TicketsFeb. 9, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio---The University of Cincinnati Women's rowing team is holding a fund-raiser for the University of Stetson Crew. On Friday, February 2, a tornado ripped through central Florida and missed their main campus but landed straight on their crew team site on Lake Beresford. As a result of this horrible loss in the rowing community, the Cincinnati Women's Rowing team has decided to work together and raise money for Stetson to help rebuild it's program.
On Thursday February 15, in the Atrium in of TUC on the UC main campus, from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., the women's rowing team will be "Rowing to Rebuild" to raise money to help Stetson's crew rebuild it's facility. Please note a change in the date due to the forecast of severe weather in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
According to Stetson representatives, the disaster has been a 100 percent loss for the crew. Their boathouse collapsed on their boats and they found the storage shed with their oars in a tree nearby. Luckily, no athletes or coaches were harmed as the tornado passed through around 4:00 a.m.
University officials estimate the damage to the boats to be between $210,000 and $230,000. However, the estimated costs of all the equipment including oars, coach boats and the trailer could amount to much more than expected. The amount does not include the loss of the boathouse.
Stetson will continue with its season using borrowed and rented equipment, but competition begins for them on February 23 as scheduled. While insurance can cover part of the loss, it's just not enough. The cost of rebuilding the site and replacing the equipment is beyond what they have available.
Anyone wishing to contribute should make checks payable to Stetson Crew or stop by TUC to donate for a very worthy cause.
For further information please contact Assistant Coach Emilie Graham at grahamee@gmail.com or call 513-556-2548.