Marietta College Holds Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta in High Esteem

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net

Philadelphia, PA – Upon first entering the newly renovated Lindamood-VanVoorhis Boathouse, newcomers to the Marietta College women’s rowing program quickly learn why the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is held in such high regard.

To accompany the training equipment and video room for training purposes, the Pioneers also created the Dad Vail room. The functional use of the Dad Vail room is a meeting space. It is also a room devoted to displaying some of the trophies and memorabilia from the many years of rowing history at Marietta College, specifically highlighting Marietta College’s gold medal winning crews at the Vails.  A photo of each crew and a banner with the names of the winning athletes hang in this space.

“The significance of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta becomes pretty apparent to athletes from their first day at the boathouse,” said first-year coach Abby Klicker, who was a member of the 2011 and 2012 Gold Medal Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight boats. “As one of the original members of the Dad Vail, we value the strong history of the regatta and the success we have found there over the years. In our boathouse, we feature the names of each person and crew that has won gold at the Dad Vail Regatta. Young rowers walk through the boat house, inspired by those who came before them and motivated to win gold at the Dad Vail, to make their mark in Marietta rowing history.”

Marietta’s women’s history at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta has produced two Lightweight Four (w/coxswain) championships and five Varsity Heavyweight Eight DIII crowns with the latest victory coming in 2015.

Following the 2016 Dad Vail that concluded with a third-place finish, the Pioneers began trying to navigate the combination of injuries and a dip in enrollment. Despite the perfect storm that no school wants to face, the Pioneers women’s rowing program still made having a presence at the Dad Vail a priority and that will certainly continue with Klicker at the helm.

Kilcker said, “What makes the Dad Vail so meaningful to me is the way it brings the rowing community together. As a novice/walk-on at Marietta, the Dad Vail was the first time I saw the rowing community on a larger scale. It was eye-opening to see so many collegiate athletes coming from all over to compete. The Dad Vail also connects generations of rowers. At Marietta, one way you can instantly connect with alumni of the program is to bring up the Dad Vail Regatta. Everyone has stories of racing for a coveted “Dad Vail Gold”. As an athlete, we loved hearing the racing stories of the women who came before us and we dreamed of passing along our stories of, “When we raced the Dad Vail…”

The 81st annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, PECO and Coca-Cola will be staged on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 on the historic Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

About: :http://www.jefferson.edu/university.html>
Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary, experiential professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a comprehensive university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. Jefferson is reimaging 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.

Boston University Women create more memories At Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

Contact:

Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net

Philadelphia, PA (April 9, 2019) – The first two trips to the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, PECO and Coca-Cola in the short history of the Boston University Women’s Varsity Lightweight Eight program have produced a lifetime of memories for members of this crew and their coach.

In 2017, the Terriers won the Women’s Varsity Lightweight Eight in a “finals only” event defeating Wisconsin by eight hundredths of a second through a steady rain to claim the program’s first ever Dad Vail gold medal. 

With Dad Vail featuring competitive races and knowing they wanted a race that featured heats/semis and finals events to help them prepare for the upcoming IRA National Championships, the Terriers knew they would have to register for an event that met those parameters. Last year, the Terriers registered for the Women’s Heavyweight Eight (open division).

Going up against some of the best young crews who have had prior success at the Dad Vail the young Terriers knew they have would have to put together three solid times if they wanted to win the women’s premier event.

After posting solid times in the heats and semi-finals, Coach Malcolm Doldron had a plan for the finals he hoped would be followed.

“We wanted to get to racing cadence and run even splits from start to finish.  We’d been racing pretty well throughout the weekend and knew our starts had been solid.  If we got off the line well, we’d be in a good place to challenge for the early lead and trust our fitness down the course.  It was hard to determine where we were in the first 500 based on the stagger, but we had a good turn and a great view of the field behind us from that point on.”

The Terriers followed the race plan to perfection getting out strong and finishing with open water between them and runner-up UMASS to claim the program’s first Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight title.

“It was certainly one of the highlights of our 2018 campaign,” Doldron said. “The weather held up better than 2017 so the grand stands were filled with a boisterous crowd.  There’s an energy and excitement surrounding the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta that’s palpable.  Add in the fact that they were punching above our weight class against formidable open weight programs, I could tell there were more than a few butterflies in their belly’s during our pre-race meeting.  We were thrilled to race down the Schuylkill to win our program’s first Dad Vail Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight Championship.”

