Ever thought about rowing?
Have you ever thought about rowing? Neither had we...until we came to Amherst.
And for most of us, rowing has changed our lives. Furthermore, most people participate
in crew at the college level; to have to have the chance to row - to just give
crew a try - is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So hi! We're the Amherst
Crew team, and we want you to row with us. We hope this information about our
team and our sport whets your appetite for rowing and that, perhaps, come autumn,
you will join us.
Please contact our coach, Bill Stekl, at: wfstekl@amherst.edu if you are interested in crew!
Our Team
Our team is like a big family. On average, the team usually has about 40 members -
which sounds like a lot until you realize that the team is broken down into Men's and Women's
teams as well as Varsity and Novice - not to mention coxswains
(the people who steer and command the boat on the water). Anyone can row,
and anyone can be a great rower. If you take the sport seriously - and we do -
you can turn yourself into a world-class athlete. Coxswains are equally vital
to the team's success as rowers and they too become great athletes. And since
most of us never rowed, or coxed, before we came to college, we know what it is
like to jump in the deep end with a brand new sport on top of coming to
a brand new school. Of course, rowing isn't everyone's bag, but if you get hooked,
it is a blast. (Psst. We don't practice in the morning, either.)
(Amherst's first men's 4 powers past the last bridge at the Head of the Charles.)
Join Us
To join the team all you really have to do is show up at our
informational meeting for new rowers, which happens during the first week of school
- we post signs, so don't worry. You can also come to meet the coaches and some
of the varsity at the club fair (also during the first week of school). To find
us at the club fair is easy: just look for the big boat. If you want to find out
more about the team, you can e-mail Coach Bill Stek at wfstekl@amherst.edu.
You may also call Bill at 413.542.2323.
Our Program
In the past three years Amherst Crew has emerged as one
of the top small college programs in New England. Every senior on last year's
team graduated as a decorated athlete. We train hard, and expect success; usually,
we're pleased with our results. Over the last two years we have also completely
replaced our old fleet of boats - our house now holds three new Pocock HYPERCARBON™ K4 fours, three Vespoli Racer fours, as well as four new WinTech International and Medalist pairs and two new WinTech fours . We also have
our own training room in Alumni Gymnasium that houses our own rowing machines
- "ergs." With all this top-of-the-line equipment, we need athletes like you to take advantage of it!
Our Season
The crew season is year-round. In the fall, we compete in head races like The Head
of the Housatonic, The Head of the Fish, and The Head of the Charles in Boston. The winter is geared
toward training for Spring - we build endurance on the ergs and strength in the
weight room. We often compete in indoor rowing events such as the CRASH-B erg sprints. The spring season is the most competitive; races are 2-kilometer sprints
alongside as many as 5 other boats. We compete in a number of championship regattas
including the New England Fours Championships, the ECAC Championship Regatta,
and the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia.
Our Coaches
We are extremely lucky and proud to have such knowledgeable and dedicated coaches.
Head Coach Bill Stekl has coached the Amherst Varsity Men and Women for a total
of eleven years. Bill grew up with the sport of Crew, and had a successful college
rowing career at Syracuse University. Assistant Coach Dave Thomas is a graduate from Bowdoin
College where he had a successful rowing career. He continutes to compete is events such as Head of the Charles, where he has continued success. He currently coaches the women's team while also working as a
boat engineer with Wintech Racing.
(Team sporting "Do It For Dave" t-shirts with novice coach, Dave Thomas.)
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