Top College News Subscribe to the Newsletter

Crew to transition to club team over next two years

Editor in Chief

Published: Thursday, November 5, 2009

Updated: Monday, November 9, 2009 14:11

crew

Amidst rumors this week surrounding the future of the Vassar crew program, it was announced today that over the course of this year and next, the men and women's rowing team will transition from a varsity to a club sport, saving Vassar money in its Athletics budget, which—like all areas of the College—will need to reduce its spending in the face of the global economic decline. The decision was made after a series of discussions and collaborations between the Office of the Dean of Planning and Academic Affairs and the Athletics Department.

"As was necessary," explained Dean of Planning and Academic Affairs Rachel Kitzinger, "we looked at how we could make some savings in Athletics, because no area of the College can be exempted from the need to cut spending."

Kitzinger—whose office oversees the Athletics Department—explained that the College wanted to change one varsity team to a club team rather than try to reduce spending all across the department, since such sweeping cutbacks would take too great a toll on the department. "In Athletics, I think we felt that we didn't want to undermine the way we do support all our teams," said Kitzinger, "and we have for some years felt as if we have been trying to run too many varsity teams—we have 25 and then we have the two rugby teams as well."

Over the course of the spring, the Athletics department discussed what criteria would be considered in making the decision and decided eventually on two central factors: the overall cost of the sport and the way that students are recruited to the sport and the retention of those students over the course of their Vassar careers. In addition, explained Kitzinger, we considered the need that "if we cut a team as a varsity team, we have a very equal and competitive experience that we can offer a student who is interested in that sport."

Considering these three criteria, the Department and the Office of the Dean of Planning and Academic Affairs decided that the rowing team would be the most appropriate choice, given that the operating budget for the sport is approximately $75,000 per year, in addition to costs for maintaining and replacing crew shells, as well as the standard compensation expenses for a coach and assistant coach.

Aside from the cost of the rowing program, the Department felt that it could offer a strong competitive alternative for student rowers with a club program developed in partnership with the Hudson River Rowing Association (HRRA), a program maintained by coaches that serve the Mid-Hudson Valley. HRRA owns and operates Poughkeepsie's HRRA Boathouse in Poughkeepsie.

According to Kitzinger, HRRA has in the past expressed interest in running a collegiate level team out of their boathouse, but because colleges in the area either already have their own team or haven't had one at all, they haven't been able to do so. President of HRRA Andy Mauer—whose wife Tracy Wright-Mauer works as a Library Specialist in the Thompson Memorial Library—is "very eager to set up a collegiate competitive team," said Kitzinger.

According to Kitzinger, there is also the hope that student rowers from other Mid-Hudson colleges—particularly Bard College, The State University of New York at New Paltz and Dutchess Community College—will participate in the program. "It would actually be a different athletic experience for our students," said Kitzinger. "They'd partner with other college students from the area to compete along with them. Mauer was very eager about this possibility, because he gets calls all the time from these schools asking, ‘Can you provide a rowing experience for our students,' so he's excited to build something with those colleges. I think there's real potential for a collaborative effort. "

To begin the transition, next year the rowing team will be in a sort of hybrid system, in which Vassar will save approximately $35,000 from the $75,000 rowing operating budget. The College will continue to pay the salary of the current head coach of the team, Rodney Mott—who has tentatively agreed to work with HRRA. There will no longer be a need for an Assistant Coach, as many adults who row competitvely with HRRA will be able to fill that role. In addition, Vassar will continue to provide shells and boathouse storage space.

While the details of how the program will be funded have not yet been finalized, the College expects that next year support will come from a combination of the Athletics Department and a student contribution of no more than $500 each semester. "That is actually less than a lot of students spend to row in the varsity program, because they contribute to spring trips and things like that—and they do fundraising which they could continue to do to defray those costs," said Kitzinger. "And the costs would lessen proportionally to how many students we can get involved."

