We are grateful to Jean Sacconaghi Strauss, class of 1978, for conducting and recording the five interviews of former members of Cal Women’s Crew. The interviews took place Fall 2022 through Spring 2023. A short documentary film was also made by Jean.
Carol Simpson Sanoff, ‘69
Carol rowed before there was an official Cal Women’s Crew. She went on to win the national women's single and race internationally.
Jane Toro, ‘76
Jane was a member of the inaugural Cal Crew Varsity. Her husband, Andy, was also integral to the beginning of the women's crew. She remains an avid rower to this day.
Liz Miles, ‘77
Liz rowed only during her senior year but made it into varsity for Nationals, and then went far beyond—winning two silvers at the World Championships and a near bronze at the Olympics. She remains a stalwart supporter of the team today, with a daughter matriculating to row at Cal in Fall 2023.
Pat Spratlen Etem, ‘79
Pat provides an inspiring interview, both in terms of her personal focus on making boats as well as being a successful student. She became the top athlete on the team; a member of the varsity; a Pac-10 and National Champion; a member of the national and Olympic teams; and an inductee of the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame. Pat’s daughter Elise has followed in the tradition.
Valerie McClain, ‘82
Val was involved in crew from the age of 13. She not only coxed but coached before she joined Cal Women's Crew. Val is a legendary coxswain, not only leading Cal women's boats to championships, but the men's team too. She became the first woman to ever cox in the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, and went on to become a national team and Olympic cox, and member of the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame.