Actually received broadcast spam from a LaSalle coach, urging us to vote on this thing. Perhaps energies can be better directed? * Irony noted that I took the time to come on here and say something about it. But really. Congrats to all five of these schools who were in the poll on great races and at every level.
CHILDREN! It's a readers poll! This isn't to decide the best crew in the country, otherwise it would be only Pac-10 schools listed, and Dawgies on top! Right. Anyhoo, this has all the weight and validity of People's Choice Awards. If a small crew from a small school achieves something great, whether in victory or defeat, lets recognize that! No one is handing out gold medals here, it's a freak'n blog! So...Sacred Heart has a rowing team?
As a Princeton guy -- from the days when there were NO women at the school, I salute the Tiger women's victory over Virginia and Yale. Who couldn't? But the story of the Sacred Heart crew IS something special. Not to make a bad pun, but rowers do have to have heart, and the Sacred Heart story shows a lot of it. Seems like all this week's nominees have something good to recommend them -- performing above expectations. But, what happened to the Sacred Heart team was truly dispiriting . . . and those rowers who stuck it out in spite of that, plus the new coach and the new recruits who had faith in what they could do -- well that really is special AFAIC.
the fact of the matter is that the end of the princeton/ yale/ uva race was a watershed moment in the ncaa racing community at the DI level. UVA was ranked first in not only the polls, but in everyone's minds, especially after their dominant performance at the san diego crew classic, which proved they could perform on a foreign and far away couse. the fact that princeton's varsity was able to overcome both them and yale, a team that has strong returning seniors, some with olympic or national team aspirations is truely commendable and proves that the EAWRC is without a doubt the strongest league in the nation in terms of V8 competition.
Big race or not, a win is a win and you can't take away from that, especially for a program moving forward. When's the last time La Salle had such success? Imagine being on a team that hasn't had a major V8 victory in years and your perspective you have just put on the table might change.
JV8 or not, word on the water is that Drexel's JV8 had been piecing against their V8 and winning. As far as things go, that generally means that the JV8 as the better boat. Its not a matter of whether or not the boat is JV8, V8 or even frosh 8, what stands out is that La Salle raced hard, beat what was put forth and took a V. Don't take away from a win.
I've been involved with rowing for ten years, both as a rower and a coach. From the latter point of view, I find it appalling that there are those that would belittle others based on how long they've been rowing. Isn't it a little early to assume that all the novices on one team will just drop out after a year? I think as a more experienced rower, it should be your obligation to encourage novices to keep rowing, not disparage them because they didn't have the access or opportunity to row at a younger age. And another thing: look at the composition of American collegiate rowing. How many of the schools that race on any given weekend are Sprints schools? Pac-10? Major NCAA division schools? Not most of them. There are too many things that are beyond my control (height being a major one) that will always keep me from challenging the top performers in my age group. But that didn't keep me from challenging myself and competing at the highest level possible. Do the few racing shirts I own from NERC opponents mean less than an EARC team's racing shirt? Maybe to some people. But not to me. Brad Alan Lewis put it best: "The level of competition doesn't matter...What matters is that you successfully explore the process. Once you've mastered the process, you can apply it to another race, to another sport, to whatever interests you. If all you've managed to do is win the novice single at the Christmas Regatta, then all you get is a beer mug." Am I impressed by the Princeton women or the OSU JV men? Yes. I wish I could have rowed with them. But just because I raced for a smaller collegiate program doesn't make my racing experience any less meaningful.
I am not belittling their 2nd place as much as I am sticking up for the 1sts that all the other teams got. I am appalled that you DON'T see that. LOOK AT THE FACTS, not the emotion. As a former small school rower I am surprised that you would encourage what every small school tries so hard to avoid. Complacency. That is what you would be doing by saying that SHU should recieve top honors for losing by close to 30 seconds to another school their size in their conference. Is that what UMass preached? I have raced them and they never looked satisfied to me when they lost their big races. Check their results against other small schools at the Dad Vail and see if they still stack up.
I'm not saying I like losing. Losing sucks. But if I was complacent, I wouldn't have rowed in the first place. And if the only reason somebody rows is for a gold medal, then I think they're missing the point.
