ALUMNI RACES: Philadelphia, Apr 2017

REPORT SENT BY JOHN V. QUINN, Oxford & Cambridge Society of Philadelphia.

Vesper Boat Club

It's been over 30 years since The Alumni Boat Races were last held in Philadelphia and that streak almost continued.

Sunday, April 2nd was a gorgeous spring day filled with blue skies, sunshine and a pleasant breeze. Unfortunately, it was not as tranquil and picturesque on the Schuylkill River as high water, floating logs and flood conditions concerned our race officials.  

Christopher Blackwall masterfully rearranged the schedule of races to accommodate Mother Nature.  In the end, prudence dictated that the college boat races be cancelled so we were able to run only 2 of the 5 scheduled races with only the most experienced rowers participating. Our races proved to be a foreshadowing of the results to come in The Boat Races. The Vesper ladies eight (Cambridge designee) crew prevailed and in the men’s race the Oxford Varsity (alumni blue) boat was victorious. 

Here’s how Gardner Cadwalader, the captain of the Cambridge crew, recounted the Varsity Race:

“The Varsity Race became a three boat race between Oxford and Cambridge and the University Barge Club's experienced Master's eight whose race had been cancelled. Floating starts in very fast waters were made for debate at the pub afterwards and the unique start that day guaranteed a few subsequent verbal thrusts and parries among the friends. We shall say no more about that. However, the gentlemen and lady of Cambridge raced brilliantly and did set a new record. The gentleman of Oxford raced much more brilliantly we admit, and came in a solid first place, showing the fine focus and fitness which the other boats have had on days a while ago. The gentlemen of the University Barge Club split their UK loyalties with the diplomacy and hospitality for which UBC is renown by coming in second. This strategy allowed the dark blue guest crew to win first place and the light blue guest crew to set a new record. The record is a first in Oxford Cambridge races by Cambridge having coming in a solid third. Never done before and will never be done again.” 

To our knowledge, we were the only alumni society in the world that held alumni races on the day of The Boat Races – quite a distinction.  I'm pleased to say that two of the founders of that race were instrumental in the races resurgence, namely, Christopher Blackwall (Oxford) and Gardner Cadwalader (Cambridge).  

After the races, everyone retired to Vesper Boat Club for the viewing party of the 2017 Cancer Research UK Boat Races in London. Rich in history and tradition, Vesper is one of the most celebrated boat clubs in the country and the world and was an ideal venue to watch The Boat Races. Attendees watched on two TVs, one in the large bar area and the other on a giant projector screen.  We had a wide variety of alumni and guests, from recent graduates to, let me say, not so recent and many in between with families and lots of children running about.  The capacity crowd enjoyed the festive environment and had a fun time cheering on their favorite blue.

I think I speak for everyone involved when I say the event exceeded our expectations.  We thought we might have 30 to 40 rowers register to row for our races and we actually had over 70.  There was a wide range of ages and sizes with experience ranging from former college rowers to Blues to World Champions to Olympians.  In fact, we had 8 Blues race-5 from Oxford and 3 from Cambridge (see crew listings below).  We were planning on 75 to 100 people attending the viewing party when in fact we sold over 150 tickets and that didn’t include all the children.  It was quite a gathering.

Putting together a regatta, no matter the size, is no small accomplishment and fortunately, we had a very experienced Steering Committee who handled it brilliantly as well as wonderful sponsors.  I want to thank the Committee for its time, effort and dedication, it was a true team effort.  I would like to extend a special thank you to the following individuals (in no particular order): 

Christopher Blackwall (Oxford) and James Hill (Cambridge) who did a superb job of planning, scheduling, logistics, recruiting linesman, referees and coxes, procuring equipment etc.;  the captains, Gardner Cadwalader, 1972 Cambridge Blue, and Mike Wherley, 2008 Oxford Blue, who both did a great job recruiting, organizing and selecting the crews; John-David Franklin (Oxford) who helped form the committee, was involved in many of the facets mentioned above and sponsored us at Vesper Boat Club; Bonnie Mueller (Oxford) Secretary of the Schuylkill Navy whose assistance was invaluable; and to Josh Mooney (Cambridge) whose efforts and guidance were much appreciated.  

Also thanks to:  University Barge Club, Undine  Barge Club, Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association and the University of Pennsylvania.

Other 2017 Boat Race Events in USA and Canada

BOAT RACES 2017: Oxford Win Men's, Cambridge Women's Race (Updated Apr 9, 2017)

Boat Races 2017: Oxford Won Men's,
Cambridge Won Women's Race.
Next up: Summer Eights, Oxford.

Ox-Cam Boat Races: Sunday, Apr 2, 2017. Reversal for Blue Boats: Oxford won the men's race, Cam-bridge won the women's race, reversing 2016 results.

Watch the 2017 men's blue boat race.

Reserve boat Isis won over Goldie by two and a half lengths — Oxford's 7th consecutive win and its 9th out of the last 10 races. (Also: Osiris-Blondie Race.)

