Purdue Crew

Purdue Crew was founded in 1949. From the first callout, eight rowers: Marvin Sarcher, Jim Prout, Jim Boutloop, Walt Howie Walters, Don Schnorr, Jay Lushe, Jack Stimson and Dave Eckhardt and coxswain Ken Butler returned for the inaugural 1950-51 season. Ground, donated from the Intramural Department, was broken in the fall of 1950 for the construct... ion of Purdue Crews first boathouse. These rowers, along with Coach Haken Refsum, laid the foundations for the future of Purdue Crew. Practice was held at any available field before the construction of a recreation center or Lambert Fieldhouse. With the acquisition of a shell from the University of Pennsylvania, the rowers of Purdue Crew were able to launch for the first time. In 1951, Purdue Crew competed in the First National Rowing Regatta in Marietta, Ohio. Despite the teams poor finish, visibility was growing around campus and was attracting new rowers. As the years passed and rowing became more established at Purdue, the team grew. Since 1955, there has been more than one crew practicing on the Wabash with the addition of the Junior Varsity Eight. Competition grew with the team. Purdue Crew began racing schools from all across the nation, including Fordham University, University of Tampa, but most importantly, the Dad Vail Rowing Association Regatta. Purdue Crew went through a important change in 1974; women joined the men on the Wabash. Since their founding, the women have found success rowing the Wabash. Purdues success on the water continued into the 1990s with many boats medaling at national regattas. In 1997, the mens junior varsity eight took second at the Dad Vail Regatta along with the womens varsity eight who took the bronze medal. 1998 was a special year for the Purdue Crew women. The junior varsity won their event, and the regatta was topped off by the varsity eight that won themselves a trip to London to race in the Henley Womens Regatta. Purdue Rowing continued its success at the Dad Vail regatta into the next century. The Varsity Mens Lightweight ...Read More