Spring ' 23 UCRAF Newsletter

Hi everyone, welcome to Spring and the first edition of our ‘23 newsletter. Below, you’ll find some news from the UC Rowing Team, a profile of one of our most distinguished Alumni, Tim Royalty, and some exciting news about the 40th anniversary party we are planning for Homecoming Weekend (Oct. 14th).

As always, if you have any comments, feedback, or would like to volunteer to help the UCRAF effort, please reach out to me at r_linder@ucraf.org, or I’d be very happy to get your call at 859-221-0339. Many people today seem to be reluctant to talk on the phone, but not me!

-- Rolf Linder

Update From the Team

After three grueling months of training in the tanks and performing well in both the CJRC Erg Sprints and the Midwest Erg Sprints in Columbus, we finally returned to the water!

To continue our tradition, we spent our spring break at Clemson University in South Carolina. For a week, we had two practices a day, braving the cold mornings (around 35 degrees) and enjoying the sunny afternoons. Our team practiced in many different boat classes, including a single, multiple pairs, a quad, fours, and different lineups of an eight. We would like to give a big shout out to the many new pair rowers, who managed not to flip even in windy conditions!

The Clemson dining halls provided us with plenty of good food, and we even managed to find the time to take a swim at one of the Clemson beaches. Overall, this was an incredible experience for our young team, which included a few new members recruited over the winter.

We are looking forward to our upcoming spring races:

  • Redhawk Sprints (Oxford, OH – April 22nd)

  • MACRA (Indianapolis, IN – April 30th)

  • ACRA (Oak Ridge, TN – May 19th).

If you're in the area, be sure to stop by and say hi!

-- Connor Klein, Team President

Alumni Spotlight: Tim Royalty

Few people have dedicated as much time to UC Rowing as former athlete and coach, Tim Royalty. Let’s check in with Tim and see what he’s been up to in this late-2022 interview:

When did you finish your rowing career and what were your favorite moments in that journey?

My rowing career continued after rowing four years at UC. I rowed the single and spent some time rowing in Philadelphia at Malta Boat Club where I won a couple of National Championships. I still row my single, but have been limited by my children and some back issues. Last year I raced in the Head of the Charles with a group of 1980 Olympic team rowers.

There were a lot of great moments in that journey, from spring break camps to just everyday practice. Probably one of the best rowing memories was the semi final of the Varsity 8 at Dad Vail in 1990 where we rowed through two boats in the last 250 meters to make the final for the first time in UC history in the Varsity 8.

What have you been up to since you stopped rowing?

I have been building, installing and maintaining rowing courses as a business since 1997. I have put in courses all over the US, Central America and even a course in Bolivia. From 1990 until 2005 I coached UC Rowing. First as the Varsity men's coach, then both Varsity men and women and then finally as the Varsity women's coach for the first 5 years it was a varsity sport.

Have you stayed in touch with any of your former teammates from your days as a UC Rower?

I still keep in touch with several of my teammates from UC. I see some who still live in Cincinnati on a regular basis and I see others when I travel around working on courses.

When you're not working, how do you stay active, and do you ever get back in a boat?

I have a single which I used to row regularly, but have been limited in the last few years. However, I did race at the Head of the Charles in a Masters 8 last year.

Are there any fun details about your family that you would be willing to share?

My wife Grace was on the Lightweight National Team. Together we have three boys (ages 16, 14, and 11) who all play soccer and do not row (although they have been on the erg).

How did rowing shape who you are and what your life is today?

Rowing taught me how to see the long term goal and work at it each day. It taught me that you have to elevate everyone around you if you want to succeed, you can't do it alone. It also taught me that in order to succeed you have to fail sometimes.

What did you study at UC, do you use your degree in your professional life?

I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a MS in Engineering Mechanics with a focus on biomechanics. I use my engineering skills in my business, but also in everyday life as engineers are simply problem solvers.

How have you seen the sport change - are the changes for the better or worse?

The sport has changed in several ways. There is a lot more money on the women's side with the addition of women's varsity programs all over the country which has driven technological advances in boats and equipment. Training has become more sophisticated, and the athletes at the top level have achieved new heights. But at the end of the day you put the oar in the water and move the boat – then repeat.

40th Anniversary Celebration - Thank You for Attending!

On October 14th, 2023 nearly 100 of our former athletes, spouses, current athletes & friends joined us for a fabulous evening at Uptown Arts in Over-The-Rhine for an evening of reconnection, renewal & support. Great fun was enjoyed by all, check out pictures from the evening by clicking on our Facebook & Instagram links on our Home page.