GVSU's oldest sport celebrates 60th anniversary

September 17, 2024 (Volume 48, Number 2)
Article by Kyle Barnhart

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John and Jenny Palk and their family christen a boat during the 60th anniversary celebration for GVSU Rowing.

Photo Credit: Ashley Streeter

Former head coaches, from left, Chad Jedlic, Paul Springer, John Bancheri and Jim Scott stand with with President Emeritus Arend D. Lubbers.

Photo Credit: Ashley Streeter

Rowing, GVSU’s oldest sport, kicked off its 60th year with a celebration event on September 7 at the Alumni House. 

More than 185 people attended the event, which included the dedication of three new boats.

Rowing was established as Grand Valley’s first varsity sport in 1964. The program moved to club status in 1981 and has amassed an impressive legacy. Since 2008, GVSU crews have won 26 national championships, six team point national titles, and had 90 athletes receive All-American honors.

Geoff Sadek, ’09, president of the GVSU Rowing Alumni Board, reminded attendees of the relationships they built during their time with the program and how those relationships continue to influence their lives. That theme was echoed by other speakers, including Laura Marshall, ’12, John Palk, ’05, former head coach Chad Jedlic, and Bob Stoll, retired associate dean for Student Life.

Interim head coach Kyle Barnhart, ’14, shared an update on the program. “While we are seeking, and achieving, championship outcomes on the race course, at the end of the day we are developing really good humans who will carry what they are learning here into the world and use that to make a real impact," he said.

Three new boats were christened: 

• The Laker Legacy women’s 8+ celebrates the long history of success in women’s rowing at GVSU, including the 30+ women’s crews (and more than 120 female athletes) who have medaled at a national championship. The boat was christened by Mandy Boersen, ’96, and daughter Audrey Boersen, ’20, who both medaled at major regattas as GVSU rowers.
• The John “Coach B” Bancheri 8+ honors the former head coach who engineered the rise of GVSU Rowing into a national power and led crews to 19 national championships and six team point titles during his 14 years at the helm of the Laker Navy. Bancheri and his family traveled from New Jersey to christen the boat. 
• The John ’04 and Jenny ’05 Palk 4+ honors the 20-plus years of leadership and support of GVSU Rowing from John and Jenny Palk. The Palk family traveled from Florida to christen the boat. 

The team also launched a 60 for 60 fundraising goal, seeking to raise $60,000 in gifts and commitments to propel the team into its next decade. Rowing kicks off the fall racing season in October and is also planning additional anniversary events throughout the year. 

– Kyle Barnhart, ’14, is the interim head rowing coach and assistant director for Alumni Engagement

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