Alumni act boldly toward becoming the nation's
leading collegiate club rowing program and have already secured
$5 million in gifts and
commitments.
LOS
ANGELES, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks a
significant moment in collegiate sports history as the Friends of
UCLA Rowing (FOUR) announces the public phase of a $10 million endowment campaign for the UCLA Men's
Rowing program. This ambitious campaign aims to establish a
sustainable financial future for the rowing team, supporting its
journey toward becoming the nation's leading collegiate club rowing
program by 2030.
The $10 million endowment will
substantially cover the planned increase in the annual budget from
$300,000 to $600,000. This budget expansion will enable
strategic investments in coaching, equipment and technology, and
athlete development—paving the way for future generations of rowers
to benefit from the life lessons rowing distinctly teaches.
The campaign has already garnered significant early support,
with more than $5 million in gifts
and commitments, including a historic $2.5
million donation from alumnus Bob
Newman ('68) and his wife Mary
Jo. This is the largest gift in the history of UCLA Club
Sports, setting a powerful example for others.
"This campaign isn't just about rowing," said Newman. "It's
about continuing a legacy of excellence and leadership that UCLA
Men's Rowing has fostered since 1933. It's a chance for us to give
back to a program that shapes leaders."
The UCLA Men's Rowing program has consistently demonstrated
excellence and ambition. The Varsity Eight's victory at the 2023
ACRA National Championship—securing UCLA's first-ever national title in rowing— and the
2024 WIRA regional championship underscore this point. The
program's success is further highlighted by its participation in
prestigious events like the Head of the Charles Regatta and the
Henley Royal Regatta.
"Our program is surging on all dimensions. The boats are fast,
the athletes are aspiring leaders, the coaches are top-tier, and
the alumni are hyper-engaged," said Dominic
Pardini, President of the Friends of UCLA Rowing. "We're
becoming the model for a sustainable future of college athletics –
independent from conference politics and 100% community supported
for the love of the game."
The UCLA Men's Rowing program is distinguished by its embrace of
walk-on athletes—students who often have no rowing experience but
are driven by determination and rigorous training and develop high
levels of athleticism in making boats go very fast. This approach
challenges these athletes to compete nationally and highlights the
program's culture of camaraderie and resilience, which defines the
spirit of UCLA rowing.
The program, thriving under a club model, also represents a
future-forward approach to collegiate sports. This model has not
only enhanced accessibility, attracting a diverse group of
student-athletes but has also fostered a robust community support
system. Unconstrained by typical collegiate sports bureaucracies,
the program adapts swiftly to the evolving landscapes of collegiate
athletics, ensuring sustainability and growth even in challenging
times.
As the alumni build upon this foundation of excellence, they
also recognize the broader impact of the rowing program on the
community. Graduating seniors leave the team as accomplished rowers
and leaders prepared to make significant contributions in various
fields. The endowment will ensure that these transformative
experiences continue to shape character and leadership for
generations to come. It will also address the uncertain times
facing collegiate sports programs as universities cut athletic
teams amidst cost pressures.
Support for the endowment can take various forms, including
one-time gifts, appreciated assets, pledges over multiple years,
and named endowments for specific purposes. Every contribution
brings UCLA closer to realizing a
vision of excellence and leadership in collegiate rowing.
To learn more about the campaign or to make a gift, please visit
https://www.uclamensrowing.com/endowment. For direct inquiries, the
UCLA Foundation's Donor Relations team can be reached
at gifts@support.ucla.edu or (310) 794-9081.
Endowment Campaign Committee The Endowment Committee
includes a dream team of alumni committed to putting
the program on a sustainable path for years to come. Members
include:
Mark Klein, Chair, formerly SVP,
Public Affairs, CommonSpirit Health
Matt Smith, recently retired
Executive Director, World Rowing
Kevin Still, retired insurance
executive and Olympic bronze medallist
Chris Hirth, retired technology
executive, former FOUR Treasurer
Dominic Pardini, President of the
Board, Friends of UCLA Rowing
Marcel Stiffey, Head Coach, UCLA
Men's Rowing
Natoya Miller, Associate Director
of Development, Student Affairs, UCLA
About UCLA Men's Rowing
Since its inception in
1933, following the 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles, UCLA Men's Rowing has been a
beacon of leadership and athletic prowess. Governed by the Friends
of UCLA Rowing, the program continues to inspire and cultivate
future leaders through rowing.
Friends of UCLA Rowing (FOUR)
FOUR is the
community of alumni, friends, and family that support the UCLA
Men's Rowing team, whose mission is to provide financial,
organizational, and inspirational support to the program.
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SOURCE Friends of UCLA Rowing (FOUR)