University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Prepares For Boathouse Opening Celebration
August 12, 2013 | Rowing
Aug. 12, 2013
Alumni Association Boathouse Ceremony Signup Form
Boathouse Opening Ceremony Brochure 
Rowing Program Pledge Form
AMHERST, Mass. - Final preparations are being made as the University of Massachusetts Athletic Department is set to introduce its newest facility, the UMass Rowing Boathouse, on Sunday, Sept. 8. Fans and alumni are invited to participate in the event at the Sportsman Marina in Hadley, Mass., beginning at 1 p.m.
UMass rowing will also host an event for returning alumni and fans of the program at the Amherst Brewing Company in Amherst, Mass., on Saturday, Sept. 7, beginning at 7 p.m. All interested are invited to attend.
On Sunday, a small group of alumni will celebrate the facility with a ceremonial rowing starting at the current boathouse before moving under the Calvin Coolidge Bridge to the new structure at 1 p.m. The event will close with a for-purchase barbeque at 2 p.m., $16 for adults and $8 for children.
The facility features three bay doors to allow the team to store and maintain boats within the approximately 72'-by-80' structure. Also included in the boathouse are team areas and locker room as well as space to store training and competition equipment. It will be heated to allow for a comfortable, climate-controlled workspace for the program.
The UMass rowing team has been the most successful program in the history of the Atlantic 10 Conference, winning 13 of 16 league championships. The Minutewomen claimed victory in the first 12 Atlantic 10 Championships from 1996-2007. In his time as the program leader, Jim Dietz has been named the league's Coach of the Year on seven occasions. An Olympian, Dietz is the only head coach in UMass rowing team history since it became a Division I sport at UMass.