Author: dadvail

Contact:

Fran Connors
General Manager
Dad Vail Regatta
610-348-1104
dadvailgm@comcast.net

Philadelphia, April 16, 2018 – The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee has signed Urban Village Brewing Company as the Official Beer Sponsor of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, which will be held for the 80^th year on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

UVBC operates a popular craft brewery and restaurant in Philadelphia and is creating a special anniversary beer to commemorate the Regatta’s 80^th anniversary.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Urban Village Brewing Company and excited that it will craft a special beer to celebrate our anniversary,” says Jim Hanna, president of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta.

UVBC will offer Regatta patrons Dad Vail Anniversary Ale, which will be brewed exclusively for the Regatta and also served in its restaurant on North 2^nd Street in Philadelphia and Winnie’s in Manayunk starting April 20.

“We’re proud to be associated with this iconic Philadelphia event and brewing its 80th anniversary beer,” says Dave Goldman, owner and brewmeister for UVBC.

As America’s largest and most celebrated collegiate regatta, the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta annually attracts more than 100 universities and colleges, 3,500 athletes and 25,000 spectators.

For Immediate Release

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

 

Philadelphia, Pa., March 2018 – The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee (DVROC) and Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) are pleased to announce that the newly combined University will serve as the title sponsor of America’s largest and most celebrated collegiate rowing regatta.

Called the “Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta,” the Philadelphia event will be held this spring for the 80^th year on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 on the Schuylkill River.

The partnership holds special significance following the merger of Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University on July 1, 2017.

“We are elated to have the new Jefferson join with us as we celebrate our 80^th Dad Vail Regatta anniversary,” says DVROC President Jim Hanna. “Our alliance enhances shared values bridging academia, athletics and healthy lifestyles.  In perpetuating Philadelphia traditions for both Jefferson and the Dad Vail, our partnership will ensure a bright and strong future for the Regatta while celebrating the significance of college sports for Philadelphia.”

“Our association with the Dad Vail Regatta is yet another example of our commitment to an education ecosystem where we prepare students for leadership in their careers both in and out of the classroom,” says Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health. “We are proud to add our University’s name to this historic event, which began in 1934 and has been a permanent fixture in Philadelphia since 1952. We are equally proud to introduce our Jefferson Rams Rowing Team at this year’s Dad Vail, led by Assistant Director of Athletics and Rowing Coach Chris O’Brien.”

The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO, annually attracts more than 100 universities and colleges from North America and Canada and 3,000 rowers almost equally divided between men and women.  Jefferson Rams will have several crews rowing in this year’s Regatta. Prior to the universities’ merger, the team was known as the Philadelphia University Rams.

Named after beloved rowing coach Harry Emerson “Dad” Vail, who was one of the sport’s most passionate advocates, the Regatta attracts tens of thousands of spectators. Every year they line the banks of the Schuylkill River to enjoy the spirited competition and festive atmosphere.

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 professional 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.

 

 

For Immediate Release

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

Philadelphia, PA – For nearly nine months the schools participating in the Dad Vail Regatta count down the days as they prepare to win a coveted Dad Vail Regatta medal.

Heading into the 79^th Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross and The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University most of the local schools had high hopes of leaving a lasting legacy at their respective institutions. Rowers from Drexel University, St. Joseph’s University and the University of Delaware did just that in front of spirited crowds despite the heavy rain that fell during the course of the racing schedule on Saturday morning.

With unfavorable conditions predicted for Saturday morning, the Dad Vail Organizing Committee re-arranged the schedule in order to maintain their promise that each school have the opportunity to row at least two races while also figuring a way to complete all of the Grand and Petite finals.

As the rain fell on rowers and spectators the Dragons began the day on fire winning the two premier events. The women got things started in historic fashion. For the first time in school history, the women captured the Varsity Heavyweight Eight title just a couple of weeks after dedicating their shell to Cara Fry, the wife of school president Dr. John Fry.

The men continued Drexel’s hot start by winning their first Varsity Heavyweight title since 2013 just weeks after they dedicated their shell to Lois Krall. Additionally, the Dragons captured three more gold medals; a silver medal and a bronze that played a big role in helping the women capture the Jack & Nancy Seitz Trophy (Women’s Point Trophy) for the first time in school history and a fifth consecutive Jack Bratton Trophy (Overall Points).

