University of Massachusets Athletics
Dad Vail Regatta: UMass Prepares to Row into History Books
May 09, 2017 | Rowing
Minutewomen look to become first women's crew to win four-consecutive team titles.
PHILADELPHIA - When UMass comes to Philadelphia for the 79th Dad Vail Regatta presented by The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University on Friday May 12 and Saturday May 13 the Minutewomen will be looking to make history. They will be shooting for their fourth consecutive Women's Overall Point Trophy.
Having won the Jack & Nancy Seitz Trophy for the third consecutive year last year, the Minutewomen became just the second crew ever to establish this record, tying Buffalo University, (2008, 2009, & 2010).
They also are hoping to become the first women's crew since 1976 to win the Evelyn Bergman Cup (Women's Varsity Heavyweight Eight) six times tying the mark of Western Ontario (1977, 1981, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1997), the only other crew to hoist the Evelyn Bergman Cup six times.
"As a team focusing on winning the Evelyn Bergman Cup for the Heavyweight Varsity Championship eight is a big deal," said Coach Dietz, who enters his 23rd year at UMASS. "It's the hardest fought race at the regatta and one to take great pride in."
In addition to winning the Women's Varsity Heavyweight Eight championship last year, UMASS also won the Varsity Heavyweight Four and the JV Heavyweight Eight along with a second place finish in the Women's Varsity Pair; a fourth place finish in the Frosh/Novice Four and a sixth place finish in the Women's Collegiate Single to help clinch the women's overall point total trophy for third consecutive year.
"Adding the Jack and Nancy Seitz women's point trophy is an added incentive that means the entire team performed at a high level and makes the days racing that much sweeter," said Dietz. "Many of our younger athletes start their rowing careers as freshmen at UMass. The Dad Vail Regatta is the "event" that concludes that first year for them and possibly the last major championship for our graduating class as well. It's important to UMass because it is a championship based on the "entire" team and not just a few boats. Historically, the Vails has staged all the traditional events and in recent years has added sculling and other small boats as well. These events give opportunity to programs of every size. I think it would be interesting to calculate the number of athletes who raced at Vails, experiencing all of its grandeur and history that went on to become Olympians."
Haley Eovine, the senior captain/coxswain of the Varsity Heavyweight Eight added, "The Dad Vail regatta is and always has been my favorite moment of the season. It's a place where's there's history, legacy and a huge roaring crowd which is something you don't always find at our races. The commentators and grandstands come together with this authentic feeling of athleticism and sportsmanship and I think it's a nice way to round out spring competition. With the success that we've had in the past and hope to have this year and in the future, the Dad Vail Regatta has become a place for UMass to create and maintain a sense of championship aside from our conference. I speak for not only myself but the rest of my squad when I say that the Dad Vail Regatta is an all-around amazing experience.
