85th Anniversary A History The Dad Vail Regatta is rich in history and traditions which make it unlike any other regatta in the country. The historical beginning in 1934 would not have been possible without the insights and unselfish leadership of its founders, Russel Stanley “Rusty” Callow and Lev Brett, the architect. Callow first saw the need to provide a regatta for programs which did not have the resources to compete at the highest level and for emerging programs not ready to compete at the highest level. With stops at the University of Washington (1922-1927); the University of Pennsylvania (1927-1950); and the United States Naval Academy (1950-1959) where he coached the 1952 Olympic gold medal eight, Callow wanted to hold a race for his colleague and friend Harry Emerson “Dad” Vail. For the first race in 1934, Callow donated a trophy called the “Dad” Vail Trophy in honor of his friend who at the time was the coach at the University of Wisconsin which had limited resources, less than adequate workout space, and no indoor rowing tank. Callow wrote that Harry Emerson “Dad” Vail was a beloved person. He was called dad by his rowers and epitomized what the Dad Vail Regatta stands for in his caring for people, his display of sportsmanship, and his positive and persevering attitude. (U. T. Bradley, circa 1961). After the Dad Vail Regatta began in 1934, the founding members realized structure was needed for the regatta to grow and better serve its constituents. In 1939 the Dad Vail Regatta became organized with a slate of officers and a constitution thanks in large part to Lev Brett, who had the impetus for the formation and as a result the regatta became known as the Dad Vail Rowing Association. Another important change for the regatta came in 1989 when they became a 501(c)(3) so volunteers could be protected from the risks associated with being a part of the Dad Vail Regatta; this was a relatively new protection granted by the state of Pennsylvania for incorporated organizations. With this needed change, the Dad Vail Regatta’s corporate identity became the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee. The Dad Vail Regatta and its leadership have changed over the years but the basic principle of providing a regatta that serves the interests and needs of all rowing programs has remained consistent throughout its 85-year history. The most recent change is having its first female President, Kirsten Ledwith Morasco to continue in the tradition of great leaders. Morasco exemplifies the importance of volunteerism and family involvement in running the Dad Vail Regatta. Her father, Matt Ledwith, long term Dad Vail Official, introduced his children to the enjoyment and rewards of working with other volunteers. Other outstanding leaders who preceded Morasco were Lev Brett (1939-1950), Anthony Savarese (1950-1952), Jim Nesworthy (1952-1954), Jack Bratten (1954-1966), Richard O’Brien (1966-1971), Tom Conville (1971-1977), Jack Galloway (1977-2001), and most recently Jim Hanna (2001-2023). The featured event of the Dad Vail Regatta has been the men’s and women’s varsity heavyweight eight. Throughout its history, which spans eight and half decades, five rowing programs helped develop their crews by competing in the Dad Vail Regatta before moving on to the IRA. These programs were Rutgers University with seven wins (1935-1942), Boston University with four victories (1947-1950), Dartmouth College with two (1954-1955), Brown University with three (1959-1961), and Northeastern University with one (1965). Marietta College won the first Dad Vail Regatta in 1934. The following year, Rutgers University began its seven-year win streak until the event had to be put on hold for four years (1943-1946) because of World War II. The success of Rutgers University in the 30s and 40s resulted in the retiring of the first “Dad” Vail Trophy to Rutgers, which coincided with Rutgers advancing to the IRA. In 1947 Lev Brett, Chair of the Board of Stewards, provided the second Dad Vail trophy which he presented to Head Coach James Nesworthy You are cordially invited to attend The President’s Press Conference in recognition of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Friday, May 10, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. to be convened in the Camden County Boathouse Located at 7050 N. Park Drive, Pennsauken Township, NJ 08109 The winners of the 22nd Annual Art Poster Contest will also be honored! #001 presented by
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