Dad Vail Regatta
The Dad Vail Regatta is the largest regular intercollegiate rowing event in the United States,[1][2] drawing over a hundred colleges and universities from North America. The regatta has been held annually on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1953.
Since 2019, the regatta has been sponsored by Thomas Jefferson University, a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is officially known as the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta. Previous sponsors have included Aberdeen Asset Management (2010–18), and Sunoco (1998-2000).[3][4]
The purposes of the Dad Vail Rowing Association are: "to perpetuate the 'Dad' Vail tradition, foster and encourage intercollegiate rowing among colleges new to the sport, and promote schedules for member schools."
Origin of the name "Dad Vail"[edit]
The regatta was named after Harry Emerson "Dad" Vail, for his years of coaching at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
The story of the Dad Vail Regatta, and of the Rowing Association, begins with two men, "Rusty" Callow, then coach at the University of Pennsylvania, who came up with the idea, and Lev Brett, who made the idea a reality.
Callow originated the idea of promoting competition among colleges struggling to found rowing programs. These included schools too small to hope to ever compete in major races and larger institutions not yet ready for such competition. In order to create competition, Rusty created a trophy as the competition prize, in 1934, which was named in honor of Vail.
Since then, the name "Dad" Vail has become one and the same with the race. Vail's passion for rowing helped form the modern-day Dad Vail Regatta and motivate the multitudes of colleges to come compete.
History of the regatta[edit]
The first race, before the formation of the Dad Vail Rowing Association, was held in 1934 with "Rusty" and the University of Pennsylvania as hosts. Marietta College, coached by Ellis MacDonald won the first leg on the new trophy by finishing second to a Penn sub-varsity boat, which was an added entry. Rutgers, coached by Ned Ten Eyck, was third and Manhattan College, coached by "Skippy" Walz was fourth.
The race in 1935 was at Marietta. With the addition of Rollins College and Wisconsin, the order at the finish of the race was: Rutgers, Penn, Marietta, Wisconsin, Manhattan, and Rollins. There was no race held in 1937. In both 1936 and 1938, only Rutgers and Manhattan competed on the Harlem. Rutgers won both times. In February 1939, a meeting was held and the Dad Vail Rowing Association was formed in order to help promote the race and encourage schools to compete.
The growth of the regatta is pointed out by the following statistics: in the first association regatta, seven colleges sent seven varsity crews to Red Bank. At Philadelphia in 1961, twenty colleges sent forty crews to compete in varsity, JV, and freshman races. Currently, over a hundred colleges and universities from the United States and Canada compete, making the Dad Vail Regatta the largest collegiate regatta in the United States and bringing thousands of student athletes to Philadelphia.
Women competed for the first time in 1976.[5] As coxswain for Marietta College's JV heavyweight eight that year, Deborah Patterson was the first woman to win a gold medal at the Dad Vail.
Briefly in late 2009, the Dad Vail Organizing Committee announced that the regatta would be held in Rumson, New Jersey[6] in 2010, citing loss of local sponsors.[7] However, this decision was soon rescinded due to pressure from the city and logistical problems with the Rumson location, and the event returned to Philadelphia for 2010.[8][9]
The Dad Vail entered its 75th year in 2013.
