Jacob Fox selected for nationwide Red Cross Leadership Program

Jacob Fox was one of 13 student-athletes selected to participate in the 2010-11 Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program. The initiative is now in its fourth year, and will inspire, motivate and create a new and diverse generation of American Red Cross volunteers and leaders through exemplifying the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program.

As part of its support of the Red Cross diversity initiatives, State Farm Insurance is sponsoring this partnership. The leadership program kicks off with two weeks of energetic training at the Red Cross National Headquarters located in Washington, D.C. On june 7-18. The incoming class will participate in a rare and unique opportunity to acquire first-hand coaching, mentoring and professional leadership training presented by one of the nation's largest non-profit organizations' senior leaders. In addition, Dr. Rob Haworth, NAIA Vice President for Champions of Character, will hold character workshops during the two-week leadership academy. "Athletics plays such an important role in creating a sense of community on college campuses. The partnership with the NAIA has created a rich opportunity to connect campus communities with the life saving mission of the Red Cross through the energy of NAIA student-athletes," said Brian Hamil, Red Cross National Chair Biomedical Services. : As we enter our fourth year of the program, we remain grateful for the continuing financial support of State Farm Insurance.

This once in a lifetime experience allows NAIA student-athletes to be a part of a team made up of young adults from NAIA campuses throughout the country. The program is part of a larger Red Cross diversity strategy for moving the Red Cross from awareness to action, building Red Cross capacity to serve all Americans. Student-athletes will learn from civic and business leaders how to uncover their leadership potential off the field. The participants will organize successful campus blood drives, actively participate on a leadership board, and take part in diversity and cultural competency training. For their efforts, students will receive scholarship support provided by the Red Cross and State Farm Insurance.

OCU Rowers participate in winter trianing camp

The varsity women and novice teams trained in a 5 day winter training camp from January 6th to January 10th. Due to a 5 day cold snap where the temperature never broke 32 degrees, the Stars were unable to get on the water. Instead, they trained hard in the pool, at the weight room and on the erg. The team even made a trip to Rocktown for a team building rock climbing workout and cheered on the Oklahoma City Thunder at two NBA games. Special thanks to Kayla and Partick Hurley for providing three meals to our hungry athletes.

OCU Rowing Team Earns 3.3 Team GPA for Fall 2009

The OCU Rowing Team averaged a 3.3 GPA for the Fall 2009 semester. The men's squad earned a 3.1 average while the women achieved a 3.5 average. Special recognition to novice rower, Andrew Stein, on being the only student-rower to close out the semester with straight A's (4.0). Fourteen of OCU's 33 rowers earned a 3.5 or higher: Edgar, Brice, Drew, John, Richard, Briana, Rose, Sara, Chelsea, Ange, Julie, Megan and Jane. The coaching staff is proud of our rowers' accomplishments in the classroom. Please join me in congratulating all of them on a job well-done.

Pics from Dec. 5 USRowing Camp

SAAC Collects 2000 Food Items

The Student Athlete Advisory Committee of OCU collected over 2000 food items for their annual holiday food drive. This year's collection doubles the amount of items from last year's food drive. When addressing the SAAC, Athletic Director, Jim Abbott stated, "I can't being to tell you how proud I am of your efforts. I truly believe that this will help folks less fortunate than us and I am reminded that I am truly priveleged to work with and for all of you." I could not have said it better, Jim!

Student-athlete representatives from each sport come together once a month as the SAAC to guide teams on becoming Champions of Character and to promote varsity athletics on the OCU campus. The representatives for the rowing team are Kyle Adair, Jared Hooley, Kathryn Schiro and Megan Duffy (pictured 3rd from the left in the back row).

MAPS passes

At 9:30 pm yesterday December 8th, the final numbers were counted, and it was official: MAPS passed. A record number of voters turned out for a local election and passed the initiative with 54% in favor. OCU and the OKC rowing and boathouse communities are excited about the capital improvements that will be constructed OKC and on the Oklahoma River including a whitewater park, a lighted race course, grandstands and a wind wall.

I want to personally thank all the OCU rowers for their work in promoting MAPS. Rowers went about town placing yard signs, canvassing door-to-door, and spreading the word of MAPS to the community. The OCU Rowers were so committed to the movement that Edgar Boitmanis even exclaimed, "I will have to move back to Latvia if MAPS does not pass." Good thing is passed, Edgar! I am proud of all of our rowers for believing in the Oklahoma River and Oklahoma City and investing themselves in a political campaign- a real-life political science lesson.

Vote YES! for MAPS today

All OCU rowers, friends and family who are registered to vote in OKC: Today is the day, when as a community, we will decide to continue to move our city forward by voting YES! for MAPS.

If you live in OKC, you know what MAPS is all about. I did not know about MAPS until 28 months ago when I first moved to Oklahoma. I have lived in San Diego, LA, SF Bay, Seattle, Montana, NJ, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Georgia and Miami, but I have not been prouder of any of my "hometowns" more than I am of Oklahoma City. Quite simply, this is the only city in the world that is as passionate about rowing as I am.

If you row or if love a rower, vote YES! today.