Jason Read serves as flag-bearer for Team USA at the 2011 Pan American Games.
American hero and Olympic gold medal winning rower Jason Read will give the keynote address at the 2017 Celebration of Rowing banquet, event chair Jackie King is pleased to announce.
The banquet is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, at Sedgefield Country Club with admission open to the general public.
“Jason Read’s life story is one of unwavering dedication, representing his country proudly and with courage at moments of unimaginable tragedy and great triumph,” says Jackie King.
A volunteer rescue squad fire chief from the age of 21, Read received the call to Ground Zero on the morning of September 11, 2001 shortly after the first plane hit the World Trade Center in New York.
Just three years later Jason Read represented his country again, bringing home the Olympic gold as part of the men’s eight rowing crew at the 2004 Athens games.
King says it is an incredible honor to have Jason Read join the Triad rowing clubs for this occasion. “Earlier this year High Point Rowing Club purchased an eight-man shell bearing his name from his alma mater Temple University. None of us knew who he was then. We do now and we are so looking forward to welcoming Jason to North Carolina.”
Jason Read (standing) served as a rescue squad chief at Ground Zero on 911. Less than three years later he won gold with the USA men’s eight at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
The Celebration of Rowing banquet is in its fourth year of recognizing an appreciation for our sport and our local rowing community. Celebration of Rowing is the one time each year when the Triad rowing community gathers to honor its own and enjoy hearing from a keynote speaker who has made a national impact on the sport of rowing.
Read will follow a illustrious line of guest speakers in recent years who have each had a national impact on the rowing community:
2014 Caroline Lind, 2X Olympic gold medalist
2015 Misha Joukowsky, Resolute shells
2016 Jack Carlson, Rowing Blazers
“The Celebration of Rowing banquet is a special night for rowers,” says the event chair Jackie King. “It is about coming together to celebrate the sport we all love and for many of us a sport that has held a profound transformational effect on our lives.”
Double Olympic gold medalist Caroline Lind was inducted into the Triad Rowers’ Hall of Fame at the High Point Country Club on November 19, 2016.Maddie Mullins was awarded the Caroline Howard Cup for service and inspiration to her fellow rowers at the 2016 Celebration of Rowing banquet.Almost 200 rowers and their families gathered at High Point Country Club for the 2016 Celebration of Rowing banquet.Author, archeologist, and international rower Jack Carlson regaled the almost 200 rowers at the Celebration of Rowing banquet with his historical account of rowing’s social attire.Caren and Greg York hold their silver cup for ‘service above and beyond’ to the youth rowing program at the 2016 Celebration of Rowing banquet at High Point Country Club.Former Masters MVPs Erin Sanders and Mandy Greene presented the 2016 MVP Cup to Jackie King (center).
Caroline Lind, who won two Olympic gold medals, was inducted into the Triad Rowers’ Hall of Fame at the High Point Country Club on November 19.
High Point, NC – Rowers and parents from High Point Rowing Club joined almost 200 rowers from Wake Forest University, Greensboro Crew, and High Point University at High Point Country Club on Saturday night to induct double Olympic gold medalist Caroline Lind into the Triad Rowers’ Hall of Fame.
The occasion was the Celebration of Rowing banquet, the annual dinner to show appreciation for the sport of rowing and the local Triad rowing community. Celebration of Rowing is the one time each year when the Triad rowing community gathers to honor its own and enjoy hearing from a keynote speaker who has made a national impact on the sport of rowing.
Jack Carlson, author, archaeologist, and national team rower served as guest speaker at this year’s prestigious gala. Jack is a three-time member of the United States national rowing team.
Author, archeologist, and international rower Jack Carlson sports his new HPRC cricket jumper at the 2016 Celebration of Rowing banquet
Jack Carlson is also the author of the acclaimed book Rowing Blazers and on Saturday evening he gave a riveting presentation on the many traditions and secrets of club rowing social attire.
Jack continued a banquet tradition of introducing world renowned rowing leaders to the Triad. Cutting edge rowing boat maker, Misha Joukowsky, spoke in 2015 and Caroline Lind was the inaugural guest speaker in 2014.
