Board Raises $167k for Trojan Navy

September, 2005.

Dear Friends, Parents and Alumni of the USC Men’s Crew,

Let me first begin by saying thank you for another generous season of support for our Trojan oarsmen and coxswains. With your help the Trojan Navy raised $167,000 this past year to fund operations, travel, uniforms and vital new equipment.

Thanks to your support the team had its share of success this past season, winning the 2004 National Collegiate Club Championships, the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival and recording a 4-2 won-loss record against UCLA’s varsity crew over the course of the season. This past spring our Trojans again successfully reached the varsity final of the San Diego Crew Classic, only the second time ever the USC men have achieved this feat since that race began in 1973. And in a special moment on Ballona Creek in April our Trojans returned the George Gordon Cup to Troy. This summer our Trojans capped off their season with an exciting trip to England to race for the Ladies’ Challenge Plate event at the Henley Royal Regatta, alongside Harvard, Cambridge, Stanford, Brown and crews from Ireland, Australia and Sweden. It was an event that placed our University and its Crew on an international stage.


Trojan Crew at lunch at the California Club with (front row) 2004 Patron Henry Brown, Martha Harris, USC Trustee Ann Hill, coxswain Emily Chin, USC Harlyne Norris, USC Associate Board of Governors Ron Barnes, Emily Hill and Coach Gene Kininmonth.

However, our season also had some disappointments. Late season injuries to key athletes led to an upset loss to UCLA sending the Bob Hillen Cup to Westwood, and a sub-par showing at the PAC-10 championships. Such moments continue to highlight our lack of depth as a squad, which is greatly restricted by our race worthy equipment. While our top eight-oared shell is state-of-the-art, the shells for the Jayvee and Freshman crews are now up to a dozen years old and less than suitable for competitive racing. After making the journey to Sacramento for PAC-10s last spring, the Jayvee shell broke beyond immediate repair on the way to the start and the disappointed crew returned to shore, unable to race. It is our goal this year to purchase a new $40,000 eight-oared shell to better support our growing squad. Our needs also includes the following:

Crew Wish List:
Endowment $750,000
Team Van $40,000
8-Oared Shell $40,000
4-Oared Shell $20,000
Boathouse Rent $20,000
Chase Boat $10,000
Varsity Uniforms $2,500
Frosh Uniforms $2,500
Set of Oars $2,000
Coxswain Box $600

Team Travel:
Henley Regatta $30,000
IRA Nationals $7,500
Spring Camp $4,000
PAC-10s $3,000
San Diego Classic $2,800

Attached is the list of the USC Crew Donors of 2004-05. Until we receive a large gift to fund a Crew endowment, you are our ‘Living Endowment.’ On behalf of the Crew Board and students I thank you so much for your support and I hope you will consider an equal or greater gift to the USC Men’s Crew this year. Gifts should be made out to “USC Men’s Crew” or the “University of Southern California” and mailed to my attention at the Crew office.

DOWNLOAD 2004-2005 DONORS PDF

With a flock of new recruits and walk-ons our season ahead looks as promising as any. The Crew Board hopes to soon announce the hiring of new coaches, who will assist the Crew in its mission to become the top collegiate rowing program in the world.

Trojan Navy, Fight On!

Gene Kininmonth
Head Coach.