Alumni News

NA Rowing brings you the news we know about all those great rowers who have competed for the team and are now on to college, careers, far away places, and exciting events.  We'd love to hear from all you former Tiger Rowers, so drop us a note and let us know where you are and what you're doing now.  Just send an e-mail to craigk@rmu.edu.

Here's what some of our alumni are up to:

Class of 2007:

Briana Pittman – Entering the University of Wisconsin to major in Biology.  Rowing in college? – Yes.  E-mail - BSPittman07@comcast.net.   Message to the team - "I owe the best 4 years of my life to the team. Thanks for making my high school life the best ever. My message would be to keep working hard because the harder you work the farther you will go. Make the most out of every stroke. Just remember...we all love each other :-)."

Class of 2006:

Brittney Kelly – At the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Preprofessional Studies (Science) with a minor in Science, Technology, and Values. Rowing in college? – Yes.   Got to Stoke the 2nd eight at Big East, raced in the varsity eight against Clemson, Michigan, and Michigan St, and my team won big east and was invited to NCAA's.  Activities - Member of Fellowship for Christian Athletes and my team mentored a special needs child that was going through chemo therapy.  E-mail - britterbug88@yahoo.com.  Message to the team – “Row hard and dream big, because you never know just what you may be able accomplish with a little hard work.  Also, treat your teammates as friends and equals instead of enemies or rivals.  It may be hard to see at times, but you are all on the same team working towards the same goals in the end.  Lastly, Frank Lloyd Wright summed up rowing well when he said, "The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen." “ 

Liz Rebhun – At the University of Pittsburgh.  Job you're doing - "During summer I am working at Festival and Kuhn's as a Deli clerk."   College major - "Pharmacy...if that is a major."  College minor - "I'm not really aware of what my minor is, but ultimately through my education at the University of Pittsburgh I want to become a veterinarian specializing in exotics. Pharmacy is merely a stepping stone."  Rowing in college? "Umm, on and off? I rowed in the fall, and though I would have liked to have rowed in the spring my class schedule did not allow that."  Job/career highlights to-date - "I finally managed to get my Gold Award for Girl Scouts, which is the highest ranking award that the organization gives out."   Other activities - "Heh. What can I say? I have no life. Does looking for a dog count?"  E-mail address - Tatsuha_xi@hotmail.com.  "I can't begin to try and tell you where that came from."  Message to the team - "It has been a bumpy road this past year, I realize that. I hope that this does not deter you from trying your hardest and persevering. You all have the abilities to succeed, but this is directly connected to how much you want to commit to you and your teammates. Working together, communicating clearly, and cooperating will get this team on the right track. We can build from there. Cliche, no?...But it is unbelievably true. If there is anything that I can do to help, well, you know where to find me."

Class of 2005:

Ali Bogart - At Mercyhurst College majoring in Biochemistry.  Rowing in college?  "Of course!".  Job/career highlights - Olive Garden (do not recommend), full time nanny.  Activities - Panera's, running, reading, music.   E-mail - crewchica487na@hotmail.com.   Message to the team - "Win Midwests and beat Fox Chapel."

Sharon Dauson - At Dartmouth College, major Undecided.  Rowing in college? - Yes.  Job/career highlights - selling 200 80-lb bags of concrete (that's 2 tons!) to one man at Trader Horn.  Activities - Bagpiping, violin occassionally, dancing.   E-mail - dauson@netscape.com. Messages to the team - "We all love each other!" and "Apply sunscreen!"

Greg Domville - At Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in Mathematics and Computational Finance.  Rowing in college? - "I think not."  E-mail - gdomvill@andrew.cmu.edu.  Messages to the team - "You'll get over losing a race, but you'll never get back four wasted years" and "No purpling."

Katie Hodnik - At Duquesne University majoring in Pharmacy (six year program).   Rowing in college? - Yes.  Job/career highlights - worked for the Allegheny County Parks Department in the summer.  E-mail - kt086@aol.com.   Message to the team - "Row hard and stay in touch!!  I will miss all of you!! :)"

Megan Hudson - Studying Neuroscience at the University of Miami (FL) with minors in Chemistry and German.  Rowing in college? - Rowed first year and a half.  Stroked winning Novice 4+ at SIRAs, named ACC Crew of the Week. Gold medal in Novice 8+ at Florida Intercollegiate Championships.  First in petite final in Open 4+ at South/Central Sprints.   Job/career highlights - Internship in diabetes research at Children's Hospital; lifeguard; swim instructor, NA summer rowing camp assistant.  Activities - Swimming, traveling.  E-mail - megglebutter@gmail.com.  Message to the team - "We all love each other!"   Photo.

Andrew Kaiser – At Yale University majoring in Russian Studies/ International Relations.  Rowing in college? – Yes, lightweight.  Job/career highlights - Yes please/ Won two silvers at Nationals.  Activities - Eagle Scout, National Honor Society, Junior Classical League, trumpet, and track.  E-mail - fmca@zbzoom.net.  Message to the team - "Anybody can do it when they're fresh - but who can do it when they're tired?" -Mr. Leicht, retired Marine, Advanced Phys. Ed. Teacher.