Co-chaired by Jackie King and Caren York, the evening began with an hour of cocktails, hors d’eouvres, and bidding on wonderful auction items, donated for the occasion and organised by Masters rowers Mandy Greene and Girl Jeanne MacPherson.
Guests were soon seated in the formal ballroom, finding their seats as designated by beautiful place cards, hand written by Jennifer Burton. The night proceeded with introducing Morgan Epling, Lizzy Knorr, and Anna Lewis to sing the National Anthem. Junior Ognovich then gave the invocation, giving thanks for all the blessings the rowers enjoy in their lives at this time of year.
Caren and Greg York hold their silver cup for ‘service above and beyond’ to the youth rowing program at the 2016 Celebration of Rowing banquet at High Point Country Club.
A feast of filet mignon was then enjoyed whilst Burt Whicker played the country club’s grand piano. There is not much Burt doesn’t do these days. When he’s not rowing for High Point, he coaches rowing for both Greensboro Crew and High Point University and keeps the rowing equipment race worthy for all three clubs.
Connie Curri, who has spear headed parent involvement with the youth program this year, then presented the Mary Hollingsworth Cup to Greg & Caren York for their years of service ‘above and beyond’ to the crew.
Former Masters MVPs Erin Sanders and Mandy Greene presented the 2016 MVP Cup to Jackie King (center).
The next highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Masters MVP Silver Cup. Former MVPs Mandy Greene and Erin Sanders were honored to present this year’s award to Jackie King.
Maddie Mullins was awarded the Caroline Howard Cup for service and inspiration to her fellow rowers at the 2016 Celebration of Rowing banquet.
Each of the Triad’s head coaches and club Presidents were then invited to the podium to speak briefly about their programs. During his moment, Gene Kininmonth took the opportunity to present the Caroline Howard Cup for service and inspiration to the club from a youth rower to 2016 senior Maddie Mullins.
But the highlight of the night was the induction of Caroline Lind into the Triad Rowers’ Hall of Fame. Lind, a Greensboro native won two Olympic gold medals – first at the Beijing Games in 2008 in the United States women’s eight-oared crew and then again at the London Games in 2012. Lind also won world championship titles for the USA in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2014.
She was declared the World’s Female Rower of the Year in 2014 by FISA, the international governing body of the sport.
On Saturday, Caroline was presented with an oar blade mounted on a cherry wood plaque, denoting her many significant rowing achievements. Coach Gene Kininmonth returned to the podium to read the induction proclamation before presenting the oar blade to Caroline Lind, who concluded the evening with an inspirational speech, reflecting on her rowing career.
The banquet co-chairs and team captains would like to thank Jack Carlson and Caroline Lind for being such gracious guests at this year’s event, as well as all the volunteers and auction item donors for their support of this year’s Celebration of Rowing – you know who you are. Thank you!!!
High Point Rowing Club founder Gene Kininmonth (left) with Caroline Lind, Jack Carlson, Keziah Beall, and Jackie King at the 2016 Celebration of Rowing banquet.Two hundred rowers and parents gathered at High Point Country Club for the 2016 Celebration of Rowing.
HOST COMMITTEE
Michael Brown
EJ Caughlin
Sam Dempsey
Morgan Epling
Scott Jones
Gene Kininmonth
Chelsea Klein
Elizabeth Knorr
Maddie Mullins
William Scarpa, III
Charles York
Refreshments with Hors d’oeuvres, Silent and Live Auctions, Dinner, Keynote Speaker, Award Presentations & Triad Rowers’ Hall of Fame Induction
The rowing clubs of the Triad are pleased to announce the 3rd annual Celebration of Rowing banquet, scheduled for Saturday, November 19, at the High Point Country Club.
Co-hosted by High Point Rowing Club, High Point University Rowing, Wake Forest Rowing Club, and Greensboro Crew, the Celebration of Rowing banquet is in its third year of recognizing an appreciation for our sport and our local rowing community. Celebration of Rowing is the one time each year when the Triad rowing community gathers to honor its own and enjoy hearing from a keynote speaker who has made a national impact on the sport of rowing.
