Rowing for a cause

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Purdue rowing team spent the day rowing for a cause.

The Tippecanoe Mall was a little on the noisy side Saturday due to several indoor rowing machines.

Each member of the Purdue Crew team was expected to row at least 30,000 meters to prove their commitment to giving back.

The Purdue Crew's annual "Row-A-Thon" is a way for the rowing members to raise money for the team and for charity.

Crew President Joshua Packer said team members feel it is important to give some of the money back to the community Purdue calls home.

"Half of it goes towards Lafayette Urban Ministry, which is a program here in the Lafayette area that helps pay utility bills for less privileged families who need the support," said Packer.

The 130 members of crew spent about three hours each on indoor rowing machines. Mall-goers could make donations while the the team was busy rowing away. Packer said team members also had to collect donations before the marathon.

"We've been raising money for about the last month or two. And I think we're up to a little over $17,000 now," said Packer.

Packer said the money raised for the team will go towards an annual Spring Break race in South Carolina.

Spring Break, or the middle of March, is when crew kicks off its competitive racing season. Senior crew member Stephanie Mellady said the "Row-A-Thon" gives the team a fun break from winter conditioning.

"Winter training's always pretty hard. It's just a lot of working, a lot of conditioning and lifting, and just getting ourselves in tip-top shape for Spring," said Mellady.

Mellady said the "Row-A-Thon" is also a great way for crew to get support from the Lafayette community. She said if the people of Lafayette see crew is giving back, hopefully, they will come cheer on the team at races.