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| History of UML Crew | ||||||
| 2003 marks the 39th season of crew at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Crew started at the Lowell Textile Institute (LTI), a forerunner of Umass Lowell, in 1964 under the guidance of Head Coach Thomas Cudzma. Known as the Lowell Technological Institute Rowing Club, the team completed in the First Annual Head of the Charles Regatta, finishing second in the Junior Eights. As its success continued, the team was initiated into the New England Amateur Rowing Association in 1967, and entered the international rowing scene in 1971 when it competed in the International Ratzburg Regatta in Germany, finishing fifth, and in the Henley Royal Regatta in England, finishing second behind Harvard University. After the merger of LTI and Lowell State College to create the University of Lowell in 1975, the team became known as the University of Lowell Crew. In the fall of 1979, Joseph Begley became the second head coach of the team and led the team to a first place finish in the Men's Varsity Four at the 1983 New England Rowing Championships. The program was elevated to varsity sport status in the fall of 1983 under the guidance of head coach Gary Jordan. At approximately the same time, the team moved into a home of its own with the completion of the Bellegarde Boathouse providing shell storage and training areas. During the 1980's, the women's team developed into a major contender in the New England Rowing under the direction of Sterwart Smith who took over the program in 1984. In the fall of 1985, the women's eight finished first in the Head of Mohawk, the New Hampshire Championships and the Snake Regatta. Their winning ways continued into the spring of 1986, winning the Lightweight Eight at the Dad Vail Regatta and culminated in the Spring of 1987 when an undefeated four finished second in the women's varsity four at the Dad Vail Regatta. From this team would emerge U.S. Olympian Shelagh Donohoe, a silver medallist in the Women's Straight Four at the 1992 Olympics. After six years as head coach, Smith turned over the helm to former rower John Carmichael in the fall of 1990. Carmichael guided the team for two years until being succeeded by coach William McGowan in the fall of 1992. Along with this coaching change came another name change. Merging into the University of Massachusetts system in 1991, the team is now known as the UMass Lowell Crew team. This name change coincided with the most successful era to date. The men's team has had a boat represented in the finals at the 1993 and 1995 New Enland Rowing Championship. The women's team has made it to the finals at championship races in five of the last seven years. The Bellegarde Boathouse The UML Crew team rows out of the Bellegarde Boathouse on the Merrimack River. The boathouse, part of the Lowell Heritage State Park, is located within a two mile radius of all three campuses and easily accessible by foot, bike or auto. The boathouse contains crew offices, full locker facilities, two bays for storage of rowing shells and equipment, and one bay dedicated to a training area. The Merrimack River provides over ten miles of sheltered water for training. These ideal conditions have attracted serveral national teams to Lowell for training purposes. Rowers begin their strokes in the basin by the boathouse and wind their way up-river through, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tyngsboro, and Nashua, NH. The site of home races, the race course provides excellent vantage points to watch competing crews. One can view crews racing for over half-a-mile from the Heritage State Park walkway. The river is also the site of two major regattas: The Festival Regatta in mid-July which is a 2000-meter sprint race, and the Textile River Regatta on the first Sunday in October which is a three mile head race. Rowing at Umass Lowell can provide a competitive and athletic opportunity for any individual, whether or not you have had any previous rowing experience. In fact, crew is one of the few sport programs at the University which draws its student-athletes from those who have never rowed before. This situation provides for a unique opportunity to become the best oarsperson they can be. Rowers at Umass Lowell are highly motivated, disciplined and goal oriented. Contact us now to find out about joining the UML Men's crew team and discover your hidden rowing skills!!!! |
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