Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta celebrates 50th Anniversary for Women competing; Introduces new points trophy

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net
610-246-5902

While America prepares to celebrate the 250th birthday of the country the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will celebrate the 50th anniversary of women competing in an event that was exclusive to men from 1934 until 1976. In 1976, the first-year women competed at the Dad Vail, Ithaca College, who just introduced rowing at the school one year earlier, had the distinct honor of capturing the Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight. To celebrate this milestone, these first female winners of, will return to the regatta this year.

Additionally, the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the creation of a new men’s and women’s points trophy for small boats teams that compete each event excluding the Varsity 8+). These point trophies will be awarded to those programs who only compete in the small boat events (i.e., singles, pairs, doubles, fours) and accumulate the most points.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will receive four automatic qualifiers for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association’s (IRA) Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight. The IRA event is limited to 24 entries.

“This will be an exciting year for the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta,” said Kirsten Morasco, President of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee. “We are excited to celebrate the milestone of women competing in such a prestigious event and we are honored the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is an automatic qualifier for the 2026 IRA National Championship.”

The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be staged this year on the Cooper River in Pennsauken, New Jersey on Friday, May 8 and Saturday May 9. All the exciting action will be available on our live stream link. To view, please go to www.dadvail.org.

UTAMPA Women’s Rowing Looking to end season on a high note

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net
610-246-5902

For some crews, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is the culmination of their spring season. University of Tampa is one of those teams who come to the Philadelphia area looking to end their season on a high note.

With that in mind, it’s not surprising when you walk into the boat cage and see the chalkboard with a simple message; “Countdown to Dad Vail”.

“The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is our championship,” said coach Bill Dunlap, who has been at the helm since 1981 and fields a roster comprised with mainly walk-ons. “Although we are considered an NCAA team, we do not offer scholarships so without recruiting we can’t really compete with the heavily funded NCAA teams. We are fortunate that our Athletic Department recognizes this and allows us to focus on a non-NCAA racing format as much as possible such as small boats and races like SIRA and Dad Vail.”

With the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta less than a week away, the Spartans are in final preparation for defense of their Women’s DII/DIII Varsity 4 title which they have won the past two years.

“To win another title with these girls in this boat would be a meaningful way to close out my senior year,” senior Jenna Manning, who was the stroke last year. “For me, it’s not all about finishing first. I would consider it a success if after my last race we feel like we gave everything we had, no matter the result, and had a strong row down the course. Rowing for the University of Tampa has been such an amazing experience that I will always reflect on throughout my lifetime.”

Dunlap echoed the sentiments of Manning, “I don’t consider my job to be winning boat races. My job is to help our rowers have the best experience they can. One that they will carry with them all their lives. Striving to be as fast as possible is a means towards that end but not the end itself. Seeing our team grow from a handful to the 25 to 30 we have now without paying people to be on the team is very satisfying. If our boats come off the water feeling they rowed a good race, then that’s success. We can’t do anything about how fast someone else goes.”

One of the schools in the path of the Spartans will be their neighbor Rollins College. The two teams have raced twice this spring with each school winning once.

To accompany the DII/DIII Varsity 4+, the Spartans will bring a Frosh/Novice Women’s 4, a Women’s Lightweight 4, a Women’s Pair and a Women’s quad (4x). This will allow UTAMPA to qualify for the Women’s Small Boats Overall National Championship Trophy. This point trophy will be awarded to the team that does not bring a Varsity Eight and accumulates the most points within the smaller boats (Quad, Pair or single).   

The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be staged this year on the Cooper River in Pennsauken, New Jersey on Friday, May 8 and Saturday May 9. All the exciting action will be available on our live stream link. To view, please go to www.dadvail.org

 

 

 

 

Annual Art Poster Contest highlights Off the river talents at Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net
610-246-5902

Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest Winners to Be Announced

The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee (DVROC), organizers of the prestigious Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta are pleased to announce the winners of the 24th annual Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest staged this spring for budding young artists attending area high schools.

The 87th annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be held on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 on the Cooper River in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.

Kirsten Morasco, President of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee said, “We are once again excited and honored to showcase the artistic talent of our area high school students by hosting our annual art poster contest. The students work hard and produce such detailed work that beautifully depicts the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta.”

Morasco along with Aaron Chang, President of Jefferson Health New Jersey will announce the winners and the cash awards at a press conference on Friday May 8 at 9 AM. To be convened at the Camden County Boathouse amidst the first day of races for the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta.

State Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, State Assemblywoman Melinda Kane, Assemblyman Bill Moen, Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr., County Commissioner Jeff Nash will be offering their own brief remarks along with the following local mayors: Collingswood Mayor Solano Ward, Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher, Pennsauken Mayor Patrick Olivo and Haddon Township Mayor Randy Teague.

