Orange Coast College Crew
 Alumni Weekend March 14 & 15, 2009...

 Was a Rousing Success!

Here is a link to some of the first photos we have received from the alumni weekend.  We will add more as we get them.


After crashing Maruja into a barge buoy, Ace squeezes into the cox seat for another go with the 87 Alums!

Gentlemen,

On a mild temperature day with handfuls of oarsmen and a sprinkling of spectators the alumni crew of 1987 represented. Once the 87 alumni showed up a noticeable hush came over the crowd. The imposing size of both the oarsmen and the coxswain put a chill into the hearts and minds of the young lads on the beach. After launching the fear of the potential speed that a crew of this magnitude could generate was palpable. The young crew and coaches all did not want to be shown up by such an old crew so they intentionally place obstacles through out the warm up area to try and take us out. We weaved to and fro to avoid the water irritants yet could not miss the well place buoy that was dropped at the last second directly in our path which took out our bow man's rigger. Undaunted we took our boat back to the beach and exchange it for another boat. During this time the freshman had avoided the divesting speed of this seasoned crew. Consequently only the 1st and 2nd varsity remained for us to race. The 87 crew ready for the challenge was the only crew to go up against these young frightened BOYS.

After getting our new weapon of choice the Richard 2 we were off to the starting line. We immediately got to the starting line and spun the boat. The scared Varsity gave us no quarter and lined up 4 seats in front of us. We looked at this as a gift to the youngen's because we knew that they needed every advantage. The 500 meter race started immediately. The 87 crew pulled even with the 2nd year, 20 something, double day, erg pulling, skinny crew at a rate of 36. Because we didn't want to show up the young punks we settled at a 31. We gave up 4 seats then raised the rate back to 35 and took back a seat (yes you heard it the old guys made a move on the young kids). With a final last ten strokes called by the retired (hall of fame) coxswain the race was on. The 87 crew with all of it's wisdom and size gave the first V-boat a run for it's money. Ending only 6 seats down was the closest finish in all my years of retired racing. Oh ya I almost forgot (not really) we finish ahead of the second boat with at least a 1/2 boat open water between us and them. All I have to say is that they don't build them like they did back in 87. Watch out next year. ALUMNI, we need to raise up and keep reminding these future oarsmen that they need to be training for alumni day like they train for the crew classic or the western sprints because were out there watching and waiting to stand on the decks of victory and represent for all retired oarsmen (and coxswains) out there. Can you give me a GO COAST!!!!


Dr. Ace S. Thayer


The buoy won!


The Class of '89 was well-represented.
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