Project Editor: Joshua Vapenik, History 470: Digital History, Spring 2008

Practice

Rowing requires a large body of water; something Nebraska is not known for possessing a lot of. However, in order to practice and be successful a large body of water would have to be found for the purpose. Luckily, in 1968 Branched Oak Lake, located 30 miles from campus near the town of Malcolm, began filling up. Nebraska Crew first secured practice rights from the Game and Parks Commission and then the support of the Lincoln Optimist Club. With the Optimists allowing the team to use their club site at the lake as a practice site and a place to store the boats on shore, the team had their practice site. Additionally, Capitol Beach Lake is located less than six miles west of the UNL campus. Through a deal with Capitol Beach developer Marvin Copple the team was also allowed to practice on the smaller waters of Capitol Beach Lake, and even hosted regattas there.

While Capitol Beach Lake is no longer available for practice, team members still make the trek to Branched Oak lake and the Optimist Club as early as 4:30 in the morning to practice their sport just as they have for years.