May 17, 2022

Dear Drexel Dragons,

Please join us in congratulating our men's and women's rowing teams on their spectacular showings at the 2022 Dad Vail Regatta.

Together, these fierce competitors continue to build upon our University's tradition of rowing excellence, displaying the tenacity and determination that has become synonymous with Drexel Athletics.

At the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta on Saturday, our Dragons won their second consecutive combined points title, marking the eighth time our programs have achieved the feat in University history. After winning gold in all three varsity eight events, our men's team was awarded the points title — the fourth time the men have captured the honor and their first since 2019. The women's team also scored gold in the novice eight event, marking the fourth time in the last five Dad Vails that they have secured a gold medal.

At Sunday's Colonial Athletic Association Rowing Championship, our women made University history by scoring 38 points, the most any of our teams have ever tallied at the event. The team took home gold in the second and third varsity eight events, and their 14.125-second margin of victory in the second varsity eight race clocked in as the widest for any boat at the championship since 2018. Finishing in an overall tie with Northeastern, our Dragons placed second in the championship, ceding the tiebreaker to the Huskies.

Drexel's success on the water over the last decade and a half has brought us great pride. It has been not only a rallying point for our community, but also an opportunity for the city and national rowing community to witness the dedication and perseverance of our student-athletes firsthand. The Dragons will look to continue their success at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National competition in Mercer, N.J. on June 3-4.

We'd like to thank Coach Paul Savell, our entire rowing coaching and support staff, and all of our rowers for such an exhilarating weekend. Their efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary and serve as an inspiration to our University community.

Sincerely,

John A. Fry
President

Subir Sahu, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Success

Maisha Kelly
Director of Athletics