Aug. 18, 2003

In an effort to enhance awareness for its sport and also offer a fellow Patriot sports program a prime opportunity for team conditioning and bonding, the George Mason women's rowing team recently hosted the university's men's soccer team for 'Learning to Row Day' at Occoquan Reservoir.

"The whole idea was to promote knowledge of our sport on campus, and it turned into a good time for everyone involved," said women's rowing head coach Paul Rassam. "The 'Learn to Row' concept is an idea that has been around for a while, but one of our rowers, Laurel Sachleben, had to organize an event for a class project, so the idea finally came to fruition.

"I had spoken to Fran [O'Leary, men's soccer head coach] to suggest it, and he loved the idea from the beginning," Rassam said. "He thought it would be a great bonding experience for his team."

The day started with the soccer players learning the fundamentals while using the erg machines and once they had the general feel, they broke into teams of two and simulated a sprint relay the equivalent of a 2K race with each two-man team rowing a 500-meter sprint.

"Let's just say they had a new appreciation for our sport after that experience," Rassam said with a smile.

Following a brief break, the soccer players learned about the equipment they would be using that afternoon, learned to carry a boat and then went down to the river to test their new-found skills. Joined by a few members of the rowing team, the soccer players split into two eight-man boats and hit the water.

"They used the fundamentals they had learned on the erg machines and, once they had that under control, we actually started racing the boats a little bit," said Rassam. "They are good athletes, so they picked it up fairly quickly.

"I truly believe they had a great time out on the water, and also took away a few lessons about the sport of rowing," continued Rassam, who noted that several of the soccer players came back out the next weekend to watch the rowing team compete in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Championships, which were held at the Occoquan Reservoir. "They were all really great guys and our team truly enjoyed teaching and working with them."

With the program's initial 'Learn to Row Day' such a success, Rassam has broader ideas for future events.

"We're looking at expanding upon this concept and possibly turning it into a fundraiser," he said.

Rassam's team opens its fall season Sept. 28 at the Bucknell Fall Invitational. Mason's two home events will be the Occoquan Chase on Oct. 12 and the Head of the Occoquan on Nov. 1.