FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's and women's rowing teams open the fall portion of their 2010-11 campaign this Sunday as they participate in the Head of the Riverfront Regatta in Hartford. The Stags will compete in four events this fall, including the prestigious Head of the Charles on October 23.

Head Coach Dave Patterson will enter a women's varsity 8 crew, two women's varsity 4 boats, and a men's varsity 4 shell this weekend.

"The Riverfront regatta has become a traditional fall opener for us, and gives the team the opportunity to see how it measures up against several of the traditionally strong programs," Head Coach Dave Patterson said. "This weekend provides a great opportunity for our new rowers to showcase their abilities to help a crew build speed."

The Stags have been busy training for the fall season, spending the last three weeks preparing for the upcoming four regattas. After competing in Hartford, the Stags will stay closer to home when they enter the Head of the Housatonic on October 9. The Head of the Charles follows on October 23, before the fall season ends on November 7 at the Fall Metropolitan championships.

Fairfield ended the 2009-10 season with three medals at the Dad Vail regatta in May. It was by far the best showing the program ever had at the event, as the women's novice 4 won the program's first-ever gold medal at the Dad Vail. The women's varsity pair captured the silver medal while the men's pair secured the bronze medal.

"While the team is proud of the successes of the 2010 season, it is clear that ambition levels are high, and that the coaching staff is looking for more success," Patterson said. "The athletes are working for more success and interest levels in joining the team and coming to Fairfield are becoming much higher too. This is an exciting time in the development of rowing for both the men's and women's teams at Fairfield University."

And, that excitement begins on Sunday with the Head of the Riverfront.