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

Success

Throughout the mid to late 70s, the hard work and dedication of the team paid of in a big way. The boats of men's and women's teams won race after race, and the team championship after championship, including the overall Big 8 championship six years in a row. For several oarsmen and oarswomen, the success was not over even after graduating, and former members of the team went on to excel in national and international competition, including the Olympic games. Nebraska quickly became a nationally recognized and respected team despite their small size, and were invited to regattas hosted by such big-name teams as Wisconsin. They often competed in the Head of the Charles regatta in Philadelphia, the most prestigious and famous regatta in America. Not only did boats from Nebraska compete, but they also preformed well and placed highly given their size and background. An alumni association was started as a source of financial aid but also to help keep former members connected. In the spirit of passing on the good that had been done for them, the team tried to help others start their own rowing programs. For the founding members of the team and those that followed them, the respect and success that they had striven for and sought after had come at long last.