Every crew program that participates in the Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight division at the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta has its own obstacles to overcome.
With the winner claiming glory at a very prestigious US regatta, in some years they also earn a trip to the famous Henley Royal Regatta through the efforts of Aberdeen Asset Management Group and the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee.
While some of the obstacles may include logistics arrangements for their racing shells and oars as well as travel, expenses and lodging just to name a few, the University of Michigan sometimes face the most unique challenge- getting the athletes to remain available after regular classes end
On the campus at many of the colleges and universities competing in the Aberdeen Dad Vail, the second semester finals will be given at the same time as the regatta heats, semi finals and finals are taking place. For Michigan, however, their classes end by the third week of April and they conduct their finals during the final week of April.
“The timing of our academic calendar has always been a challenge for us,” said Michigan men’s coach Gregg Hartsuff. “Like all the club rowing programs at the Dad Vail our rowers pay dues and fundraise to make our situation work. Most of our athletes need to work a lot to save their earnings in the summer to cover their costs.”
Last year, Michigan narrowly defeated Florida Institute of Technology in the men’s varsity heavyweight eight final to reclaim the men’s varsity heavyweight eight Dad Vail Trophy for the first time since 2009 thus earning the honor to represent the regatta on the Thames at Henley in late June.
Shortly after rowing away from the dock with their shiny gold medals, Hartsuff had to make the very difficult decision of turning down any trip possibilities due to half of his team having commitments to start their summer internships.
The 2011 victory was the third time, with the previous times coming in 2005 and 2009 that Michigan had to turn down the honor of traveling abroad to represent Dad Vail.
In early April 2012, the Wolverines went to the San Diego Crew Classic and the men’s varsity heavyweight eight narrowly defeated Temple in their Copley Cup heat to advance to the Grand Final that Harvard won.
When the Aberdeen Dad Vail commences on May 11 and 12 in Philadelphia, Hartsuff believes his team will once again be setting their sights on the winner’s dock.
“We know it will take a lot to repeat as champions,” Hartsuff said. “We know we will have the target on our backs this year. Student-athletes from other programs that row in the Dad Vail such as University of Virginia, Temple, Drexel, Grand Valley State, FIT, Purdue, Brock and Jacksonville have undoubtedly yelled our names out during their most intense winter workouts to get them fired up to dethrone us as champions.”
“The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee and Aberdeen host one of the most spectacular events in collegiate rowing. It is a celebration of our sport organized by people who loved the sport since many were collegiate oarsmen and oarswomen and chose to give back to it by volunteering their time and talent to this great showcase of amateur athletics. Thank you to all those wearing the yellow jackets and work tirelessly on and off the water to create this fantastic experience for us. We look forward to seeing everyone in Philly.”
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