Photo by: Mark DiLucca
Paul Savell Named Matt Ledwidth Award Winner by Dad Vail Committee
5/8/2015 7:31:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
PHILADELPHIA - Drexel Director of Rowing Paul Savell became the first crew coach in school history to win the Matt Ledwdith Award for collegiate coach of the year, the Dad Vail Organizing Committee announced Friday.
The Matt Ledwidth Award is presented annually to a collegiate rowing coach who has had outstanding success combined with contributions and dedication to the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta.
"The Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta is a very special cultural and sporting phenomenon in Philadelphia," Drexel University Director of Athletics Dr. Eric Zillmer said. "One of my dreams as Drexel's Athletic Director was to have Drexel men's and women's rowing teams make an impact at the Aberdeen Dad Vail to the point that one day we may compete for the team title.
"This of course is only possible when you have the right coach in place. The person must have the right personality, understand college rowing and Boathouse Row and have a love for the sport. In head coach Paul Savell we were lucky to find such a coach."
Drexel has won back-to-back Dad Vail overall titles in 2013 and 2014 under Savell's watch. In 2013, the Dragons won the men's points total and earned gold medals in the men's varsity eight, women's second varsity eight, men's freshmen eight and men's pair. Drexel won 20 medals in the first seven Dad Vails with Savell at the helm.
"To have Paul Savell recognized as the Dad Vail Coach of the Year is a great honor for Drexel University," Dr. Zillmer said. "Winning the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta is the greatest of accomplishments because the Schuylkill River is only a stone's throw away from our campus.
"Drexel history is so intertwined with the history of urban Philadelphia, and the Dad Vail is part of that fabric that makes our city very special."
The Dragons advanced 12 of their 13 boats in Saturday semifinals and finals in Friday's Dad Vail action (see results). Semifinal action begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.
The Matt Ledwidth Award is presented annually to a collegiate rowing coach who has had outstanding success combined with contributions and dedication to the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta.
"The Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta is a very special cultural and sporting phenomenon in Philadelphia," Drexel University Director of Athletics Dr. Eric Zillmer said. "One of my dreams as Drexel's Athletic Director was to have Drexel men's and women's rowing teams make an impact at the Aberdeen Dad Vail to the point that one day we may compete for the team title.
"This of course is only possible when you have the right coach in place. The person must have the right personality, understand college rowing and Boathouse Row and have a love for the sport. In head coach Paul Savell we were lucky to find such a coach."
Drexel has won back-to-back Dad Vail overall titles in 2013 and 2014 under Savell's watch. In 2013, the Dragons won the men's points total and earned gold medals in the men's varsity eight, women's second varsity eight, men's freshmen eight and men's pair. Drexel won 20 medals in the first seven Dad Vails with Savell at the helm.
"To have Paul Savell recognized as the Dad Vail Coach of the Year is a great honor for Drexel University," Dr. Zillmer said. "Winning the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta is the greatest of accomplishments because the Schuylkill River is only a stone's throw away from our campus.
"Drexel history is so intertwined with the history of urban Philadelphia, and the Dad Vail is part of that fabric that makes our city very special."
The Dragons advanced 12 of their 13 boats in Saturday semifinals and finals in Friday's Dad Vail action (see results). Semifinal action begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.
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