This year the banquet will also serve as the occasion to induct Greensboro’s double Olympic gold medalist, Caroline Lind, into the Triad Rowers’ Hall of Fame.
Jack Carlson, author, archaeologist, and national team rower has accepted an invitation to speak at this year’s prestigious gala. Jack is a three-time member of the United States national rowing team. He is also the author of the acclaimed book Rowing Blazers.
Jack Carlson continues a banquet tradition of introducing world renowned rowing leaders to the Triad. Cutting edge rowing boat maker, Misha Joukowsky, spoke in 2015 and Caroline Lind was the 2014 guest speaker.
From left, rowers Adam Alt, Andrew Wright and Charles York pose with two time Olympic gold medal winner Caroline Lind at the 2014 Celebration of Rowing banquet.
November 23, 2015 – Greensboro, NC: Resolute racing boat maker Misha Joukowsky was welcomed as the guest speaker at the 2015 Celebration of Rowing banquet held at Starmount Country Club in Greensboro last night. The annual event hosted by High Point Rowing Club is a highlight on the rowing social calendar.
“This is a celebration of our Triad community of rowers and our shared love for the sport,” says Club founder, Gene Kininmonth. “To have Misha Joukowsky join us is an honor we do not take lightly.”
Emcee of the evening Allie Davis with guest speaker Misha Joukowsky at the 2015 Celebration of Rowing banquet.
Over 150 rowers, family members, and friends crammed into the Starmount Country Club ballroom for what has quickly become the most prestigious social event on the rowing calendar. Coach Rich Richards opened the evening by playing a rousing rendition of the National Anthem on the Club’s grand piano.
Coach Allie Davis, serving once again as Master of Ceremonies, then introduced youth rower Will Scarpa to give the invocation.
Coach Allie then returned to the podium to begin the formal ceremonies, which included inviting the team’s parent liaison, Mary Hollingsworth to the podium to recognize three of the Club’s high school seniors who signed National Letters of Intent with majoy Division I University women’s rowing programs.
Aliute Udoka signed with Clemson University, Olivia Corriere signed with the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and Victoria Goldin signed with the University of Louisville.
Recruited rowers Aliute Udoka, Victoria Goldin, and Olivia Corriere sign ceremonial National Letters of Intent to top collegiate women’s rowing programs.
Mrs Hollingsworth then presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Susie Alt for her service to the crew. Susie manned the BBQ at the youth team’s food tent at each regatta during the year preparing sumptuous feasts of grilled chicken and other restoratives for the rowers.
Coach Allie then presented the ‘Masters’ awards.
Erin Sanders, last year’s MVP winner was then invited to the podium to introduce the 2015 recipient – Mandy Greene. Congratulations Mandy – Rower of the Year!
Misha Joukowsky was then introduced to guests by Coach Gene: “When I think of Misha Joukowsky,” said Gene. “I think of the best of Rowing and its traditions. When I am in his company, I know I am beside one of the great thinking philosophers of our sports community. Misha knows more than how to build boats. He understands how the rowing experience can contribute to a full life.”
And our keynote speaker did not disappoint. Sporting his Brown University rowing blazer and bow tie, Misha regaled the audience with stories of Henley Royal Regatta, the Israeli national team, and co-founding a cutting edge boat building company. He then mesmerized rowers and parents alike with his message of the bonds of friendship that make the sport such a personal experience and “how important it is to always remember that what ever you do, others are watching. Wake up each day and seek to achieve excellence.”
The evening then concluded with dancing.
Crew board directors Gene Kininmonth, Mary Hollingsworth, and Kye Strance with guest speaker Misha Joukowsky at the 2015 Celebration of Rowing banquet.
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High Point Masters with Resolute boat maker Misha Joukowsky at the Celebration of Rowing banquet.
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High Point Rowing Club women’s youth eight crew at the 2015 Celebration of Rowing banquet.
