Today's Philadelphia Daily News announced that the Dad Vail Regatta will be hosted this coming May in Rumson, a change of venue after 56 years on Philadelphia's Schuykill River.
The Dad Vail Regatta is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States, with over 100 colleges and universities from the U.S. and Canada. The Dad Vail was held in Rumson one year in the 1930s. Held in Philadelphia since 1953, the two-day event attracted 122 schools last year and draws about 30,000 to 45,000 spectators.
Philadelphia's organizers said city costs have doubled and corporate donations have dipped, and Rumson offered to contribute $250,000 to next year's race. Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl says officials are thrilled and think the event will benefit Rumson and other towns along the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers.
From the announcement:
"Rumson, New Jersey, representatives approached us after learning that we have a need to restore financial reserves and made a very compelling proposal to host the event in 2010," Dad Vail President Jim Hanna said in the release. "Their support will preclude the need for large increases in registration fees to participating crews while continuing to benefit the Philadelphia community rowing programs."
Mayor Ekdahl said hosting the event "gives us and the sport instant credibility in the Two River area."
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High and the borough's recreation department launched the Rumson Fair Haven Crew program three years ago, although the team is entirely self-supporting, receiving no funding from the RFH school budget. For more information on Rumson Fair Haven Crew, visit http://www.rfhcrew.com
Please join us on May 7th and 8th 2010 for the 72nd Dad Vail Regatta. Watch as information becomes available on the Dad Vail Regatta.
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