FYI: updated version from Peter.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter de Manio [SMTP:pdemanio@...]
> Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 3:39 PM
> To: Brice.Crossley-1@...
> Subject: Clubs v. Schools in Florida, the true story
>
> Brice: There was a corrected version mailed out that apparently you did
> not receive. They are minor corrections
>
> 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
> fourteen rowing organizations in FSRA, Boone Boys, Boone Girls, Dr.
> Phillips, Edgewater, Jacksonville Episcopal, Lake Brantley, Leon,
> Melbourne, Miami Rowing Club (the only club), Riverview, Satellite,
> 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 Satellite 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 23 new rowing organizations that
> 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, 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, Dr. Phillips, Lincoln, Ransom Everglades, Pine View
> and Sarasota. This would not have been possible without the support of
> their sponsoring clubs (MRC, OARS, SSYRP and TAC). Several other schools
> competed through the sponsorship of GAR, JAR and SCC.
>
> 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 deprivation of a property right
> of the several small 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
>
>
> _____
>
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