For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net
Philadelphia, PA – Every year the Simmons University Sharks had crossed off the days of the calendar in anticipation of the trip to Philadelphia for the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta. The Sharks had been a mainstay at the event throughout the 80’s and 90’s, before deciding that 1995 would be their final trip to Philadelphia.
Now, with new leadership at the helm including Head Novice and Assistant Coach Jennifer Thomas, the Sharks will be returning to compete at the 83rd annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, PECO and Coca-Cola on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.
“This trip is huge for the team,” said Thomas, who coached at Fordham and Franklin & Marshall and is very familiar with the Dad Vail. “For the past few years, the Shark’s competition has been a bit repetitive with mainly local competition, so it will be great for the athletes to see some more varied competition on the Schuylkill River and get used to traveling to race.”
When the team makes the trip down to Philadelphia, they will be donning black ribbons on their unisuits in memory of their late coach Nik Kurmakov, who passed away two years ago. Although Kurmakov did not coach Simmons University at Dad Vail, the longtime coach held the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta event in high esteem.
“I could not be more excited! Returning to Jefferson Dad Vail and representing Simmons Rowing for the first time in over 20 years means the world to me and my teammates,” said senior Maude Elovitz, who rows in the 7 seat. “Our coaches have been working so hard with us, and we’re ready to showcase our hard work in Philly.”
As the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta quickly approaches, the Sharks are showing continued growth each week as they face off against top competition in and around the New England area.
Simmons, a women’s college in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston practices out of Riverside Boat Club. With Crew being the oldest varsity athletic program at Simmons dating back to the ’70s the Sharks have experienced success with a couple medal contending finishes at Head of the Charles and a 2rd place finish in the F/N 8+ in 1981 along with many Grand Final appearances at the Dad Vail Regatta.
Thomas said, “This trip is an amazing way to honor Nik’s legacy while also ushering in the new age of Simmons Rowing.”
About Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is a leader in transdisciplinary, professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a preeminent university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 8,400 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion and textiles, health, medicine, science and social science. Jefferson is re-defining the higher education value proposition with an approach that is collaborative and active; increasingly global; integrated with industry; focused on research across disciplines to foster innovation and discovery; and technology-enhanced. Student-athletes compete as the Jefferson Rams in the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