Doldron, who was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the last time he raced in the Dad Vail as a member of Marietta College under the direction of John Banchieri (who coached at Marietta prior to his tenure at Grand Valley State University) knew when he was hired in 2012 as the program’s first coach, he wanted his team to experience an event like Dad Vail.

Returning everybody from last year’s boat plus the talented freshmen group that entered the program have made for a very competitive off-season when it comes to filling the shell. The 81st annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be staged on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 on the historic Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

About: :http://www.jefferson.edu/university.html>
Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary, experiential professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a comprehensive university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. Jefferson is reimaging 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.

 

RowAmerica to serve as official dock for 81st Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

Contact:

Ed Levin
Director of Publicity
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net

Philadelphia, Pa. (April 9, 2019) – The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee (DVROC) is pleased to announce RowAmerica will return as the official dock supplier for the 2019 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, PECO and Coca-Cola.

The 81st annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be staged on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 on the historic Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

“Our collegiate coach audience looks for crew safety and ease of use in the pressured and competitive environment of a major regatta,” said Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee President Jim Hanna. “The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is thrilled to provide our competitors and coaches with a state-of-the-art solution that brings all of these elements to the river. We would like to thank RowAmerica for their support on behalf of all of the athletes who will be competing at this year’s event.”

“RowAmerica wishes that all competitors enjoy launching from the 520’ of RowAmerica docks at the 2019 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta,” said RowAmerica Founder Howard Winklevoss.  “Since last year, we’ve extended our rowing business to include indoor and outdoor boat racks and coaching launches, all in the hopes of helping grow our sport.  Best of luck to all of the competitors.”

RowAmerica Docks are aluminum-framed docks with support beams every 2 feet that also has premier waterproof composite decking.

As the largest collegiate regatta in North America, the 81-year old event attracts more than 100 universities and colleges, 2,500 elite rowers and 25,000 spectators.

 

About: :http://www.jefferson.edu/university.html>
Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary, experiential professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a comprehensive university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. Jefferson is reimaging 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.

Final Day of Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta featured a Tasty local flavor

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net

Philadelphia, PA – Celebrating its 80th anniversary, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO was given the best gift – an exciting two days of racing featuring plenty of local flavor tasting success. The weekend also featured a visit from Congressional Medal of Honor award winner Michael Thornton who presented four of the trophies to winning crews.

Highlighting the anniversary weekend was the Temple University Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight returning to the winner’s podium for the first time since 2004 along with Drexel University winning the women’s point trophy for the second consecutive year. The Drexel men’s and women’s teams contributed in their own way to lead the Dragons to their sixth consecutive overall points trophy (tying Purdue University for the most oval points trophy titles since 2003.

As the battle for the men’s varsity heavyweight eight crown reached the halfway point, the highly anticipated battle between Temple University and Saint Joseph’s University lived up to its billing as the local rivals battled for first. With approximately 150 meters remaining, the Owls kicked it into high gear as they pulled away and had nothing between them and victory except the open water.

Although the Hawks refused to go quietly, the lead built by the Owls was too big and Temple had their first win in the varsity heavyweight eight since 2004.

“It meant the world to me that these guys brought it home,” said Temple coach Brian Perkins. “We as a staff knew they could do it, but the men did not know yet. There were four guys in that boat who never even made a Dad Vail Final and now they hold the record for fastest V8 ever.”

On the women’s side, the Boston University Terriers made the most of their trip to the city of Philadelphia winning the Evelyn Bergman Cup, the women’s heavyweight varsity eight race for the first time in school history.

The University Delaware men’s program also enjoyed a banner day winning the Thomas Kerr Trophy (Men’s Point Trophy).

About Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University)
Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary, experiential professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is now a comprehensive university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. The new Jefferson is reimaging 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.

Your Guide to the 2018 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

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

North America’s largest collegiate regatta will celebrate its 80th Anniversary this weekend as over 100 schools and 3,500 rowers from across United States and Canada converge on the historic Schuykill River in Philadelphia on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 for the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO.

Drexel University returns to try and defend the Varsity Heavyweight Eight Men’s and Women’s titles, overall points title and women’s points trophy while the University of Delaware will be back to try and defend the Men’s Points Trophy.

