Its establishment was the product of the intense lobbying efforts of the 25,000 Club, a local booster group.

Other booster groups funnel money as they like.

The booster group owns the shells, some of which carry eight rowers and the others four, plus the coxswains.

The booster group is extensive and very active in fund raising.

The partnership with public schools had not yet been established, nor did the college have any booster groups.

At Marquette, which eliminated wrestling last year, the team was supported entirely by a booster group, outside the university budget.

He also discovered that a private booster group had raised money to buy Newton a condominium in the Bahamas.

Perhaps the most misunderstood factor is the use of money raised by booster groups.

Still, the wrestling team at Marquette University was eliminated in 2001, despite being supported entirely by a booster group outside the university budget.

This action has opened the door to outside fund-raising by booster groups, who have a single purpose in financing "their" sport.