Best source for USA and Canada events is the O.U. North American Office Events Calendar. (University link for USA Events, less complete.)

Here are links from 2016, updated where known to 2017:

Boston | Sun, Apr 2, 11 a.m.  (updated Mar 7, 2017) Race Viewing (no charge, but please reserve here — http://bit.ly/2myrhMS) Tavern in the Square, 730 Mass. Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. Races at 11:10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. You will be able to order your own food from the Tavern's menu. Event details at http://www.oxcamne.org/events/boat-race-brunch-2017

Chicago | Apr 7. Annual BRD. (Updated April 2, 2017)

Denver | Apr ?. The Denver dinner is probably the least expensive BRD in North America because it is subsidized by loyal alumni. Contact: Chris.Hansen@ihs.com.

NY City | 6th BR Brunch | Apr 2. The Churchill.  NY City | 84th BRD | Apr 20. Hervé Gouraige, Esq. will preside. To register, go here. Speeches from the Dinner. 

Ottawa | BRD | (?)

Philadelphia | Alumni Boat Race | Apr. 2. 9 a.m. Register.  Race Viewing Party. 10:30 am-1:30 pm. Register. Report on the Alumni Boat Race by John V. Quinn.

San Francisco | BR Breakfast | Apr. 2 |  Live Viewing of Boat Races.  8:50 a.m., OUS Northern California. Cezar Pub (?).  San Francisco | 82nd BRD | ?

Seattle | Sunday, Apr. 2 (8 am-10 am) Hosted by The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Seattle at The Market Arms(?). Live viewing of the 2017 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.

Toronto | (?)

Vancouver | 5th BR Breakfast | Apr. 2. Vancouver | 86th BRD | (?)

Victoria | BRD | (?)

Washington, D.C.  | Apr 2. Boat Race Telecast: Oxford vs. Cambridge at James Hoban's Pub Races starting at 11:30 AM (EDT) Sunday, April 2, 2017 One DuPont Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20036 The Cambridge Society of Washington will be hosting the DC Telecast of the Oxford v. Cambridge Boat Race on Sunday, April 2 at James Hoban Pub 11:30-2:00. Please come to cheer on the Dark Blues and join in banter with the "Other Place". For more information please see the Cambridge Society of Washington, DC website http://www.cantabdc.org/.

Washington, D.C. | 70th BRD |  May 5. National Press Club.

Link to Oxford Alumni Boat Race Events World-Wide (Europe and Asia included)

Next up: College Summer Eights, Oxford, May 19-27

Events by Date
Send updates here. |  History, photos etc. of Prior US-Canadian Boat Race alumni events.

Apr 2, 2017 (Sunday) | New York City, Boat Races Brunch. Viewing of the BBC record of the races, organized in recent years by the Oxford Business Alumni. Viewing Party & Brunch – Manhattan. Location will be emailed to ticket holders. Note: The women's boats compete on the same day and course as the men's boats. The men's blue boats compete at 4:50 pm GMT and the women's ("Newton") boats one hour later. In New York City the BBC should start showing the race at 11:50 am. For later information, check the official site for the BNY Mellon Boat Races.

Apr 2 | San Francisco, Live Viewing of Boat Races.  8:50 a.m., OUS Northern California.  Cezar Pub (?).

Apr 2 | Vancouver, 5th Annual Boat Races Breakfast. Contact: StuartCBowyer@gmail.com. The men's race starts at 4:50 pm GMT - or 8:50 a.m. in Vancouver. 10 am: Vancouver Oxford & Cambridge Society Annual Boat Race Breakfast Venue: Manchester Public House, 1941 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Z3, Canada.

Apr 2 | Portland, Ore., 9 am-12 noon local time - Oxbridge Cascades Alumni Society Viewing of the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.  Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, Oregon 97204, USA (?). According to Vancouver branch, Portland invented the Boat Race Breakfast, in which alumni gather at a local pub, many with old college or university gear, to watch the race live on TV. Always early morning in Oregon. Contact: Christopher Gondek, cgondek@ heronandcrane.com.

April ? | Kingston, Ont., Boat Race Dinner, venue to be determined. Contact: Robert Darymple kingston@ousoc.oxon.org.

April ? | Victoria - Annual VIOCS Boat Race Party Saturday, 6:30-9:30 pm, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (exhibits will be open) 1040 Moss Street, Victoria $36.00 p.p. Send your cheque to: Dr. Brian Scarfe (personally) Suite 416, 21 Dallas Road, Victoria, BC, V8V 4Z9 VIOCS. Silent auction to help offset the cost of our splendid venue. Bring cheque book. For further information contact admin@VIOCS.ca or call Dr. Dorothy Kennedy at 250-384-4544. 

