FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's and women's rowing teams will be able to get on the water for the first time in competitive racing this weekend after last weekend's slate of races were washed out due to weather and river conditions. While the conditions may have staved off the start of the Fall campaign, the Stags are just as excited and anxious to compete on Saturday and Sunday.

The women's team will begin the Fall at the Sacred Heart Invitational on Saturday morning in Shelton while the men's team travels to Philadelphia for the annual Navy Day Regatta on Sunday morning. The women will have three entries in the varsity 8 in addition to a boat racing in the novice 8, and two shells in the varsity 4. On the men's side, the Stags will be sending three eight crews to the Keystone State for the first and second varsity events as well as a novice 8 boat.

"After a delayed start to the racing season with the cancellation of the Head of the Housatonic, the teams are certainly antsy to get out on the race course to see where we stand as we long term plan for the season ending MAAC Championship for the women and the IRAs for the men," Director of Rowing Dr. David Patterson said. 

The women are coming off a strong finish to the spring season that saw the team finish second in the MAAC championship behind a third-place finish by the varsity 8, a second-place run by the second varsity 8, and another third-place row by the varsity 4. That conference championship performance came one week after garnering a third-place finish in four different grand finals at the Kerr Cup, namely the varsity 8, the second varsity 8, the varsity 4, and the second varsity 4. Now, the Stags are turning their focus to the upcoming 2023-24 season, looking to improve on their spring accomplishments with Saturday's opener.

"We always have fun battles against local rivalries Sacred Heart, but out hosts have lined up up some great additional competition with Marist, Fordham, and Holy Cross also joining the fray. We are very excited for our freshmen to get their first opportunity to represent their team and for some in a new sport."

The men's team capped its 2023 spring season with the most successful day ever by a Stags team at Dad Vails, winning two medals with the varsity 4 securing the gold medal and the lightweight 4 earning the silver medal. The Stags placed four crews in their respective grand final for the first time as the JV4 and the Pair also reached the top race in their event. The team went on to send the varsity 4 and lightweight 4 to the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championship later in the spring.

"After successes last year in small boats, we are committed to taking on the challenge of the eight," Patterson said. "The challenge is not for the faint of heart but it is the right direction for the team as all eyes are on the big boat in the college rowing scene."

This weekend is the start of a Fall season that will also send the Stags to the Head of the Charles (October 21) and the Fall Metropolitan Invitational (November 5).