Sept. 24, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's rowing team kicks off the 2009-10 season by traveling south to compete at Delaware along with Temple.

The Hawks will put four eights on the water to face the Blue Hens and Owls over the 2.5 mile course on the Christiana River in Wilmington, Del. Racing begins at 10 a.m.

"We are very excited about the 2009-10 season. We have a large number of returning oarswomen as well as a ton of enthusiastic and athletic freshmen," said 11th-year head coach Gerry Quinlan. As always, the Varsity has been spending a lot of time in the doubles and singles, so it will be nice to get into the big boats and turn them loose. We expect about a third of the freshmen to competing this weekend, which is very exciting for them, being their first collegiate race."

On Sunday at the Gillin Boat House, the Hawks will christen the new Empacher 8 -"2006 Dad Vail Champs" - in honor of that crew. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. with the Boat Christening and Open House to follow.