The University Delaware men’s program also enjoyed a banner day winning the Thomas Kerr Trophy (Men’s Point Trophy) highlighted by victories in the men’s lightweight eight and the men’s lightweight four while also winning the women’s junior varsity four.

Rounding out the fine performances by the local schools at the Dad Vail Regatta, also presented by Coca-Cola and PECO was St. Joseph’s University. The men’s junior varsity eight and men’s third varsity eight won the first gold medals on the men’s side since 2010 while the women’s freshman/novice eight won the Hawks first gold medal since 2011 on the women’s side. The Hawks finished second in the women’s point standings and third in the men’s standings.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 2.5 million in the region. For almost 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting events that promote wellness. To learn more visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About – Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 34 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.

 

For Immediate Release

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

Philadelphia, PA – Classes may have ended at the University of Wisconsin but members of the women’s lightweight crew team are being taught a valuable history lesson.

When they heard coach Dusty Mattison registered their team for the 79^th annual Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross and The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University the young women were excited to learn about the event named in honor of Wisconsin’s former men’s rowing coach Harry Emerson “Dad” Vail.

“They do,” said Mattison referring to her team’s understanding of how special attending the Dad Vail Regatta can be. “This year in particular we have talked a lot about the history of rowing at Wisconsin and the legacy they want to leave behind. It is really interesting how things weave together if you really pay attention. They are very proud to wear the “W” and be the ones to represent the University of Wisconsin.”

The Dad Vail Regatta, also presented by Coca-Cola and PECO will be staged on Friday May 12 and Saturday May 13 will be the first trip in the history of the women’s program to the largest collegiate regatta in the country that features over 100 universities and colleges and 3,500 athletes from around the country competing for Gold Medals.

Mattison said, “It is very special! One thing we always say is there are Badgers everywhere we travel and this just confirms that. The Badger pride runs very deep at Wisconsin and it is fun to bring that with us to the largest collegiate regatta in the country. We feel honored to be representing one of the original founders of the regatta.    I have always heard about what a great race Dad Vail Regatta is. Fortunately, with Eastern Sprints scheduled at the end of April it allows us to race at Dad Vail. This race gives us an opportunity to line up against very competitive crews before heading into IRA’s. There are five weeks between Eastern Sprints and IRA’s. It is important we stay connected to that racing atmosphere and to be put in as many different racing situations as possible.”

While this may be the first trip east to the regatta named in honor of the man who kept Wisconsin rowing going year after year, it will hopefully be a memorable one and the first of many trips to come.

To learn more about “Dad” Vail, please go to www.dadvail.org and click on the history of the Dad Vail Regatta under the General Information tab.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 2.5 million in the region. For almost 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting events that promote wellness. To learn more visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About – Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 34 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.

Philadelphia, PA – The Dad Vail Organizing Committee, host of the Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross and The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University is proud to announce that JB Productions will provide live streaming coverage of the races beginning on Friday, May 12 at 11:30 am continuing through the conclusion of racing on Saturday May 13.

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

“The Dad Vail Organizing Committee is pleased to welcome JB Productions and give collegiate rowers competing in the 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 79^th annual Dad Vail Regatta, also presented by Coca-Cola and PECO will be staged on Friday, May 12 and Saturday 13 and will feature over 3,000 student-athletes from more than 100 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. 

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 2.5 million in the region. For almost 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/Facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About – Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 34 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.

 

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

For Immediate Release

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

Philadelphia, PA – The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the return of its Dad Vail Regatta mobile app in preparation of the 79^th annual Dad Vail Regatta presented by Independence Blue Cross and The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, which will be staged on Friday May 12 and Saturday May 13.

The Dad Vail Regatta App is once again available in the Apple App Store. The mobile app allows you to access schedules, heat sheets, weather updates and regatta information.

For those who do not have access through the mobile app, please log onto www.dadvail.org to access schedules, heat sheets, weather updates and other pertinent regatta information.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 2.5 million in the region. For almost 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/Facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 

About – Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 34 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.

Mayor’s Press Conference Highlights

Opening of Dad Vail Regatta

For Immediate Release

15th Annual Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest Winners To Be Announced And Grant To City’s Summer Rowing Program.