In 2023, because of dredging being done on the Schuylkill River, the regatta was moved to the Cooper River in Pennsauken Township NJ. The event was also scheduled again for 2024 for the Cooper River, the 85th anniversary of the Dad Vail
Winners of select events[edit]
Men's HW 8+ | Men's JV 8+ | Men's Frosh 8+ | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1934 | Marietta | -- | -- | [10][11] |
1935 | Rutgers | -- | -- | [10] |
1936 | Rutgers | -- | -- | [10] |
1938 | Rutgers | -- | -- | [10] |
1939 | Rutgers | -- | -- | [10] |
1940 | Rutgers | -- | -- | [10] |
1941 | Rutgers | -- | -- | [10] |
1942 | Rutgers | -- | -- | [10] |
1943 | Not contested (World War II) | [10] | ||
1944 | ||||
1945 | ||||
1946 | ||||
1947 | Boston U. | -- | -- | [10] |
1948 | Boston U. | -- | -- | [10] |
1949 | Boston U. | -- | -- | [10] |
1950 | Boston U. | -- | -- | [10] |
1951 | La Salle | -- | -- | [10][12] |
1952 | La Salle | -- | -- | [10] |
1953 | La Salle | -- | -- | [10] |
1954 | Dartmouth | -- | -- | [10] |
1955 | Dartmouth | -- | -- | [10] |
1956 | La Salle | -- | -- | [10] |
1957 | La Salle | -- | -- | [10] |
1958 | La Salle | -- | La Salle | [10][12] |
1959 | Brown | -- | St. Joseph's U. | [10][13][14] |
1960 | Brown | St. Joseph's U. | -- | [10] |
1961 | Brown | Brown | Brown | [10][15] |
1962 | Georgetown | Georgetown | La Salle | [10][16][12] |
1963 | Marietta | -- | -- | [10][11] |
1964 | Georgetown | Georgetown | Marietta | [10][11] |
1965 | Northeastern | Northeastern | Northeastern | [10][17] |
1966 | Marietta | Marietta | Marietta | [10][11] |
1967 | Marietta | -- | Marietta | [10][11] |
1968 | Georgetown | Marietta | Marietta | [10][11] |
1969 | Georgetown | Marietta | Marietta | [10][11] |
1970 | St. Joseph's U. | Georgetown | Trinity College | [10][18] |
Men's HW 8+ | Men's JV 8+ | Men's Frosh 8+ |
Men's HW 8+ |
Men's JV 8+ |
Men's Frosh 8+ |
Men's LW 8+ |
Men's FLW 8+ |
Women's HW 8+ |
Women's LW 8+ |
Women's DII HW 8+ |
Women's DIII HW 8+ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1971 | Georgetown [10] | Marietta [11] | Marietta [11] | Marietta [11] | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
1972 | Coast Guard | Marietta [11] | -- | Coast Guard | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
1973 | Massachusetts[19] | Marietta [11] | Marietta [11] | Marietta [11] | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
1974 | Massachusetts [19] | St. Joseph's[20] | Massachusetts [20] | Drexel [21] | Marietta [20] | -- | -- | -- | -- |
1975 | Coast Guard [22] | -- | Florida Tech | Florida Tech [23] | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
1976 | Coast Guard | Marietta | Marietta | Coast Guard | Trinity College | Ithaca | -- | -- | -- [24] |
1977 | Coast Guard [25] | Coast Guard [25] | Ithaca[26] | La Salle [25] | -- | Western Ontario[25] | -- | -- | -- |
1978 | Coast Guard [27] | Coast Guard [27] | Marietta [11] | Toronto[27] | Coast Guard [27] | Wesleyan | -- | -- | -- |
1979 | Coast Guard [28] | Massachusetts [28] | Florida Tech [28] | Western Ontario [28] | Trinity College [29] | Ithaca [28] | -- | -- | -- |
1980 | Massachusetts | Coast Guard | Trinity College [30] | Trinity College [30] | -- | -- | -- | ||
1981 | Coast Guard [31] | Trinity College [31] | San Diego State[31] | Western Ontario | -- | ||||
1982 | Florida Tech[32] | Florida Tech [32] | Coast Guard [32] | British Columbia[32] | Rhode Island[33] | Western Ontario [33] | -- [32] | ||
1983 | Temple[34] | Florida Tech [35] | Coast Guard [35] | Florida Tech [35] | Marietta [35] | Georgetown | -- | ||
1984 | Temple [36] | Coast Guard [36] | Rhode Island [36] | Minnesota | -- | -- | |||
1985 | Temple [37] | Florida Tech [37] | Coast Guard [38] | New Hampshire | -- | ||||
1986 | Temple [39] | Florida Tech [39] | Georgetown [39] | New Hampshire [40] | Georgetown [39] | New Hampshire [39] | -- | -- [39] | |
1987 | Temple | Florida Tech | Georgetown [16] | Georgetown | -- | -- | |||
1988 | Florida Tech [41] | Georgetown | Massachusetts[42] | Minnesota | -- | -- | |||
1989 | Temple [43] | Temple [43] | Coast Guard [43] | Georgetown [43] | Georgetown [43] | Western Ontario [43] | -- | -- [43] | |
