Women's Rowing | May 3, 2023

PHILADELPHIA — The La Salle rowing teams officially unveiled two new boats on Friday in honor of the philanthropy of Larry Berran '93.
 
Both the men's and women's teams joined Berran in the christening of the brand new Vespoli 8+ boats, one for each of the teams. Berran, a former member of the men's rowing team, was instrumental in donating funds to help the teams secure new boats for the season and beyond.
 
"I have always had a strong affinity for the rowing program as a former crew member and I've also loved the basketball program," Berran said during the christening. "I believe in giving back. I've been fortunate in my life that I worked hard and have been lucky in my life to meet great people who can help you, teach you, coach you, and mentor you. When I had the opportunity to help them (the rowing programs), I said "Let's go do that!"
 
Berran and others involved in the donation of the two boats named them after one of the best men's basketball players in school history and one of the greatest moments in La Salle men's basketball history.
 
The men's Vespoli 8+ boat was named the "L-Train 22" after Lionel Simmons '90, who is La Salle's all-time leading scorer, was the Naismith Player of the Year in 1990, and led the 1989-90 men's basketball team to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The women's Vespoli 8+ boat was named the "Southwest Philly Floater," the famous shot made and dubbed by Ty Garland that sent the La Salle men's basketball team to the Sweet 16 in 2013.
 
"We are immensely grateful to Larry Berran for his support of men's rowing," La Salle men's rowing head coach Ivo Krakic said. "The arrival of the L-Train shell came at a critical time in our season, and without this boat and Larry's invaluable contribution, we would not be experiencing the level of success we are today. The L-Train has already made a tremendous impact on our program. The team is excited and eager to hit the water and compete with the L-Train. We are thrilled about the future of men's rowing and grateful for Larry's dedication to our program. His generosity and support have made all the difference, and we look forward to making him proud with our performances in the upcoming races. Thank you, Larry, for your extraordinary contribution to men's rowing."
 
"We are so grateful for Larry Berran's contribution to our program with this new boat," La Salle women's rowing head coach Kelsey Franks said. "To have an evening with student-athletes, alumni, and La Salle basketball legend Ty Garland under one roof on Boathouse Row to celebrate and christen this new boat was really special! This brand-new high performance boat, named after the iconic Southwest Philly Floater basketball shot, represents what it means to have a gritty, smart, think-outside-the-box attitude - attributes that are quintessential of the La Salle University community. We are so grateful to Larry for seeing an opportunity to improve our student-athletes' experience, and for his longtime commitment to the university."
 
A ceremony that included speeches from Berran, Krakic, Franks was held inside the Fairmount Rowing Association boathouse before Berran and Garland officially christened the boat outside on the dock.