On Saturday, March 31, the Colgate men’s crew team traveled to Philadelphia to compete in the 36th annual Murphy Cup Regatta. Colgate raced alongside several different schools on the Schuylkill River, including Lehigh, Michigan, Lafayette and Loyola, in their first regatta of the season. 

The team has had ample time to prepare for this regatta following its suspension from fall competition earlier this season. The suspension, which was put into effect by Colgate Athletic Director Victoria Chun, resulted from accusations of hazing, relating to risky alcohol consumption. Disciplinary action taken against the team also included mandetory alcohol education and anti-hazing courses.

“It is imperative that our student-athletes uphold the highest standards academically, athletically and socially. This type of behavior is extremely disappointing and we will work with the men’s rowing team to ensure proper steps are taken to move forward and rectify its culture,” Chun said at the time.

Following its suspension, the team came out ready to compete. With junior Ben Halligan leading Colgate’s Varsity 8+, the crew team won the Murphy Cup Petite Final. The Raiders crossed the finish line in six minutes and 37.29 seconds. Colgate outraced boats from Lehigh, Michigan, Rhode Island, Delaware and North Carolina. In Heat 3, the Raider squad placed third with a time of six minutes and 12.52 seconds, falling behind Drexel and Temple. 

“Not being able to practice on the water yet is keeping our eight from showing their true speed right now, but they raced well given the conditions on the Schuylkill River,” assistant coach Amanda Dudley said. 

The Colgate Varsity 4+ also had an impressive showing at the Murphy Cup Regatta. With first-year Tali Filstein at the helm, the crew advanced to a final after finishing second in Heat 3 with a time of six minutes and 53.75 seconds. In this heat, the Raiders beat out boats from Lehigh, Penn State, and Loyola. Once in the final, Colgate’s Varsity 4+ placed sixth overall, with a final time of seven minutes and 43.62 seconds. 

Colgate plans to get back on the water to compete Saturday, April 14. The Raiders will travel to Mercer, New Jersey to race in the Kerr Cup. 

Contact Cassie Warwick at cwarwick@colgate.edu.