Absolutely. None of us row for that reason. Thats an obvious and unneccessary observation of all sports since the beginning of time. So since all of us are understanding of that, why does SHU get rewarded for basic athletic principles OVER LaSalle and Princeton? Do LaSalle and Prineton rowers only participate because they win? PRetty sure that both of those programs have had a rough go for the past couple of YEARS too plus the pressure of all their administrators counting on them to improve. Their rowers have actually seen failure and stood up to it for YEARS just as you have. SHU had nothing to lose and they lost. by 37 seconds/ 10 boatlengths to crew thats the same size as theirs and caught a crab. Does it suck to be them? Of course it does. Do I hope they stick with it? of course I do. But I have NO IDEA why their standard issue small school with money and roster issues performance is better than princetons and lasalles. Explain it to me with FACTS. not wishy washey fairy tales about the plight of the less fourtunate
I'm not trying to take away from Princeton or LaSalle; I don't think they don't belong on this poll. But the plight of the less fortunate is a fact of small-college athletics, not a "wishy washy fairy tale." But you've obviously done much more thinking about the topic than any of us, and have come to an unshakable conclusion (which almost a thousand people disagree with, BTW), so there's no point in continuing this conversation.
Not one person is trying to hand Sacred Heart the NCAA Championship. It's the row2k poll of the week. I think you are taking the award and the ramifications of it on the rowing community too seriously.
Thank you to all whom have been supportive of any underdog crew and just the sport of rowing. It should not matter what conference a crew is placed in- as long as they get first. It does not take a genius to know the different levels of the conferences, and if you are someone who thinks you know everything about every conference... well, you're not alone. it needs to be understood that each and every crew/coach has different goals, bu when push comes to shove- as long as your crew is happy with any performance- you still have a job. If it was not for your rowers, you wouldn't have a job.
But all -in-all, it was a great weekend for the underdogs. Huge props for every crew out there this weekend. Princeton, great work, seriously. Also La Salle- I am very impressed, tremendous achievement this season and this past weekend. Including Sacred Heart- in simple words- congratulations! Just forget about the conference(s) and the names/titles
Congrats to La Sale for turning the tides and moving up through the ranks! You have my vote and I am excited to see what you do next through the rest of the season.
Wait a minute, I was standing in the Gazebo at Mercer Lake for this race and here are the facts – 1) Loyola is NO slouch – that boat is stealth and a force to be dealt with 2) Sacred Heart was a few boat lengths behind when they caught a crab, completely stopped and were passed 3) They got it together and passed what eventually became the 3rd place boat.
Key Takeaway – These other Varsity boats are mostly Jr’s & Sr’s – Sacred Heart were mostly freshman with a new coxswain as well!
Yea I hear that out of La Salle's V8's freshman, one of them is the stroke of the boat...most impressive. the fact that 5 out of the 8 rowers are not even juniors yet, kinda makes it seem like LaSalle gonna be pretty damn competitive for years to come. Awesome turn around explorers!!! vote lasalle!
hahaha, I love it. Totally my "crew of the week" now. Who's up next week? the high school who rowed a "7" and managed to not get last? Where do I place my John Hancock on this prestigious poll?
Really - does sound like you are still a teenager - or maybe your spoon is more like gold..Hmmmm. I would tell you where you could "place your John Hancock" , but that would mean you would need to pull the limo over to the side of the road and take your grande caramel latte out of your hand - truly would want to interrupt your already tedious day!
Although its always fun to pick on starbucks, you have yet to convince me with any logic as to why a crew that was never in first, caught a crab, and got 2nd out of a 5 boat race at a super small conference "championship" deserves recognition over any of the crews on here who most importantly WON!!!! their race.
I'm going to have to back Gio here. When is the last time La Salle did something significant? 35 or 40 years? Sure the Kerr Cup isn't biggest regatta ever, but come on! They won! The program is building and its undeniable that La Sale is certainly going somewhere this season. They deserve everything thay have done.
Wow - didn't want to go there "punisher" - but even I can taste that silver spoon in your mouth from here - you should watch Hoosiers or Remember the Titans. Get over yourself! Nobody is putting down the big schools - but - like most silver spoons - you always see it your way!
"Ask a small school coach who has to deal with the current high school recruits and they'll tell you." sounds like this guy is clearly from an ivy or some other silver spoon type place to me franklyspeaking...
I am with you! And I have watched many a high school teams on Boathouse Row in Philly struggle and fight to make it - not for lack of talent - but funding.
Yeah, I saw those movies, multiple times. And the reason why their stories exist is because a) they went to a real state championship in a real sport and b) they won. So you want to give every new school in philly an award? And I am not dumping on MAAC's. Marist and Loyola and Iona and Fairfield have produced very good crews on small resources and are probably very upset that you chose SHU for coming in third as the first recognition that MAAC schools get. Award excellence, NOT participation
What this really comes down to is what the poll intends to convey. As nice as the sacred heart story is, write about it on the "cool stories in rowing" blog. High Schools and colleges do this stuff everyday. Start a program, win a minor event in a "championship", and then attempt to legitimize their place by over-estimating their accomplishment. The kids get cocky, think they don't have to work hard because they're the best crew in SH history, and usually quit in a year. You want to help them out? don't give them pie in the sky dreams. This isn't Ed's playhouse of happy time where everyone wins for trying hard. This is poll determines the biggest accomplishment of the week, NOT who needs an ego boost. Stop hating on Princeton and the rest of the big money schools just because they have the guts to live up to their sky high expectations put on them by their parents, coaches and great rowing alumni. You'd help SH out more by putting them in their place. Not dilluting the rowing society anymore with this "gold medal for everyone" mentallity. It's waaaayyyyy too prevalent already and is slowly tearing our sport down. Ask a small school coach who has to deal with the current high school recruits and they'll tell you.
