FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 18, 2007

 Alexandria, Virginia –The Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) joined the Alexandria Crew Boosters to co-host the 7^th annual Silent Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at the ODBC. The event raised over $12,000.  Jim Dooley, Chairman of the Rowing Committee for ODBC said, “We at ODBC are proud to continue our history of sponsoring high school rowing in Alexandria.  Hosting this event is one way that we contribute.  We enjoy a very strong relationship with the Crew Boosters who are charged with raising all the money for the Alexandria High School rowing programs.  As a George Washington High School Rowing Alumni, I personally take pleasure in giving back to a program that gave me the opportunity to participate in the sport of rowing and allowed me to represent our community in regattas.”

 The monies from the fundraiser will be used to purchase new equipment and cover some costs associated with team trips to the major regattas.  Keith Smith, President of the Crew Boosters said after the event, “We thank the ODBC Membership for their generosity towards making this a successful event.  We have enjoyed our partnership for this event and the fall rowing program for years.  Their partnership has helped us buy many seats in our shells.   The volunteerism of our community in Alexandria makes it possible to keep this great tradition of rowing on the Alexandria waterfront for our high school students.”

Contributions to support the Alexandria Crew Boosters can be sent to: Alexandria Crew Boosters Club, Inc., P.O. Box 3202, Alexandria, VA  22302.

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                                                        Old Dominion Boat Club

Beginning in 1881, the Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) was home to many of Virginia’s most noted rowing trophies and the sponsor of the most competitive regattas.  In the early 1900’s the ODBC allowed younger members to join as a means to foster the tradition of rowing.  This desire expanded in 1929 when the ODBC offered the use of the Club and its equipment to Alexandria High School.  This led to the formation of the first high school rowing program in the city. 

In 1947, ODBC Club Members Julian “Whitey” Whitestone and Jack Franklin began training young men from George Washington at the boat club, and scholastic rowing was underway. The ODBC became the first Boathouse for the rowers.  As more high school students caught the rowing bug, Whitestone and Franklin decided they needed some help, and in 1951 started Alexandria Crew Boosters.

Today, the ODBC proudly sponsors a fall rowing program made up of experienced rowers from T. C. Williams and other area high schools who try out to row for the ODBC in the fall competitive club rowing season.  Additionally, the ODBC annually awards a scholarship in honor of two ODBC members noted as being largely responsible for the growth of rowing in the city of Alexandria.  For more information about ODBC, visit their website at www.olddominionboatclub.com.

                                                                  Alexandria Crew Boosters

TC Williams Crew is made possible through the resources and hard work of a lot of people. School system support is vital to maintaining this great varsity program. But much of the work and funding happens because parents and students make it happen. Alexandria Crew Boosters (ACB) was organized in 1951 and is the principal mechanism for fundraising that makes possible the purchase of new boats and equipment and some costs associated with team trips to the major regattas. Boosters are past and present TC parents, crew alumni, Alexandria Community Rowing club members and Alexandria teachers. Parents are especially crucial to the success of ACB, which is why all rowers' parents and family members are strongly urged to get involved. For more information, visit their website at    http://www.tcwcrew.org/acb.htm.