Traditions & Awards
Novice Pins
Blessing of the Fleet
First Awarded: June 2011
A novice pin is presented to members of the squad after the completion of their first year on the crew. These student-athletes demonstrate an unbridled enthusiasm for rowing, a high degree of motivation to learn, and embrace the spirit of Saint Joseph Crew. The novice pin is worn on the lapel of a blazer or on the left collar of a shirt and has been rowing tradition since 1825.
Blessing of the Fleet
Blessing of the Fleet
Last Held: August 2021
Next Scheduled: August 2024
The Blessing of the Fleet is an age-old maritime tradition. Rowing shells may be added to the fleet, Christened with a new name, and clergy offer a prayer for a safe and competitive season. Student-athletes, families, alumni and coaches are invited to attend.
Marathon Row
Four Year Seat Award
The marathon row is the capstone to the spring and fall racing seasons. The spring marathon row is completed on the water and is "Brick Factory & Back" in team boats while the fall marathon row is an individual time posted on rowing machines.
Four Year Seat Award
Four Year Seat Award
Four Year Seat Award
First Awarded: June 2015
Next Scheduled: 2 June 2025
Saint Joseph Crew presents the Four Year Seat to those athletes whose determination, perseverance, resilience and commitment of those oarsmen who have competed with Saint Joseph for four or more years have not gone unnoticed. Recipients of the Four Year Seat leave a legacy for younger crews to strive for.
The Four Year Seat was first awarded to both James Gallagher '15 Christian Ambrico '15 who were the first to row for four or more years.
Knucklebreaker Oar
Four Year Seat Award
Knucklebreaker Oar
First Awarded: May 2013
Student-athletes who break an oar during racing are awarded their oar as a keepsake.
First Awarded to Addam Knowlson '13 & Nicholas Battaglia '14 in 2013.
Latest oar gifted to Andrew Eisenhart '25 in April 2024.
Change of Command
Four Year Seat Award
Knucklebreaker Oar
First Performed: 4 June 2011
Last performed: 3 June 2024
Next Scheduled: 2 June 2025
At the conclusion of the academic and scholastic rowing year the graduating Team Captain requests permission to retire from his command of the crew and permission to "go ashore" for the last time. This symbolizes the end of his duty as team captain.
The outgoing captain charges the new captain, and all student-athletes under his command, to abide by the rules which govern the crew and to commit themselves to excellence.
Shrimp Gumbo
Brothers Cup Regatta
Brothers Cup Regatta
Each spring just before graduation Brother Robert would call Coach and say, "I'd like to have the boys over for supper one evening. Bring the seniors-- I'd like to break bread with them before they graduate and go off to college."
Every year Brother hosted the seniors for dinner he prepared the same dish-- shrimp gumbo. Often times there would be a second tray on the counter: red beans, rice, and kielbasa, "for the boys who may not like the gumbo" Brother would say.
In honor of his many years as our Team Chaplain shrimp gumbo appears on the menu for our End of Season Banquet.
Brothers Cup Regatta
Brothers Cup Regatta
Brothers Cup Regatta
First Held: May 2013
Last Held: May 2019
Next Scheduled: TBD
On occasions where two, or more, sets of brothers are rosters on the crew a friendly scrimmage between families takes place in double sculls.
The Rowing Fleet
The Rubber Duck
2023 Hudson 4x
Dedicated on Sunday, 18 August 2024
Status: Active
Brother Dan Saint Jacques presided over dedication at the Falcon Rowing Center on Farrington Lake.
Steve Quagliano '74
2021 Hudson 4x
Dedicated on Sunday, 17 October 2022
Status: Active
Shell dedicated to honor Saint Joseph HS alumnus, rowing coach, and US Olympian Steve Quagliano, Class of 1974.
Fr. Joe Kubiak presided over dedication at the Falcon Rowing Center on Farrington Lake.
Brian Prescott Hedin
2019 Hudson 4x/-
Dedicated: Sunday, 23 February 2019
Status: Active
Racing shell donated by Chris & Gayle Hedin and Family in memory of Brian Prescott Hedin, younger brother of Chris Hedin.
Blessing and prayer by Brother Ronald Cairns S.C. in the Alumni Hallway at Saint Joseph High School.
Class of 2003 (v.II)
2018 Hudson Midweight 2x/-
Dedicated: Saturday, 7 April 2018
Status: Active
Sponsored by alumni from the Saint Joseph High School Class of 2003 and was dedicated and christened in a private ceremony attended my members of the Class of 2003.
Addam K. Knowlson '13
2017 Hudson Midweight 2x/-
Dedicated: Saturday, 4 November 2017
Status: Active
A Memorial Mass & Dedication was held in the Chapel of Saint Joseph in remembrance of Addam Kingsley Knowslon '13 who passed unexpectedly on 18 April 2017.
Monsignor Charles W. Cicerale ’65 presided over dedication.
Shell was raced by Ian Hedin '19 & Trent Tighelaar '19 to a Stotesbury Cup win in May 2018.
Br. Robert Ziobro S.C. '63
2012 Hudson Midweight 4x
Dedicated: Thursday, 24 April 2014
Status: Active
Racing shell is named for our long-time teacher, guidance councilor, and team chaplain, Brother Robert Ziobro S.C. '63.
Shell was previously used by Canadian Women's Olympic 4x at London 2012 Olympics.
Class of 2003 (v. I)
Hudson 2x/-
Dedicated: Saturday, 7 April 2012
Status: Retired
Sponsored by alumni from the Saint Joseph High School Class of 2003.
Blessing and prayer by Brother Robert Ziobro S.C. '63
This shell was stolen from our rowing center on 8 June 2015 while security camera were inoperative.
Falcon Flock '11
2002 Vespoli Heavyweght 4x
Dedicated: March 2011
Status: Retired August 2020
This Vespoli 4x was the first boat in the SJC rowing fleet in 2010 and was used primarily by our JV & Varsity crews during the early years of our club. The shell was eventually transitioned to use by Novice and Learn to Row camp.
The shell was sold in August 2020 during COVID-19 lockdowns when the future of the team was not certain.
Fr. Andre Coindra
2002 Hudson Midweight2x
Dedicated: January 2011
Status: Retired May 2017
Purchased pre-owned from Harvard University Crew and used extensively by our JV and Varsity crews.
