PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The Dad Vail Regatta, the biggest U.S. collegiate crew event, announced Tuesday it is moving from Philadelphia to Rumson, N.J.
Jim Hanna, president of the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee, said the headquarters will remain in Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. But at least next year, the event will be held on the Navesink River on the northern Jersey Shore 90 miles from the Dad Vail's home of 56 years.
Jack Galloway, the chairman of the committee, said the Dad Vail had been caught in a squeeze between rising costs in the city and reduced corporate sponsorship. He said Rumson guaranteed $250,000 in sponsorships for 2010.
"Their support will actually allow us to avoid large increases in registration fees to participating crews while continuing to benefit the Philadelphia community rowing programs," Hanna said.
The Dad Vail is named after Harry Emerson "Dad" Vail, a longtime University of Wisconsin rowing coach who died in 1928. The first regatta was held on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia in 1934 and the location rotated until 1953, when it moved to the city near the famed Boathouse Row.