The Art Poster contest, which challenges area high school students to best depict the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, one of the largest and best-known collegiate regatta, has five categories of prizes: Grand Prize, Second Place, Third Place and Honorable Mention. This year’s contest featured co-grand prize winners. Members of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee and distinguished rowers and artists comprised the judging committee.

The Winners of the 2025 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest are:

Grand Prize
Claire Dixon, Cherry Hill East & Alex Vena, Archbishop Ryan

Second Place
McKayla Moore, Archbishop Ryan

Third Place
Jessica Long, Archbishop Ryan

Honorable Mention
Athira Kasthuri, Cherry Hill East
Aubrey McGovern, Archbishop Ryan
Scarlett Roase Stec, Archbishop Ryan
Keira Merrigan, Archbishop Ryan
Yenny Pimentel, Archbishop Ryan
Miabella Galenti, Archbishop Ryan

2026 Men’s Coach of The Year

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
610-246-5902
levins51@verizon.net

In 2025, Brendan Cunningham cemented his place among the top rising leaders in collegiate rowing, earning the Matt Ledwith Coach of the Year honors at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta. The recognition followed a remarkable season in which Cunningham guided Temple’s men’s crew back to national prominence and reestablished the program’s historic standard of excellence.

In just his second year at the helm of his alma mater, Cunningham orchestrated a resurgence. Temple’s varsity eight captured its first Dad Vail title since 2021, edging a highly competitive field in a thrilling grand final.

The victory was part of an impressive overall showing, with multiple Temple boats earning gold medals and the program consistently competing at a national level.

That success carried into the postseason, where Temple placed three boats in the national top 20 at the IRA National Championships – a significant benchmark of depth and competitiveness. Cunningham’s squad also gained international experience, as both the varsity eight and a four represented the program at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.

Beyond the results, Cunningham’s impact has been rooted in culture. A former Temple rower himself, he emphasized athlete ownership, accountability, and daily improvement – principles that resonated throughout the roster.

The Matt Ledwith Coach of the Year honor reflects not only competitive achievement but also leadership and program development. For Cunningham, it underscores a rapid transformation built on both tradition and innovation, and signals that Temple crew is once again a force on the Schuylkill River.

2026 Women’s Coach of The Year

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
610-246-5902
levins51@verizon.net

Drexel Director of Rowing and women’s head coach Paul Savell has been selected as the Kate Godwin Award recipient as the 2026 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Coach of the Year. The Kate Godwin Award is presented annually to a Dad Vail coach who has a distinguished record of accomplishment and who personifies character traits worthy of emulation in a quest to encourage student athletes to uphold the highest traditions and practices.

Now in his 19th season with the program, Savell has led the Dragons to national success at some of the most prestigious regattas in collegiate rowing, including the IRA National Championships, Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta and Dad Vail Regatta.

Under Savell’s leadership, the Dragons have captured ten overall team titles at the Dad Vail Regatta, including Drexel’s first-ever championship in 2013. The men’s team has claimed eight titles, while the women secured back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Most recently, Drexel has won the men’s title in four consecutive seasons, with both programs contributing to back-to-back overall titles in 2024 and 2025.

Since taking over in 2007, Savell has led Drexel to remarkable success at the Dad Vail Regatta, with the Dragons capturing 55 gold medals on the men’s side and 35 on the women’s side. Overall, Savell has coached Drexel crews to 90 of the program’s 111 all-time Dad Vail medals, including all but one in women’s program history. The men’s Varsity 8+ has captured gold at the Regatta five times, including three straight from 2022-24, while the women have  claimed the top spot four times, including back-to-back gold medals in 2024 and 2025.

Additionally, Savell was named the 2019 CAA Coach of the Year following the women’s two gold medal performances at the conference championships. In 2025, the Dragons captured gold at the CAA Championships for the first time since 2022, with the Varsity 4+ handing Northeastern its first loss in any CAA Championship race since the 2022 season.

Five Tribes Cinema Productions to Provide Live Stream Coverage 

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
610-246-5902
levins51@verizon.net

 

The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, host of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is pleased to announce Five Tribes Cinema Productions will once again provide exciting live streaming coverage of the races beginning on Friday, May 8 at 7:30 AM continuing through the conclusion of racing on Saturday, May 9.

To follow all the action, go to www.dadvail.org and click on the live stream link.

“The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee is more than excited to have Five Tribes Cinema Productions provide exceptionally fine quality live stream coverage for the fourth consecutive year! Their own rowing experience accompanied by their production talent enable family, friends, and rowing fans of the collegiate rowers competing in the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta to enjoy the race day excitement via a live streaming platform” said Kirsten Morasco, President of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee.

