April 23, 2009

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana Rowing team won its second straight C.H.A.M.P.S. Challenge, earning a chance to have dinner with Indiana President McRobbie and his wife Laurie at the Wells House on campus on Wednesday, April 22.

President and Mrs. McRobbie both addressed the Hoosiers for their accomplishments throughout the school year that earned them the C.H.A.M.P.S. Challenge award, while Indiana Director of Athletics Fred Glass, Associate Athletic Directors Janet Kittell and Grace Calhoun, along with IU's Faculty Representative Bruce Jaffee were in attendance.

"We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Wells House and were quite honored that President McRobbie, Mrs. McRobbie and Mr. Glass made time to share it with us," said junior Katie Liston.

The C.H.A.M.P.S. Challenge is a competition between all Indiana University varsity athletics teams designed to encourage participation in the C.H.A.M.P.S./Life Skills programs, attendance at other teams' events, and community service while awarding academic success. It encourages student-athletes to become involved among their peers and within the campus community. All student-athletes are eligible to compete in the Challenge. Points are earned by attending events and programs, and excelling academically.

The Hoosiers earned first place overall with a score of 294 points throughout the year. They also earned first place in the Hoosier Pride category for their attendance in athletic events that were not specific to rowing. 49 percent of IU's rowing team were Alpha Beta honorees for the Fall of 2008 after attaining a 3.2 or above grade point average. The team also enhanced its personal and career development by attending all mandatory events about alcohol, violence and drugs, as well as optional events on career networking, leadership development and time management skills.

The team also attended a significant amount of events and pursued development opportunities on campus, such as attending musicals, films, lectures and joining campus organizations.

The Hoosiers also performed community service both as a team and as individuals at fundraisers, charity runs, elementary schools, blood drives and after-school programs.

Four of members of the rowing team are also on IU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, including Emily Kasavana (president), Molly Sinks (vice president of special events), as well as Liston and Rebecca Shoemaker (representatives).

Previous winners of the award include women's cross country (2005 and 2006) and men's basketball (2007).