About Friends

The E. O. Smith High School Crew program was founded as a club program in 1992 and was recognized as a varsity sport in 1997. This makes the sport a relatively young program at E. O. Smith when compared to many of the schools we compete against.

At the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year, a number of parents decided to insure the longevity of the sport at our public high school by founding the Friends of E. O. Smith Crew (FoEOSC). The goal of the Friends is simple: provide a quality program and a positive experience to all that are willing to make the commitment.

In order to accomplish this, the Friends must provide our athletes with the required equipment. During the 2003 season, the Friends were able to purchase two used shells; our first four for the boys, and using a loan from the school, a second four for our girls. Our girls program now has two varsity fours and one novice eight. We were also able to purchase some of the items from our rather long list of much-needed equipment. All of this was made possible through the efforts our program's fundraising efforts from the 2001 and 2003 seasons.

The team supports itself financially through efforts made by the parents and local businesses. Our annual golf tournament and numerous student-run fundraising efforts during the school year (an erg-a-thon, leaf raking in the fall, car washes and T-shirt sales) also help to raise our funds. The school provides minimal, but no less important, support by providing transportation, insurance, and coaching salaries. At times over the past eleven years, the school has been able to provide some additional funds for our program as well. One specific example of this was the renovation of a garage at Coventry Lake in Coventry, CT, where we use a portion of the renovated space as our boathouse.

Officers

Chairperson: Ande Bloom

The Chairperson is the liaison between coaches and parents for any FoEOSC business; helps to recruit parents into organizational positions and gives necessary support; is present at all FoEOSC meetings, crew team meets, regattas, and is the go-to person for questions from any committee member or parent; cultivates new funding sources such as corporate sponsorships; works with the coaches, team members, parents and E. O. Smith Athletics to insure sustainability and growth of the program.

Treasurer: Meredith Lindsey

The Treasurer accepts monetary donations on behalf of the FoEOSC and coordinates deposits with the School. 

Operations Coordinator: Tom Bloom

The Operations Coordinator oversees boat repairs, engine repairs, boathouse maintenance, launch maintenance with parents, and ensures that we are in compliance with all DMV and insurance regulations.

Alumni Relations Coordinator: Steve Ferrigno

The Alumni Relations Coordinator tracks alumni, where they go on to row, contacts them for participation in the Alumni boat for Emerson’s Regatta, and coordinates alumni fundraising efforts.

Food

Regatta Food Coordinators: Laurie and Brian Semprebon

The Regattas Food Coordinators solicit food and drinks from parents for regattas and insures they are available on the days needed.

Kickoff and Closing Banquets Coordinator: Sue Rosa and Dianne Harnad

The Kickoff and Closing Banquets Coordinator oversees banquet food, setup, and cleanup.

Fundraising

Golf Tournament Coordinators: Mark and Susan Mostowy

The Golf Tournament Coordinators oversee all aspects of the annual fundraising golf tournament.

Fall Leaf-raking Coordinator: ___________________________

The Fall Leaf-raking Coordinator works with the team captains to arrange leaf-raking jobs and to negotiate fees.

Photo CD Coordinator: Tannin

The Photo CD Coordinator prepares a CD with pictures from the previous season for fundraising purposes.

Public Relations

Media Coordinator: ___________________________

The Media Coordinator provides press releases about the Crew team to local newspapers and TV Channel 17.

Webmaster: Tom Bloom

The Webmaster keeps the team website up to date.

Regatta Results Coordinator: ___________________________

The Regatta Results Coordinator insures that team standings at each regatta are recorded and given to the Media Coordinator and Webmaster.

Photo Coordinator: ___________________________

The Photo Coordinator insures that there is a digital image record of the season's practices, events, and regattas.

Sports Banquet Awards Coordinator: ___________________________

The Sports Banquet Awards Coordinator assists the coaches in preparing the materials needed for the sports banquet awards. Buying and painting picture frames for the awards is an example of the level of support needed.

Clothing Coordinator: Ande Bloom

The Clothing Coordinator orders unisuits, crew jackets, and other crew-related clothing.

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