History
New update!
An email from Alumnus Phil Telman ‘71:
I’m forwarding this picture from the past. I believe Coach Orova took it at a morning practice in 1969. He had a habit of giving pictures he took out at the All-Sports Banquet as souvenirs. The location is on the Grand River at the Comstock Riverside Park boat launch (in the background, if it still exists - at the intersection of Guild St. & Monroe Av.). We’re headed North to the American Legion Post where we stored our equipment at that time (just North of the North Park St. bridge on the East bank). At the time, Coach Orova was residing on Monroe Av. just about a half mile South of where this picture was taken.
It was great for me. I lived only 2 blocks from here. In my wildest dreams, I never would have envisioned an experience such as this so close to home and at this time and place. I’m applaud Coach Irwin’s foresight and those that supported that original notion.
Here’s what I recall as members in this Light Weight shell:
B - Ted Fries
7 - Fred Marizon
6 - Jim Walters
5 - Wes Kuipers
4 - Phil Telman
3 - Ike DeKam
2 - Jeff Hoke
S - Steve Christianson ??
C - George Heller ??
My apologies for the front of the boat. It’s been awhile.
I don’t have any other pictures of this significance but may forward press clips when I get some more time. I still plan on being at the new boat house Saturday (10/13) at 9:00AM.
Phil Telman
GVSC Class of ‘71
• 1964- Rowing was offered as a Physical Education course at Grand Valley for the first time.
• 1966- So much interest was shown in rowing that Athletic Director, Charles Irwin, began holding team practices on Spring Lake.
• 1967- Grand Valley formed its first varsity team and began to race among other colleges.
• 1972- Grand Valley established its own boathouse on the Grand River in Allendale.
• 1979- The rowing teams switched from varsity to club status, but the program was maintained by passionate varsity athletes who had recently graduated.
• 1994-1997- Grand Valley Alumni, Barry Klein raced on the National Team.
• 1996- Women’s varsity lightweight 4+ won the Dad Vail National Championship.
• 1996, 1998, 2002- Grand Valley boats raced in England at the Henley Royal Regatta.
• 1997- Men’s varsity heavyweight eight won the LaSalle Invitational and earned a bronze at Dad Vails
• 2004- Women’s Pair won silver, women’s 4 won bronze, men’s 8 finished 4th at the Dad Vails. Grand Valley boats women earned silver and men earned bronze in Zagreb, Croatia at the University Race of Eights.
• 2006- Varsity Women’s Eight won silver, and the team took 5th overall in team points at the Dad Vails.
• 2007- Varsity Women’s Eight won silver at the Dad Vails.
• 2008- Varsity Women’s Eight won silver, Women’s Frosh/Novice Eight and Men’s JV Eight win gold at the Dad Vails and the team takes 2nd Place in Team Points. GVSU wins inaugural ACRA National Club Championship team points trophy as Men’s Varsity eight takes bronze, Men’s Ltwt. four wins gold, Men’s pair wins silver, and Women’s F/N eight wins gold and goes undefeated.
•1964-1966 Charles Irwin
•1966-1968 Jack Anderson
•1968-1970 Steve Orova
•1970-1971 Jim Scott
•1971-1981 Paul Springer
•1981-1984 Bob Sawicki
•1984-1985 Rob Roys
•1985-1987 Brian Brewer
•1988-1990 Jack DeLine
•1991-1992 Doug Urey
•1992-1993 Tom Waukes
•1993-1994 Bradley Holdren
•1995-1996 Casey Haley
•1996-1999 Richard Laurance
•1999-2000 Khalid Senad
•2000-2005 Chad Jedlic
•2005-present John Bancheri
Read the Memoirs by Greg Hartsuff for an in-depth view of life as a Grand Valley Rower.
Last season’s end of the year report is in. Read it here 2007 Year End Report
Also, check out the 2006 Year End Report
