Washington College is the only college to which George Washington officially gave his name. Two-thirds of the team's annual budget comes from the Student Government Association, the rest comes through fundraising, as do the larger capital projects, such as the planned purchase of 18 420s in either fall 2001 or 2002. They purchased some used FJs, practiced hard in the chilly northern Vermont weather, and made the long drives to regattas, slowly but surely erasing their black points. The team broke into the Sailing World national rankings in September 1999, later peaking at 14th. The biggest problem Wilkinson faces now is convincing other top programs to make the drive to Burlington for home regattas.
Alumni often drop by to help out at practice.
Team shares the UCLA Aquatic Center with the crew squad. Membership dues pay for the bulk of the team's expenses. The University's Club Sports office offers some financial support. Marina del Rey, while crowded with traffic, is a good practice site with flat water and moderate winds-and don't forget the warm Southern California weather. In combined practices with Pepperdine, the two teams can put 12 boats on the water.