May 9, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle Crew program honored Dennis Regan, '84, with the christening of a new racing shell on Saturday, April 30, with family members, brothers of Sigma Phi Lambda and former rowers in attendance at the Fairmount Boathouse. Brother Gerry Molyneaux, '58, began the ceremony by blessing the racing shell, while John Fenton, '81, was Master of Ceremonies and Dennis Regan's wife, Maria, and brother, Tim, and head coach Larry Connell each spoke.

Regan was a Dad Vail Champion in 1983 and Lambda brother who died October 27, 2010. Regan and partner Bogdan Szetela pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Dad Vail history, winning the 1983 pairs-without-coxswain championship after rowing together for the first time in the previous day's semifinal heats.

Efforts led by crew alumni with the support of the Lambda brothers raised the funds to purchase the Vespoli 4, which is the first new four in over ten years. The new four features wing riggers, a bow loaded coxswain, mid-weight hull and can be rowed by both the men's and women's team. The women's varsity four will be racing the boat in Dad Vails this year taking place on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.

The boat dedication committee that assisted with the ceremony and fundraising consisted of Fenton '81, Jerry Lezynski '82, Ed Waddington '81, Brother Gerry Molyneaux '58, Kale Beers '95, and Jim Gulick '89. Donations and contributions to the crew program and the shell dedication are still welcome and can be pledged by clicking here.