Indiana University Athletics
IU Department of Athletics Dedicates Dale England Boathouse
3/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
March 30, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - After watching Indiana take on Wisconsin on Lake Lemon, Hoosier rowing fans got to witness a major step in the growth of the program as the Indiana Department of Athletics and the Varsity Club dedicated the Dale England Rowing Center on Saturday, March 24.
The dedication was highlighted by remarks from Associate Athletic Director and Varsity Club Director Scott Dolson, Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan, Associate Athletic Director and rowing sport administrator Janet Kittell and rowing head coach Steve Peterson as well as England himself.
"Dale's leadership and his generosity have made this day possible," Greenspan said. "Without his willingness to support our program, I doubt that this facility and these young women would be capable of competing in the way in which they do. Equally important, he sets the tone and the message and the direction for other friends and family members, alums and student-athletes to give back to something they care about and they love. He will serve to inspire others behind him."
Peterson, whose program will now enjoy a facility that includes a new locker room, a new team room, showers and restrooms, has grown close to England throughout his tenure at IU and appreciates all that he brings to the program. England's daughter Becky was an Indiana coxswain from 2000-03.
"I think Dale is a perfect example of what we would love to have everybody be, and he has just been very supportive," Peterson said. "He comes to the races, and he and I go to all the football and basketball games together. This is just the latest of the things that he has done for this team. I mean, they have given oars; they've given boats. We have one boat that is named after Becky. He is supportive. Financially, yes, but even more important, spiritually and emotionally. This is just a small token of what we can do for what he has done for us."
The ceremony celebrated the completion of the first phase of the construction of the rowing center, which will eventually include new boat bays, a repair bay, coaches' offices, expanded storage and an erg room.
England and Peterson christened the facility in the same manner in which the rowing community celebrates new shells. Peterson poured water from Lake Lemon for luck while England emptied a bottle of champagne onto a plaque memorializing the building. England, who received a plaque commemorating the occasion from the IU team captains, also had the honor of being informed that all future competitions between Indiana and Wisconsin will be battles for the Dale England Cup.
"This about the happiest day I can ever think of," England said. "Outside of my two daughters being born and my granddaughter, I think this is just about it. It is a start of something I think will carry on for years and years with Indiana. You may think I'm paying back Indiana for what they did for my daughter Becky, but I think also we have to pay forward to help athletes who are yet to come, and they have a facility here. They've also got a great coach here and a great coaching staff and our whole athletic department. I think with as tough and demanding as they are, but fair all the way with integrity and loyalty to their student-athletes, this is just one of the steps along the way to help our program increase and become nationally known as far as rowing goes."