When asked why students weren't consulted in this particular decision, Kitzinger claimed that in a way they were. The department discussed cost-cutting measures with students last spring; in addition, involvement and retention in each sport were considered. "As with the curriculum," she said, "I do feel that the students let their opinions be known by their participation in the sport, as they do with their participation in departments."
Kitzinger continued saying that the issue was a sensitive one, given that it involved "individual personnel." "We reluctantly made this decision," said Kitzinger. "It was no reflection on the coach or on students who are on that team—it's just that given the criteria, rowing was the program that emerged."
 

Recommended: Articles that may interest you

34 comments

Next »
12
Rowing Alum '02
Wed Nov 11 2009 11:30
I received this in my inbox this morning. As a former rower and person who has directed my gifts to the rowing team, I particularly like being asked for my thoughts and input after the fact. I find especially classy that Ms. Kitzinger would ask for my thoughts and input while providing no method to do so.

Dear Alumnae and Alumni,

As you may have seen in the Misc or heard from a friend, Vassar has taken the difficult decision to transform rowing into a club sport. I wanted to give you a little context for this decision and to explain in some more detail what opportunities there will be for rowers at Vassar.

If you have been reading President Hill's emails, you know that Vassar is undertaking a series of permanent changes to spending at the college to ensure that we achieve financial equilibrium for the future health of the college. These decisions are not about temporary, belt-tightening changes. The Department of Athletics and Physical Education has been considering for months how to participate in this college-wide effort. They considered a number of options, including across-the-board cuts for all teams. But significant cuts to all the teams would seriously impair the ability of the teams to compete. So it was clear to the department that it should consider reducing the number of varsity teams. The three criteria they agreed upon, none of which is more important than any of the others, are the overall cost of the program, the recruiting and retention of athletes in the program, and the college's ability to provide a serious alternative for athletes engaged in the sport. We considered every team. With reluctance we came to the conclusion that rowing would have to change, based on these criteria.

Of central importance to us in making this decision was our confidence that we could provide a serious and competitive rowing experience, if we changed the team from a varsity to a club sport. We had this confidence because we have worked closely with the Hudson River Rowing Association to imagine how we could partner with them and possibly with other colleges in the area to create a larger competitive context for Vassar’s team. HRRA has excellent facilities, a strong commitment from enthusiastic life-time rowers, and the serious dedication of the director of HRRA to rowing as a competitive sport. Although we continue to be very interested in exploring this partnership, some members of the team asked us to work with them to develop a plan for a club sport run independently of HRRA. We will be working with the team to develop both of these options over the course of the year. Vassar’s varsity rowing coach, Rodney Mott, has indicated his willingness to consider staying on for a year to help with the transition.

We would welcome your thoughts as we continue the planning. We are trying to be imaginative and careful in making a change which, though driven by financial necessity, is also guided by our knowledge of how important rowing is for many current students and alumnae/i.

Rachel Kitzinger
Dean of Planning and Academic Affairs

Upset Parent
Wed Nov 11 2009 10:38
I am a parent of a rower and was very upset to learn that the program was being 'transitioned' into nonexistence. My child was never an athelete, but she was intrigued by rowing and was welcomed into the program, even without prior experience. We were delighted that she had the opportunity to grow and expand her activities. Isn't that what college is meant to be? She credits rowing with helping her to focus and manage her time. Knowing that you have committed to 6:00am practices certainly helps in prioritizing. Rowing has been an enriching activity for her and I am sad that it will end , especially with no opportunity from the students to discuss alternatives.
Your name
Mon Nov 9 2009 21:06
If Vassar's team is consigned to HRRA, they will no longer represent Vassar. Since there will be no representation
from the school, there will not be any reason to recruit for crew and if you are a student looking to attend Vassar and
want to row, Vassar will no longer be an option. And with that being the case Vassar will not have any obligation towards any type of rowing team, therefore no monetary obligation. And rowing will cease to be, and Vassar will
be able to wash their hands of it saying "nobody is interested in rowing" and become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Shame on the ad-min to perpetrate this sham.
Your name
Sat Nov 7 2009 02:43
This is a disappointing story to read. By way of background, I am a former DIII rower and coach. While I do not know Coach Mott personally, I know he was brought to Vassar in 2006 to revamp the program and increase its competitive level. This is clearly a case of the athletics administration "throwing in the towel."

