History of the Catholic University of America Rowing Association

The Crew Club was established at the beginning of the spring semester 1990 by Laurie McGuane, an architecture major from Denver who transferred to CUA after her freshman year at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Disappointed that CUA did not have a rowing club, she decided to start one. In January 1990, the Crew Club was granted official club status by the university.

The spring semester of 1990 was devoted to organizing the club, starting fund-raising, and making contacts with the Washington rowing network.

Our first coaches were Glenn Harchar and Bob Shuttleworth, who both coached for Capital Rowing Club at Thompson’s.

The following year (1991-92), with Laurie McGuane still president, Gregory Rubbo VP, Chris McBride "purser," and Meg Murphy, secretary, Glenn continued to serve as coach of the novice women, Ed McCormick coached our men, and Bill our varsity women. In the spring semester, Doug Sanders, who was a grad student in physics at CUA, became the coach of all our crews.

In 1992-93, Joe Creed started coaching. In the 1996-97 season, the Women’s Novice Eight, stroked by Rosanna Brunelli, became the first crew in CUARA history to win a gold medal. They won the Bill Braxton Regatta, beating Temple, Delaware, and UConn.

In the fall of 2002, John and Bridgette Dziedzic joined as assitant coaches and became head coaches of the men's and women's teams, respectively, after Joe Creed resigned. The team had a rebuilding year and went into a strong and successful 2003-2004 season, winning medals at the Knecht Cup (gold), Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Championships (Silver), Occoquan Sprints (silver), and sweeping the St. Mary's Seahawk Invitational in every event (golds). The team also had a strong showing at the Dad Vail regatta.

Under the coaching and support of John and Bridgette the team has grown exponentially.  CUA crew has purchased a men's Vespoli M2 and a women's lightweight WinTech during the 2004-2005 season.  In these new shells the team has continued to place and medal at various regattas including St. Mary's Seahawk Sprints, the Occoquan Sprints, and Knecht Cup.

The team has rowed in Augusta during their Spring Break in years past.  Spring Break 2006 was held in sunny Tampa, Florida.  Days were spent rowing in the warm sun on the beautiful Hillsborough River.