The 2023 Mathews High School Hall of Fame Awards were presented last Friday evening, and it was an inspiring event. To hear about the accomplishments, unselfish dedication, Olympic-level talents and rise to excellence of these inductees, and to recognize the benefits to this community made by 14 coaches, athletes, contributors and volunteers was something every Mathews citizen should appreciate.

As a former crew mom who, along with dozens of other crew parents, spent years making pasta salad and muffins to sell at regattas, and who drove thousands of miles to support our young rowers who dazzled international competitors with their skills, I was especially glad to see the award presented to Tim Ulsaker, the Mathews High School Crew Coach and former auto mechanics teacher.

When Tim came to Mathews, he marveled at the sheer volume of shoreline here, and knew it was the perfect setting for a crew program. He borrowed equipment, and with one old wooden boat and eight rowers, began a...