Fellow coaches interested in the development of rowing in Florida.  The following facts are set forth for your consideration.

1- A view of the FSRA web site Archives will show that there has been an annual scholastic championship since 1966. 

2- Between 1966 and 1993, Winter Park and Edgewater won 58 of the 66 contested varsity championship events (MV4 & 8, and WV4 & 8).  The remaining eight winners were Howey Academy  (MV8, '68 and '71), Sanford Naval (MV8 '70, MV4 '74) and Melbourne (MV8 '86, WV8 '88, MV4 '86, WV4 89).  Howey Academy and Sanford Naval no longer have crews.

3- Based upon looking at the Blades on the FSRA web site and from my own personal experience, I believe that prior to 1993, there were only thirteen rowing organizations in FSRA, Boone Boys, Boone Girls, Edgewater, Jacksonville Episcopal, Lake Brantley, Leon, Melbourne, Miami Rowing Club (the only club), Riverview, Space Coast, Stanton, Tampa Prep, Winter Park Boys and Winter Park Girls.  Of these, five of them were created between 1988 and 1993.  Of those five, only Lake Brantley, Leon and Stanton still compete during the regualr season in their original form.  Riverview and Space Coast found it necessary to merge into clubs (SSYRP and SCC) in order to make rowing available to students in their area.

4- Since 1993, there have been at least 24 new rowing organizations thhat have competed as scholastic crews (there may be more) in FSRA events.  To my best recollection, they are: Belen Jesuit, Bucholz, Berkeley Prep, Bishop Moore, Bolles, Cardinal Mooney, Coral Gables, Dr. Phillips, Eastside, Eau Galli, Ft. Myers, Gainesville, H.B. Plant, Hillsborough, Lincoln, Maclay, Pine Crest, Pine View, Ransom Everglades, St. Johns, Sarasota, Tampa Catholic, Venice and West Orange.  Of these 24 school crews, 13 of them can only exist through the support of a parent club organization able to provide the coaching and equipment necessary.  

5- Many of these small crews competed in the FSRA Scholastic Championship regatta over the past decade and many have won gold medals, Cardinal Mooney, Coral Gables, Lincoln, Ransom Everglades, Pine View and Sarasota.  This would not have been possible without the support of their sponsoring clubs (MRC, SSYRP and TAC).

6- In 1994 and 1995, FSRA allowed clubs to compete in the Scholastic Championships.  In 1994, three clubs won gold medals (Riverview RC, later to become SSYRP, MV8, WV8, WV4, MJV4, M3rd8, and M3rd4), OARS (MLt8) and MRC (M1x).  MRC repeated in the M1x in 1995.  The All Points Trophy was won by Edgewater and Boone tied in 1994 and by Winter Park in 1995. 

7- USRA Rule 5-203 (d) states, "A competitor shall represent only one club at a regatta.  A competitor shall not represent more than two clubs in any calendar year.  Individual exemptions from the requirement of this subsection may be granted by USRowing to competitors upon a showing [of] a good cause."  This is found on page 60 of the USRA handbook.  

8- FSRA voted last fall at its annual coaches' meeting to deny access to the FSRA Scholastic Championships to schools whose athletes have competed for a club during the year.

I put the following questions to you for your consideration. 

1- Is the action taken by FSRA last fall contrary to the intent of USRA Rule 5-203 (d)?

2- Is the action taken by FSRA last fall in the best interest of nurturing the growth of rowing in small scholastic programs in Florida?

3- Is the action taken by FSRA last fall a deprivement of a property right of the several embrionic school crews struggling for existence?

4- What effect will the disfranchisement of at least 13 Florida scholastic crews have upon the growth and development of rowing in Florida?

5- Should the coaches reconsider their vote, follow the USRA Rule 5-203 (d) and permit any dues paying school to participate in the FSRA Scholastic Championships?

Please consider that the appeal of being able to row for his or her own school at the Scholastic Championships at the end of the year is a big draw in getting students interested in trying rowing as a sport.

Peter M. de Manio, Head Coach of SSYRP