Spotlight
USF System: Crew Debut
| USF Sarasota-Manatee
Photo courtesy of USF Sarasota-Manatee
It's crew for USF Sarasota-Manatee.
The university announced the launch of its first athletic team — the only collegiate crew team in Sarasota and Manatee counties — in February. USFSM partnered with Sarasota Crew to launch its inaugural club team at Bay Preserve at Osprey.
Liza Dickson, Men's Varsity coach for Sarasota Crew, will coach the USF team. Students on the 12-person, co-ed team range in age from 21 to 32.
Student team president Justin James, senior Hotel & Restaurant Management major, says crew was a natural fit. "When I first heard about Nathan Benderson Park, I knew that having a world-class rowing facility in our back yard we needed a team," he says. "I went to Dr. Guilford who was immediately supportive and helped us get things started."
Regional Chancellor Arthur Guilford sees the team as a win for the university and a win for the community. "The program not only gives us our very first athletic team, but is a great way for students to be engaged — not only on this team, but in the community," he says. "We also realize that this will have a great economic impact on the community as other colleges and universities, in addition to Harvard and Notre Dame, come here to compete against our team."
The USFSM crew team practices weekdays at 6 a.m. in Osprey and looks forward to its first competition in the near future.