Here are the details:

Dates: Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12

Times: The Friday races run from 7:30 am to. 6:00 pm. Saturday’s races will run from 7:00 am to 5 pm.

The Course: The 2,000 meters long race course start line is just north of the Kelly Drive-Hunting Park Avenue intersection. The course ends at the Grand Stand finish line just above the Columbia Avenue Bridge.

Award Ceremonies: All award ceremonies will take place on Saturday at the finish line dock as each championship race concludes. The winning team will take the podium while the second and third place crews will receive medals in their shell at the finish line dock.

Race Schedule & Results: Race results can be found on www.dadvail.org or by downloading the Dad Vail Regatta app which can be found in the App store for IOS and Android devices.

Where to watch:  Best place to watch is at the finish line grandstand but you can also view the races along the banks of the Schuykill River throughout the 2,000-meter course. If cannot make the event all the races will be streamed at www.dadvail.org.

Transportation: Shuttle bus service is available to and from the race course on Kelly Drive from 6:00AM until 7:00PM on both Friday and Saturday. This service is free of charge and will pick up from, and return spectators to, the remote parking lots as well as the Philadelphia Art Museum. The Art Museum, a short walk from downtown Philadelphia, is also accessed by SEPTA Routes 32 and 38, and is near historic Boathouse Row.

If you drive, plan on parking your vehicle in the remote lots provided in historic Fairmount Park. To access parking, follow the directions to Kelly Drive elsewhere on this site. Once on Kelly Drive, there will be signs posted to the remote parking areas. Shuttle buses will pick you up in the parking areas. You will be minutes from the race course and Rower’s Village.

If you walk from Center City or take public transportation (Septa Routes 32 and 38), shuttle buses will pick you up at 25th Street and Kelly Drive (gold equestrian statue of St. Joan of Arc). Walking from Center City, go to the right (north) of the Art Museum. Don’t forget to stop at the Rocky Statue or run up the Art Museum steps like Rocky. Proceed another block along Kelly Drive to 25th Street (gold equestrian statue of St. Joan of Arc). Once on the bus, after passing historic Boathouse Row, you can get off at Rower’s Village and then walk approximately ½ mile to the finish line or stay on the bus, proceed through the parking areas and get off at the Canoe Club (mid race), the 500 meter mark (final quarter) or the finish line.

The Jefferson Dad Vail Shuttle Buses will be marked “Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta” and will be either double decker London style buses or trolley style buses.

Road Closures: From 10:00 am on Thursday, May 10 until 7:00 pm on Saturday, May 12, Kelly Drive will close from Strawberry Mansion Bridge to Fountain Green.

Mayor’s Press Conference Kicks Off 80th Dad Vail Regatta 16th Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest Winners To Be Honored and City’s Summer Rowing Program To Receive Grant

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net

Philadelphia, Pa (May 2, 2018) –The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee (DVROC), organizers of the prestigious Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO are pleased to announce the winners of the 16th Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest staged this spring for budding young artists attending Philadelphia area public, private and parochial schools.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Jim Hanna, President of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee will present the cash awards at a press conference on Friday,

May 11 at 9 a.m. amidst the opening races of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, which will be celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Jim Hanna said, “The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta is far more than a regatta, offering students the opportunity to be recognized for their artistic ability and to be rewarded for their distinguished achievements by way of our annual Art Poster Contest.”

The contest, which challenges Philadelphia area high school students to best depict the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, North America’s largest and best-known collegiate regatta has five categories of prizes; Grand Prize, First Place, Second Place, Third Place and Honorable Mention.

Members of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, The School District of Philadelphia, the Office of Catholic Education comprised the judging committee of the artwork.

At the conclusion of the awards, Mayor Kenney will be presented with a check from Hanna for the city’s summer rowing program for inner city youngsters, an annual Dad Vail donation that is now approaching $50,000.

This program seeks to expose Philadelphia high school students to some of the benefits of rowing; discipline, camaraderie, loyalty, exceptional physical conditioning and teamwork.

