Sonoma State University

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit the Sonoma State Rowing team and any donation will help make an impact. Sonoma State Rowing is a student-run organization that recently has faced funding cuts from our university. The club was founded by students who were looking for an inclusive space that included a sport they loved. Over the years, the club has grown drastically, gathering cup titles and national rankings along the way. With the team dramatically growing in combination with budget cuts, we are seeking additional help to keep our club alive. Rowing is an expensive sport that requires constant maintenance of boat parts, rowing machines, and boathouse space. We are looking to our friends and family for any help they would be generous to give us. 

The Sonoma State Rowing Team was founded in 2003 and has quickly become the most popular sports club on campus. Almost doubling in size since the last season, we now have 50 athletes training daily. The team is a student run organization which includes both men’s and women’s programs, and is supported almost entirely by athlete dues and fundraising efforts. Each athlete already contributes over $1,000 per year in dues and fundraising, which goes toward the day-to-day costs of running the team. This includes equipment maintenance, coaching, facilities, race entry fees, uniforms, travel, insurance, and other expenses.

We hope to raise $3000 to help us replace our worn out shoes in our boats, and anything left over will be going to other spare parts to help maintain our aging equipment. Shoes cost about $750 for an 8 person boat. We are hoping to get new shoes for all three 8s and hopefully some of the 4 person boats. Some of the shoes that are currently in our boats haven’t been replaced in 10 years. Shoes are an investment that last the team for many years to come.

The Sonoma State University Rowing Team is a student-run and student-funded club. We rely on donations and assistance from generous individuals and organizations to supplement the dues paid by our athletes. These funds provide for occasional equipment purchases, upgrades, and regular maintenance that help push our team farther and faster. Having the opportunity to afford new equipment would be wonderful! The team would be extremely grateful of any donation provided, it allows us to continue the production of the Sonoma State Rowing Team.