Oregon State
Orange & Black Regatta
Fall Season Concludes with Boat Dedication
November 15, 2015 | Women's Rowing
Corvallis, Ore. – The Oregon State women's crew program dedicated a new women's 8 shell to former rower and coach Judy Kitzman on Saturday in a ceremony at the OSU Boathouse.
“I feel so humbled, so honored and so grateful,” Kitzman said. “I knew it wouldn't quite hit me until I saw my name on the boat. Thank you so much
“I want to especially thank all the donors who stepped up for this campaign and not only met the goal of the $25,000 anonymous match, but exceed it by a couple thousand dollars.
“For all of you who donated and did the outreach on bringing those donations together, thank you so much. There were numerous people who donated twice to really keep the momentum going.”
The shell was purchased after the first crowd funding effort by OSU athletics raised 106% of its public goal. It honors Kitzman, who rowed at OSU from 1973-75 and then coached for the Beavers in 1976 and 1977.
Kitzman and several other teammates and colleagues were instrumental in persuading the university to elevate women's rowing to an intercollegiate program, funded by the athletic department.
“It's inspiring to see the strength of the rowing group when we come together,” OSU coach Emily Ford said. “Of course, it's not surprising, because we're rowers, we never back down from a challenge and we know how to get things done.
“No person embodies this as much as Judy. I want to thank Judy and her team for all their efforts” in promoting the women's program to varsity status. “Without her, and the people who worked with her, we wouldn't be doing this today.
“Her legacy will live with us every day when we enter the boathouse and see this boat. It will be our mission to row this boat with the tenacity and bravery you embody.”
The 10th annual Orange & Black Regatta closed the fall season. The multi-faceted event included men's and women's races in various boat classes, and an Alumni Sprints competition.
