Philadelphia, PA – The La Salle University men's rowing program honored one of the most influential figures in its history this weekend, dedicating its newest Empacher racing shell to former head coach Jim Kiernan '71.

The naming recognizes Kiernan’s lasting impact on the Explorers program both as a student-athlete and as a coach, highlighted by one of the most memorable seasons in program history.

A La Salle graduate from the Class of 1971, Kiernan returned to lead the Explorers and quickly helped guide the program back into national relevance. In his first season as head coach in 1977, Kiernan led La Salle’s lightweight eight crew to a historic victory at the Dad Vail Regatta, ending a nearly two-decade drought for the program.

Under Kiernan’s leadership, the 1977 lightweight eight produced one of the most remarkable performances in La Salle rowing history. After entering the regatta unseeded, the Explorers surged through the field and captured the championship in a dramatic final, finishing with a time of 6:08.3. The victory marked La Salle’s first Dad Vail title in nearly 20 years and remains one of the defining moments in the program’s history.

The crew — Joe Blickley, Don DeGrazia, Dan Hingley, Bob McNamara, Jim Muskett, Jon Oline, Jim Rogers, Fritz Sutter and Ed Vasko — would later be inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in recognition of their achievement.

Nearly five decades later, Kiernan’s legacy continues to resonate within the program. The dedication of the new Empacher shell ensures that his name will remain part of La Salle rowing for years to come as current and future Explorers carry the boat onto the water.

The shell will make its racing debut next Saturday as the team scrimmages Navy on the Christina River in Delaware.