Founders Club

Created to recognize individuals who have made substantial and continuing contributions of time and effort on the F-M Crewsters behalf to benefit the F- M High School Crew Club. Eligibility to be included in the Founders Club is generally limited to individuals who no longer have a child that is a member of the F- M Crew Club.

2006

Mike & Jennifer Griffin

(daughter Avery Griffin Class of 2006) multi- task volunteers who made substantial contributions throughout their daughter's 3 year participation in the F- M Crew program; Mike served as a Crewster Vice President during 2004 & 2005 seasons; served on the committee to expand the F- M Crew program in 2005; assumed the duties of maintaining the Crewsters website [www.fmcrew.org] in 2005 and continued through 2007 after his daughter graduated from F- M High School.

Ed Hinchey

(daughter Marlee Class of 2007) Nicknamed the "Most Valuable Volunteer" for his work and guidance on many projects; initiated the Crewsters' Yahoo discussion group, served as a member of group that met with F- M District officials to negotiate 2006 expansion of Crew program to forestall cuts; served as a Crewsters' Vice President during to 2005 & 2006 seasons.

Coach Patrick Mahardy

Coach Mahardy served as the head coach of the F- M boy's teams during the first 2 seasons of the Crew program's existence. In 2004 Coach Mahardy's "A" boat finished in first place in the New York State Championship Regatta's Novice 8 Scholastic competition. That same year F- M's boys "B" boat finished 3d in the same Novice 8 competition marking the first time in New York that a high school crew program competing in its first year earned 2 medals in the Novice event. The next day at the same 2004 New York State Championship Regatta Coach Mahardy's "A" boat won another Gold medal in the Club 8 Novice competition while the "B" boat finished 2d in the New York State Club 8 Novice Race. During the 2004 season the majority of Coach Mahardy's rowers had never participated in the sport or rowing prior to the start of practice just 8 weeks prior to competing in the New York Championship Regatta. Coach Mahardy also coached the F- M boys in 2005. Coach Mahrady's team finished with an incredible showing at the 2005 Scholastic National Regatta held at Lake Mercer, New Jersey when the F- M boys "A" in only the School's first season in Varsity competition advanced to the semi- finals of the Scholastic Nationals Regatta. Regatta officials noted that Coach Mahrady's F- M Varsity boys were the first team during its first year of Varsity competition to ever advance to the final 16 boats in Varsity 8 competition at the Scholastic Nationals. Due to time conflicts with his business career, Coach Mahardy retired from coaching prior to the start of the 2006 season but continued to support the F- M Crew program and was elected as a member of the Crewsters Board of Directors in 2007. The quality of Coach Mahardy's coaching and his ability to teach fundamentals of the sport of rowing is evidenced by the fact that in 2006 seven of his former rowers rowed in the first boat at their respective colleges: Brown University, Georgetown University, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Hamilton College, St. Joseph's University and Mercyhurst College.

Gary Pickard

(daughter Alexandra Class of 2006) Member of the 2005 Crewsters Strategic Planning Committee, trusted advisor and advocate on a number of F- M Crew related issues including the 2006 expansion of the F- M Crew program, generously donated money to purchase the Crewsters a new Vespoil 8 racing shell which was dedicated and named the "Al Pickard" in honor of his daughter.

Barbara Pickard

(daughter Alexandra Class of 2006) Tireless volunteer who served as a bus and hotel chaperone for all away regattas the F- M Crew team participated during years 2004, 2005, and 2006. Provided substantial volunteer time for other Crewster programs.

2005

Dr. Richard & Caren Konys

(son Jack class of 2005 & daughter Haley class of 2009)Rich and Caren each served as F-M Crewster Vice Presidents in 2004, 2005 & 2006. Rich served on the 2004 Strategic Planning Committee. Caren served as Chairperson of the 2005 Clothing committee. The Konys family has provided support in every form including the donation of two new eight-seat boats for the F-M Crew Team. The boats were christened in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Dick Konys. Rich and Caren were influential in obtaining agreement on the 2006 expansion of the F- M Crew program. The Konys family were among the first to support and work for the creation of a crew program at F- M High School.

Nancy & Larry Kuhl

(son Steve class of 2005) Nancy served as the Vice-President of Operations for 2004 & 2005 during which period the Crewsters food operations expanded to regularly feed 250 rowers and family members at regattas.

Andy & Ann Madsen

(daughter Molly Pruski class of 2004 & Ryan Madsen class of 2005) Andy & Ann organized the 2002 "Is Crew for You?" meeting thathighlighted the interest for Crew among F- M students. Andy and Ann served as Crewster Vice Presidents for 2004 & 2005 overseeing Development and Public Relations. Ann came up with the name the "Crewsters" for the parents support group. It ultimately became the F-M Crewsters. During the 2004 and 2005 seasons Andy published weekly news articles in the Eagle Bulletin which substantially increased the public awareness of the F- M High School Crew program. Andy & Ann initiated the"car wash" fundraiser whereby the Crewsters sold car wash tickets to a local car wash and through that program the Crewsters raised thousands of dollars to fund its operations. Andy also raised more than $4000 by selling advertising on the first F-M Crew Banner to 22 area businesses. The Madsens againaided the Crewsters in January 2006 by providing counsel and encouragement during the discussions and negotiations with the F- M School District to expand the Crew team to 105 members. Without the contribution of the Madsen family the F- M Crew Club may never have been realized or prospered.

Jeff & Suzanne Mitchell

(son Greg Mitchell class of 2005) Assisted in every phase of operations from putting up the Regatta tents to taking them down; The Mitchells were always among the first volunteers to arrive and the last to leave . Suzanne put in hours and hours of hand crafted work to make a Crew flag which is proudly flown by the F-M Crewsters at each Regatta.

Ellen O'Leary

(son Rob class of 2005 & daughter Caitlin class of 2008) Was the first volunteer to assist husband Bob to form the F- M High School Crew program; assisted in planning Crew events and finances during years 2001 through 2006; arranged travel meals 2004, 2005 & 2006. Ellen served as a Crewster officer 2004, 2005 and 2006; assisted in countless ways. Ellen as influential in obtaining agreement on the 2006 expansion of the F- M Crew program.

Gail & David Rhodes

(son Zach class of 2005) Gail served as the Crewster's Treasurer during 2004 & 2005. David assisted in all phases of planning and operations. He personally solicited many of the gifts donated by area businesses for the F-M Booster Club's Silent Auction in 2005. David's enthusiasm could be seen and heard at every regatta and is credited with creating the now famous "gauntlet" that the F-M rowers would pass under at the start of every important race. David served as a member of the 2004 Strategic Planning Committee.

David & Candee Schneckenburger

(son: Jon, Class of 2005)David served as Boys' Vice President 2004 & 2005, Chaired the 2004 Strategic Planning Committee and drove the equipment trailer to all regattas in 2005. David served on the F-M High School Athletic Advisory Committee in 2003, 2004; Chair of F- M High School Athletic Advisory Committee in 2005 and 2006 and as such was influential inhaving Crew accepted by the F- M School District. David served as an unofficial liaison between the Crew program and the School District.