1990 | Temple [44] | Virginia [44] | Temple | Georgetown [44] | Western Ontario | -- | -- [44] | ||
1991 | Temple | Temple | Rochester | Marietta [11] | Virginia | -- | -- | ||
1992 | Temple | Georgetown | Western Ontario | Navy[45] | Florida Tech | -- | -- | ||
1993 | Temple | University of Miami | Western Ontario | Georgetown | -- | -- | |||
1994 | Temple | Marietta [11] | Temple | Central Florida | -- | -- | |||
1995 | Temple | Michigan | Toronto | Vanderbilt | Michigan | Central Florida | -- | -- | |
1996 | Temple | Florida Tech | Temple | -- | -- | ||||
1997 | Temple | Drexel | Drexel [21] | St. Joseph's U.[14] | Purdue | Western Ontario | Villanova[46] | -- | -- |
1998 | Temple | Temple | Purdue | Florida Tech | Villanova | Purdue | Villanova [47] | -- | -- |
1999 | Temple | Temple | Marietta | St. Joseph's U. | St. Joseph's U. | Villanova | Delaware | -- | -- [48] |
2000 | Temple | RIT | Villanova [49] | Purdue | Georgia Tech | Villanova [47] | Massachusetts | -- | -- |
2001 | Temple | Temple | Marietta [11] | Villanova | Santa Clara | Boston College | Delaware | -- | -- |
2002 | Dowling | Marietta | Marietta | Fordham | Minnesota | Massachusetts | Delaware | -- | -- [50] |
2003 | Temple | Temple | St. Joseph's U. | Delaware | St. Joseph's U. | Massachusetts | Bucknell | -- | -- [51] |
2004 | Temple | Temple | Marietta [11] | Boston College | St. Joseph's U.[14] | Sacramento State | Purdue | Marietta [52] | |
2005 | Michigan | St. Joseph's U.[14] | Purdue [53] | Boston College | St. Joseph's U.[14] | Connecticut[54] | Dayton [54] | Barry[55] | |
2006 | Marietta [11] | Temple | St. Joseph's U. | Georgia Tech | St. Joseph's U.[14] | St. Joseph's U. | Dayton | Barry [56] | |
2007 | Purdue | Temple | Bucknell | Georgia Tech | Florida Tech | Purdue | Ohio State | Dowling [57] | |
2008 | Purdue | Grand Valley | Delaware | Fordham | Delaware | UC Davis | Central Florida | Dowling [58] | |
2009 | Michigan | Temple | Michigan | Delaware | MSOE | Grand Valley | Bucknell | Mercyhurst [59] | |
2010 | Brock | Drexel | St. Joseph's U. | Mercyhurst | Michigan St. | Sacramento State | Massachusetts | Mercyhurst | Vassar [60] |
2011 | Michigan | Virginia | Purdue | Mercyhurst | Purdue | Purdue | Bucknell | Mercyhurst | Marietta [61] |
2012 | Michigan | Michigan | Marietta | Mercyhurst | Delaware | Duke | Bucknell | Mercyhurst | Marietta [62] |
2013 | Drexel | Michigan | Drexel | Delaware | Delaware | Grand Valley | Bucknell | Barry | Rochester [63] |
2014 | Michigan | Drexel | Jacksonville | MIT | Brock | Massachusetts | MIT | Nova Southeastern | Marietta [64] |
2015 | Florida Tech | Drexel | Drexel | Delaware | Mercyhurst | Massachusetts | MIT | Barry | Marietta [65] |
2016 | Florida Tech | Drexel | Drexel | Mercyhurst | -- | Massachusetts | MIT | Barry | Ithaca [66] |
2017 | Drexel | St. Joseph's U. | Drexel | Delaware | -- | Drexel | Boston U. | Central Oklahoma | [67] |
2018 | Temple | Temple | Temple | Mercyhurst | -- | Boston U. | -- | UC San Diego | Coast Guard [68] |
2019 | Colgate | Drexel | Drexel | Mercyhurst | -- | Boston U. | Georgetown | Florida Tech | Vassar [69] |
2020 | Not contested (Pandemic) | ||||||||
2021 | Temple | George Washington | Temple | Mercyhurst | -- | Drexel | -- | Mercyhurst | Stockton[70] |
2022 | Drexel | Drexel | Temple | MIT | -- | Princeton | Georgetown | Mercyhurst | Bryn Mawr[71] |
2023 | Drexel | Drexel | Drexel | MIT | -- | Boston U. | -- | Embry Riddle | Stockton [72] |
2024 | Drexel | Temple | West Point | MIT | -- | Drexel | Georgetown | Mercyhurst | RIT[73] |
Points trophies[edit]
The Jack Bratten Trophy was created in 1967 to recognize the best overall team at the regatta based on how well their boats performed across all of the various races. Originally, the award only recognized the men's team, as women did not compete at the Dad Vails However; in 1976 when women's events were first contested, those events were included in the points total making it truly an award for the best overall team. In 1986, the Dr. Thomas Kerron Trophy and the Nancy J. Seitz Trophy were awarded to the best Men's and Women's teams respectively, base on accumulated point in the various race.[74]
Year | Bratten Trophy Overall Points |