Paramount among my numerous questions are whether this is an effect of the tough economic times or a more thoughtful, long-term decision. Moreover, I am curious to learn the Title IX implications this has for Vassar's athletics department. Several DII and DIII schools over the last decade have been compelled to drop Men's rowing to club sport status, but maintain viable Varsity women's programs. Western Washington University is a key example of this model.

Most of all I regret the position this puts Vassar's student athletes in. While the talk is for a "transition" period, the truth of the matter is that these athletes have been kicked to the curb by the administration. Hopefully they can continue to pursue their love for the sport.

Angry Student
Sat Nov 7 2009 00:55
Rachel Kitzinger, I have one word for you: Transparency.

If you understood that concept, the student body might be slightly more receptive to your cuts. Without it, you're just on a warpath cutting anything you don't like. Think about what makes Vassar such a special place: it's the dedication of the student body to achieve success. So I have a proposal for you, Dean Kitzinger: Next week, YOU can wake up at 5:30 AM, row for a few hours, and then at the end of the week, I'm going to tell you it was all for naught and you don't mean that much to the student body. Sound good?

Power Ten
Fri Nov 6 2009 16:10
To the commenter 3 spots below:

You sound as if you have some extensive knowledge about this situation. If you have some specific information that can help us, please contact Jaime-Alexis Fowler ’04 at jafowler11@yahoo.com. Thank you for helping combat the misinformation disseminated from the Office of Athletics and the Office of Planning and Academic Affairs.

crew
Fri Nov 6 2009 16:00
And Peltier stated, equipment has been purchased at Vassar mostly through the generous gift giving of crew supporters. How dare Kitzinger release the information that the athletic department fronts all costs of equipment and that has become their burden. That is no excuse to support the irrational decision to cut the rowing programs and is extremely unprofessional.

Being a former rower and now coach out here on the west coast, I had no idea of the location of Bard College, The State University of New York at New Paltz and Dutchess Community College in relation to Vassar College. The idea that rowers from as far away as Bard College would commute to Vassar for a 5:30 AM practice is ridiculous. And Kitzinger claims it would be a "different athletic experience for our students"... That's an overstatement if I have ever read one. Just because its different doesn't mean its better. Bringing students from other schools into the Vassar program dilutes the history of crew at VC. Vassar students racing with other like-aged people out of the HRRA program is not Vassar Crew, it now becomes a group of college-aged individuals rowing for a club.

I don't know Coach Mott, I've never met him and I've never spoken with him, but I would guess that saying he has tentatively agreed to work with the HRRA is a huge overstatement as well. The only reason he would agree to something as ridiculous as what Kitzinger is unfortunately shoving in his face is because of his devotion to his athletes and to their program. If you look at his coaching history, collegiate athletics is where he has found a home, and I admire him greatly if he decides to stay on with this HRRA plan.

The thing that REALLY pisses me off as a cap to all the other b.s. the athletic dept. has done in this situation is that they would really assume that an assistant coach would be no longer needed, and that the "many adults who row competitively with HRRA will be able to fill that role". That is a complete and utter slap in the face to Coach Usman and Coach Mott. For the athletic dept. to just assume that because these people with the HRRA are adults and have rowed, that they are then qualified to coach a competitive collegiate rowing program is an absolute farce. Having rowing experience does NOT make you qualified to just step into the role of a coach when convenient. That just adds to the insult that has been made to the rowers of Vassar.

