History
The Early Years...
Crew at Seattle University began in 1965 under the student leadership of Co-Presidents Joseph Howard and Harry Fowler, VP Jim Swain, Secretary Paul Bader, and Treasurer Bob Pigott as the Seattle University Crew Association, a charter member of ASSU. Olympic medalists Jim Gardiner and Charles McIntyre coached the club for the first number of years, with coaches gradually coming from the program itself and elsewhere. In 1967 the Intercollegiate Athletic Department began awarding letters to the student-athletes of Crew, and it is unclear at what point the recognition ended. It was maintained at least through 1970, as this is the last year of official “Spring Sports Press Books” that could be unearthed for this report. During this time, ASSU and the Seattle University Crew Association largely financially supported the program, with some assistance coming from the Athletic Department. 1971 also saw the first annual Seattle University Invitational Regatta, though it is unclear whether the “annual” aspect was held.
The program continued to thrive into the 1970s, though with an apparent year of inactivity in 1975. 1976 saw the team return, but records are lacking for any year beyond 1976.
After a currently unknown period of inactivity, rowing at Seattle University was resurrected as a fully non-Athletic Department sport in 1991. The early to mid 1990s saw SU Crew as a powerful program in the Northwest, with a men’s lightweight boat that beat the UW.
Since then, membership has fluctuated, but the program has continued to exist under the guidance of Coach Chris Mueller, who was a member of the phoenix program of the early 1990s. Throughout his years as assistant and Head Coach, he has worked tirelessly to instill in the rowers a sense of ownership in the program and its future. He believes that the rowers are the ones who should run the program in all aspects of its functioning, and has always striven to empower the rowers to do just that. It is because of this belief in the rowers that the program has fluctuated, as he has never been forceful or autocratic, as would be a head coach of a differently structured collegiate rowing program. However, this same belief has set the stage for a more mature and professional leadership tradition.
It is because of Chris Mueller’s guidance, and that of equally empowering Women’s Coach Susan Tribe, that the program now has the momentum to carry itself. It is also because of this that Chris feels he can leave the coaching staff of Seattle University Crew, and leave it in good hands – the hands of the students leading the program.
This is a work in progress. If you were on the team, we want to know more, so please contact the Secretary, Anna Sigel.
