Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Rowing Through the Decades, Presented by Geisinger
4/13/2021 11:49:00 AM | Women's Rowing
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- On July 10, 1990, it was announced that the Bucknell University Board of Trustees had granted approval for women's rowing, along with women's soccer and men's rowing, to become varsity athletics program. The late John Skotedis, who had coached the club crew teams for the previous five years, was selected as the head coach of the first varsity squad, and in the spring of 1991 his team hosted the first unofficial Patriot League Championships on the Susquehanna River.
In 1992-93, Bucknell alum Jimmy King '90 took over as head coach, and his former teammate Stephen Kish '92 came on board as an assistant coach. Kish would succeed King as head coach in 1995, and the program has continued its ascent throughout Kish's 25 years at the helm. Major program developments in that time include the construction of a boathouse, a much-improved equipment inventory of Resolute eights as well as quadruple sculls and singles, and a full-time, four-person coaching staff. In 2011, a brand new indoor training facility was constructed in the Kenneth Langone Athletics and Recreation Center, housing 56 Concept 2 Dynamic Ergometers, two sweep-simulators, and an internal sound and video system.
On the water, Bucknell won seven straight Patriot League championships from 2006-12. The Bison crowned their first CRCA All-American in Katherine Brewster-Duffy in 2007, and that same year the team made headlines by winning the CRCA Lightweight National Championship. Since the Patriot League began officially sponsoring women's rowing in 2005, the Bison have crowned numerous All-League and Academic All-League honorees.
Over the course of this week, we will be sharing conversations between Kish and alumnae from teams of the past. Special thanks to Geisinger for sponsoring these "Through the Decades" panels.
1990s
Let's start our look back at the history of the Bison rowing program in the 1990s, when the women's team first gained varsity status. Coach Kish and current student-athlete Christina DeMola are joined by Ann Calcagni '00, Sarah Diegnan '00 and Kelly Wanger '00.
2000s
As we roll into the 2000s and the start of Bucknell's run of Patriot League dominance, let's catch up with four top rowers from that era: Rachel Trusheim '05, Christine Drasba '06, Kelly Henkler '09 and Mary Wilson '10. Drasba won the Robert A. Latour Service Award at her Senior Awards Banquet. Henkler was a three-time All-Patriot League selection and a two-time CRCA All-Mid-Atlantic Second Team honoree. Wilson was a First Team All-Patriot League choice as a senior. She was also a three-time CRCA National Scholar-Athlete and the recipient of the Ronald J. "Pete" Pedrick Award as the most improved athlete in her senior class.
2010s
Today we move into the 2010s, a decade that started out with three more Patriot League championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Joining for this chat are Ibby Aigler '13, Amanda McCabe '16 and Annina Ruggirello '18. Aigler was a three-time CRCA National Scholar-Athlete and an IRA All-Academic Team selection as a senior. McCabe earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2014 and was a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete.
In 1992-93, Bucknell alum Jimmy King '90 took over as head coach, and his former teammate Stephen Kish '92 came on board as an assistant coach. Kish would succeed King as head coach in 1995, and the program has continued its ascent throughout Kish's 25 years at the helm. Major program developments in that time include the construction of a boathouse, a much-improved equipment inventory of Resolute eights as well as quadruple sculls and singles, and a full-time, four-person coaching staff. In 2011, a brand new indoor training facility was constructed in the Kenneth Langone Athletics and Recreation Center, housing 56 Concept 2 Dynamic Ergometers, two sweep-simulators, and an internal sound and video system.
On the water, Bucknell won seven straight Patriot League championships from 2006-12. The Bison crowned their first CRCA All-American in Katherine Brewster-Duffy in 2007, and that same year the team made headlines by winning the CRCA Lightweight National Championship. Since the Patriot League began officially sponsoring women's rowing in 2005, the Bison have crowned numerous All-League and Academic All-League honorees.
Over the course of this week, we will be sharing conversations between Kish and alumnae from teams of the past. Special thanks to Geisinger for sponsoring these "Through the Decades" panels.
1990s
Let's start our look back at the history of the Bison rowing program in the 1990s, when the women's team first gained varsity status. Coach Kish and current student-athlete Christina DeMola are joined by Ann Calcagni '00, Sarah Diegnan '00 and Kelly Wanger '00.
2000s
As we roll into the 2000s and the start of Bucknell's run of Patriot League dominance, let's catch up with four top rowers from that era: Rachel Trusheim '05, Christine Drasba '06, Kelly Henkler '09 and Mary Wilson '10. Drasba won the Robert A. Latour Service Award at her Senior Awards Banquet. Henkler was a three-time All-Patriot League selection and a two-time CRCA All-Mid-Atlantic Second Team honoree. Wilson was a First Team All-Patriot League choice as a senior. She was also a three-time CRCA National Scholar-Athlete and the recipient of the Ronald J. "Pete" Pedrick Award as the most improved athlete in her senior class.
2010s
Today we move into the 2010s, a decade that started out with three more Patriot League championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Joining for this chat are Ibby Aigler '13, Amanda McCabe '16 and Annina Ruggirello '18. Aigler was a three-time CRCA National Scholar-Athlete and an IRA All-Academic Team selection as a senior. McCabe earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2014 and was a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
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