Your name
Fri Nov 6 2009 15:56
Kitzinger claims that "sweeping cutbacks would take too great a toll on the department." To remove approximately $120,000 from the annual budget, they cut the rowing teams instead of encouraging all employees throughout the athletic department (not just coaches) to be more efficient in their work, to examine in what ways minor costs can be cut, and money can be saved, AND THEN finding ways to hold the employees accountable to that. Also, with 27 sponsored sports by the athletic department, surely they could have found ways to evenly take a little from each instead of taking ALL from rowing. I'm talking about teams reducing spending on equipment that could realistically be done without or held off to when really needed, teams investing in uniforms that can be reused every season instead of buying new ones every off season, and any other team-specific cost saving ideas.
In what ways can other varsity teams at Vassar fundraise to help support their team's budget? I could see a lot of Division I coaches choosing not to do much fundraising as it could hurt the perception of their program. But at the Division III level, which Vassar competes, the environment of which the program operates is much different, where competitive individuals not only choose Vassar for the athletics but especially the academics. With no scholarships, I doubt that with a little more effort to fundraise by all other varsity sports, that will in turn hurt the programs' chances of securing the best possible recruits for their teams. The rowing team has been doing it for years, they have been compettive, it wouldn't kill all other teams to do the same.

"Your name" made the comment that rowers are overlooking the fact that our sport is "absurdly expensive". They are obviously very misinformed to this specific situation. I was extremely surprised to hear that Vassar's entire rowing budget is only $75,000 plus the cost of "maintenance" and replacing equipment, as well as coaches salaries. For an "absurdly expensive" varsity sport, I know rowing teams, many of which are already club status, with budgets 3 times the size of Vassar's. To only be spending that much on rowing, especially in comparison to all the other athletic budgets at Vassar, the rowing team is not costing the athletic dept. that much overall. And something that really bothered me when reading the article was that Kitzinger cited maintaining crew shells as this seemingly bank-breaking cost the rowing teams endure. Who repairs the shells? The coaches. What do they use to do it? A can of epoxy and maybe some pieces of carbon fiber, depending on the severity of the damage. It is not a huge, extra cost to have repairs done, as it is already part of the coaches' job description and responsibility. Their salary already pays for this work. A can of epoxy will last a team for years and easily costs less than $100.