The Winners of the 2018 Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest are:

Grand Prize

Mary Xu, Archbishop Ryan

First Place

Alyssa Sliwa, Archbishop Ryan

Second Place

Kiany Pelullera, Randolph Technical High School

Third Place

Alpha Barry, Central High School

Honorable Mention

Dan Jurgelewicz, Archbishop Ryan

Jessica Mark, Central High School

Maddie Mask, Central

Erin Slack, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush

Lika Su, Archbishop Ryan

Abigail Woods, Archbishop Ryan

About Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University)

Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary, experiential professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is now a comprehensive university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. The new Jefferson is reimaging 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.

Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta to be live streamed Friday May 11 and Saturday May 12

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

Philadelphia, PA (April 30, 2018)– The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, host of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO has signed a deal with to JB Productions to provide live streaming coverage of the races beginning on Friday, May 11 at 7:00 am continuing through the conclusion of racing on Saturday May 12.

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

“The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee is pleased to have JB Productions return for another year and give collegiate rowers competing in the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta the benefit of worldwide coverage through live streaming to family, friends and rowing fans,” said Jim Hanna, President of the Dad Vail Organizing Committee.

There will be six cameras positioned along the course from start to finish. On select races, there will also be drone coverage providing aerial views. Accomplished rower and Dad Vail Board Member Brad Negaard will handle the announcing and commentary throughout the day. Guest commentators including fellow Dad Vail Regatta board member and Florida Tech Bill Jurgens will also join Neegard.

JB Productions has extensive experience live streaming rowing events in Philadelphia including the City Championships.

The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, celebrating its 80thAnniversary will be held on Friday, May 11 and Saturday 12 and will feature over 3,000 student-athletes from more than 100 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. 

About Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University)

Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary, experiential professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is now a comprehensive university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. The new Jefferson is reimaging 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.

 

 

 

Jefferson Rowing: Ram Tough

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

 

Philadelphia, PA (April 24, 2018) – To say the Jefferson Rams made a splash in their first season of rowing would be an understatement.

Tasked with building a crew program at a Division II university nestled in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, in 2006 newly hired coach Chris O’Brien gladly accepted the challenge of trying secure racing shells, oars and ergometers for practice, while also trying to gauge the student level of interest in a grueling sport.

Yet the strong turnout of 30 rowers–and just two with any rowing experience–in the program’s first year underscored that rowing is truly a team sport.

After spending that first fall season learning how to row together, the Rams in late April won the Bergen Cup, which is the Philadelphia City Championships, before capping their first season winning a coveted Dad Vail Regatta Gold Medal in the Women’s Novice Eight

“Dad Vail medals do not come easy,” said O’Brien. “To win in the first year of the program was amazing. We started out that year wanting to be a presence on the water, with the goal of developing into a serious player on the water. However, when I saw the passion and commitment of the group that first year, I knew we could be a player right away. So, we committed to the goal of winning. To see walk-on women on a novice team competing with the likes of UConn, Kansas, Villanova and Purdue meant that we were competing in the top ranks of rowing.”

This season the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, PECO and Coca-Cola, will celebrate its 80th Anniversary when the event takes place on Friday, May 11 and Saturday May 12 on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

For the Jefferson Rams, known as the Philadelphia University Rams prior to the July 2017 merger of Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University, the merger is expected to pay dividends for the crew team as it continues to row forward one stroke at a time.

“The University merger will help the rowing program to grow,” said O’Brien. “We now have double the number of students, which gives us the potential to pull additional quality walk-ons onto the program. And we have many more academic majors, which has the potential to attract more high school rowers across multiple disciplines. With the University’s increased visibility and scale, I believe the rowing program will follow suit and increase its visibility and scale within collegiate rowing.”  

Since its start 11 years ago, the Rams women’s Varsity Eight has qualified for the DII/DIII grand final every year and has made five appearances at the NCAA Championships. In 2010, the then-Philadelphia University women’s rowing team placed 3rd at the NCAA Championships, the highest placing of any PhilaU women’s program in any sport at the NCAA Championship level. The Varsity Eight also paved the way for success in other categories.

The Men’s Varsity Four took silver at the Dad Vail in 2011 and the women’s Varsity Four took bronze in 2012. The school’s depth has also grown, putting at least three boats in the grand final of the Dad Vail Regatta in six of the past eight years.

“I love being on a team where I know the coach is as invested as the athletes,” said senior Kelsey Fairley. “This program is so special because Coach O’Brien started it all. In his first year, he saw the success and potential for the future of the program he was building. Since then, he has never lost faith in each new team’s work ethic and passion to race. One of the best aspects of our team is the number of walk-on rowers we gain each year. They learn how thrilling and competitive racing is, and how they can be just as fast as anyone else out there on the water.”

