Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Roof comes down on UMass Rowing Team boats

Courtesy UMass Athletics

This year’s excessive wintry conditions have caused several problems across the country, and the Massachusetts women’s rowing team can now add their boats to the list of damage inflicted by the record snowfall.

Sometime between this past Saturday night and Sunday morning, approximately four feet of amassed snow and ice brought the roof down of the UMass boathouse, destroying 13 boats that belonged to the team.

Head coach James Dietz said that the damage done to the boats is estimated to cost a total of about $175,000, with each boat costing between $10,000 and $30,000, according to a MassLive.com report.

In total, the Minutewomen lost three eight-person boats, two doubles, five singles, and two coaching launches.        

The remaining boats that survived the incident will be stored on trailers underneath McGuirk Stadium, the University’s football stadium, until another more suitable location is available.

According to MassLive.com’s report, a permanent boathouse has been planned to be built for years, but nothing has been put into action.

“Things just sit on people’s desks and stop,” Dietz said in a MassLive.com interview. “If I see a boathouse before I retire, I’ll be surprised.” 

The roof collapse could not have occurred at a worse time for the Minutewomen, who begin their spring season on March 19th and are aiming for their 14th Atlantic 10 championship in the last 16 years.

Dietz, however, says that the spring season will not be affected, but that the 2011 fall campaign may be affected due to the lack of equipment that would be available to new crew members.

The team will look to alumni to raise money for new boats, who have funded many past purchases for the team, according to the MassLive.com report.

Stephen Hewitt can be reached at [email protected].

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    SamFeb 14, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    I would think that the structure would be insured, as well as the contents???? No??

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