i rowed for La Salle during my sophomore-senior year back in the early 90's and i am so proud of these guys winning the Kerr Cup. They are really improving this team and making it way better than years before. If i could vote more than twice i would vote for them a million times. Great job men!!! vote lasalle!!
Its okay - let everyone hate on this "underdog" because only the girls on that team know what it means for them to even be in consideration for something like this. Until you have been through what the majority of these girls have been through this year, then you can talk about their hard work and dedication. I never discredit a job well done where congratulations are in order, so Princeton and ALL the other schools, listed on this website or not, congrats on YOUR hard work. But this recognition for this little program is absolutely well deserved. I absolutely agree that Princeton reached a milestone with their accomplishments, but don’t you dare discredit this team and say what they did was simply a stepping stone. Just because you don't see it as a milestone doesn't mean that it isn't one. I understand you’ll never agree, and I fully understand that you’ll never know what it feels like to be one of those “underdogs” getting recognition like this, but let them have their moment. How many times do we have to pat those on the back that continually do a job well done or get recognition on a regular basis? How many times have you ever heard of Sacred Heart? I’m going to go ahead and guess not many. So realize that when you’re leaving these comments whether they be good or bad, you’re only adding fuel to their ever growing fire and you wait and see, maybe not this year, maybe not next year, and maybe not even in four years from now – but one day you’ll hear about them in a big way – just wait and see, these “underdogs” will be on top.
Thank you, Boathouserow06. To all the people who do no respect or careless about the "underdogs", just wait 2 years from now... NCAA will be a whole different ball park
Hey midweight - spoken like a true youngster that can't see the big picture!! I hope one day you will. I totally agree that in this day and age where everyone needs to participate, but don't crush Johnny because he sucks - I am with you! Let the cream rise to the top. But - just where to do think all of those dedicated kids you spoke of come from? They come from scenarios just like these non-scholarship schools. These kids get in the game late - have a great time - and when THEY grow up, push their kids towards rowing to become the Olympians we watch every four year. With over 25 years as a parent, watching my kids play every imaginable sport - I get the dedication piece. Maybe someday you'll be able to see the big picture when you grow up!
I'm not saying anyone is or is not dedicated. I'm saying that being dedicated for 8 years is a lot more difficult than being dedicated for 4 months. Good for Sacred Heart, they achieved something, but I don't think it's necessarily more remarkable than what Princeton achieved because they are "underdogs."
Maybe I'll see things differently when I "grow up" - but the only thing in my life that has made me grow up so far is eight consecutive northeastern winters on the erg. Right now that experience leaves me on the side of the achievement of the veteran over the achievement of the novice. Both are wonderful, one is more impressive.
It's great that Sacred Heart did as well as they did, but to hear all this talk about how we need to recognize the achievement of "underdogs" is kind of ridiculous. What draws so many of us to rowing is that so little of it is determined by talent compared to other sports. While the SH 4+ certainly accomplished something by winning that event, it is a low priority event at a relatively uncompetive regatta. The Princeton Women defeated the top ranked Varsity in the Country, and another boat that won NCAAs 2 of the last 3 years. For them, this achievement is the culmination of years and years of consistent hard work. Some of the Sacred Heart Women may be on there way, but to recognize the achievement of a handful of girls who began rowing a few months ago, and still are enthralled with phrases such as "row with heart" as opposed to a group of women who have spent the better part of 5-8 years sacrificing to achieve true greatness, is simply not fair. I don't know if Princeton deserves it more than the other crews listed, but it is important to recognize that most rowers, especially the successful ones who have fought to earn the right to row at a place like Princeton, started out as underdogs. Their achievement is a milestone compared to Sacred Heart's stepping stone.
i think the incredible thing is they were able to get that many new people to join and be able to still field a team after what happened, let alone compete and beat teams...but the most impressive feat will be if a team that did NOT even win the MAAC LWT 4 can win team of the week after a team knocked off the top women's boat in the country. not bashing you s.h. girls at all, please keep improving and i hope you have a great season but come on people
And - "movingboats" said it right as well! Rowing for the sake of rowing! These smaller teams probably exist because they love what they do no matter how good they are. That doesnt take anything away from the powerhouse, steeped in tradition schools - totally respect them and give them their props. I think its these smaller schools are helping to create a ground swell for the sport which ultimately will benefits everyone.
