Concerns over hotel accommodations and lake access were reportedly enough for the NCAA Divisions I, II and III Women’s Rowing committees to move this year’s Women’s Rowing Championships for Divisions I, II and III from Lake Lanier to Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis.
The move was approved on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, by an executive committee of the NCAA championships.
Division I expanded from 16 to 22 teams this year due to more schools being eligible for automatic-qualification status, hence the need for additional housing.
Although Lake Lanier was the venue for the National Collegiate championships in 1998 and 2001, Eagle Creek hosted them in 2002 and 2003 — after Divisions I, II and III began holding separate championships.
The Big Ten Rowing Championships will also be held at Eagle Creek next year, for the third consecutive year.
We eagerly await the construction of additional lodging space in Gainesville, so that the hard work and legacy of the Olympic Rowing Venue at Lake Lanier will not become flotsam.
May today’s “Bridge to Nowhere” eventually lead to hotel accommodations that will restore Lake Lanier to premier status among rowing venues.
