In the fall of 1967, a new chapter in Canadian sports history quietly unfolded on the tranquil waters of the Henley in St. Catharines, Ont. It was here, at Brock University, that a groundbreaking initiative took root – the beginning of Canada's first varsity women's rowing program.
 
Under the guidance of coaches Joe Kuzniecow and Hans Schefski, the women's crew embarked on a journey of determination and passion. Each morning, at the break of dawn, the female coxswain and a team of novices would row their eight out into the serene waters, their oars slicing through the calm surface, marking their place in the history of Canadian athletics.
 
The first crew was made up of Mary Cumberland, Cathie Barnett, Natalie Kmicikewych, Diane Grabos, Norine Gilks, Betty Hicks, Cathy George, Jo-Ann Giles, Maura Smith, Susan Auld
and coxswain Lynda Radford.
 
As pioneers in a male-dominated sports arena, these women paved the way for future generations of athletes. The program was more than just a sports venture; it was a catalyst for change, marking the beginning of co-educational sports activities at Brock University.
 
"It makes me proud to know that past women at Brock broke barriers and pushed for a varsity women's rowing program," said Isabella Durcak, a third-year Accounting student from Stoney Creek. "Without these women pushing for a team, I wouldn't be able to compete at a high level and I wouldn't have met some of the most important people in my life or learned some of life's most important aspects, such as dedication, teamwork and time management."
 
The foundation of the program can be traced back to Tony Biernacki, a coach and builder of the rowing program at Brock for 15 years from 1965-80 and Arnie Lowenberger, a legendary Brock dean who helped design the master plan for the Physical Education and Recreation Program and Athletics Facility during the early years of the University.
 
When Lowenberger joined Brock in 1967, the university had 750 students and was not a part of a university league. Lowenberger's efforts led to Brock's membership in the Ontario Intercollegiate Athletic Association (OIAA), and teams were formed in various sports.
 
The focus on expanding the intercollegiate and women's sports programs was a priority.
 
"Our most successful sport on campus was rowing, which was in the very capable hands of Tony Biernacki," wrote Lowenberger in an introduction to 40 Years of Brock University Athletics. "Tony had a group of young women who wanted to form a women's rowing club."
 
However, their journey wasn't without its challenges. Equipment was a persistent hurdle. In the face of resistance from established rowing clubs, Biernacki, who was head of Brock's Technical Services Department, became a driving force behind the program with three daughters of his own.
 
"Tony and I decided to purchase a shell of our own. It had come to Tony's attention that the Lachine Boat Club in Quebec had gone bankrupt and were looking to sell their equipment," Lowenberger wrote. "Brock University agreed to provide us with $1,400 to purchase what we could with it. With cheque in hand Tony and I were off to Montreal with the hope of buying a decent shell for our women rowers."
 
The team acquired a fleet of six shells, oars, a coach boat and a trailer.
 
Their dedication paid off, and in October 1967, the team's debut in competitive rowing was one of the standout events at the Brock University Centennial Invitational Regatta. The regatta not only showcased their prowess but also issued challenges to other universities – urging them to embrace women's rowing and train female crews alongside their male counterparts.
 
The women's rowing team's first win came during the 1969-70 season at the women's eight crew placed first at the Brock Invitational. The crew consisted of Lisa Libront, Helen Kukasch, Marcia Gillespie, Gwen Francis, Jennifer Stephenson, Sue Auld, Sandy Allen and Mary Cumberland.
 
At the 1976 Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, Brock women won three races. Sally Garrison collected three gold medals. Women's Pair - Judy Prince, Sally Garrison; Women's Four with Coxswain - Sally Garrison, Lee Ann Ghent, Sally McKay, Brenda Ross, Stephanie Brooks; Women's Eight - Tammy Biernacki, Kathy Lichty, Marlene Huber, Wendy Smith, Lee Ann Ghent, Sally McKay, Sally Garrison, Brenda Ross, Stephanie Brooks.
 
Through the decades that followed, the Brock women's rowing program continued to flourish. Olympic and Paralympic athletes played a role in the program with names like Gail Cort, Kathy Lichty, Jennifer Walinga, Jacqui Cook, and Laura Court making waves on the international stage.
 
Under the leadership of coaches like Biernacki, Joe Dowd and Peter Somerwil, the program solidified its reputation. It clinched medals at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Rowing Championships and secured high placings in the Canadian University Rowing Championships (CURC).
 
The journey was not just about victories; it was about perseverance and progress. It mirrored the broader evolution of women's involvement in rowing across Canada.
 
In 1972, Rowing Canada began pushing for competitive women's rowing programs prior to the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, which debuted women's rowing as a competitive event.
 
However, adversity was an unfortunate companion on this journey. Women faced obstacles, with some clubs initially banning them from training and competing. But through sheer determination, the tide shifted, and women's rowing gained the recognition and support it deserved.
 
Brock women's rowing program is a testament to the power of determination and a pioneering spirit.
 
As the program celebrates its storied history, it also looks toward the future, knowing that it has sown the seeds of change that will continue to flourish for generations to come.
 
"It drives me to continue the legacy of women's rowing at Brock, to show that women's sports should be valued just as much as men's," said Durcak, who has won provincial gold medals for the Badgers. "Knowing that Brock was the first school to start a women's rowing program makes me feel as though we have a strong sport system at Brock who believes in women in sports."