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Bucknell Men's Crew is currently enjoying tremendous growth as our team aspires to become on of the elite programs in the country. In 2007, the team took one giant step towards that goal by winning the Freshmen Heavyweight 8 championships at the Dad Vail Regatta as the BCA took an equally successful step towards its goal of funding the team's success. Funds raised for the team come from parents, rowers, and friends, in addition to alumni. For the alumni portion, over $80,000 has been raised through 2 waves of phone calls in '06-'07 between BCA members and other alumni, some of whom have supported the team financially in the past and many who have not. This fundraising campaign has contributed to the overall funds raised for the team which is enough for the salary of Coach Bugenhagen, the operating cost for the '07-'08 season, and for the hiring and salary of an assistant coach to assist Paul with the freshmen.
We have been able to develop through the generosity of our alumni, parents, and our currents rowers and their families. We are currently in a pivotal time in terms of financial resources for the program as we are looking to make the next step in our development. In '07-'08 the BCA's fundraising efforts successfully raised enough money for the team to hire an assistant coach while parent's gifts secured a new boat to provide seats for all of the rowers.
 Also, in '07-'08 an exciting class challenge was devised by Ed Williams and Brian Fetterolf of the class of 1993. Their challenge to the rest of their class of matching each other's gifts from 2007 to 2009 has already secured pledges for Coach Bugenhagen's salary and the team's operating costs. In their honor, the team's new 4+ has been named the "Class of 1993" in a christening ceremony at the 25th Reunion in Lewisburg.
In '08-'09 the BCA will be fundraising for '09-'10 and two specific needs Coach Bugenhagen has identified for Bucknell Men's Crew:
- to purchase a trailer so we can travel with our entire squad and all of our equipment independently of the women's team -- Update: funds secured through gifts passionately pledged at 25th Reunion!
- to purchase another coach's launch so the Assistant Coach can practice with the freshman boats independently of the Head Coach's schedule with the varsity boats
To continue our march to the top we need consistent financial support and assistance for the program from all of our alumni. Currently we have about 33% of our alumni generously supporting the program. Coach Bugenhagen and the BCA would like to set the goal of having 60% of our alumni support the team and its goals.
If all supporters of the program we able to donate at least $25/month, we would be in a position to help current and future generations of Bucknell rowers realize their dreams. We can make Bucknell Crew amazing, but we can only do this together, as one big team.
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