Fairley added, “The Novice Eight win in 2007 proves to every team member what is possible. It shows us that if we trust the process and we trust each other all year long, we will push each other to build a faster team that wins races throughout the season – including at the Dad Vail.”

 

About Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University)

Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary, experiential professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is now a comprehensive university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. The new Jefferson is reimaging 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.

Drexel crew roars into history books At 79th annual Dad Vail Regatta

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

Drexel crew roars into history books at 79thannual Dad Vail Regatta

Philadelphia, PA (April) –The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta has a rich tradition in Philadelphia and Paul Savell, the Director of Rowing/Head Men’s and Women’s coach at Drexel University makes sure to share that tradition with his program.

Every spring, the Drexel men’s and women’s crew program counts down the days until they get to row in front of teammates, family and alumnae on the historic Schuylkill River, a place they call home.

This year will be a little different for Drexel as the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO, prepares for its 80thanniversary on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12. For the first time in school history, the Dragons will enter as defending champions of the Men’s and Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight.

“It was extremely rewarding to continue Drexel Rowing’s winning tradition at the Dad Vail Regatta,” Savell said. “Winning creates more pressure to keep winning, and I was so happy with how the team rose to the challenge and exceeded expectations.”

In addition to battling a talented field, the crews woke up on the final day realizing they would also have to battle weather as a steady rain fell making conditions more challenging.

“Rowing is an outdoor sport and weather is often a factor,” said Savell. “Everyone hopes for good flat conditions, but you need to prepare for all conditions. All of the boats in each race are racing in the same weather conditions, no matter how clear or how difficult. They were tough, but there’s no time to let up when you’re that close to another Dad Vail title. I was proud of how our team battled through the elements and kept the eye on the ultimate prize.”

With the UMASS women hoping to claim an unprecedented third consecutive Varsity Heavyweight Eight title along with a fourth straight Women’s Overall Point trophy, the five other schools in the final including Drexel knew the task at hand.

Amidst a steady rain as the race for the Evelyn Bergman Trophy (Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight) began, the Dragons got off to a quick start and never took their foot off the gas, eventually creating open water between them and UMASS en route to their first ever coveted Dad Vail Gold Medal.

“Coming across the finish line of Dad Vail last spring in the pouring rain and open water on UMass was the absolute culmination of all of the hard work and dedication we had invested towards that victory for our boat and our entire team and all parents, coaches, alumni and donors that we had supporting us the whole way,” said Paige Propp, who sat in the 7 seat for the 2017 Dad Vail Regatta. “We have been chasing this goal for many years, and it was unbelievable to be able to be a member of the boat that was finally able to make it a reality. It was a day that I will never forget and one that I am exceedingly proud to say that I could be a part of.”

The women also garnered victories the JV Heavyweight Eight, the 3V Heavyweight Eight and the Varsity Heavyweight Four on their way to the school’s first Overall Women’s Point Trophy.

Not to be outdone, the men followed the women in dramatic fashion of their own capturing the Richard O’Brien Trophy (Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight) fending off city rival St. Joseph’s who had posted a quicker time in their respective semi-final heat.

In the finals, the Dragons got off the starting block quickly and created open water allowing them to enjoy the taste of victory for the first time since 2013 when they had to come from behind shocking the University of Michigan and Florida Institute of Technology.

“Winning the Heavyweight Eight event at Dad Vail solidified my understanding of how far the Drexel rowing program has come since its inception,” said Ben Lee, who rowed in the 7 seat at the Dad Vail Regatta. “Ten years ago, Drexel was having trouble making the grand finals. Twenty years ago, the program was off the map. Now, the team is consistently placing in and winning the majority of events offered at the Dad Vail Regatta. The last and only other time the program has won the varsity eight event was in 2013. I have high hopes for the future of the program. Winning the overall points trophy could likely become an annual occurrence.”

Savell added, “Each year has been very unique and last year very special for that group.  This was the first time we were able to win both the men’s and women’s varsity eight events (the premiere events) at Dad Vails. To come away with the first women’s varsity eight gold, another men’s varsity eight golds, a program-record five gold medals and the overall title for the fifth time was really an incredible moment for the program.