Awards
At the completion of each season a number of awards are presented to members of the program that have distinguished themselves during the course of the year either through their actions on the water, off of the water, or most likely, both. Some of these awards are presented by the coaching staff and some of them are awarded to members by their peers. The following is a description for each award and a list of recipients from past years.
Matt Franitch Cup
This award goes to the "Most Inspirational Oarsman". It is an award that is presented by the coaching staff and is given to the rower on the men's team that has, in some way, demonstrated the ability to overcome great obstacle to achieve a high level of commitment to the program and to his crewmates. This is the team's oldest and most prestigious award, dating back to 1976. It is dedicated in the honor of Matt Franitch, former rigger for Cal's heavyweight men's team. Matt was a significant supporter of the lightweight program in its formative years and with this trophy the lightweights will never forget the hand he had in fostering the long term success that the team has experienced.
Zach McCutchen (2007), Andy Chiang (2006), Saul Jackman (2005), Greg Moe (2004), Marty Schultz-Akerson (2003), Evan Morris (2002), Steven Josefowicz (2001), Roger Yu (2000), ...Hal & John Peterson (1976)
Michael Fennelly Cup
This award goes to the "Most Inspirational Oarswoman" and, like the Franitch Cup, is presented to a member of the women's team by the coaching staff. The Fennelly Cup is named in honor of Mike Fennelly, the current rigger for the men's heavyweight team. Mike is an alumni and former coach of the lightweights and is a continual supporter of the program. Mike donates hundreds of hours each year to repair the teams equipment in times of great need. The lightweights will always be indebted to Mike's generosity.
Ann Cheng (2007), Amanda Jones (2006), Jessica Nance (2005), Sarah Bone (2004), Renee Johnson (2003), Megan Worley (2002), Stephanie Hutsell (2001), Megan Welsh (2000), Kelley Jenkins (1999)
Jenkins-Tuttle Award
This is the women's Most Oustanding Varsity award. It is named after Kelley Jenkins and Sarah Tuttle, co- recipients of the award in it's inaugural year. Kelley and Sarah were members of the women's team in it's first few years of existence and were key in its early development. All past, current, and future lightweight oarswomen have them to thank for the strength and quality of the program that has existed since.
Ann Cheng (2007), Kathy Kwon (2006), Brittany Davis (2005), Susannah Flood & Sarah Bermingham (2004), Melissa Schwab (2003), Anjuli Appapillai (2002), Megan Welsh (2001), Kelly Jenkins & Sarah Tuttle (2000)
Jeff Wilk Award
The Jeff Wilk Award is given to the most outstanding novice oarsman and it is voted upon by the novice men's squad. The standard is the same as for the Most Outstanding Varsity and Jenkin-Tuttle Awards except that the recipient must be a novice. Jeff Wilk is a former coach of the lightweight program who led the team to a west coast championship in 1987.
Aaron Cheng (2007), Zach McCutchen (2006), Reilly Grellas & Robert Manly (2005), Aaron Cook (2004), Matt Mongomery (2003), Greg Moe (2002), Chris LeMaster (2001), Evan Morris (2000), Stuart Sievers (1999), Andy Stewart (1998), Sung Won, Kim Neil Ruiz (1997), Francisco Perez (1996), Marvin Ryou (1995) Lori Glass (1994), Kevin Scully (1993), Joshua Marcus & Miles Cooper (1992)
Megan Welsh Award
The Welsh Award, as with the Wilk Award, is voted upon by members of the novice squad and is presented to the most outstanding female novice rower. Megan Welsh is the first woman to have been a four year rower for the lightweight of California. She graduated in 2002 and set a standard for all future members of the program to strive to achieve.
Alex Title (2007), Danielle Perry (2006), Karen Lu (2005), Emily Matienzo (2004), Kristine Romano (2003), Renee Johnson (2002), Marie Scobel (2001), Stephanie Hutsell (2000), Kelley Jenkins (1999)
Most Outstanding Varsity Rower Award
Voted on by the members of the men's varsity squad, this award goes to the oarsman who the team feels has exemplified himself both on and off the water whether leading by example or otherwise. Teamwork, dedication, work ethic, and attitude are just a few of the attributes members look for in the recipient of this award.
Zak Stein (2007), Dan Royles (2006), Sam Saylor (2005), Saul Jackman (2004), Marty Schultz-Akerson (2003, 2002, 2001), Roger Yu (2000)
Most Outstanding Coxswain Award
This award is presented by the coaching staff to the standout coxswain of the program each year. Leadership, ability, and enthusiasm are some of the traits that are recognized with this award.
Olivia Lasky (2007)...Michelle Cheng (2005), Megan Klein (2004), Pat Flynn (2003), Alice Chan (2002, 2001), Debbie Sheffi & Marina Ma (2000)
Matthew White Four Year Oar
Every member of the program that survives four years at Cal and rows during each of them leaves us with something for which to show. It's an oar blade, painted gloriously in blue and gold, with a plaque affixed to it on which their name is engraved. They will forever have a piece of the program to be kept as theirs. The award was named in 2002 after Matthew White. Matthew was one of the first recipients of a four year oar in 1995. He was a coach, primarily for the women's program, from January of 1997 through the end of the 2002 season. He also served as the Director of Lightweight Rowing from the fall of 1998 through his retirement from the team.
Ariel Ravid, Dan Royles (2006), Raymond Chetty, Saul Jackman, Greg Moe, Sam Saylor (2005), Alice Chan, Stephanie Hutsell, Chris Ling, Marty Schultz-Akerson (2003), Steven Josefowicz, Stuart Sievers, Megan Welsh (2002), Roger Yu (2000), Ryan Johnson (1999), Kelly Boyle, Kevin Quinn (1998), Andres Davidovitz (1997), Kevin Scully (1996), Rob Cheng, Miles Cooper, Richard Lee, Matthew White (1995)
The Shaft
The shaft is actually an oar shaft from an oar that had its blade broken off while in use. This trophy is awarded each year by the coaching staff to a team member that has done something that the staff feels deserves to be recognized but that may not be recognized by one of the other awards. It is a "Wild Card".
Sam Sakhai (2007), Jon Cook (2006), J.D. Housman (2005), Raul (2004), David Ramirez (2003), Shirley Vuong (2002), Igor Pesenson (2001)
The Knuckledragger Blade
This award is the blade from the aforementioned broken oar. It is presented by the coaches to the member of the program that has exemplified him or herself by being one of the physically stronger members of their respective squad while maybe not showing the greatest amount of grace and style. They are and will always be members of the "Engine Room".
Luke Cassereau (2007), Mark Tepper (2006), Dan Royles (2005), Matt Montgomery (2004), Ryan Hanson (2003), Stuart Sievers (2002), Janine Pierce (2001)