April 2 | Los Angeles, Brunch. Held every year at noon since at least 2005 (University Club, Pasadena). California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey–enjoy dazzling conversation, a luxurious champagne brunch, and a gorgeous view of the yachts while rooting on the dark and light blues while watching from a week-old DVD. Oxonians, Cantabrigians, friends and supporters are all welcome. In the anxious words of a late 1800s Oxford poet: “The Cambridge eight / have muscle and weight, / but the dark blue blades / fall sharp and straight.” The group assembles at 11:30 am, has brunch and then watches the Boat Races at 1:30 pm (since they are viewing from a DVD, the group is not bound to the Tidewater schedule). Contact: Ray Dean Mize raydean.mize@gmail.com.

April 2 | Philadelphia, Pa., 2017 Alumni Boat Race. Starts at 9 a.m. Sign up here.

April ? | San Francisco, 81st BRD. Presidio Golf Club (?), 8 Presidio Terrace. Contact: Leena.Bengani@oxfordalumni.org or Matthew Kaser, m.kaser@comcast.net.

April 2 | Washington, D.C. Boat Race Telecast: Oxford vs. Cambridge at James Hoban's Pub Races starting at 11:30 AM (EDT) Sunday, April 2, 2017 One DuPont Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20036 The Cambridge Society of Washington will be hosting the DC Telecast of the Oxford v. Cambridge Boat Race on Sunday, April 2nd at James Hoban Pub 11:30-2:00. Please come to cheer on the Dark Blues and join in banter with the "Other Place". For more information please see the Cambridge Society of Washington, DC website http://www.cantabdc.org/.

April 7 | Chicago. Annual BRD.

April 20 | New York City, 84th BRD, since 1933. The toasts are to the President and Queen and the Universities, with a Response from the Universities. Contact: Hervé Gouraige (Merton), dinner chairman; hgouraige [at] comcast.net.

April ? | Ottawa BRD.  The Cambridge Society of Ottawa hosts an annual BRD that some Oxonians attend, recently at the Britannia Yacht Club. Contact: Neil Bliss, nwbliss@magma.ca or (613) 745-5179; or Oxford Secretary Harry Corrin, ous.ottawa@gmail.com.

April ? | Vancouver BRD. Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Contact: Dr. Dorothy Kennedy, admin@viocs.ca. Website: www.vocs.ca.

April ? | Boston (New England Society) BRD. Contact: Dona Cady is President of OCSNE, president@oxcamne.org; David Manns is Secretary, secretary@oxcamne.org; Belinda Wilkes is Treasurer, treasurer@oxcamne.org. For dinner details, sign up here (you will need to input your university/college of matriculation).

May 5  | Washington, D.C. BRD.  Top Floor, National Press Club, 14th and F Streets, NW. The Annual Oxford and Cambridge Dinner. Cocktails at 7 p.m., Dinner at 8 p.m. All members of Oxford or Cambridge and their guests are cordially invited to attend this renowned event, the largest such gathering to take place on a continuing basis anywhere in the world. Originally linked to The Boat Race, it promises an evening of fine wine and cuisine and exceptional speakers from both Universities.  Dress is black tie (preferred), college blazer, evening kilt, or equivalent. Please send your acceptance and check without delay, using the acceptance form which follows. Checks should be made out to the Oxford and Cambridge Committee and mailed to David B. Law, Hon. Treas., c/o Curtin Law Roberson Dunigan & Salans, 1900 M Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036. No tickets will be issued; you will be recognized at the door.

May 19-27 | College Summer Eights, Oxford.

Other Cities that May Have Events:

Calgary, Alberta. Contact: Geoffrey Cowling, gcowling@iridiumrisk.com; jonathan.d.connell@ gmail.com. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Contact: EnriqueBargioni@msn.com Houston, Tex. Contact: Kevin Bradford, houston@ousoc.oxon.org Indianapolis, Ind.  Contact Stephen Smith,  SKSmith1@msn.com Kansas City, Mo. Contact: BartholomewDean at gmail.com. Little Rock, Ark. Contact: frank.thurmond@gmail.com. Montreal, Que.  Contact: Catherine.Gillbert@videotron.ca New Orleans, La.  Contact: David Campbell, davidc1010@ att.net. Phoenix, Ariz. Contact: jonathan.rose@asu.edu. Portland, Maine Contact: TracieJeanReed @gmail.com. Raleigh, N.C. Contact: Steven Wilson, scrwilson@gmail.com Richmond, Va. Contact: Matthias Hild, n@hild.org Salt Lake City, Utah.  Contact: Russell Fisher, utah.oxford@ gmail.com. San Diego, Calif. Contact: caio@handsupincentives.com. Contact: Ean.Hernandez@ eanh.net St. Louis, Mo.  Contact: David Pollack, missouri@ousoc.oxon.org Toronto, Ont.  Contact: oxfordsocietytoronto@gmail.com. Vero Beach, Fla. Contact: john@cityeconomist.com. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Contact: Robert Dawson, dawson at dawsonlaw.com.

Read about the long History of the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and earlier Boat Race Dinners. Don't forget the Head of the Charles in the fall. Also: Topolski Fund at $15 Million

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