Brenau University Athletics

“April is with us here, today, and will be with us at every race,” says Lindsey Brown, crew captain of the Brenau Golden Tigers. The group consisting of family, friends, and university faculty assembled at Lake Lanier is visibly moved as April Durham’s parents are baptizing the new crew boat, using water from the finish line at the Olympic rowing facility. Brown’s well-chosen words strike a chord with everyone present. April was a highly popular member of the crew team until her sudden death on December 21, 2006. She was a sophomore majoring in Early Childhood Education. As a Residence Life Assistant, she is remembered by fellow students as always being compassionate and caring, earning their respect and trust. As a crew member, she was known as the person one can rely on, “a teammate you love to go out with because you know she’s there for you,” Brown said. In April's own words, recorded after a 2006 rowing event, "The people on the crew team have become more than just teammates, they have become my family." “Even if April were still here, she’d deserve to have a boat named after her, “ says Hagen Saunders, referring to the spirit she imparted on the crew.

Water is beading off the shiny hull of the newly baptized April N. Durham. Stainless steel pins are providing a shiny contrast to the ultra-smooth clearcoat on the boat’s Custom 30 hull. The coxed-4 crew boat is one of the famous Kaschper racing shells, designed for speed and agility. With its low profile adjustable riggers, carbon sleeve bearing seats, and a super tough anodized finish on all aluminum components, the boat offers 21 st century technology in a sport that’s more than 2000 years old. “Strokin’ April” is inscribed on the port side of the bow, referring to April’s nickname. “She was always wearing that hat with ‘Strokin’’ printed on it,” her teammates recall. “So ‘Strokin’’ April seemed a natural choice for the boat’s nickname.”

The Kaschper Custom-30’s ultra slick hull slices through the water as April N. Durham goes out on her maiden voyage. Black and gold oars propel the slender boat into the sweeping turn that leads to the Olympic race course. The crew works in synch, stroking to the coxswain’s commands. Catch. Drive. Release. Catch. Drive. Release. Kaschper sure makes a fine boat. “She’s just amazing!” coxswain Lindsey Brown marvels as the crew is lifting the hull out of the water. “We won’t row in any other boat anymore!”