Save VC Crew
Fri Nov 6 2009 15:31
To the Vassar rowing teams and to specifically Christina Peltier, I am very sorry to hear about how the administration at Vassar has decided on this set of criteria by which to remove a program from the athletic department, and then even more hastily analyze that decision behind closed doors. I'm disgusted to hear that to them, the best viable solution is to remove a men's and women's team completely, rather than make minor setbacks across all sports. Kitzinger claims that "sweeping cutbacks would take too great a toll on the department." To remove approximately $120,000 from the annual budget, they cut the rowing teams instead of encouraging all employees throughout the athletic department (not just coaches) to be more efficient in their work, to examine in what ways minor costs can be cut, and money can be saved, AND THEN finding ways to hold the employees accountable to that. Also, with 27 sponsored sports by the athletic department, surely they could have found ways to evenly take a little from each instead of taking ALL from rowing. I'm talking about teams reducing spending on equipment that could realistically be done without or held off to when really needed, teams investing in uniforms that can be reused every season instead of buying new ones every off season, and any other team-specific cost saving ideas.In what ways can other varsity teams at Vassar fund raise to help support their team's budget? I could see a lot of Division I coaches choosing not to do much fund raising as it could hurt the perception of their program. But at the Division III level, which Vassar competes, the environment of which the program operates is much different, where competitive individuals not only choose Vassar for the athletics but especially the academics. With no scholarships, I doubt that with a little more effort to fund raise by all other varsity sports, that will in turn hurt the programs' chances of securing the best possible recruits for their teams. The rowing team has been doing it for years, they have been competitive, it wouldn't kill all other teams to do the same."Your name" made the comment that rowers are overlooking the fact that our sport is "absurdly expensive". They are obviously very misinformed to this specific situation. I was extremely surprised to hear that Vassar's entire rowing budget is only $75,000 plus the cost of "maintenance" and replacing equipment, as well as coaches salaries. For an "absurdly expensive" varsity sport, I know rowing teams, many of which are already club status, with budgets 3 times the size of Vassar's. To only be spending that much on rowing, especially in comparison to all the other athletic budgets at Vassar, the rowing team is not costing the athletic dept. that much overall. And something that really bothered me when reading the article was that Kitzinger cited maintaining crew shells as this seemingly bank-breaking cost the rowing teams endure. Who repairs the shells? The coaches. What do they use to do it? A can of epoxy and maybe some pieces of carbon fiber, depending on the severity of the damage. It is not a huge, extra cost to have repairs done, as it is already part of the coaches' job description and responsibility. Their salary already pays for this work. A can of epoxy will last a team for years and easily costs less than $100.As Peltier stated, equipment has been purchased at Vassar mostly through the generous gift giving of crew supporters. How dare Kitzinger release the information that the athletic department fronts all costs of equipment and that has become their burden. That is no excuse to support the irrational decision to cut the rowing programs and is extremely unprofessional.Being a former rower and now coach out here on the west coast, I had no idea of the location of Bard College, The State University of New York at New Paltz and Dutchess Community College in relation to Vassar College. The idea that rowers from as far away as Bard College would commute to Vassar for a 5:30 AM practice is ridiculous. And Kitzinger claims it would be a "different athletic experience for our students"... That's an overstatement if I have ever read one. Just because its different doesn't mean its better. Bringing students from other schools into the Vassar program dilutes the history of crew at VC. Vassar students racing with other like-aged people out of the HRRA program is not Vassar Crew, it now becomes a group of college-aged individuals rowing for a club.And I don't know Coach Mott, I've never met him and I've never spoken with him, but I would guess that saying he has tentatively agreed to work with the HRRA is a huge overstatement as well. The only reason he would agree to something as ridiculous as what Kitzinger is unfortunately shoving in his face is because of his devotion to his athletes and to their program. If you look at his coaching history, collegiate athletics is where he has found a home, and I admire him...
Your name
Fri Nov 6 2009 15:26
I agree with Power Ten. As soon as Kitzinger heard from the HRRA that they would like to build a program that consists of people that fall into the age group of the Vassar rowers, this deal was struck to basically turn over the program to HRRA and let them do what they want with it. It would then be out of the athletic department's hands and HRRA would have their team. Both sides feel they win. But it doesn't sound at all like they really thought about how they are passing off and dealing their students to whoever wants them.
ACC
Fri Nov 6 2009 13:50
The Office of the Dean of Planning and Academic Affairs and the Athletics Department clearly did not consult with any members of the team, because what they are doing is not making Vassar Rowing a club sport, they are selling it to the HRRA. I wonder if the Development Office or Alumni Relations was contacted in regards to this, because I would believe the donations to Vassar College from rowing alumni will most certainly stop. Hopefully the Athletic Department will rethink this choice, and I would suggest that all Vassar rowing alums contact the school and threaten to no longer give to the institution until the program is reinstated.
Power Ten
Fri Nov 6 2009 13:32
I take issue with the headline of this article. According to Kitzinger and Beverly, they are not transitioning Men's and Women's Rowing to club teams with an organizational and financial structures similar to other club teams like Cycling or Skiing. They are selling the team (the proceeds being the savings from the budget) to the HRRA so that whatever remains of Men's and Women's Rowing will be an HRRA team. It will have no connection to Vassar College other than having rowers who happen to be Vassar students, assuming any rowers from Vassar will subscribe to this plan at all. No high school rowing recruit will see this arrangement as a legitimate rowing "solution", as Kitzinger calls it, and for many walk-ons, the appeal of rowing for Vassar will be non-existent and their support, which has been the foundation of both Men's and Women's Rowing will be lost.

