When many people see the words "AU Crew" on the backs of jackets or sweatshirts around campus, they may ask themselves, "What is crew?"
It's the official term for team rowing. Here at AU, it's a club team that is rising in popularity and climbing the ladder toward the more elite teams on the East Coast.
Although the latest incarnation of the team is relatively new, it has a long history here. It was originally a varsity sport back in the 1960s but slowly fell apart due to a lack of funding by the university. The team was brought back five years ago at the club level, meaning that it has partial funding from AU but the athletes themselves cover most of the expenses.
"For this season, we got around $3,500 from the school, even though our operating expenses were about $50,000," senior Erica Baca said. "This includes driving to events, equipment, etcetera. This means that most of us have to chip in to help pay for everything."
The hard work that the team puts into helping it stay afloat financially is matched only by their dedication to a sport that they love. Practices are six days a week, usually lasting from 5 to 7 a.m. during the week and from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on the weekends. To practice at the Anacostia Boathouse in Southeast, about a half-hour bus ride away from campus, rowers have to wake up at 4 in the morning, an aspect of life that Baca admits is sometimes hard for people.
"Because there are really no substitutes, each person has to be at practice to make the team work. That means that if somebody sleeps in, everybody is calling them on their cell phones to wake them up. We are never really happy with that person that day," she said laughing.
So far this season, the work has definitely paid off. The team hosted its first-ever regatta, the Anacostia Knockout, on Saturday, joining North Carolina State and Catholic on the water. AU swept all of the events they entered, a remarkable feat for a young team.
Earlier in the year, the team competed in the Knecht Cup at Villanova, a regatta of over 50 schools. AU placed in all five of the events that they entered, with the men's club eight finishing second in their race.
The team has two more competitions - one in Bladensburg, Md., and the Mid-Atlantic Championships in Lorton, Va. - before their finale at the Dad Vail Championships in Philadelphia, one of the most prestigious collegiate regattas in the nation. Over 100 schools from across the United States and Canada will compete in the Dad Vail race, something that makes Baca very proud to be a part of.
"Two years ago, my boat came in first at the Dad Vails, which was a huge thrill for us," she said. "To go against some of the top squads in the entire country is awesome to be a part of."
With their increasing success, the team hopes to have greater visibility on campus and a more recognition by the student body. They will be holding a raffle at the end of the month to rename one of their boats that is currently named after ousted AU President Benjamin Ladner. The person with the winning ticket has the honor of deciding the name of a boat for a team that is starting to make a serious splash in the crew community.
