

The Results

The results of these efforts are starting to show unmistakable results; some more numbers:

  • 100% of athletes who attend the Arshay Cooper/A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund Camp at Craftsbury Rowing Center have graduated from high school and now attend college
  • 100% of athletes who are members of AMBTIF programs across the country (a) graduated from high school, and (b) 90% now attend college
  • 40 AMBTIF students mentored by Arshay Cooper are now competitively racing in college programs, including Harvard, Dartmouth, U Miami, Brown, Duke, Navy, University of Michigan, Hobart, and University of Washington
  • Through relationships developed with private schools, AMBTIF high school students are now attending boarding schools with rowing programs and continue to be mentored by Cooper

The list of AMBTIF cities and programs is growing steadily, with 19 programs now in the fold – the latest of which is Xavier University in New Orleans, the first HBCU program that AMBTIF is supporting.

  • Atlantic City High School Rowing- Atlantic City, NJ
  • Baltimore Community Rowing- Baltimore, MD
  • BLJ Community Rowing- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Brick City Rowing- Newark, New Jersey
  • Chicago Community Sculling, Inc.- Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Training Center- Chicago, Illinois
  • Dallas United Crew- Dallas, Texas
  • DeMatha Catholic High School Crew- Hyattsville, MD
  • Delta Sculling Center- Stockton, California
  • Evanston Township High School Rowing- Evanston, IL
  • Hackensack High School Crew / Hope on Water- Hackensack, NJ
  • Newport Rowing Club- Wilmington, DE
  • North Channel Community Rowing- Evanston, IL
  • San Miguel Academy Rowing Team- Newburgh, New York
  • Riversport OKC- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • RowLA- Los Angeles, California
  • Unity Boat Club- Washington, DC
  • Waco Rowing Center- Waco, Texas
  • Xavier University Rowing Club- New Orleans, LA

Cooper and the fund are hosting an event at the HOCR on Saturday from 3-4pm at the Concept2 tent where you can meet Cooper and AMBTIF athletes and coaches, hear from guest speakers, and get involved with the effort; full details below.

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