Philadelphia, Pa –The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, organizers of the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross and The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University are pleased to announce the winners of the 15th Annual Dad Vail Regatta Art Contest staged again 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 Organizing Committee will present the cash awards at a press conference on Friday morning May 12 at 9 a.m. amidst the opening races of the 79th annual Dad Vail Regatta, the nation’s largest collegiate regatta.

The Dad Vail Regatta, also presented by Coca-Cola and PECO, will be staged on Friday May 12 and Saturday May 13 on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia with more than 100 universities and colleges and 3,500 athletes from around the country competing for Gold Medals.

Hanna said, “The Dad Vail Regatta is far more than the largest collegiate rowing event. We also offer students who are gifted in areas other than athletics, the means 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 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, and 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 for the city’s summer rowing program for inner city youngsters, a tradition the organizers have been following for years having donated a total 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 2017 Dad Vail Regatta Art Poster Contest are:

 

Grand Prize

Alyssa Sliwa, Archbishop Ryan

First Place

Angela Myronovych, Central High School

Second Place

Skylar Elliott-Jones, Archbishop Ryan

Third Place

Lika Su, Archbishop Ryan

Honorable Mention

Felicia Broll, Archbishop Ryan

Nichola McDermott, Archbishop Ryan

Xuan (Zoe) Dong, Archbishop Ryan

Otari Iobidze, The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush

Daniel Jurgelewicz, Archbishop Ryan

Kristin Somershoe, Archbishop Wood

 

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 2.5 million in the region. For almost 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting events that promote wellness. To learn more visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

 

About – Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 34 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.

 

Contact:

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

Philadelphia, PA – Throughout the history of Temple Men’s Crew, success at the Dad Vail Regatta has been paramount especially in the Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight with 20 Dad Vail Gold Medals (including 13 consecutive wins).

“Temple University, so uniquely a Philly school succeeding in a uniquely Philly event like this is pretty special,” said coach Brian Perkins, who was part of a Varsity Heavyweight Eight that won a Dad Vail Gold Medal. “That was always the case. To be able to compete against some of the fastest crews in the country right here on our home course is a gift.”

When the Owls hit the river for the 79^th annual Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross and The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University taking place on Friday May 12 and Saturday May 13 it will be a historic occasion for a number of reasons.

They will be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the men’s program; the opening of their new boathouse and they will be celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the 1992 Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight that won a coveted Dad Vail Gold Medal.

“We talk about the 50-year milestone, but surviving that long was not without trials,” said Perkins. “One key reason for Temple’s success would be the consistent leadership of Gavin White. Gavin was the second ever Head Coach of Temple Crew (succeeding Tom “Bear” Curran) and held that position for 35 years. He is still on staff as Head Coach Emeritus. The team changes every year, but having a steady guiding hand is crucial: once success is achieved, maintaining it is a whole other issue and Gavin was great at that.”

Junior Collin McKinney, who rows stroke echoed his coach’s sentiments, “Having a coaching staff that holds the Dad Vail Regatta to such a high regard helps us as student-athletes realize the importance of this regatta to the Temple program. We’ve had such a long history of success at it, the expectation now has become it is our regatta to win.”

After going through a challenging period, the Owls returned to a place they had become accustomed to at the Dad Vail Regatta with a third place finish.

Perkins said, “I was proud of those guys: they worked hard and overcame their own issues. There are bad crews, Good Crews, and GREAT CREWS. I think that last year we became a Good Crew again. Now we need to claw up to the next level and once again become a great crew. I like to hope that the seeds of that greatness are on the team right now. And in 50 more years we can revisit this article and see what we have done!”

It meant a lot to be apart of the first Temple Heavyweight Varsity Eight to be back on the podium in a long time,” McKinney said. “Being a part of the V8+ the year before and getting 6th, it taught me a lot about the level of training that was needed to even get on the podium, so going into the next year we all began to step up more and found that our work paid off with a bronze medal. Going into the Dad Vail this year we all feel more knowledgeable and prepared to improve on last year’s bronze.”

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve more than 8.5 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including more than 2.5 million in the region. For almost 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/Facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About – Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 34 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.

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