Toledo Women’s Rowing Dedicates Boat Before Saturday’s Debut

Toledo Women's Rowing Dedicates Boat Before Saturday's Debut

The University of Toledo Women's Rowing program officially dedicated its brand-new 8+ boat at a ceremony at the Philip LeBoutillier Jr. Memorial Boathouse in Toledo on Thursday morning.

The dedication comes two days ahead of the Rockets' debut at the Glass City Regatta on the Maumee River in downtown Toledo on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Women & Philanthropy presented a check to the Toledo Women's Rowing program at the dedication. Women & Philanthropy is an organization of UToledo women who support the efforts of select groups and organizations on campus with philanthropic grants. Joining in the dedication from Women & Philanthropy were Chair Carol Thomas, Grants Committee Chair Chris Ohm, Judy Miller and Julia D'Arcangelo.

Toledo Head Coach Chris Bailey-Greene thanked Women & Philanthropy and others in the Toledo community for their support.

"Thank you for believing in us," Bailey-Greene said. "I think that's the most paramount thing you can do for the student-athletes and the coaches. Ninety percent of what we do is just training behind the scenes. We appreciate how you have put your faith in us, how this University and Athletic Department has put their faith in us, how the Toledo Rowing Foundation and Metroparks Toledo have put their faith in us. Everyone has been awesome as we've made our way on this journey."

Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair called it an "exciting day" for Toledo Athletics that was only made possible through collaboration between the University and the Toledo community.

"A year ago last July we first announced the program and last November we introduced Chris as our first head coach, and now here we are ready for our first regatta on Saturday, racing on the Maumee looking over at Downtown Toledo," Blair said. "Thank you to Women & Philanthropy for helping make this dream possible. We wouldn't be here without you. Thank you to Metroparks Toledo for taking part in this project and for all they are doing for the city of Toledo. And finally, thanks to the Toledo Rowing Foundation for their support and welcoming us with open arms and making something like this possible."

The Rockets will participate in the Glass City Regatta on Saturday beginning with the Women's Novice 8 at 9:20 a.m., followed by the Women's Open 8 at 10:45 a.m. and the Women's Open 4 at 1:40 p.m.