Let's make sure language is not used to misinform. There is no "transition" going on here. Men's and Women's Rowing are scheduled to be dissolved, and HRRA is the catalyst in accomplishing that. Whether Kitzinger and Beverly realized that when they made this edict is an open question, but the headline should really read, "Men's and Women's Rowing to be Eliminated over Next Two Years".

Your name
Fri Nov 6 2009 10:44
I think Sharon Beverly is an incompetant Athletic Director, and she has a huge chip on her shoulder and a nasty
disposition and I am surprised as a former Vassar parent that she is still employed by Vassar. She does not
serve the face of Vassar as an enlightened and respectful individual. I was aghast and disgusted with her then
and even more so now. I am not surprised of the dictatorial and most likely unilateral decision on cutting the rowing
team. She wouldn't have a clue to know what real work and dedication is all about!
Your name
Fri Nov 6 2009 10:40
I'm a rower at Marist and I'm sad to hear this has happened to your team. It is always easy for Athletic Departments to justify cutting teams that cost a lot and don't bring in money to the school. Its not easy to show on paper the quality of the students that are dedicated to a sport like rowing, or to the character they might have. I know I'll be watching from half a mile up the river and wish you guy's all the best.
facts
Fri Nov 6 2009 10:40
"Since no one really rows in high school, cutting crew would have less of an impact."

1. At the 2009 NY State Scholastic Rowing Champs, there were almost 3000 high school athletes competing.
2. Since 1996, high school rowing is one of the fastest growing sports in the country.

BD
Fri Nov 6 2009 10:20
Vassar Crew: I am truly sorry that Vassar decided to make this decision. As a fellow Liberty League rower from St Lawrence I have appreciated your good competition and hard work and hope it continues. This is just another example on how the public and universities do not understand rowing. Rowing is perhaps the only varsity sport that one can pick up during college - which helps to make it special. Of course this leads to a low retention rate for freshmen because it is very different from other sports and time consuming so thus is not for everyone.

Vassar is putting their crew team at a comparative disadvantage when they compete against teams with varsity level status and funding. As a division III institution I fully support that athletics substantially add to the students experience and learning at Vassar. I hope that Vassar Crew will be able to regain varsity status in the future.

2010
Thu Nov 5 2009 23:53
I am not a student athlete and yet I happen to think this is disgusting. These students wake up at the crack of dawn and work their asses off, achieve great success for the athletic program at the school, only to have the administration bitch slap them and pull their funding.

This move was cowardly and unjust. Maybe next time the administration could, I don't know, include them on your decision making? Just a thought.

Danny '10
Thu Nov 5 2009 23:08
VC Rowers: I'm sorry. I think you guys are harder workers than most other teams on campus, and frankly, your results have been much better than field hockey, women's basketball, baseball, men's lacrosse, etc. The fact this wasn't taken into account is frankly dumb. The administration really failed you guys, and they should've been way more transparent. One of my best friends from high school had a similar experience with her ski team last year at Whitman, but at least there was ample dialogue and lots of numbers brought into the public sphere. I just don't see the rationale here other than "We have too many sports, let's cut some". As all Vassar athletes know, the cuts have already happened across the board...but the way this happened is way out of line.

And Misc, What kind of terrible journalism is this? Was this guest-written by Sharon Beverly and Rachel Kitzinger? I thought this was a STUDENT paper.

my name
Thu Nov 5 2009 19:51
I am relieved that the misc broke this story to all students in a timely manner, but i am disgusted that this has happened. Athletics was a flourishing department at vassar. We just spent all that time revamping its website, and i think it's sending the completely wrong message to cut a team. How will this look to prospective students?
word!
Thu Nov 5 2009 18:48
is this just a press release with a byline?
Next »
12






log out