The Liberty League is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2019-2020 academic year. Originally founded as the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) in 1995, the conference was renamed the Liberty League during the summer of 2004. Each Thursday throughout the year, the Liberty League will be celebrating its silver anniversary by recognizing outstanding teams and individuals from its rich 25-year history.
William Smith College has had a strong women’s rowing program since the early days of the Liberty League Rowing Championships (Spring 2003) as the Herons won the league’s first three championships in 2003, 2005 and 2006. The Herons also put together a run of six consecutive titles from 2011 through 2016. In total, William Smith has claimed nine championship titles over the last 17 years (15 championships).
One oarswoman in particular has stood out amongst the others throughout program history in Rebecca Gutwin, Class of 2006 and two-time All-American. Not only a standout member of the Heron crew team, Gutwin also excelled in the classroom and overcame personal adversity that helped inspire not only her teammates and school but the community at large.
“Rebecca was one of the most remarkable students with whom I have ever worked and remains one of the most inspirational women in my life,” said William Smith Rowing head coach Sandra Chu. Chu has been with the Heron rowing program as head coach since 2002.
Joining the William Smith crew team as walk-on during her first year in Geneva, Gutwin trained with her teammates during the fall months to become the fastest woman on the novice team. In early January of 2003, Gutwin was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. She had major surgery later that month followed by six and a half weeks of radiation therapy.
“With a 93% fatality rate, it would have been understandable had she focused only on her treatment and recovery,” said Chu. “Instead, Rebecca did what we know now as standard Rebecca: planted her feet and refused to back down. She carried a full-time load of classes and continued to row. Despite weekly treatments, long hours away from campus at her treatment center and side effects, she completed the year as our top novice rower, impacted varsity line-ups and earned flawless grades.”
Gutwin worked a part-time job, tutored elementary and preschool age children, and continued to practice with the team all while undergoing daily radiation treatments. She was presented with the 2004 ECAC Award of Valor for her triumph over the disease.
Gutwin was a three-year member of William Smith’s varsity eight, rowing at stroke (the pacesetter for the boat, seated closest to the coxswain). The Heron varsity eight earned the Liberty League Crew of the Year award in 2004 and 2006, as Gutwin and her teammates captured two Liberty League Championships. She and her teammates also earned a silver medal at the 2006 New York State Rowing Championship. Gutwin was nominated for the 2006 NCAA Woman of the Year Award and received William Smith’s Betsy Mitchell ’65 and Evaleen C. Harrison ’19 awards.
An outstanding student, Gutwin is the only Heron oarswoman to earn CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, she maintained a 3.8 grade point average as a mathematics major. Gutwin graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics as a member of Phi Betta Kappa.
“Since graduation, Rebecca continues to push the envelope as an athlete,” said Chu. “She continues to adhere to a rigid and demanding training schedule that begins at 5 AM. She is a standard bearer for all Heron athletes in their pursuit of personal, academic and athletic excellence. I am privileged to call her my friend.”
Gutwin was inducted into the Heron Hall of Honor in 2012 and is currently the business manager as well as marketing director at RehabGYM in Williston, Vermont. She has participated in a number of marathons and triathlons, including Geneva’s Musselman Half-Iron Triathlon.
25th Anniversary Spotlight Series:
10/24/2019 - 1999 St. Lawrence University Men's Soccer
10/31/2019 - Sara Artus, Clarkson University, Volleyball (2008-2011)
11/7/2019 - Ali Marpet, Hobart College, Football (2011-2015)
11/14/2019 - 1997 William Smith College Field Hockey
11/21/2019 - Grant O'Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cross Country/Track & Field (2015-2019)
11/28/2019 - Andrew Franks, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Football (2011-2015)
12/5/2019 - 2013 William Smith College Women's Soccer
12/12/2019 - John Coleman, Clarkson University, Basketball and Baseball (2011-2015)
12/19/2019 - Nickie Griesemer, Ithaca College, Swimming & Diving (2013-2018)
1/2/2020 - Kelly Donnelly, Skidmore College, Women's Basketball (2014-2018)
1/9/2020 - Richie Bonney, Hobart College, Men's Basketball (2010-2014)
1/16/2020 - Taryn Cordani, Ithaca College, Cross Country/Track & Field (2014-2018)
1/30/2020 - Amr Khalifa, St. Lawrence University, Men's Squash (2012-2016)
2/6/2020 - Cydni Matsuoka, Vassar College, Women's Basketball (2010-2014)
2/13/2020 - Edvinas Rupkus, Skidmore College, Men's Basketball (2015-2019)
2/20/2020 - Kevin Makarowski, Union College, Men's Swimming & Diving (1993-1997)
2/27/2020 - Kyle Bartlett, University of Rochester, Women's Track & Field (2015-2019)
4/9/2020 - Heather Ingraham, Vassar College, Women's Track & Field (2012-2015)
4/16/2020 - Stephen Goodridge, University of Rochester, Men's Golf (2004-2008)
4/23/2020 - 1998 Skidmore College Women's Tennis
5/1/2020 - The Eisenhut Siblings - Meredith, Cliff & Erika, St. Lawrence University & Union College
5/7/2020 - Ben Fazio, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cross Country/Track & Field (2013-2017)