Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Since 1987, Windermere Real Estate has partnered with the University of Washington to put on a one-of-a-kind rowing event called the Windermere Cup. For the last thirty years, Windermere and UW have brought some of the best rowers from around the world to Seattle to compete in this premier sporting event, and in the process, changed the course of some of the athlete’s lives.
Australian native, Jenni Hogan, is one of those athletes.
In 1997, Jenni was eighteen and selected to row for Australia’s Olympic Crew Team. She was competing in pairs at the time, but at the start of the Australian National Championship, her partner’s knee gave out, dashing her hopes of a chance at the Olympics.
But tragedy turned into opportunity when Jenni was asked to row with the Australian National Team at the 1997 Windermere Cup. She came to the University of Washington prepared to row, but the course of her life was changed forever.
During her visit, Jenni was offered – and accepted – a scholarship to the University of Washington, and went on to row in four more Windermere Cups as a UW Husky. But her story doesn’t end there. Jenni’s choice to stay in Seattle led to her meeting her husband, a successful media career, and eventually a growing family.
Jenni credits the Windermere Cup with changing the entire trajectory of her life. It also taught her that when one door closes, another one opens, and it could be even better than you planned.
“That one phone call to come to the Windermere Cup changed my life. What I thought was the worst moment of my life turned into something that has made my life so great.” –Jenni Hogan
#YourStoryIsOurStory
Throughout the year we will be posting some of our favorite #YourStoryIsOurStory videos, photos, and blog posts. Please take a minute to share your experiences, and follow #YourStoryIsOurStory on our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest pages.
