Board Nominees

In preparation for the Annual Board Meeting on 13 September 2023 at 730PM via zoom (link in member’s email the week of the meeting), the following nominees are on the ballot:

Dan Catranis: Class of ’16 (current boardmember)

Major at RPI: Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering

Occupation: NASCAR Aerodynamicist

Why do you want to be on the board? I’ve enjoyed my two terms on the board and would love to help the organization continue to grow both in connecting with fellow alumni and in supporting the RPI Crew Team.

Paul Lewandowski: Class of ’89 (current boardmember)

Major at RPI: Architecture ‘89

Occupation: Architect

Why do you want to be on the board? In general, to support Rensselaer Crew for alumni and students!

 

Boardmembers Wanted

RCAA is looking for members to serve on its board. We are a group of alumni who have rowed or participated in RPI crew in the past. Our members range from Class of ’88 to recent graduates. Boardmembers organize events like fundraisers for the RPI Crew Team such as the Anything-Athon, social events like the Zoom Socials and watch parties for races like Head of the Charles in Boston, MA and head of the Fish in Saratoga, NY, and sell merchandise in support of RCAA operations.

If interested, please send an email to the Communications Director with your interest and a brief bio.

Head of the Fish Alumni Boat – Interested?

The Head of the Fish race is October 28-29, 2023 on Saratoga Lake, NY. RPI crew is planning on entering at least one boat which means RCAA has the chance to enter an alumni boat. More info on the race

If you are interested in rowing in an alumni boat, please complete the interest form (which is now working correctly). Boat registration opens on Sept 1, and we will be in touch later that month. Watch this website or Facebook for updates.

For alumni who do not want to row, we plan on having an team support squad onshore to cheer for RPI Crew. Join us!

Newsletter July 2022 – Social

The Rensselaer Crew Alumni Association (RCAA) aims to support, encourage, and advance the growth of both the current team and its alumni through fundraisers and networking events. 

It’s summertime, and we hope that you all are enjoying the warm water, sunny days, and vacations. 

George Gershwin wrote “Summertime” in his musical Porgy and Bess. Here are some alternate lines that can bring back hopefully fond memories: 

Summertime and practice starts early, 
Coach is yelling, 
and my oar feels too long. 
I’m not awake yet, 
but I’m on the water. 
If I catch a crab, 
I think I’ll cry. 
One of these mornings
You're going to wake up rowing.
Then you'll get in swing, 
And you'll take the lead. 
But till that morning
you‘ll keep on rowing
With cox and coach standing by.

 Head of the Charles Regatta 2022 

On your marks. Get ready. HOCR! The Head of the Charles returns for the October tradition in Boston on the 21-23rd. 

Interested in attending? How about pulling an oar?! RCAA is soliciting interest in entering a boat in HOCR (in prior years, we have entered a 4). Please complete this form so we have your contact info and can judge interest. This does not commit you to a seat but is purely to judge interest. Once we have enough interest, we will send out a call for a $50 refundable deposit to confirm your seat.

While we “love that muddy water” of the Charles River, RCAA plans to participate in various ways including volunteering, cheering, food, and general fun times, especially after the race at the annual post HOCR mixer (location TBD). Join us for a fun weekend to catch up with old and new friends, see teams from around the world and of all types, and enjoy Boston.

Summer Zoom Happy Hour returns

RCAA is hosting a Zoom happy hour on  2 Aug 7PM EST (moved from 27 July. Sorry for any confusion). Please join us to catch up with your friends, chat with the Board, make plans for HOCR and other events. We look forward to seeing you!

Check your email or FB for the link. Want to attend but aren’t a member yet? Sign up

RPI Crew Merch – Stickers & Pint Glasses 

Outfit your bar, water bottle, or car with RPI Crew pint glasses and stickers available on the RCAA website! 

The pint glasses have the RPI Crew “R” etched into the glass. They’re $10 each plus shipping (via USPS, rates vary depending on quantity ordered and location).

The stickers are also the RPI Crew “R” in full color. They’re screen printed on white vinyl and are durable bumper sticker material. They’re the same look as the stickers that the team sold a few years ago but on better material. These are perfect for your car, water bottle, travel mug, or laptop! Stickers are $5.00 each including first class USPS shipping. 

Annual Meeting

RCAA held its annual meeting on April 5, 2022 online. Elections were held and, following vote counts and officer selections on May 10, the results are: 

RCAA Boardmembers: 

Paul Lewandowski ‘89 – President
Andrew Rainville ‘17 – Vice President
Dan Catranis ‘16 – Treasurer
Bob Strobel ‘88 – Secretary
Nao Nozawa ‘13 – Alumni Relations Director

We look forward to meeting you at the July 27th social and at HOCR!

Newsletter – January 2019

Upcoming dates

  • [RCAA] Nominations Due – March 1
  • [Team] Mohawk Meltdown (combined effort with Niskayuna HS, replacement for ADKs) – March 2
  • [RCAA] Voting – March 3-March 16
  • [RCAA] Annual Meeting – March 24
  • [Team] States – May 4

In this newsletter

  • Elections & Annual Meeting
  • New Team Leadership
  • Head of the Charles 2018 Recap
  • Team’s Fall 2018 Results
  • RCAA Financial Report
  • Looking to Become a 501(c)(3)
  • Coaching Positions Available
  • Stickers & Pint Glasses
  • Social Media

Dear Alumni,

Happy New Year! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday and have been getting your meters in on the erg! Read on for information on the upcoming RCAA elections and annual meeting, an introduction to the new RPI Crew Officer Team, a recap of the Fall 2018 season, and an update on RCAA financials.

— RCAA Board of Directors

Continue reading “Newsletter – January 2019”

“R” with oar stickers for sale!

Rensselaer Crew "R" with oar sticker
Rensselaer Crew “R” with Oar Sticker

We now have stickers for sale! They are nice durable stickers of the “R” with the oar through it (same graphic as the back of the novice shirts) screen printed on white vinyl and cut out to the shape of the graphic!

They’re perfect for putting on your laptop, coffee mug, bike, etc.! Check it out in action below!

Sticker on battery pack

Head on over to its product page to buy one (or many)!

HOCR 2018 Athlete Profile: Paul Lewandowski

Next up is Paul, who is back for his second year to represent RCAA at the Charles! Welcome back, Paul!

Name: Paul Lewandowski 
Graduation Year: 1989
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Lewiston, Maine
Current City: Portland, Maine
Career Field/Occupation:   Principal at Scott Simons Architects 
Still Rowing?: Yes!  Portland Community Rowing Association in Portland’s Casco Bay
Fun Fact/Additional Comment: This is my second HOCR regatta with RCAA!  Looking forward to representing Rensselaer again!

 

HOCR 2018 Athlete Profile: Jay Valenta

Our next alumni athlete introduction is Jay! This year is his first time in the RCAA alumni boat and we’re very excited to have him represent us!

Name: Jay Valenta
Graduation Year: 1994
Major: Architecture
Hometown: West Milford, NJ
Current City: Weston, MA
Career Field/Occupation: Real Estate Investment
Still Rowing?: Not consistently, unaffiliated.
Fun Fact/Additional Comment: Avid mountain biker, skier.