USC Men’s Crew to Christen Three Shells this Season
Alumni Support Also Provides Budget for New Racing Season

At the beginning of this summer the Crew Steering Committee informed Friends of USC Men’s Crew of a challenge to all alums to match a donation of $10,000 from one of our generous alumni, Jim Hoffman ‘52.

Thanks to a prompt reply this challenge was successfully met and we are now able to meet many of the immediate needs of the program.

The Trojans entered the summer with two eights and a four-oared shell, which were purchased thanks only to the generosity and financial support of Janet Burkle, parent of varsity oarsman John Burkle.

“When the students re-started men’s rowing at USC as a club program it was Janet who was supporting their dreams before the alums even knew crew was back,” said Crew Steering Committee chairman Jack Schumacher.

Thanks also to a $10,000 gift from Andrew Westhem, a member of the “Crew of 1954,” the Crew Board recently ordered a new set of oars and a third eight-shell on favorable terms from Stanford University. In August, a fourth used-shell arrived from Georgetown University to ensure the crew have sufficient equipment to boat the new squad of freshmen this Fall.

“James Hoffman ‘52” and “Spirit of 54” to be Christened on Nov 2

Following racing action at the Head of the Marina on November 2, the men’s crew and its supporters will Christen the program’s two new shells. The first shell will be in named in honor of James Hoffman ‘52, a member of the Crew Steering Committee, lifetime supporter of men’s rowing at USC and former varsity oarsman. The second shell, at the request of Andrew Westhem ‘54, will be Christened the “Spirit of 54” in honor of the crewmates he rowed with on the varsity boat that year. It is hoped that a full re-union of the crew is possible so as the crew can perform an ‘Exhibition Row’. Emotions are expected to run high when this crew of 70 year olds take to the water.

“Alumni support is vital to the success of any college crew program,” says Jack Schumacher. “In this regard we are making great strides,” he said.

Gifts of $2,500 or more were also received from alums Len Hyter,Mike McCloskey, James Shontere, and Jack Schumacher over the summer.

“Andrew Westhem ‘54” to be Dedicated at San Diego Crew Classic

In addition to his recent generous gift, Andrew Westhem ‘54 has also pledged to purchase this year’s varsity crew a brand new state-of-the-art Resolute Racing shell. The new shell, identical to that used by the four-time defending IRA national champion California Bears, will cost $33,000 and is slated for delivery in the Spring. The shell will be Christened “Andrew Westhem ‘54” at the San Diego Crew Classic on April 5.

“Andy has become such a patron of the Crew and we couldn’t even consider naming the shell anything else,” said Jack Schumacher.