Seattle University women’s rowing will hold a dedication ceremony for its new boat near the program’s home boathouse at the Seattle Rowing Center on Saturday, April 6 at 12 p.m. The new boat was made possible through a generous donation by Stu Rolfe, vice chair of the Seattle U Board of Trustees, and his wife Lee.
“We are thrilled to receive our new racing shell,” said interim head coach Jennifer Park. “This is the first year of women’s rowing as a varsity sport at Seattle U, and we didn’t imagine we would be getting a brand new boat so soon. This is a significant milestone for the program. We cannot thank Stu and Lee Rolfe enough for their generosity.”
Park also added, "The Varsity 8+ will be racing this shell for much of the season, and we will have its inaugural row this Saturday during the ceremony. The following weekend we will be racing the new shell at the Covered Bridge Regatta in Oregon. With this shell we plan to maintain a close relationship with Pocock Racing Shells, which will be a key factor in the long range success of our program.”
The boat is made by Pocock Racing Shells, a company based in Everett, which has had ties to the Seattle area community since its foundation in 1911. Founder George Pocock originally started the company on the University of Washington campus and, today, many colleges, clubs, and high schools across the country are loyal to this Seattle-based brand. Pocock is also the oldest rowing shell manufacturer in the world.
The ceremony will take place after the team races in the Husky Open that morning on the University of Washington’s home course, the Montlake Cut. The Redhawks will compete in three races on the morning, facing Portland, Washington, and Western Washington in the Women’s V4+ at 10 a.m., UW and WWU in the Women’s 2V 4+ at 10:10, and WWU, Portland, and two Washington boats in the Women’s N8+ at 10:20 a.m.
Seattle U president, Fr. Stephen Sundborg, S.J. will say a few words and a prayer as part of the dedication ceremony. Those in attendance are invited to stay for refreshments following the ceremony.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Eric Guerra at guerrae@seattleu.edu or (206) 296-6027.
Directions to the Seattle Rowing Center (1116 W. Ewing St., Seattle, Wash., 98119): Take Westlake Avenue North around the west side of Lake Union, continuing on to Nickerson St. Turn right onto 13th Avenue West and a slight right onto West Ewing Street. The entrance to the rowing center is 0.1 miles down. Google Map