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Deborah Getz
Center for Student Leadership Development
dgetz@indiana.edu
812-855-9072

Ashley Davidson
University Communications
ashdavid@indiana.edu
812-855-5960

Tracy James
University Communications
traljame@indiana.edu
812-855-0084

Last modified: Monday, September 21, 2009

Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta: IU deans race for scholarship money

And they're off!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 21, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind -- The 9th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at Indiana University Bloomington, to be held Friday (Sept. 25), will feature the Dean's Challenge, where Stephen Watt, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will defend his title against four sea hardy captains who will race across a 50-meter pool with nothing but a paddle and their cardboard ships.

boat race photo

IU's 2008 Cardboard Boat Regatta competitors racing towards the finish line

Print-Quality Photo

The challengers, Robert M. Goodman, dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Matthew Auer, dean of the Hutton Honors College, M. Grace Calhoun, associate athletic director for Academic and Student Development Services, and Mariah Moore, representing Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh, dean of the Office of Women's Affairs, will join an anticipated 30 other competitors in this popular fall event sponsored by the School of HPER's Council for Advancing Student Leadership (CASL) and Center for Leadership Development (CSLD).

"This is a great event that supports a worthy cause, student scholarships, and I'm very pleased to represent the College of Arts and Sciences in this unique competition," Watt said. "I'm pleased to defend my title from last year's regatta and hope that all the deans participating this year have been working out in preparation for the challenge."

Goodman said he is up for the challenge -- for now.

"This year I promise a more competitive race by not sinking at the starting point," he said.

The regatta, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the IU Outdoor Pool, located at the corner of 17th Street and Fee Lane, with the Dean's Challenge beginning around 4:30 p.m. Announcer Steven Kreft, clinical assistant professor of business economics, will keep the crowd well informed as they cheer on their favorite captains and boats. Free food will be available and musical entertainment will be provided by the band Apollo Quad.

The regatta raises money for the Top 10 Student Leader Scholarships awarded annually by the CASL and CSLD. Scholarship applications and eligibility requirements will be available on the CASL website early in the spring semester. For more information visit: www.indiana.edu/~casl.

The race will include two-person teams paddling against a clock across 50 meter lanes. Each team entry must supply their own boat made entirely from cardboard and duct tape. The teams will race against one another in timed heats according to their entry division. The fastest five times from the heats will compete for the fastest boat overall. Trophies will be awarded to the top three fastest teams and special prizes will be given for "Most Creative Boats."

"I am delighted to participate in the Cardboard Boat Regatta," Auer said. "I humbly ask that the team constructing my boat apply a generous dollop of polyurethane on the underside. See everyone on the 25th!"

Tough luck Dean Auer -- cardboard and duct tape only.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. More information about registration and the official rules can be found here: https://www.indiana.edu/~casl/cbr/.

About the Council for Advancing Student Leadership

The CASL's mission is to enhance student leadership through campus extracurricular activities and student organizations. The organization, which each year involves around 60 students, is part of the Center for Student Leadership Development in the School of HPER's Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies. For more information about the group, visit https://www.indiana.edu/~casl/.

For more information, contact Deborah Getz at 812-855-9072 or dgetz@indiana.edu.