Meet the OSU Sailing Club

Faced with failing facilities and outdated equipment, one group of OSU students took matters into their own hands. The Oklahoma State Sailing Club, along with OSU Crew Club members, launched a fundraiser in 2006 to restore the group’s boathouse.

The group set out to improve their facility. But the greater lesson arrived through an appreciation of philanthropy and an inspiration of generosity.

“Just sitting back and complaining wasn’t going to get anything done,” sailing club president Jim Bruer said. “We made it happen, and the university supported our mission.”

No stranger to generosity, the Oklahoma State Sailing Club inherited their boathouse from Lake Carl Blackwell 30 years ago. Though the facility was rent-free, the group never had funds to maintain the building. Lake officials recently gave the group an ultimatum: repair the crumbling exterior and leaking roof or the boathouse would be demolished.

Consulting with OSU Foundation representatives, sailing and crew club members organized a fundraiser gala last April 1. The event featured a silent auction, video presentation of the campaign and a keynote speech from OSU president Dr. David J. Schmidly.

With a lofty goal of $10,000 set to repair the boathouse roof, the group exceeded their original goal through the tenacious efforts of only eight student members. Alumni, community members and boat lovers alike enabled the club raise over $13,000 in one evening.

“The entire fundraising project taught us a lot of useful life skills about working hard for what you believe in and giving back,” Crew Club president Morgan Fulton said. “I hope this helps the teams become more competitive with other schools by providing better equipment and facilities.”

The group continues to increase their fundraising campaign, ensuring future generations of Sailing and Crew Club members experience the best organization possible.

Inspired by their initial success and newfound commitment to philanthropy, Sailing and Crew Club members recently kicked off their newest effort, “Buy a Boat, Save a Club.” The fundraising program allows donors to contribute boats, equipment and funds to improve the two student organizations.

The improvements have not gone unnoticed.

Three years ago, the Oklahoma State Sailing Club ranked last in its district. In 2005 the Oklahoma State Sailing Club ranked fourth out of 15 competitive teams in the southern United States, the highest in the group’s history. Bruer estimates the group needs $100,000 over the next ten years to remain competitive.

“We continue to raise these funds to benefit the program’s future,” Bruer said. “But we can always do more.”

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