Indiana University Athletics
Shell Named After Former IU Standout England
9/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 11, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana rowing named its newest shell after former IU standout and assistant coach Becky England on April 30, 2005 at Riddle Point Park before the Big Ten Championship. England and her father, Dale, have been strong supporters of the program ever since she completed her time with the Cream and Crimson in 2002-03.
"I was shocked," Becky England said. "I didn't even know about it. Steve told me to be there at 6:30 a.m. I was overwhelmed. I didn't know what to say or what to do. It is a huge honor to be recognized for what I have done, even though I felt I was just doing ordinary things that any ordinary person would do. Somebody must have thought it was extraordinary."
The Becky England '03 is a brand new Vespoli V1 eight-oared shell. The IU varsity eight crew piloted the boat to sixth place later that day, while knocking off the then-20th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.
-"As an athlete, Becky was a leader in and out of the boat," Indiana head coach Steve Peterson said. "She motivated the other members of the team and helped them to be the best athletes they could be, not only with words, but by example as well. She was a rower, and coxswain, and was ready, willing and able to do whatever was necessary to make the program faster.
"As an assistant coach for me last year, she continued that same mentality," Peterson continued. "She was a huge help to the program by coaching the varsity fours to successful seasons, even though it was her first year as a collegiate coach."
The All-Big Ten first-teamer served as a cornerstone of the program's initial years as a varsity sport. As a freshman, England won the silver medal in the second novice shell at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association regatta, and coxed her squad to fourth place at Big Tens and sixth at the Central Regional Championships. Her sophomore season, England stepped up to the varsity and led her four to second place at the Head of the Elk. Additionally, she garnered honorary recognition by Alpha Beta and was an Academic All-Big Ten selection.
As a junior, England claimed the prestigious Balfour/Hoosier Award given to an IU student-athlete who has brought honor and distinction to the University. Meanwhile, England paced her varsity eight squad to third place at the Indiana Invite and 10th place at that nationally-renowned Head of the Charles. She also earned her second consecutive Academic All-Big Ten accolade. In her final season as a Hoosier, she directed the varsity eight contingent to third place in the Big Ten Championship petite final. Furthermore, England helped her V8 team to third place at the Head of the Elk. England graduated from IU with a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation in 2003.
England is currently pursuing her graduate degree at Ohio State University in occupational therapy. She is also preparing for her first marathon. On the home front, England will be marrying graduating senior swimmer Murph Halasz in Columbus, Ohio on July 10.
"It was overwhelming," Dale England said. "It is the consummate honor that someone can get in this sport. It is mind boggling to think they did that for Becky. To be among the names of Herman B. Wells and Chuck Crabb (IU's two previous varsity boat honorees) is something."
