After 45+ years in business in Dallas at Capital Southwest, Heelys, Valesco, and Patriot Capital, years lecturing in SMU’s MBA program and more than 25 years of rowing, I teamed up with California rowing coach Flo Elkins to introduce more students to the sport. In 2024, we launched Bachman Rowing Outreach to the Community (BachmanROC or BROC for short), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rowing club at Bachman Lake.
Inspired by Arshay Cooper’s book and documentary, A Most Beautiful Thing, about America’s first all-Black high school rowing team, we adopted a mantra: “Learn to Swim, Learn to ERG, Learn to Row, Go to College.”
We start by bringing ~40 rowing machines (ERGs) into Dallas ISD high school PE classes for roughly two weeks of instruction. Students then visit boathouses at Bachman or White Rock Lake to see what rowing on the water looks like.
Those interested are encouraged to try out for a team of their choice, including Dallas United Crew, Dallas Rowing Club, White Rock Rowing or BROC. Here at BROC, we have 14 rowing shells at Bachman Recreation Center and a heated indoor pool for swim lessons!
For students who pursue the sport, college rowing scholarships, primarily for women, can help pay for their education. That’s the opportunity we want more Dallas ISD students to know about and have a chance to pursue.
BROC is debt-free and participating in North Texas Giving Day on September 17. Early giving is OPEN!
Your gift supports students through each step, from swim lessons and ERG training to on-the-water rowing, coaching, mentorship and connections to collegiate rowing programs. Along the way, we teach the importance of living lives that benefit others.
Please give to BachmanROC through North Texas Giving Day.
And if you’re unable to give, no worries! Please consider sharing this post with friends, especially if they row. 😊
THANK YOU!
#BachmanROC #NorthTexasGivingDay #Dallas #YouthRowing
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Raising awareness of competitive youth rowing among Dallas ISD youth (with historically limited access to this sport) ideally living near Bachman Lake, through the use of indoor rowing machines in DISD PE classes as preparation for joining an on-the-water high school rowing program.
BachmanROC's "Mantra" is "Learn to Swim, Learn to ERG, Learn to Row, Go to College." Annually, there are collegiate scholarships (some unclaimed) available from ~130 American colleges/universities, for competent women rowers.
Funds needed for:
1. additional boat house equipment,
2. improved weather protection for the fleet of boats,
3. funding for coaching staff,
4. funding for annual operating expenses
5. funding for out of town regatta registration and travel expenses.
6. Scholarships to cover all expenses related Dallas ISD youth participation in club activities.
$150,000
Organization name
Bachman Rowing Outreach to the Community
Tax id (EIN)
99-3153975
Causes
Community Improvement
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
Address
7327 CENTENARY AVE