Year | Bratten Trophy Overall Points |
Kerr Trophy Men's Points |
Seitz Trophy Women's Points |
Year | Bratten Trophy Overall Points |
Kerr Trophy Men's Points |
Seitz Trophy Women's Points | ||
1967 | ? | 1986 | FIT [39] | New Hampshire [39] | 2006 | St. Joseph's | St. Joseph's | Massachusetts [75] | |||
1968 | Georgetown [16] | 1987 | ? | ? | Navy [45] | 2007 | Purdue | Purdue | Ohio St. | ||
1969 | Georgetown [16] | 1988 | Georgetown [16] | Florida Tech [41] | Navy [45] | 2008 | Purdue | Delaware | Buffalo | ||
1970 | ? | 1989 | ? | ? | Navy [45] | 2009 | Delaware / Buffalo | Delaware / Michigan | Buffalo | ||
1971 | St. Joseph's [14] | 1990 | ? | ? | Navy [45] | 2010 | St. Joseph's | Delaware | Buffalo | ||
1972 | Coast Guard | 1991 | Georgetown [16] | ? | Navy [45] | 2011 | Purdue | Purdue | Michigan | ||
1973 | ? | 1992 | Georgetown [16] | ? | Navy [45] | 2012 | Purdue | Michigan | Michigan | ||
1974 | ? | 1993 | Georgetown [16] | ? | ? | 2013 | Drexel | Drexel | Grand Valley | ||
1975 | Coast Guard | 1994 | ? | ? | ? | 2014 | Drexel | Michigan | Massachusetts | ||
1976 | Coast Guard | 1995 | ? | ? | ? | 2015 | Drexel | Drexel | Massachusetts | ||
1977 | Coast Guard | 1996 | ? | ? | ? | 2016 | Drexel | Michigan | Massachusetts | ||
1978 | Coast Guard | 1997 | Villanova [46] | ? | Villanova [46] | 2017 | Drexel | Delaware | Drexel | ||
1979 | Trinity College | 1998 | Villanova [47] | ? | Villanova [47] | 2018 | Drexel | Delaware | Drexel | ||
1980 | Coast Guard | 1999 | Villanova [47] | St. Joseph's | Villanova [47] | 2019 | Temple | Drexel | Temple | ||
1981 | Trinity College | 2000 | ? | ? | Massachusetts | 2020 | Not contested | ||||
1982 | FIT[76] | 2001 | ? | ? | ? | 2021 | Drexel | Temple | Princeton | ||
1983 | Georgetown [16] | 2002 | Boston Coll. / Purdue | Marietta | Villanova | 2022 | Drexel | Drexel | Princeton | ||
1984 | New Hampshire [36] | 2003 | Purdue | St. Joseph's / Purdue | Purdue | 2023 | Temple | Drexel | Bowdin / MIT (tie) | ||
1985 | Georgetown | 2004 | Purdue | Purdue | Purdue | 2024 | Drexel | Drexel | Georgetown | ||
2005 | St. Joseph's | St. Joseph's | Connecticut | 2025 | ? | ? | ? |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Official Dad Vail Regatta site
- ^ "The biggest university rowing regatta in the US". worldrowing.com. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
- ^ "Jefferson Inks Sponsorship Deal with Dad Vail Regatta". bizjournals.com. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
- ^ DiStefano, Joseph N. (April 14, 2010). "Dad Vail Regatta saved for Philly by investor Aberdeen". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Women's Team History". ITHACA college. 2011-10-01.
- ^ "Powered by the people sponsor NJ". Powered By the People Media Division. 2010-09-17.
- ^ Barned-Smith, St. John (November 17, 2009). "Dad Vail race relocating to N.J., at least for 2010". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ "It's Official: Dad Vail Will Return In 2010". Philadelphia Daily News. December 17, 2009. Archived from the original on 23 December 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ Dad Vail. Accessed December 17, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "85th Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Program Guide". pp. 20–21. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Marietta College: Dad Vail Champions".
- ^ a b c "La Salle: Dad Vail Champions".
- ^ BoathouseRow.org, pt. 4 Archived 2007-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f g "Saint Joseph's Men's Rowing Record Book" (PDF). p. 7. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ "Brown Captures Dad Vail Regatta". The New York Times. May 14, 1961. p. S6.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Crew at Georgetown: A Selection of Materials from the University Archives". Georgetown University Library. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Northeastern University Men's Crew History Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Strauss, Michael (May 10, 1970). "Georgetown Is 2d on the Schuylkill". The New York Times. p. 186.
- ^ a b "UMass Eight Captures Dad Vail Trophy". The New York Times. May 12, 1974. p. 15.
