Nov. 30, 2005

Moraga, CA - SMC welcomed back members of the first women's team in the history of the campus to the Soda Center on Saturday, October 29th and celebrated 30 years of women's rowing as part of the celebration of Women's Athletics at Saint Mary's College.

A number of the alumnae reminisced and shared stories about their experiences on campus and on the water. Some of the alumni that spoke at the ceremony were Sarah Larson-Guthrie '82, Terry Shields, Beth Romero '76, and Katie Hayes, `79

When thinking back to the days when the women's rowing program began, Beth Romero remembers her initial conversation with former President Dr. Don McKillip. "I can't believe it's been this long since the day Kathy Steel and I walked into Dr. McKillip's office and told him we wanted to start a women's crew team. We started the team almost on a dare...no one told us we couldn't; we had no inkling if anyone would even sign up; title IX...what was that! Although I detected a slight sense of disbelief from Dr. McKillip, he gave us the go-ahead with the stipulation there be no financial support from the school. I am so proud to know that from such humble beginnings has grown such an organization!"

In addition to celebrating the past, the event also looked to the future of the Women's Crew program and the upcoming season as the 2005-06 varsity and novice teams and captains were introduced. Saint Mary's opens the spring season on March 11th at the Sacramento Invitational.

The first team captain, Laura Smith-Nownes remembers her experiences back in 1975. "It worked out beautifully because we had complete faith in ourselves. The destination was not as important to me as the journey. Sure I wanted to win, but the experience was worth every blister, every sleepless moment, every cold and dark evening on the water."

"All that stood between me and going to Boston to train for the national team (olympic team) was airfare and $250. Back then it was a lot of money and we weren't supported by the school financially." Sarah Larson Guthrie '82