Keeping the Spirit Alive

While the physical body of Christine Dickerson, the 18-year-old freshman member of the women's crew team who lost her life in a December car crash, may be gone, her spirit lives on.

Family members, teammates and friends gathered Tuesday night to christen a new four-person crew boat, "The Spirit of Christine Dickerson," in her honor.

"Every stroke will be for her," said team captain Sara Sheffer, wiping away a tear from her eye. "She will be the speed, the drive and the heart of our team, forever."

The dedication marked the 10-week anniversary of Dickerson's death, said James, Dickerson's father. Dickerson was driving down an icy road with teammate Katie Jones on Dec. 11, 2002, in Ellicottville, N.Y., when she collided with another car. Dickerson was killed in the collision, and Jones was injured.

Over 200 people filed into the Center for Tomorrow, requiring extra chairs to be squeezed into the space to accommodate the crowd.

Dickerson's teammates were dressed in their UB jackets and sat next to the 42-foot-long boat, forming a wall of royal blue and black. Sheffer said the boat, called a bow cox four, would be used during the spring season.

Head coach Meg Barnes said that according to rowing tradition, a woman must christen the boat in its home waters. Sheffer trekked to the Erie Canal Barge at Tonawanda Creek, where the crew team practices, to procure an icy pitcher full of water.

Dickerson's mother, Suzanne - an associate professor of nursing - poured the water on the bow of the boat as cameras flashed and eyes were dabbed.

Barnes said the tribute to Dickerson would not stop with the dedication of the new boat. "One way we're going to remember Chrisy is by the team," she said. "Each member of the team is going to have their competition shirt embroidered with Chrisy's initials."

A portrait of Dickerson, drawn by a friend of one of Dickerson's teammates, will also be displayed alongside this year's team photo in the team's erg room, where the team keeps its rowing simulators.

The artist, Brian Moran, a freshman electrical engineering major, said he spent 12 hours working on the pencil drawing of Dickerson, whom he had never met.

"I just wanted to help in any way I could with the friends and family on the team," said Moran.

As he worked on the portrait, Moran said he felt as if he were getting to know Dickerson.

"I've drawn a lot of portraits, but I've never had such a desire to capture the mood of a piece," he said.

President William R. Greiner said that while death is part of the life process, the university would mourn for Dickerson.

"Come spring, we will plant a tree on this campus which will be tended to, nurtured and remind us ... that such a fine young woman came through here," Greiner said.

The team had its own gift to give the Dickerson family - a scrapbook made by members of the team with poetry, pictures and artwork about Dickerson. Each member created her own page, Sheffer said, as she presented the Dickerson family with the book.

Later, Sheffer explained the scrapbook as a therapeutic distraction for the team as well as a gift for the family.

"We started (the scrapbook) to keep us busy right after it happened," Sheffer said. "It was exam time, but most of us were done with exams."

Dickerson, a native of Williamsville, graduated from the Nardin Academy in Buffalo and attended UB as a biomedical engineering major.

Despite Dickerson's petite build, Barnes said she tried out for the team, trudging to practice six days a week at 4:30 a.m., often switching the positions she would fill on the boat from day to day.

Dickerson's father said her motto was "Any boat, any seat, any time."

After months of practice, Dickerson, who would have turned 19 on March 14, was named the team's coxswain for the spring.

"For all of the unwashed people who don't know what a coxswain is, that's the person who steers the boat," said Barnes, with a smile.

The coxswain also cheers the team on during a race by yelling supporting sentiments. Sheffer said the position was a perfect fit for Dickerson's cheery personality.

But for James Dickerson, his daughter has not rowed her last stroke.

"She will be with the team, 10 times 10 times 10 years from now," said James Dickerson. "She will be there for you, any boat, any seat, any time."