Out of the 8 years I have participated in Crew, the last 4 were spent on the Grand Valley Crew. A few things come to mind when I think about my tenure on the Grand Valley Crew such as the van rides and all of the shenanigans that ensued. I think of the people that I spend day in and day out with at practice and regattas and how we are so weird. Coach Bancheri comes to mind also. He is the only coach who will tear you a new one and then invite you over for pasta. This is how GVSU Crew works, it doesn’t matter who you race or who you have complications with, we all work together for the betterment for the team and we are better friends for it. People on crew give up some freedoms such as going home on weekends, going to parties and other aspects of normal college life. In my opinion, the sacrifices that GV rowers make are minuscule compared to the experiences that come along with Crew. What other college kids go to Florida twice a year, San Diego, Oak Ridge, Georgia, Kansas City, Canada and the Royal Henley Regatta in England? What other collegiate organizations give you the tools to better yourself physically, psychologically and academically? Crew athletes will obtain a genuine work ethic and skill set that will help them in their futures. I could not think of any better way to spend my 4 years at Grand Valley State University than rowing and I can ultimately say that I do not regret a single moment from crew…mainly because everything else will seem easy.