PROGRAM HISTORY The East Grand Rapids Crew Association was organized in October 1999 to offer high school students the opportunity to participate in competitive rowing. In late 1999 we began a capital campaign to raise funds for the purchase of rowing shells, oars, a trailer and coach’s launch. We received from the East Grand Rapids Team Boosters and from dozens of other community supporters tens of thousands of dollars that were used to purchase this equipment. We currently own three 8-person shells, two 4-person shells, a recently acquired single scull, as well as a boat trailer, equipment trailer, and two launches for use by the coaching staff. We are grateful for the generous support of many individual members of the community and area businesses, as well as the support of EGR Team Boosters, without whom we could not have reached this point. During the 1999-2000 year we had approximately 40 students participate in spring crew season, and the team competed in two regattas. Last year (2000-01) the number of student athletes increased to 50 who participated in four (4) regattas. During this past season the team had one boat that won a silver medal at the Culver Regatta and another that raced in the finals for its class at the Midwest Scholastic Championships. Other competing teams in this area have commented upon the speed with which our program has developed and the remarkable success the team has already achieved. None of this would have been possible without the commitment and guidance of Coach Karin McAleenan, her staff of volunteer coaches, and the hard work and dedication of the student athletes themselves.                                 THE BOATHOUSE PROJECT  In December 2000, after only one season, we were approached by the City of East Grand Rapids with a proposal to allow the Crew Team to build a boathouse on Reeds Lake. The City was willing to donate the land if we could raise the funds necessary for construction and were willing to build the boathouse in a style that met the City’s design criteria. Despite being such a young sport with relatively little history in the community, we agreed to try. Since then we have succeeded in obtaining pledges and donations sufficient to complete this amazing community project, including storage racks and a dock. The City’s and School’s Joint Facilities Committee has agreed to assume responsibility for maintaining the building. The Boathouse represents a huge advance for the Crew Team. It protects the extremely valuable and delicate equipment already purchased and is a permanent base for team practices and scrimmages with other teams in the area. It represents a permanent contribution to the East Grand Rapids community and a legacy to the athletes of East Grand Rapids schools.