Hotopressrelease2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rick Brown [email protected] 412-735-0295

2011 HEAD OF THE OHIO Thousands converge on Pittsburgh for 25th Annual Rowing Competition on October 1

NEWS FACTS  2011 Head of the Ohio, the third largest one-day rowing regatta in the country, will attract thousands of competitive rowers to Pittsburgh.

 The annual event takes place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., along the Allegheny River and on Washington’s Landing

 Participants from more than 100 organizations around the United States and Canada are expected to compete in the 2.5-mile race.

PITTSBURGH –The 2011 Head of the Ohio will attract thousands of competitive rowers to the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh for one of the nation’s top rowing events on Saturday, October 1 from 8am – 4pm. Over 2,000 participants from more than 100 organizations around the United States and Canada are expected to compete in the 2.5-mile race. This includes college and high school athletes, corporate rowing teams, individuals with disabilities and others. Head of the Ohio is presented by Three Rivers Rowing Association (TRRA) and sponsored by Dollar Bank, Heinz North America, West Penn Allegheny Heath System, Three Rivers Regatta and MEDRAD, Inc.

Race highlights include: USRowing Junior National Development Team Rowers Competing Three Rivers Rowing Association has hosted the USRowing Junior Men’s National Development Team in the summers of 2009-2011. The 48 member team is comprised of top male rowers invited from across the United States ages 15-17. Many of these athletes then compete at the Junior World Championships the following summer. Four local rowers made the team and will be competing in this year’s Head of the Ohio. Josh Hockenberry and Cameron Barnes both are members of the Three Rivers Rowing Junior Team and Jonathan Dawson and David McFall of Central Catholic High School will be racing for their respective teams in the Junior Men’s 8+ event at this year’s Head of the Ohio. Both teams MORE

had a Boys 8+ qualify for the Junior National Championship last spring after placing second in their Midwest Region Qualifier. Hockenberry is a Junior at North Hills High School and Barnes is a Senior at Pine Richland High School. The TRRA Juniors team they are a part of is open to rowers from all over the Pittsburgh region and is a team that is regularly sending rowers on to national team camps as well as having members earn college rowing scholarships.

For more information about Head of the Ohio or to register for the event or to volunteer, visit www.headoftheohio.org or www.threeriversrowing.org

Stewards Enclosure at Red Fin Blues Each year the Head of the Ohio Stewards Committee hosts the Steward’s Enclosure. With a new location for this year’s event, the Stewards Enclosure has found a new home at Red Fin Blues. The Deck will be reserved from 9am to 5pm, with a prime view of the race course. Food and Beverages will be available for purchase. In the event of rain, the inside restaurant will offer protected seating area. Tickets are available for purchase in advance by contacting Three Rivers Rowing Association or at the entrance to Red Fin Blues for $25 per person. Funds raised from ticket sales are used to support TRRA community programs.

Row, Row, Row for Coats Back for a third year, Row, Row, Row for Coats is a special challenge during the Head of the Ohio to raise money for WTAE-TV’s Project Bundle Up. TRRA and the Salvation Army joined together to raise money to provide warm winter outerwear to people throughout western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. With a variety of ways to participate, anyone can help support this worthwhile cause. Row, Row, Row for Coats will be set up in front of the Lambert Boathouse during the Head of the Ohio regatta from 8am to 3pm. Race against your teammate, you competitors, your parents or donate not to row. The $5 entry fee benefits WTAE-TV Project Bundle Up. All participants will be entered into a drawing to win a special prize.

MORE The Head of the Ohio – a Quarter Century Tradition In 1984 Three Rivers Rowing Association initiated the rowing's revival in the region. Starting with a small group of committed rowers including Mike Lambert, Mike O’Connell, Dave Figgins and Chris Ryan, a boathouse was founded that stressed a community-based approach to actively bring diverse groups to the river to row, kayak, dragon boat, and socialize. Shortly after the rowing association was established, several founders and supporters of Three Rivers Rowing Association thought that a race would be a great way to put rowing on the map in Pittsburgh. After considering the pros and cons of running a race at the infancy of the organization, the team bound together to make it happen. This team, with some additions along the way, has helped grow this event into one of the largest single-day rowing events in the country. With the help of Dan Thompson, a partnership with Mercy Hospital Foundation was created, and Mercy’s Burn Unit was identified as the beneficiary of any proceeds from the event. Sally Hardon, took the lead on making the Head of the Ohio more than a regatta, but rather a world class event. Sally was supported by the Head of the Ohio Stewards Committee, which is still in existence today. The Stewards Committee was born with the objective of organizing the race, managing the marshals, race course, docks, timing and registration as well as organizing the event, managing publicity, trophies and awards, commemorative posters, and vendors to promote the sport of rowing. Today, the Stewards continue to support the Head of the Ohio and each year host the Stewards Enclosure, offering a reserved area from which to watch the racing. While the lead sponsors and location have changed over the years, this race continues to be one of the largest, single-day events in the country, the event is still hosted by the Stewards Committee, and the race logistics are managed by the Executive Director and the staff and hundreds of volunteers.

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About Three Rivers Rowing Association

Three Rivers Rowing Association is a nonprofit organization committed to developing and delivering safe, sustainable programs and events that promote the benefits of rowing and paddling to a diverse and growing membership. The organization offers an array of rowing and paddling programs that fit the needs of all rowing teams and individuals. The community-oriented rowing association offers programs for the visually impaired and persons with disabilities, urban youth, high school and college students, corporate rowing teams and adult rowers. For more information, visit www.threeriversrowing.org.

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