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Dear
Alumni, Parents, Rowers, and Friends,
I am writing to you to
introduce the NAVY Crew Endowment Fund (NCEF), a Naval Academy
Foundation-based fund established for the specific purpose of
providing all NAVY CREW programs an annual "margin of excellence".
The NCEF was formed in 1998 by NAVY rowing alumni in partnership
with the Naval Academy, the Naval Academy Foundation, the Naval
Academy Athletic Association, and the Naval Academy Alumni
Association.
The NAVY CREW program is now well supported by appropriated
government funds, NAAA funding, and annual special program support
from the Foundation. The quality of the rowing facility, equipment,
coaching, and support is better than most programs across the
country. But the very large rowing program at NAVY and the explosion
of rowing competition across all of the programs strongly suggests
that we have to develop the ability to provide the "margin of
excellence" to our crews to keep them within striking distance of
first place. The NCEF is now in place with initial gifts and pledges
approaching $600,000, with the commitment of Mr. and Mrs. Tom
Hamilton to honor their son Mark with an endowed lightweight
eight-oared shell.
The NCEF is already making a difference. Our coaches have the
ability to interest more candidates in NAVY; our athletes are in
better equipment, and they have a broader opportunity to train and
to compete. Our midshipmen, oarswomen and oarsmen justify our
intense pride. They are special people. We ask that you consider the
NCEF among the many worthy activities you support because of the
Fund's direct relationship to your midshipman and his or her sport.
Please send all donations to: US Naval Academy Foundation
PO Box 64978
Baltimore, MD 21264-4978
Craig Thrasher '63
Chairman NCEF Alumni Committee
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