Press Release: (Ann Arbor, Michigan - January 24, 2008) - A consortium of more than 25 collegiate rowing coaches has announced the formation of a new rowing organization, the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA). The organization is focused on establishing a national championship event for collegiate rowing teams who are not eligible to compete in the NCAA and potentially IRA Championships. The first ACRA national championship regatta is slated for May 24-25 on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City.
Women's varsity rowing teams race in NCAA championship events, explained Gregg Hartsuff, University of Michigan Men? Rowing head coach and president of the new organization. ?or men, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) regatta has long been recognized as the championship event. However a proposed new IRA rule change means that after this year, men? club crews may no longer be eligible to participate.
We have hundreds of collegiate club rowers who want and deserve the opportunity to race for a national championship title. We decided to create this new organization with that as the sole mission, Hartsuff said. Over 20 programs have committed to competing at the regatta as of the founding of the ACRA.
Founding members of the new organization include:
Arizona State University,
Georgia Tech University,
Grand Valley State University,
Northwestern University,
Ohio State University,
Oklahoma City University,
Purdue University,
Tulane University,
University of California-Davis,
University of California-Los Angles,
University of California-Santa Barbara,
University of Cincinnati,
University of Colorado,
University of Dayton Men,
University of Delaware,
University of Maryland,
University of Michigan,
University of Minnesota,
University of North Carolina,
University of Notre Dame,
University of Rochester,
University of St. Thomas,
University of Southern California,
University of Texas,
University of Virginia,
Washington State University,
Washington University (St. Louis),
Wichita State University.
Hartsuff will serve as president of the ACRA governing board which also includes the following coaches:
Gregg Hartsuff | University of Michigan | President |
Robert Jaugstetter | Tulane University | Treasurer |
William Greene | University of Rochester | Secretary |
Paul Mohka | UCLA | West Coast Rep |
Jeff Mork | University of Texas | Southwest Rep |
Aaron Zdawczyk | Northwestern University | Midwest Rep |
William Oliver | University of Virginia | Mid-Atlantic Rep |
Presently unfilled | | Northeast Rep |
Tom Altenhofen | University of Minnesota | Competition Committee |
Alex Berlin | University of Colorado | Competition Committee |
Cameron Carter | Washington University | Membership Committee |
We are developing the American Collegiate Rowing Association with a singular focus on creating a national championship regatta that appeals to a very diverse group of programs, Hartsuff said. We are early on in the process of forming bylaws and rules, and we welcome anyone who wants to have their voice heard.
Additional information about ACRA is available online at www.AmericanCollegeRowing.com or by contacting Gregg Hartsuff
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