“We are thrilled to renew our contract with the Dad Vail Regatta for our 4th year!” said Colin Stewart, President of Five Tribes Productions. “As the regatta continues to grow, especially this year with many West Coast teams making the trip to the Cooper, we want to ensure that our coverage quality is the best it can be while making the regatta as accessible as possible. We are proud to work with a regatta like the Dad Vail that values the viewer experience by investing in coverage and making the stream accessible to anyone in the world without roadblocks. In that vein, we will again broadcast the best races of the day on NBC Sports Philadelphia for everyone in the region to watch throughout the summer. We can’t wait for the first flag to drop in May.”

This year, there will be three elevated camera positions at the 500-meter mark, Cooper River Boathouse, 1500 Meters in and the Finish Line as well as one ground level camera at the awards dock. Additionally, a launch camera for Saturday’s finals will follow the races from the start. and there will be a medal dock camera which will allow viewers to watch the winners receive their medals. Similar to previous years,  two drones will alternate between races to ensure there is uninterrupted coverage.

Accomplished rower Megan Kalmoe along with Joe Leonard, a local Philadelphia rower and Whitney Powell from Long Beach, CA will be the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta announcers.

The 87th Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be staged on the Cooper River, in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

 

IRA TO GRANT JEFFERSON DAD VAIL REGATTA AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS TO TOP FOUR MEN’S HEAVYWEIGHT EIGHT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
610-246-5902
levins51@verizon.net

The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the 2026 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will receive four automatic qualifiers for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight National Championship. The IRA event is limited to 24 entries.

The allocation of these 24 entries is based on the following:
○ EARC Sprints Championships: First seven (7) IRA eligible finishers
○ MPSF* Championships: First five (5) IRA eligible finishers
○ Dad Vail Regatta: First four (4) IRA eligible finishers
○ At-Large Pool: Eight (8) from the remaining IRA eligible finishers

* Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Men’s Rowing Championships

Kirsten Morasco, President of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, stated: “We are pleased to have been designated an automatic qualifier regatta by the IRA. This designation indicates the quality of competition expected at this year’s Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta.”

Founded in 1934, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate rowing competitions in the United States. Each year, the two-day event brings together more than 60 collegiate programs, offering athletes the opportunity to compete on a premier course in the atmosphere of a major regatta. Dedicated to providing a first-class racing experience, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta takes pride in its reputation as one of the nation’s premier collegiate rowing events.

The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be staged on the Cooper River on Friday, May 8, 2026, and Saturday, May 9, 2026.

86th annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Crowns first Sculling champion and local winners

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
610-246-5902
levins51@verizon.net

The final day of the 86th annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta culminated with the crowning of the Inaugural men’s and women’s National Open Intercollegiate Sculling Champion. The regatta also saw Temple men defeating the 2024 champions and returning to the winner’s platform in the Men’s Varsity Eight and Drexel’s repeat as the women’s winner in the Varsity Eight.

When racing concluded, Clarkson University was crowned the Men’s National Open Intercollegiate Sculling champion with 42 points while Dominican University (24 points) and Oklahoma City (23 points) finished in second and third place, respectively.

On the women’s side, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) captured the women’s National Open Intercollegiate Sculling title with 43 points while Trent finished second with 36 points and Gordon College and Oklahoma City University tied for third with eight points each.

The Drexel Dragons won the Bratton-Galloway Trophy (combined Men’s and Women’s Point Trophy winner) for the second consecutive year and the Dr. Thomas Kerr Trophy (Men’s Point Trophy winner) for the fourth straight year. The Georgetown Hoyas captured the Jack & Nancy Seitz Trophy (Women’s Point Trophy winner) for the second consecutive season.

Drexel University returned to try and defend their Varsity Heavyweight Eight women’s crown. After finishing with the second fastest time in the semi-finals, Drexel got off to a clean start and began to separate themselves from the pack early opening a three to four seat lead.

As the race approached its final 500 meters Georgetown would draw even. As the Dragons saw Georgetown draw even, Drexel started to go into their reserve tank and pull ahead. As they came to the finish line it would be Drexel once again emerging victorious holding off a determined Hoya crew.

The men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight race was being touted as a prize fight and the schools did not disappoint. In the end it was the Temple Owls who rowed to victory and claim their first varsity eight title since 2021 and their 22nd title in school history. As the team’s fought hard to cross the finish line, the LaSalle Explorers stormed back but the Owls held off the fierce charge to claim victory.

