Purdue Crew Late Summer 2024 Newsletter


	View in browser

We rely upon our alumni/friends/families' generosity to continue this exceptional experience, please consider showing your support by enrolling in a monthly recurring donation today!

Purdue Crew Late Newsletter

Summer 2024

75th Anniversary Signups

ATTENTION!

Tickets for the 75th anniversary are now available for purchase!

Secure your spot and food at our upcoming 75th anniversary blow out today!

Purdue Rowing Association Update

Hello to Alumni and Friends of the PRA!

The Purdue Rowing Association (PRA) is pleased to provide an update for the 75^th Anniversary and activities from the group for the past few months. To start, please join me in wishing Nathan Walker the best as he moves to his new position. We appreciate all that he has accomplished the past 3 years while at Purdue and wish he and his family the best. Watch out, Nate-you’ll always be a Purdue Alum-so we’ll be reaching out from time to time!

Congratulations are also in order as Nate was announced as the ACRA Varsity Men Coach of the Year, and the following Purdue athletes were named as a part of the 1st/2nd/3rd/Freshmen ACRA All American Teams List: Matt Skubas, Kara Benbow, James Murrer, Nicolette Hallahan, Brie Ruggiero, Jack Miller, Reagan Bethard, and Pawani Surthi! Congratulations and Boiler Up!

75^th Anniversary

The 75^th Anniversary planning continues to progress as we begin the final countdown to the weekend of gathering friends and telling stories-perhaps a bit embellished! We look forward to seeing you and want to extend a special welcome to the John Carter Lucas, the Purdue Crew President, as well as other Purdue Crew Officers and Seniors. I’d also like to thank so many who are helping and especially the PRA Executive Committee-Christian Becker, Vice President; Ian Burns, Secretary; Melanie Parks, Historian; John North, Honors; Alex Walter, Development Liaison; Natalie Jennings, Alumni Row coordinator; Larry Long, 1960’s; Pat Kash, 1970’s and of course Nathan Walker, Head Coach through 2024.

While we have had a “Save the Date” link up for some time, we will be ending our formal registration in the coming weeks. Check this link for the latest updates: (LINK)

This new agenda will include costs for the Alumni and guests in order to preserve funds in the endowment for the Crew. We’ll start with golf hosted by Pete Grimmer in Franklin, IN on Friday morning, followed by a Friday evening buffet ($50) at the “Ripple” restaurant owned by Scott Trzaskus, former PRA President, where we can all start the storytelling! Saturday morning an “easy” Alumni row at the Fort is scheduled, and at noon, we’ll continue on to the “new” Boathouse for a boat dedication in honor of Jerry Thomas. Saturday evening the main event ($125/person) including cocktails and dinner, followed by a program of updates from the PRA and recognition of our newly inducted Hall of Fame members. This will be held at the Shively room in the Football stadium facility. Sunday morning we’ll have coffee at the boathouse and alumni and current rowers can discuss their experiences.

Note: For Friday and Saturday evening there is a room block at the Hilton Garden Inn for $145/night with a Cut-Off Date of September 18^th.

Contact: T: 765-743-2100 | 356 East State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Sadly, I must share that our co-founder, Bill Butler, passed away June 1^st in Miami, FL at 94 years old. He and his brother Kenneth founded the crew in 1949 and he has been an inspiration to me these past 5 years working with the PRA and so many others due to our experiences in crew. He called me up in 2019 to say he had a dream-which transpired into “Bill’s Dream Wall” in the boathouse-to show the struggles incurred just keeping the crew alive over the decades. Survival of the crew was never a given, and yet through our tenacious spirit, we have not only survived but are thriving. Bill and I have had many conversations these past several years and he has given so much, including starting the first endowment for the crew in the name of his brother Kenneth Butler-co-founder of the crew. I hope you’ll join me in honoring him and remembering him and Kenneth as we start our next 75-year journey. He will be missed.

RIP Bill. His memorial was in Miami June 29^th.

Ellen Shew Holland

ellensholland@strategicriskframeworks.com

In Memoriam - William 'Bill' Butler '51

We mourn the loss and celebrate the adventurous spirit of Purdue Crew co-founder William A. "Bill" Butler, affectionately known as "Skip," who passed away on June 1, 2024, at his home in Miami, surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Havana, Cuba, in September 1929, Bill's life was a testament to his boundless love for the sea—a passion that led him from his first voyage at age 14 to logging over 74,000 nautical miles across the globe. Bill was not only a sailor but a pioneer. Alongside his brother, he co-founded the Purdue Crew team in the fall of 1949, laying the foundation for a legacy of rowing excellence that continues to inspire us. His tales of survival—weathering a typhoon in the

Philippines, navigating whale attacks in the Pacific, and his miraculous 66 days adrift documented in his book "66 Days Adrift"—are legendary within our community and beyond. Bill's life was as turbulent and exciting as the seas he traversed. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, including three shipwrecks, his resilience and leadership never wavered. He was a beacon of perseverance

and ingenuity, qualities that he imparted to all who were fortunate enough to know him or read about his adventures. Beyond his maritime exploits, Bill was a beloved family man. Predeceased by his wife, Elsie, and son, Bill Jr., he leaves behind a loving family—children Sue, Jim, Sally, and Joe, along with 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom share stories of their adventures with "Skipper." As we remember Bill, we reflect on the placard from his beloved sailboat Siboney, which humorously declared, "It's a swell ship for the skipper but a hell ship for the crew." Yet, every crew member knew that under Bill's command, they were always in the safest of hands, no matter the tumult of the ocean. Bill's legacy will forever sail in the hearts of the Purdue Crew family, and his stories will continue to inspire generations of rowers. As we cast off our shorelines in his memory, we commit to embodying his indomitable spirit in every stroke we row.

Leadership Development / Crew Fundraising Opportunity!

Unlock Your Team's Potential:

A Day of Discovery on the Water

Purdue Crew has teamed up with partners from ADVISA and Transformative Teamwork to create a unique learn-to-row team-building retreat for you to take whatever teams you lead at work, home, or elsewhere, which also fundraises over 30% of the event proceeds for the team!

Experience a transformative team-building journey that combines cutting-edge personality insights with the exhilarating challenge and team building of rowing. Our full-day retreat offers:

Fun Team Building Learn-to-Row Adventure including:

Learn the individual rowing basics on ergometers (rowing machines)
Learn how to effectively move and row together on dynamic linked ergometers
Work together to effectively communicate, lift, and move a 55ft long rowing shell as a group
Experience the thrill of on-water rowing in a stable barge or rowing shell with pontoons
Put all of your knowledge together for a short, low stakes 'race' to end your day

Also includes data driven team-building insights:

Predictive Index Insights Dive deep into your team's dynamics with a comprehensive PI Flyover session. Gain valuable insights into individual strengths and learn how to leverage them for peak team performance.
Integrating Tuckman's Stages of Group Development (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning) the five phases that teams typically go through as they evolve from a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-performing team.
Leadership in Action Apply your newfound PI insights, Group Development Awareness, and rowing skills in real-time leadership scenarios. Learn how clear communication and understanding individual strengths can propel your team forward!

Invest in your team's success with this unforgettable blend of analytics and athletics. Return to the office energized, aligned, and ready to row in the same direction.

Email Coach Mitchell to learn more

Upcoming Events

Purdue Crew's 75th Anniversary Celebration / Alumni Reunion

Purdue Crew

500 Brown Street, West Lafayette
Indiana 47906 United States

Subscribe to Purdue Crew's email list

Unsubscribe from Purdue Crew's email list