- ^ a b c "The Oarsman". July–August 1974. p. 49.
- ^ a b "Drexel Men's Rowing: Dad Vail Regatta". Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Massachusetts Daily Collegian 5/1975
- ^ "1988 Dad Vail Men's Lightweight 8". Florida Tech Panthers Hall of Fame. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Coast Guard Academy Crew Takes 3d Straight Vail Cup". The New York Times. May 9, 1976. p. 164.
- ^ a b c d "Coast Guard Academy Crew Takes 3d Straight Vail Cup". The New York Times. May 15, 1974. p. 178.
- ^ Ithaca 6.11.3, Coast Guard 6.17.6 Purdue 6.18.7 Ithaca Crew News Fall 1977
- ^ a b c d "Rowing Split Continues Among Coast Colleges". The New York Times. May 14, 1978. p. S 6.
- ^ a b c d e "Coast Guard Crew Wins". The New York Times. May 13, 1979. p. S 8.
- ^ Churchill, William L., ed. (Spring 1979). "Men's and Women's Crew". Trinity Reporter. 9 (4): 35–37.
- ^ a b Churchill, William L., ed. (Spring 1980). "Crew". Trinity Reporter. 10 (4): 33–34.
- ^ a b c Churchill, William L., ed. (Spring 1981). "National Champions Again". Trinity Reporter. 11 (4): 35–36.
- ^ a b c d e Hildes-Heim, Norman (May 9, 1982). "Florida Tech Crew Excels at Vail Event". The New York Times. p. S5, 9.
- ^ a b Hogan, Chris; Lopresti, Angelo (May 11, 1982). "Frosh Heavies Win Bronze at Dad Vail". The Trinity Tripod. p. 10.
- ^ Dad Vail Regatta: 1983 Championship Revisited
- ^ a b c d "Temple Crew Wins a Trip to Henley". The New York Times. May 15, 1983. p. S5, 5.
- ^ a b c d "Temple Eight Wins 2d Cup". The New York Times. May 13, 1984. p. S5, 7.
- ^ a b Hildes-Heim, Norman (May 12, 1985). "Temple Crew Wins". The New York Times. p. S5, 5. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Kelly, J.R., ed. (May–June 1985). "Crew 4th at Dad Vail - Lightweights and Women Get the Gold". The Bulletin. 47 (3). U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association: 15–16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hildes-Heim, Norman (May 11, 1986). "Conville Cup Won by Temple Crew". The New York Times. p. S5, 5. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Long, Janine, ed. (1986). Granite 86. University of New Hampshire. p. 3:38.
- ^ a b "1988 Dad Vail Men's Varsity 8". Florida Tech Panthers Hall of Fame. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ NY Times May 15, 1988
- ^ a b c d e f g "Rowing; Conville Cup To Temple". The New York Times. May 14, 1989. p. S8, 5. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d Hildes-Heim, Norman (May 13, 1990). "Rowing; Conville Cup Goes to Temple Again". The New York Times. p. S8, 9. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "50 Years of Villanova Women's Athletics". Villanova University. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Villanova: 2003-04 Women's Rowing Media Guide" (PDF). pp. 16–18.
- ^ "Sunoco Dad Vail Regatta". Independent Rowing News. 6 (8): 14. May 19, 1999.
- ^ "Villanova Crew Wins Women's Varsity Heavyweight Eight". May 13, 2000.
- ^ "2002 Dad Vail Regatta Results" (PDF).
- ^ "2003 Dad Vail Regatta Results" (PDF).
- ^ O'Grady, Ben (July 2004). "2004 Dad Vail Regatta". Rowing News. 11 (5): 37–38.
- ^ "2005 Dad Vail/URA Result Comparison" (PDF). p. 3.
- ^ a b "Heavyweight Eight Boat Finishes Second at Dad Vail Regatta". May 16, 2005.
- ^ "2005 Dad Vail/URA Result Comparison" (PDF). pp. 3–5.
- ^ "2006 Dad Vail Regatta Results" (PDF).
- ^ "2007 Dad Vail Regatta Results" (PDF).
- ^ "2008 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2009 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2010 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2011 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2012 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2013 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2014 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2015 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2016 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2017 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2018 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2019 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2021 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2022 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2023 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ "2024 Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta".
- ^ Jurgens, Bill (April 23, 2024). "85th Anniversary – A History of the Dad Vail Regatta". Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "85th Annual Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta Program Guide". p. 51. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "1982 Dad Vail Men's Varsity 8". Florida Tech Panthers Hall of Fame. Retrieved 11 June 2024.