TicketsSept. 20, 2006
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CINCINNATI, Ohio---Later this week, the University of Cincinnati rowing team will devote a full 24 hours to raise money for breast cancer research as the Bearcats hold their first erg-a-thon. The event will kick off at noon on Thursday, Sept. 21 and conclude exactly 24 hours later. The erg-a-thon will take place on McMicken Commons on UC's campus.
The event is the brainchild of seniors Jodie Lush and Crystal Coolbaugh. Partnering with the Breast Cancer Alliance of Cincinnati, the rowers will work to raise awareness and funds for the organization, as well as educate those on campus about the sport of rowing.
"Last year, our team wasn't able to participate in any of the CPAWS projects because of the tight race and practice schedule that we keep," Lush says. "It can be really hard to commit to an event when someone else plans it, so we decided to do our own event when we were available."
"This is a fantastic way for our team to support a very worthwhile charity," head coach Pam Mork added. "This team is all women and so breast cancer really strikes home for us. Holding this event on campus allows us the opportunity to raise awareness for breast cancer as well as introduce our team. This is a great way for us to interact with the community."
The rowers will set up a pair of three-person ergs on the Commons, with six student-athletes manning them for four hour segments. Groups of three rowers will work in 20 minute segments on the ergs before switching off. An ergometer is an individualized rowing simulator that helps strength and conditioning.
The trick for the rowers will be to keep the fan on the ergs going for the entire 24 hours, including during personnel switches.
Lush and Coolbaugh broke the UC roster into two teams to promote competition during the event. The goal for each squad is to raise more money and row more meters on the erg than the opposition.
The choice of charity for the benefit came courtesy of a team voted orchestrated by Lush. According to the Coquitlam, British Columbia native, breast cancer research was the easy choice.
"Since we are a women's team, breast cancer has the potential to not only impact us, but our family and friends as well," she says. "An overwhelming number of our team voted for breast cancer research. We thought going with the Breast Cancer Alliance of Cincinnati was better because it was more local."
In addition to the two ergs set up for the benefit, the rowers have secured two additional machines for those on campus to challenge members of the Bearcats roster. As mentioned, Lush and company hope to use the event to promote their sport as well. Television monitors with rowing highlights will play continually and the team will also have information available for those interested in being a part of the novice program.
"This event coincides very well with our novice tryouts," Lush says. "We think this will also be a great tool for recruiting new novice members."
Members of the team have been gathering pledges throughout the summer months and will continue to accept pledges and donations during the event. To contribute, stop by the event or contact the UC Rowing office.