Women's Rowing | 11/16/2009 2:19:00 PM
ROCHESTER, NY - The home of the men's and women's Tiger Crews was renamed The Gosnell Boathouse during a community celebration held on Friday, November 13, 2009. In attendance were honored guests, Mrs. Georgia Gosnell, Arthur Gosnell, and Elizabeth Gosnell-Miller.
The dedication ceremony took place at The Gosnell Boathouse, located on the east bank of the Genesee River, off of East River Road in the Rivers Run, Active Adult Community neighborhood. Crew athletes and alumni, coaches, administrators, and board members, all paid tribute to the Gosnell family for their generous support and commitment to bring the sport of rowing to fruition on the RIT campus. Speakers included Head Coach James Bodenstedt, founder of the program in 1993, President William Destler, crew alumnus, Christopher Frey, and Georgia Gosnell.
The Gosnell family, led by Thomas H. Gosnell, husband and father who died in April of this year, has played a key role in the success of the crew program. From an endowment that supports team operations and activities, to funding for several of the shells and a state-of-the art structure to house them, the family has been as dedicated to the crew through the years as many of its student athletes.
RIT President William Destler recognized the family's generous support:
“Ten years ago we all gathered to dedicate this facility. I can think of no greater testament to the Gosnell family's commitment to this sport and to the RIT Crew than formally re-dedicating this boathouse in their family's name," said Destler. "Georgia, Arthur, and Elizabeth, we are so grateful to your family for the friendship you have shown to the crew program. Led by Tom Gosnell, your family's support has been pivotal in growing RIT's team from a fledgling club sport to a regional powerhouse… we hope that naming this boathouse in honor of your family is a “good luck charm” to continue the winning seasons that the Gosnells have made possible.”
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the Gosnell Family plaque and closing remarks by crew alumnus, Christopher Frey, who spoke on behalf of the alumni and all their appreciation for the Gosnell family and how rowing enriched their lives at RIT.
The RIT boathouse opened in the fall of 1999. Frank Grosso and his firm, Handler, Grosso and Durfee & Associates were the original architects for the boathouse, winning a 2001 Design for Excellence Award by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) of Rochester.
The Gosnell Boathouse sign was designed by Jim Bridges of HBT Architects.
