Dad Vail deserves more attention
Anthony Antinore
Issue date: 5/15/09 Section: Sports
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As the largest collegiate race in the United States, the Dad Vail races attract a variety of universities and colleges from around the country.
This year, the race's 71st installment, over 100 different collegiate crew programs from the United States and Canada competed in the two-day event.
The Regatta has a certain prestige to it that seems to go unnoticed by many Philadelphia residents every Mother's Day weekend.
Every year, thousands of people including coaches, rowers and fans fill the city's hotels and bring business to local shops and restaurants. These people are devoted to the sport and their universities, a trait greatly admired by most Philadelphia sports fans.
For a general spectator, the event is overwhelming. The Schuylkill River is lined for a mile with tents for each university that participates. Win or lose, each tent cheers for its team as the rowers cut through the water.
"We [Drexel] fill up two tents along the river; one for athletics and one for the College of Engineering," John Tomsich, assistant sports information director said. "It's nice to have this event on our home river."
The vending area at the Dad Vail races is a great place to pick up all of your merchandise to remember a great tradition. Participants and fans wear school colors with pride as they walk along Kelly Drive to get a glimpse of the competition.
To experience the true passion of the fans, you should sit in the grandstand, which is located by the finish line for each race. As the boats reach the final 100 meters of the 2000-meter race, screams from the crowd grow urging their team to make their final strokes the best ones.
Success at the Regatta is great, but competing in such a historic event gives the participants a sense of pride. Eric Shoyer, a member of the light-heavyweight four-man boat for the Dragons, spoke about his experience as a Dad Vail participant.
"It is awesome to be considered one of the best crew programs in the country and have the ability to race in such a historic event," Shoyer said.
After the races, teams gather around their respective tents for barbeques and a great celebration. Many rowers have the opportunity to speak with a rival that lives almost 3,000 miles away.
"Meeting people like that is fun, but beating the bigger schools with great athletic programs is even better," Shoyer said. "We have become a nationally-recognized program and we are only going to get stronger."
Finally, after a long day of racing, families and friends can observe the beautiful view of Boathouse Row as they filter back to their hotels for the night.
The Dad Vail Regatta is an event that most Philadelphians do not attend, but it is truly a staple in the city's history and tradition. Students throughout University City should consider taking the walk down Kelly Drive to experience the atmosphere of one of the oldest sporting events in the country.
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