"As the morning mist recedes before the rising sun, a sculler
emerges, alone on the glass-like water. Only a trail of widening
circles marks the passage of the rower. She seems to glide
effortlessly across the water, the embodiment of confidence. A flick
of the wrists and the blades flip perpendicular to the water, then
snap crisply in for another catch. Again the powerful drive and the
narrow boat surges forward, slicing silently ahead. Power and grace
combine, and the ethereal thrill of rowing is experienced..."
- Franz Busse
Having been inspired to action at the MIT Class of 1964 30th reunion, I have challenged my MIT classmates (and anyone else who has an affinity and respect for MIT) to make a contribution to that worthy school, for any purpose they may designate, in proportion to the number of miles I row between my 30th and 35th class reunions. For my part, I have been making a determined effort to log miles every day I can. Since the Charles River cools to freezing in winter, my rowing is confined to the months of April through October. I opened this year's season early, on March 28, 1997 with over 3100 miles logged to date. I hope to top 5000 miles before my 35th reunion in June 1999. If you want to make a pledge to MIT of some $$ per mile in the "Mike Drooker Class of 1964 Rowing Challenge", please contact:
Terri Flannery
MIT Alumni/ae Association
MIT BLDG 10-140
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
(617) 253-8123
rterri@mit.edu
Thank you.
June 6, 1997 - Rowing Challenge Update - It is a clear, cool, beautiful Graduation Day at MIT and a stiff East wind made for an interesting return trip to the MIT Pierce Boathouse this morning. I've closed the log on the third year of the Rowing Challenge with 3450 miles recorded since our last reunion. Three down and two years to go, so please make those pledges now for collection in two years at our 35th reunion in 1999. I don't think I'll do this between our 35th and 40th. - MD
October 1, 1997 - Rowing Challenge Update - A cloudless sunrise over a glass smooth lake in southern Illinois. The rowing challenge continues while I am on Leave of Absence from MIT. Today the 4000 mile mark was passed. I expect to stretch the season and log a few extra miles this year because Carbondale, Illinois is warmer than Cambridge. Now is the time to start planning to return to MIT for our next reunion in June 1999, and to make your Rowing Challenge pledge to Terri Flannery in the Alumni/ae Office. - MD
March 24, 1998 - The Rowing Challenge continues in southern Illinois after a winter intermission. There is frost on the deck of my boat as I slip it into the glass smooth water. Wild turkey and goose calls punctuate the silence. There is no wind. Mist rises from the surface as sunshine peeks through tree tops. With 4241 miles logged, I turn south and thread between carved sandstone bluffs. It will be hard coming back to the real world today. - MD
September 15, 1998 - Autumn in Cambridge. Leaves are turning. Migrating birds and Mike D. have returned to the Charles River. Sometime around sunrise this morning, mile 4700 was passed. Lots of traffic on the river as coaches work to get their autumn crews in shape. Rowing in Cambridge is not like rowing in Southern Illinois. The MIT Alumni/ae Leadership Conference is this weekend and reunion plans are proceeding. See you in June? - MD
October 30, 1998 - End of the Charles River 1998 rowing season - 4952 miles - MD
January 11, 1999 -Rowing Challenge Update - A combination of fortuitous travel scheduling and a kind invitation from Coach Stu Schmill allowed me to join the MIT oarsmen at their winter training location in Hollywood Florida for a brief, intense, rowing experience. Rowing, eating, and sleeping (in decreasing order of importance) characterize this period of proficiency and team building for MIT's crews. Through the courtesy of the Hollywood Rowing Club I was able to join the crews for three days on West Lake and log an additional 32 miles in the final season of the five year rowing challenge, which now stands at 4984 miles. The challenge ends in June 1999 at our 35th Class Reunion. See you there? - MD
April 2, 1999 - Passed the 5,000 mile mark. - MD
June 7, 1999 - Rowing Challenge Closing Entry - I closed the rowing challenge during our 35th Class Reunion at 5,234 miles. Please contact Terri in the Alumni/ae office to make and honor any outstanding pledges before the end of the month, so your gifts will be credited to our class reunion gift total. It has been fun. Thank you all. - MD