Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Andrew Mascharka
EMU Rowing Serves as Host for Special Olympics Event
10/4/2017 5:08:00 PM | Women's Rowing
The team hosted a kayaking competition on Ford Lake
Photo Gallery
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University rowing team hosted a kayaking event as part of the Special Olympic State Fall Games Sunday, Oct. 1, at its boathouse on Ford Lake in Ypsilanti. The event was an opportunity for the team to give back to the local community and teach kids the sport of rowing and kayaking in a safe and fun environment.
This marked the second year that the Special Olympics has offered kayaking in its State Fall Games lineup, as well as the second consecutive time the Eagles have served as the host. The State Fall Games consists of state finals competitions in cycling, flag football, golf, soccer, softball, and kayaking, and featured over 1,600 athletes competing.
"This event would definitely not be possible without the EMU rowing team's help," shared Nick Caudle, the manager of sports and training for Special Olympics Michigan. "We are very appreciative of all they do! They were tremendous for the second year in a row."
On the day of the event, teams competed with more than 15 athletes between them. They competed in both 500M and 200M distances; with singles and doubles offered at both distances.
"Special Olympics was an amazing event to give back to our community and showcase our boathouse to the public," sophomore rower Haley Dutton (West Salem, Wis.-West Salem) said. "In addition, the event gave us the opportunity to meet phenomenal dedicated athletes and make memorable friendships."
A unified doubles competition was also offered in both distances. Unified doubles consists of a two person team made up of one Special Olympics athlete and one athlete without intellectual disabilities, known as a Unified Partner. In total, more than 10 races were run during the event.
"It is such a unique and amazing opportunity to be able to help host the Special Olympics of Michigan Kayaking at our boathouse," said Head Coach Kemp Savage said. "While setting up the course on Saturday evening I got a chance to talk to the coaches and hear about the training they do with their athletes, and just the joy in both the coaches and athletes is a great reminder of how much sports gives us all. I know all the members of my team who volunteered got a chance to see other athletes who train incredibly hard and how much competing means to them and it is a great reminder of the opportunities that being college athletes gives them and take that into their training and competition."
The Eagles return to the water next weekend, Oct. 15, for the Head of the Grand event. Competition from East Lansing is set to begin at 8 a.m. and will go all day.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University rowing team hosted a kayaking event as part of the Special Olympic State Fall Games Sunday, Oct. 1, at its boathouse on Ford Lake in Ypsilanti. The event was an opportunity for the team to give back to the local community and teach kids the sport of rowing and kayaking in a safe and fun environment.
This marked the second year that the Special Olympics has offered kayaking in its State Fall Games lineup, as well as the second consecutive time the Eagles have served as the host. The State Fall Games consists of state finals competitions in cycling, flag football, golf, soccer, softball, and kayaking, and featured over 1,600 athletes competing.
"This event would definitely not be possible without the EMU rowing team's help," shared Nick Caudle, the manager of sports and training for Special Olympics Michigan. "We are very appreciative of all they do! They were tremendous for the second year in a row."
On the day of the event, teams competed with more than 15 athletes between them. They competed in both 500M and 200M distances; with singles and doubles offered at both distances.
"Special Olympics was an amazing event to give back to our community and showcase our boathouse to the public," sophomore rower Haley Dutton (West Salem, Wis.-West Salem) said. "In addition, the event gave us the opportunity to meet phenomenal dedicated athletes and make memorable friendships."
A unified doubles competition was also offered in both distances. Unified doubles consists of a two person team made up of one Special Olympics athlete and one athlete without intellectual disabilities, known as a Unified Partner. In total, more than 10 races were run during the event.
"It is such a unique and amazing opportunity to be able to help host the Special Olympics of Michigan Kayaking at our boathouse," said Head Coach Kemp Savage said. "While setting up the course on Saturday evening I got a chance to talk to the coaches and hear about the training they do with their athletes, and just the joy in both the coaches and athletes is a great reminder of how much sports gives us all. I know all the members of my team who volunteered got a chance to see other athletes who train incredibly hard and how much competing means to them and it is a great reminder of the opportunities that being college athletes gives them and take that into their training and competition."
The Eagles return to the water next weekend, Oct. 15, for the Head of the Grand event. Competition from East Lansing is set to begin at 8 a.m. and will go all day.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
2026 MAC Rowing Championships
Saturday, May 16
2025-26 EMU Athletics In-Review
Tuesday, April 21
RowFest 2025 Highlights
Thursday, December 04
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Rowing
Monday, December 01