Spring Row Weekend 2013

Last weekend, an estimated 200 alumni, parents and friends of the Crew came together on the banks of the river where they witnessed multiple Hoya victories on the race course while connecting and renewing relationships first formed in the Georgetown Rowing experience.

The Hoya heavyweight varsity edged out UVA on Saturday morning

Last weekend, an estimated 200 alumni, parents and friends of the Crew came together on the banks of the river where they witnessed multiple Hoya victories on the race course while connecting and renewing relationships first formed in the Georgetown Rowing experience. 

Past GRA presidents Drew Schreiber ‘86, David Don ‘93 joined current  president Neil Lane ‘85 at the river

Sponsored by the Georgetown Rowing Association (GRA), Spring Row Weekend 2013 was a success by all accounts. Graduates from the classes of 1961 through 1967 (the Don Cadle era) gathered on both Friday and Saturday evenings, sharing gleeful tales of the past. Lightweight alumni, parents, and current rowers enjoyed the hospitality of Hoya parent, Kevin Mahaney at his Georgetown home on Saturday evening.   GRA president Neil Lane ‘85 welcomed all back at a noon-time lunch and open meeting on the state of Georgetown Crew.

The GRA open meeting and lunch drew alums, parents and friends

Bert Mason ‘67, Mike Hughes ‘66, Arlene and Ed Witman ‘67

Former coach Walt Barber and HW assistant coach Frank Benson eye the race progression on the teletron

Tiger Sergeant ‘65, Linda Hoeschler, and Mike Mullin ‘64

Crew alum and parent of current rower, Terry Fitzgerald ‘80 with Drew Schreiber

Highlighting the daytime activities on Saturday were two ceremonies: the first honoring former rower and coach John J. Forster ‘70 with the dedication of the Forster Challenge Cup, presented annually to the winner of the race between the Georgetown and Navy lightweight men; and the second, the christening of a new shell, “The Spirit of ‘62,” a gift from the Cadle era rowers.  Lastly, enough senior oarsmen showed up at the dock on Sunday morning for a refreshing row on the river. 

The Lightweight Varsity scored an impressive come-from-behind victory over Navy to capture the inaugural John J. Forster Challenge cup

Varsity Lightweight captains Chan Mahaney ‘13 and Jack  Devlin ‘13 with Forster Cup

Claiming the Cup:  Varsity LW squad with Jay Forster

Neil Lane ‘85 helps to dedicate the Forster Cup as Varsity LW coach Sam Stitt, Jay Forster ‘70 and Pat McArdle ‘72 look on

Jay Forster ‘70 and Lightweight assistant Vince Puma ‘90 with the Cup

Varsity Lightweights with coach Sam Stitt and namesake of the Cup Tom Stevenson ‘67 led off the ceremonies with pipes and garb Cadle-era firestarter and Spirit of '62 organizer, Jack Hoeschler '64

The Spirit Lives On!

Linda Hoeschler and Frank Barrett '61

Linda Hoeschler christens the shell with a bubbly bath

Past and present rowers show their approval

Erik Meyers '71, Athletic Director Lee Reed, and Coach Tony Johnson

Coxswains United:  Bethany Bisko ‘15, Kerri McKie ‘13, and Nathaniel Liu ‘13 with Tiger Sergeant ‘65

Heavyweights Ben Holtzmuller '13 and Henry Hoffstot ‘13 with Pat Doyle ‘63

Heavyweight rower Graham Miller ‘16 and Mike Mullin ‘64

Saturday dinner at the Cosmos Club with Ted Kundtz ‘67, Ed Witman ‘67, Mike Vespoli ‘68, and head coach Tony Johnson

Many attendees made their way to the crew table where they found removable crew tattoos and were able to purchase one of the colorful Georgetown oar hats for sale. It was a memorable weekend and had everyone looking forward to the 2014 edition.