Totally agree with row2k – other schools have scholarship programs that recruit the best of the best – when you read about this Sacred Heart Team, you can’t help but feel the enthusiasm that must be pulsating through their boat house right now after this last race. Sounds like they have come back from the brink to win a Silver Medal? That’s worth my vote! I have a friend that knows some of the folks from that team – their motto is “Row with Heart!”. Obviously they do!
Funny how everyone is like why are the maac schools even nominated. they totally deserve to be nominated especially these crews. they have very little support from their athletic department and pretty much all of the members are walk ons with little to no previous rowing experience and no scholarship. in my opinion they deserve to be nominated, they have obviously worked their butts off and get little/no recognition considering how hard it is for them to get a bid to the NCAA. i mean come on you hear about princeton and many other top schools all the time. Lets hear it for the underdogs!!!!
i'd say lasalle is the real underdog here. in the maac when an "underdog" beats a greater "underdog", did an underdog win? lasalle races much faster teams than themselves on a weekly basis and have finally won a regatta, beating teams that had bested them in previous weeks. my vote goes for them.
When are people going to stop criticizing crews for their accomplishments? I thought rowing was a sport where you go out and race as hard as you can, as many times as you have to win or secure a championship, no matter who your competition is. Obviously, Loyola is not going to take down Princeton on the water, but they went out an dominated a regatta that they trained very hard for at a school that could really care less if they have a rowing team or not. If you don't vote for them that's fine, but don't criticize them for having a great day.
La Salle had the race of their lives last weekend, they had wipe out the competition. La Salle really improved this year. They desire some recognition, they always got put down. They would really appreciate it if you vote for them.
Princeton had some amazing racing last weekend to beat not only Yale, but the top ranked Virginia womans team. If you look at some of the photos from that weekend of the teams on the starting blocks, it looks like a bunch of national team women getting ready to dominate on a bunch of high school girls, but Princeton simply kick @$$. Not to say any less of the other teams, but I think this week I have to vote for the Princeton women.
Having two MAAC teams here is ridiculous. Loyola won 5 out of 8 for its 2nd MAAC in a row...cool. I give sacred heart at least a little credit for what they have overcome. But the MAAC isn't exactly a lwt powerhouse. It's about what team can find enough rowers willing to diet so they don't have to race coxswains. Sorry Loyola and Sacred Heart but you've gotta be kidding me. Marist men won 7 out of 8 events (with the exception of a pair) including blowing out the novice events and the v8. This was enough to secure the 10th title in a row, and 13th overall...don't see them on here...
actually 3 out of the 4 rowers were novice and the coxswain was also a novice. No one dieted to be on this light weight boat! Good work for Marist for doing so well mad props but others deserve props too
sounds like your a bitter person who is either on loyola or has something to do with it. i've got all the facts you've got and probably some your unaware of as well. congrats on winning, be happy with your accomplishment, but don't get mad because winning the maac is an unimpressive feat...sorry
the sacred heart boat is my favoriteeee! clearly, they are the best. most of the girls in these boats have only been rowing for less than a few months, and they still kicked asss<3
How do two womens teams get nominated for their performance at MAACs...I don't think its because of the NCAA rowing powerhouses in that conference. Congratulations, you beat Manhattan.
Maybe it's bc Loyola does not give out scholarships, yet, they still managed to beat scholarship boats. Kind of funky, don't you think? Oh, and by the way- majority of the Loyola Rowers had never seen a rowing shell before they joined the team. Good work chiriverrowing
excuse me??? get outta here, delaware didnt even make it past the first heat. The finished second in the "third" final. La Salle got 4th in the petite final, respectively. I'm pretty damn sure that La Salle would have beaten Delaware at the kerr cup along with those other boats. Check ur results bro>>>> http://www.villanovarowing.com/knecht/10_results.php
I think you need to be careful how you are addressing Delaware. I'm fairly certain Delaware came in 2nd for overall points at Vails plus won the mens points trophy. For the men's V8 race, UD placed second overall while LaSalle placed 6th in the petite finals. As well, this is the 3rd year in a row Delaware's mens team has won the points trophy so you better check your facts before you start putting a team down. If UD could get 2nd place overall and 1st for mens point trophy, I'm pretty sure the Kerr cup standings would have been different.
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Key Takeaway – These other Varsity boats are mostly Jr’s & Sr’s – Sacred Heart were mostly freshman with a new coxswain as well!
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Maybe I'll see things differently when I "grow up" - but the only thing in my life that has made me grow up so far is eight consecutive northeastern winters on the erg. Right now that experience leaves me on the side of the achievement of the veteran over the achievement of the novice. Both are wonderful, one is more impressive.
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