As a rule, sharing is a good thing.

But there's always a flip side, even to good things like sharing.

In 1997, the National Collegiate Women's Rowing Championship debuted. Since 2002, the NCAA has conducted division championships for women's rowing during the same weekend -- and at the same location.

For a smaller, nonrevenue sport like rowing, such an arrangement offers clear advantages, but it also presents some challenges.

One significant advantage, said Washington College (Maryland) coach Mike Davenport, is the opportunity to pool resources, especially for Divisions II and III.

"Having all the championships at one site allows a combining of resources, which makes the event more meaningful for the competitors," he said.

As a practical matter, holding all the championships at one time and in one place borders on essential for Division II.

"I can tell you, categorically, Division II is enthusiastic and appreciative about being involved in a combined championship," said Tom Box, director of athletics at Seattle Pacific University and chair of the Division II Women's Rowing Committee. "As the smallest of the divisions, if we were not included in a larger event, it would be a little bit lonely. Instead, by partnering, we really have the benefit of the major championship feel."

Liz Miles, assistant director of athletics at the University of California, Berkeley, and a member of the Division I Women's Rowing Committee, believes that combining the championships not only adds to the atmosphere, it also serves as a time filler.

She said in general, rowing regattas encompass several different types of races throughout the day. Racing just the I Varsity Eights, II Varsity Eights and Varsity Fours during the Division I championship makes for a short regatta.

Rose Shea, associate director of athletics at College of the Holy Cross and a Division I committee member, agrees with Miles' assessment.

"The way the championships are formatted in Division I, it is a three-day event. Having the other divisions there helps fill the time. A typical race is going to last about seven minutes, so there are parts of the day that are sort of dead for (student-athletes). Having other events to watch just gives them a chance to enjoy a little bit more of the whole championships experience."

Shea also believes the combined championships attracts more fan support.

"People who show up for a weekend of racing will set up a table and chairs and will be there for the day," she said. "I think you draw more people with representation from all three divisions."

Debora Lazorik, director of athletics at Marietta and a member of the Division III Women's Rowing Committee, said the joint championships foster an appreciation among student-athletes for the different divisions.

"There's an opportunity for some sharing to go on in terms of experiences and being at different types of institutions," she said.

Biggest drawback

While Lazorik believes it's fair to say for now that the advantages of combined championships outweigh the disadvantages, she points to one significant drawback, at least in the short term -- finances.

Because the majority of Division III rowing programs are located on the East Coast -- and face two more years of transporting teams and equipment cross-country to the state-of-the-art rowing facility at championships host California State University, Sacramento -- the issue of money hits home particularly hard for Division III.

A desire to win approval from the Division III Championships Committee to add two at-large boats to the championships just adds to the pressure.

Beyond the thorny issue of money stands the equally thorny question of division identity.

"Is there a loss of identity for each of the divisions and particularly for Divisions II and III?" asked Lazorik. "There's no question, sometimes when you think of the schools that participate at the Division I level, there's a profile that goes with a Harvard, Notre Dame and Ohio State that might not go with Marietta, Williams or Smith."

She admits, though, that she doesn't have any sense that rowers leave the championships feeling unnoticed.

"It's probably more when you think about it from a future visionary perspective, as we hope the sport grows," she said. "I think there's the same level of excitement that occurs in a (Division I) race as occurs in a Division III race."

Davenport also acknowledges a possible loss of identity as a drawback to the divisions hosting the championships simultaneously.

"Division II and Division III student-athletes, in some way, may feel that they have been invited to a party that is not really for them. But this is mostly due to the nature of the situation and not because of any specific reason," he said.

Division II's Box also recognizes the possibility, but he strongly believes that sufficient time and effort have been devoted to each of the divisions.

He thinks the key is to help spectators understand the differences in the three divisions' championships.

"Every division has its own process for moving through the championship and I think it's confusing to the novice or the uninformed," Box said. "Those are challenges. They are not weaknesses."

Box said championship organizers have been working on such things as adding more narrative to the championship programs to clarify that there are multiple divisions racing, announcing races more clearly over the public-address system, and indicating division affiliations more clearly on race results sheets.

"I think we did a much better job this year than we did the first year. After three years, we've gotten better at it and over time, people will also come to understand the differences," he said.

Separate ways?

The divisions seem content to remain joined for now. But could a time come when they decide to go their own separate ways?

"I would say that Division II can't imagine not being a part of a combined championship," Box said. "We hope the other divisions feel the same, but it will largely not be our decision. We would like to be included with the other divisions in perpurtuity."

Marietta's Lazorik thinks there's a realistic chance that the divisions could decide to hold separate championships at some point in the future.

"I'm going to guess that part of the driving force for that would be as the sport grows, as schools add the sport -- particularly in Divisions II and III. I don't think that's out of the question," she said.

Another factor that could weigh heavily in any such decision would be finding quality venues to host the event.

"One of our struggles has been getting people to bid on the championship," Shea said. "Unlike other sports, we're pretty limited in the venues that can host this type of event.

"I think if we do come to a point where we don't have adequate facilities or we don't have sites that can handle the numbers, then we'd branch out. But right now, it works well with all three being together."

Davenport thinks the feasibility of splitting the championships rests on finances.

"Money, money, money. Unless there is a windfall, I don't really see how Divisions II and III could afford to put on a similar regatta. This is especially relevant since there is not the growth increase in Division II and Division III rowing programs as there have been in Division I," he said.

Issues of growth, venue and money aside, Box believes it's better for the sport if, at least for now, the divisions stick together.

"I don't think the other two divisions detract from Division I. I think Division I enhances the championships for the other two divisions. It's a win-win."