Pioneer Navy christens two new boats on Homecoming
2006 Men’s Varsity 8 also honored with Dad Vail rings

Oct. 14, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College rowing program took full advantage of Homecoming Saturday (Oct. 14), as it honored some important alumni as well as the 2006 men’s Varsity 8 Dad Vail Championship shell.

The morning began with the dedication of two new racing shells, one by each program. The Roger & Linda Eddy—a brand new Resolute 8+—was dedicated for the men’s Varsity 8. Both Roger and Linda Eddy attended the ceremony and did not know that the boat was being named for them. Following the traditional champagne pouring on the bow, the current Varsity 8 took the boat onto the Muskingum for its inaugural row. Mr. Eddy and John Florer joined Head Coach Chris Pucella on the water to watch the row.

The Pioneer women took the opportunity to honor the first Marietta College women’s crew by naming their newest shell—a Vespoli V1 that was purchased last year—the Spirit of ’76. Jane Boak Florer was the lone member of the original crew in attendance and she joined the women’s Varsity 8 for the celebratory row.

The rowing festivities picked back up in the afternoon when members of the 2006 Varsity 8 Dad Vail Championship shell were on hand for a pre-game ceremony at the Pioneers’ football game with John Carroll at Don Drumm Stadium.

The 2006 shell, which featured bow Zach Stimart (McLean, Va.), Evan Tsourtsoulas (Kastoria, Greece), Chase Graham (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South), Andrew Norris (Dublin/Dublin Scioto), Karl Biermann (Akron/St. Vincent-St. Mary), Mike Ross (Fairport, N.Y.), Eric Dowler (Washington, W.Va./Parkersburg South), stroke Chuck Geyer (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) and coxswain Tim Rinehart (Marietta), took home the sixth title for Marietta's Varsity 8. The Pioneers won the inaugural race in 1934 and had victories in 1963, 1966 and 1967.

All of the rowers, except Tsourtsoulas, who is back in Greece training for the Greek national team, and Rinehart, attended the ceremony and received their Dad Vail Championship rings from Marietta College President Jean Scott. Former assistant coach Matt Hoffer ’04 also returned to be honored for his part in the championship run of 2006.

Marietta will return to action this weekend (Oct. 21-22) when it competes at the Head of the Charles in Boston, Mass.