Dear Friends and Alumni,
We have afantastic opportunity to make a major impact on our equipment this fall.
We have sold our 1997 trailer and will replace it with a new wide-body, side loader from Vespoli USA/MO Trailers. That trailer is paid for thanks to the sale of the old trailer and a major grant from the Student Rec Sports Equipment Fund. The trailer is on order, with delivery expected in November 2016. We have sponsor name space available.
As some of you may know, Matt LeBlanc’97 was named Director of Operations at Vespoli USA (the largest shell manufacturer/repairer in North America) and will be leaving Michigan soon for his new position this November. He has been the best boat repair man in the Midwest, a generous alum, and has made great strides in his shop in SE Michigan. He leaves Michigan having to sell off the inventory that he built over the past few years. Matt has offered his alma mater a deal that will make a huge difference for our program’s inter-squad competition.
Matt LeBlanc’97 has offered to sell us two coxed fours for the reduced price of one boat. They are a newer EM4+ (for women) and a DL4+ (for men). Matt will donate the DL4+ and charge us a reduced price for the EM4+. That is a fantastic deal and will benefit the team immediately. We have sold off the “Seeger” and the“Ole Blue” to a new high school program at Spring Lake H.S. to help make the down payment.
We will name the EM4+ the “Sarah Zelenka McIlduff’09” with Olympic Rings on the bow.
Coach Mark McIlduff (M.Sc.’10)has presented a challenge to the alums from their era with a lead gift. Mark and Sarah are asking you all to support the challenge. Please consider matching Mark and Sarah on this great opportunity. Gifts can be made online to the Crew Fund and any amount will help us reach our goal:
https://secure.gvsu.edu/giving/give-online2.htm?fund_code=31986&fundid=31986
Please note the Zelenka/McIlduff Challenge.
The DL4+ donated by Matt will be named the “Matt LeBlanc’97”. This boat along with the “Sarah”anda single donated by past President/Coach Costas Ciungan’s grandfather, to be named the “Costas V. Ciungan’15,”will be christened at Homecoming this Saturday. We will rename two boats after past team Presidents, Nicholas Maodush-Pitzer’16 and Scott Thorbjornsen’17.
Thanks for all you have done to help us to continue the tradition of the Laker Navy!
Coach John M. Bancheri
GVSU Rowing Club
D-149 Fieldhouse
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401