University of North Carolina Athletics
Rowing's Annual Benefit Event Continues To Grow
October 12, 2017 | Women's Rowing, Student-Athlete Development, Carolina Outreach
UNC's Erg-A-Thon is in its seventh year.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – When the North Carolina rowing team started its annual Erg-a-Thon seven years ago, it did so as part of a Row for the Cure event in conjunction with the Head of the Hooch Regatta and benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Triangle affiliate. But in recent years, the team has donated the funds raised from its event, held Wednesday on the Carolina campus, to breast cancer research at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
"That was the biggest transition, getting the money closer to home and bringing it more into our community," UNC rowing coach Sarah Haney said. "As far as our team's involvement, when we first got it going, everybody was kind of like, 'OK, we'll do it. That sounds good. We want to make sure we present ourselves well at this race.'
"Now it's, 'How much money can we raise?'"
And each year, that number has grown.
By Thursday, the team's fundraising total topped $9,000 in online donations alone, the highest total in the event's seven-year history. Over that span, the UNC rowing program has rained more than $40,000. To donate, click here.
"This is something we don't have to beg them to do," Haney said. "The team runs with it, and they absolutely love to do it."
The Erg-a-Thon – which raises money through donations, t-shirt sales and pledges for members of the team and community rowing on ergometers – was started in 2010 by UNC rowing alum Ali Margherio following her grandmother's battle with breast cancer.
Margherio ultimately passed lead coordinator duties to Stephanie Wangerin. This year, Caeli Harr, a senior, seized the reins.
"I don't have anyone in my family who has gone through breast cancer," Harr said. "But as far as donating to really good causes that help contribute to beating something like this, it's been really helpful to use my leadership skills I've grown these four years and just kind of make it happen."
For the second year, the team invited breast cancer survivors to the event. Mary Seagroves and Janis Tillman – cancer-free for 20 and 10 years, respectively – spent time talking with the Tar Heel rowers and coxswains.
"We both have college-aged kids.," Seagroves said. "It's nice to see young people doing things like this."
"It's terrific to get into philanthropy at this age," Tillman added. "I think it will carry them through their lives."
The Erg-a-Thon marks one of many community outreach programs the rowing team is involved in, from cooking meals at the SECU Family House to helping provide holiday gifts to needy families.
"We're pretty lucky to be here, to be student-athletes at the University and participants in our athletic department," Haney said. "With that comes a certain responsibility to give back."
"That was the biggest transition, getting the money closer to home and bringing it more into our community," UNC rowing coach Sarah Haney said. "As far as our team's involvement, when we first got it going, everybody was kind of like, 'OK, we'll do it. That sounds good. We want to make sure we present ourselves well at this race.'
"Now it's, 'How much money can we raise?'"
And each year, that number has grown.
By Thursday, the team's fundraising total topped $9,000 in online donations alone, the highest total in the event's seven-year history. Over that span, the UNC rowing program has rained more than $40,000. To donate, click here.
"This is something we don't have to beg them to do," Haney said. "The team runs with it, and they absolutely love to do it."
The Erg-a-Thon – which raises money through donations, t-shirt sales and pledges for members of the team and community rowing on ergometers – was started in 2010 by UNC rowing alum Ali Margherio following her grandmother's battle with breast cancer.
Margherio ultimately passed lead coordinator duties to Stephanie Wangerin. This year, Caeli Harr, a senior, seized the reins.
"I don't have anyone in my family who has gone through breast cancer," Harr said. "But as far as donating to really good causes that help contribute to beating something like this, it's been really helpful to use my leadership skills I've grown these four years and just kind of make it happen."
For the second year, the team invited breast cancer survivors to the event. Mary Seagroves and Janis Tillman – cancer-free for 20 and 10 years, respectively – spent time talking with the Tar Heel rowers and coxswains.
"We both have college-aged kids.," Seagroves said. "It's nice to see young people doing things like this."
"It's terrific to get into philanthropy at this age," Tillman added. "I think it will carry them through their lives."
The Erg-a-Thon marks one of many community outreach programs the rowing team is involved in, from cooking meals at the SECU Family House to helping provide holiday gifts to needy families.
"We're pretty lucky to be here, to be student-athletes at the University and participants in our athletic department," Haney said. "With that comes a certain responsibility to give back."
Players Mentioned
Varsity
/ Women's Rowing
Varsity
/ Women's RowingUNC Men's Soccer: Tar Heels Blank Hokies, 3-0
Monday, October 20
UNC Volleyball: Tar Heels Best Syracuse in 4 Sets
Sunday, October 19
UNC Field Hockey: Tar Heels Blitz Cornell, 8-1
Sunday, October 19
UNC Women's Soccer: Mara Records Brace in Win at SMU, 3-0
Saturday, October 18