Class of 2004:

Michael Ban - Studying History at Georgetown University.  Rowing in college? - Yes, rowed on the frosh squad; will row varsity this year.  Voted "team MVP" by fellow oarsmen.  Job/career highlights - helped coach NA men's summer camp and lifeguarding.  E-mail - mmb58@georgetown.edu.   Photo - http://www.sport-graphics.com/stf.asp?EVENTID=7901&ID=14553477

Tim Francis - Studying History with a minor in Arabic at the US Naval Academy.   Rowing in college? - Yes, lightweight.  Job/career highlights - Getting second at USRowing Invites at the last race in high school; second at Stotes during junior year; won Eastern Sprints this year at the end of an undefeated season.  Other activities - Surviving.  E-mail - m082250@usna.edu.   Message to the team - "Keep working hard:"

Dave Reynolds - Studying at Rutgers State University of NJ.  Rowing in college? - Yes.  Job/career highlights - Pizza chef; pool boy to the rich and famous.   Activities - Sleeping, eating.

Class of 2003:

Michelle Beozzo - Studying Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island.  Rowing in college? - Yes, rowed 3 semesters on the URI varsity women's team, with some coxing.   Job/career highlights - Summer 05 Giant Eagle Pharmacy internship; Marcus & Shapira LLP receptionist and messenger; Fall 05 CVS Pharmacy of Rhode Island internship.   Activities - URI Snowboarding Club - snowboarding in all of New England and yearly trip to Quebec; URI Surf Club, waterskiing, rock climbing, Lambda Kappa Sigma (pharmacy sorority).  E-mail - mbeozzo@mail.uri.edu.

Jen Landis - Graduated in May 2007 with a degree in marketing with a sports emphasis at Clemson University.  Rowed in college? - Yes, rowed two years, went on medical hardship in March 2005 but still have Athlete status.   Job/career highlights - Athletic Honor Roll, 2003-2005; Dean's List 2005.   Head of the Charles Varsity 4+, 2003; school record beating VA novice 8+.   Activities - Delta Zeta Sorority; Sigma Alpha Lambda Leadership and Honors Organization; National Scholars Honor Society.  Member of waterski and waterboarding team; did study abroad summer semester visiting Italy, France and Switzerland;  NA summer sculling camp assistant coach.   E-mail - jclandi@clemson.edu.   Message to the team - "Hey everyone :) I miss you all so much.  Keep rowing hard!  I'll always be your #1 fan.  Thanks for all the memories...I miss you guys!"

Ellen Maskrey - Graduated in May 2007 with degree in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts.  Rowed in college? - Yes.  Stroke of Novice 8+ freshman year, stroke of Varsity 8+ sophomore year that won ECAC, competed in 2x at Head of the Charles 2005.  Job/career highlights - Helped with summer sculling camp at NA, coached little kids' summer swim league, did a little lifeguarding.  E-mail - emaskrey@student.umass.edu.  Message to the team - "Come row for UMass if you want to continue sculling!!!"

Wes Vaina - Double major in History and Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh.   Rowing in college? - No.  Job/career highlights - Clerk in the law firm of Ogg, Cordes, Murphy & Ignelzi.  E-mail - wav6@pitt.edu.

Ben Wilson - Studying Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University.  Rowing in college? - No.  Job/career highlights - Research assistant in pulmonary lab at Children's Hospital.  Activities - Making videos.  E-mail - moneyball.wilson@gmail.com.

Matt Wilson - Studying Hearing and Speech Sciences at Ohio University.  Rowing in college? - No.  Job/career highlights - Kohls so he has time to devote to training for triathalon.  Activities - completed first triathalon, biking, swimming, rowing.   E-mail - bull76mjw@hotmail.com.

Class of 2001:

Stephanie Busi - October 2006 update - "Graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 2005 where I was able to continued rowing under Donald Webber-Plank. I was women’s team captain in 2004 and rowed in the Varsity four and pair.  After graduating from CMU I moved to Washington DC where I work for the US Department of Labor and have one of the sweetest jobs ever.  I also started rowing again for Capital Rowing Club and our trailer was even parked right next to good old NA this past month at HOTO.  Email: sbusi24@hotmail.com  feel free to email about crew or a job or school or anything!"

Class of 2000:

Rebecca Roblaski - A note from Rebecca, July 2006   Update from Rebecca, August 2007

Justin Steigerwalt - Studying at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Rowing in college? - Yes, did 2 years of sweep with GT Crew and 3 years sculling with Malta Boat Club.  Job/career highlights - Rowing in Philadelphia.  Activities - Cycling.   E-mail - jwsteigerwalt@gmail.com.   Message to the team - "Y'all did and continue to do awesome!"

Class of 1999:

Mark Hayden - Graduated from Rutgers University, where he rowed for four years.   Job/career highlights - Now a Special Investigator with the US Investiagation Services in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey, living in South Belmar, New Jersey.   E-mail - hayden29@hotmail.com.  Message to the team - "Keep working hard and remember that your rewards are equal to your efforts."

Dave Horner - May 2006 update - "I've been working and living in Vienna, Austria in Biotech Research and Development.  Didn't spend any time rowing in college, but ended up finding my love for the sport again out here.   Looking forward to maybe one day coaching a youth group, we'll see.  My real e-mail address is davehor@gmail.com.  A quote for the young people, "Great accomplishments as a team are only possible with great accompishments of the individual".  Hope you guys have a great spring and make sure that some precious metal finds its way into the trophy case."

Class of 1998:

A note from Nick Buls, Class of 1998