West Side Rowing Club - Year End Giving 2024

Exciting News: Match Challenge!

This year, we’re thrilled to announce a Match Challenge! If WSRC can raise $25,000, every dollar will be matched—thanks to the generous support of West Side alum Bob Brown.

Funds raised through Giving Days benefit hundreds of athletes a year that row out of the West Side Rowing Club. As WSRC expands to a new site on the Tonawanda Creek, your support today can have an immediate impact on improving infrastructure and supporting new programming at this new location! With the year round usage of this new site, WSRC plans to implement new programming and learn to row opportunities for the local community, as well as make the site usable and available for our current programs to use! None of these endeavors would be possible without support from our Alumni, Coaches, Athletes, and WS families!

Join us in making this challenge a success! Every contribution counts, and your support will double the impact!

A little about our Match Challenger:

Bob began his rowing journey in 1967 at Canisius High School before continuing on to the U.S. Naval Academy. He credits his time at WSRC and the guidance of his coach, Dan Hogan, as pivotal to his acceptance into the Academy.

Rowing runs in Bob’s family. His father, Albert Brown, and Albert's granddaughter, Pearl Brown, are both long-time members of WSRC. Al, a Broderick Plate winner, proudly earned four Henley golds during his rowing career!

Al Brown in 2 seat of the Senior 4- that won Canadian Henley in 1945.

Bob later learned that Coach Hogan had personally reached out to a congressman on his behalf, advocating for his nomination to the Academy. Reflecting on his experience, Bob says, "My time rowing for not only my school, but also my Club led to an academic opportunity. No way I get that opportunity and experience in those boats without West Side."

West Side Rowing Club