Additional results as well as video footage from the 2025 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta can be found on DadVail.org.

Survivor Rowing Network Returns To 2025 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
610-246-5902
levins51@verizon.net

 The indescribable, life altering moment of the announcement of a diagnosis of cancer is indelibly etched in the mind of so many.  Shock, doubt, despair, fear and grief perch over family, friends, and community.

Some, fortified with prayer, belief in a cure, exceptional care, support by everyone surrounding them survive, an odyssey of tragedy to triumph.

Afterwards, their bond with others who have survived is remarkable.

The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee (DVROC) is very excited about partnering with the Survivor Rowing Network, a community of rowers committed to introducing rowing to more cancer survivors.

On Saturday May 10, between the morning and afternoon sessions of the 86th annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, four boats will unite for the second annual “Survivor Row.” This special event will feature one 8+ (eight rowers with coxswain) and three quads (four rowers without coxswain) highlighting the strength, spirit, and resilience of cancer survivors through the power of rowing.

This exhibition aims to inspire Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta competitors and spectators alike, showcasing a growing movement within the sport – Survivor Rowing.

The Survivor Rowing Network launched in 2023 with a clear and powerful mission; to provide access for cancer patients and survivors to find strength, joy, confidence and community through rowing. In just two years, SRN has grown rapidly. The network now supports 32 member programs and individuals in five countries serving cancer survivors aged 30 to 80. Most participants had never rowed prior to their diagnosis, but now thrive as part of a vibrant, empowering community-helping to establish a new category in rowing – The Survivor Row.

This weekend, SRN brings 20 survivor rowers to the Cooper River representing seven clubs from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, Washington D.C and Philadelphia.

“The Survivor Rowing Network is thrilled to return to the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta for our second Survivor Row”, said Beth Kohl, Rowing Cares President/ Survivor Rowing Network Founder.  “Last year our survivors were warmly welcomed and had a terrific experience. This event provides an incredible opportunity to showcase the healing power of rowing for cancer survivors to the broad collegiate community of rowers, coaches and supporters.”

“The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee is excited to partner with survivor cancer rowing and to be able to showcase the great work the organization is doing and the amazing cancer survivors who have turned to rowing as an outlet.”

SRN’s goal is to create more opportunities for survivors to row – whether on the water or on indoor rowing machines – as part of their recovery and rehabilitation. Scientific research continues to show the crucial role of exercise in reducing the risk of recurrence and rowing offers a mix of physical challenge, teamwork and mental restoration.

Interested rowing programs are encouraged to connect with SRN. The network is actively collaborating with collegiate and community boathouses to welcome survivors- especially during summer and school breaks-and offers full support to new programs.

To learn more about SRN, please stop by the tent

The 86th Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, will be staged on the Cooper River, in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.

-Beth Kohl, Rowing Cares President/ Survivor Rowing Network Founder contributed to the release. 

Annual Art Poster Contest highlights Off the river talents at Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net
610-246-5902

Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest Winners to Be Announced and Grants to City’s Summer Rowing Programs.

The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee (DVROC), organizers of the prestigious Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta are pleased to announce the winners of the 23rd annual Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest staged this spring for budding young artists attending surrounding area high schools.

The 86th annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be held on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 on the Cooper River in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.

Kirsten Morasco, President of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee said, “We are once again excited and honored to showcase the artistic talent of our area high school students by hosting our annual art poster contest. I am always amazed by the talent of these students and believe the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is so fortunate to partner with the community and support their artistic gifts.”

Morasco will announce the winners and the cash awards at a press conference on Friday May 9 at 9 AM. To be convened at the Camden County Boathouse amidst the first day of races for the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta.

State Senator Jim Beach, State Senate Assembly Leader Louis Greenwald, State Assembly member Melinda Kane, Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash and County Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnel will be offering their own brief remarks along with the following local mayors who will also be offering their own brief remarks: Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley, Pennsauken Deputy Mayor Jessica Rafeh and Haddon Township Mayor Randy Teague.

The Art Poster contest, which challenges Philadelphia area high school students to best depict the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, one of the largest and best-known collegiate regattas, has five categories of prizes: Grand Prize, First Place, Second Place, Third Place and Honorable Mention.

Members of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee and distinguished rowers and artists comprised the judging committee.

The Winners of the 2025 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest are:

Grand Prize

Elisabeth Prushan

 

First Place

Amira Ferrell

 

Second Place

Isabella Oniate

 

Third Place

Scarlett-Rose Stec

 

Honorable Mention

Mel Grace Calixtro

Olivia Domanico

Patrick McWade

Keira Merrigan

Breanna Nunez

Patrick Rogozinski