~ By Jack Schumacher

One of the most valuable experiences I had while attending USC as an undergraduate student was my experience rowing for the Men’s Crew team in my Sophomore, Junior & Senior years.

Rowing taught me the hard discipline I needed as a young man to eventually meet the challenges in my life. Being a part of the fierce competition involved and the discipline I was exposed to, as well as the ability to bond with 7 other oarsmen and a coxswain in a racing shell made for an incredible experience. The lessons I learned was success comes from discipline, hard-work, persistence, leadership, respect and ability to get along with other people.

In applying my rowing experience along with my required studies, I learned at USC, how to prioritize my time better, enabling me to accomplish the most out of my class subject matters.

I believe without this exposure in rowing competition, my educational experience would not have been as complete in the development of myself as a well-rounded individual. I can honestly say after graduation my rowing experience coupled with my academic education at USC helped me immeasurably to become successful in my business career. It is a privilege to represent this great University as a former Trojan oarsman. I am proud to be an alumnus of USC Men’s Rowing and a fellow Trojan. This is a great sport. It is an Olympic sport with a great deal of history behind it.One of my fellow oarsmen, Conn Findlay, who graduated with me in 1954, went on to row in three Olympics winning two golds and a bronze. Some of my best friends today are people I rowed with and against in competition. They are all the finest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Another one of my classmates who rowed with me was the late Kenneth Norris Jr. whose Foundation today still gives generously to our University.

It is important that we continue to support Men’s Rowing at USC in a big way. No doubt, we can certainly function successfully as a club sport. It is my hope we can always provide the same opportunities for our future male student athletes, such as I had during my college days.

USC is a great institution and I do hope our young student-oarsmen will continue to receive the support they need from our alumni and friends to perpetuate this wonderful sport at our University.

We are very fortunate to have hired an experienced Coach Gene Kininmonth to develop our program into a winning program. He is a winner and will eventually take us there but most important he also firmly believes in the academic educational development of each and every student oarsmen who will be rowing for him on our men’s crew.

Jack Schumacher, is Chairman of the Crew Steering Committee and was a ‘port’ oarsman for the Trojan Navy in 1952’, 53’ & 54’