FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University men's and women's rowing teams will open the 2026 Fall season on Saturday when both programs will compete at the Head of the Housatonic. The Stags will send four eights and two fours to the event, giving Head Women's Rowing Coach David Patterson and Head Men's Rowing Coach Steve Baranoski an opportunity to see their student-athletes in competition for the first time.

"The opening segment of the fall season has felt very truncated with Labor Day being so late which meant we did not get to the water until September 14," Coach Patterson said. "And, the Head of the Charles is near the middle of October than the end of the month. If you blinked, you might have missed where we were able to bring the team together and begin training for the Fall season."

The men's team are looking to use the Head of the Housatonic as a way to measure the progress made since last year's event.

"Coming off a second-place finish in the first varsity 8 last year at this regatta, we have a solid foundation to maintain and build upon, but our expectations continue to grow. The team has put forth a strong effort to the training this fall and we're excited to open our fall racing season this weekend."

Both teams bring a talented and deep roster that will lead to much success during the Fall season with the goal of carrying that momentum into the spring campaign.

"One of our biggest strengths this year is the depth across the entire roster, from our incoming freshmen to our seniors," Barnoski said. "We have athletes at every level pushing each other and raising the standard of the program.  This weekend is our first opportunity to see that work translate into racing, and we're looking forward to competing against very strong competition."

The Head of the Housatonic will offer both teams the chance to compete not only against the clock in the head race but also a chance to go up against local talent.

"The Housatonic is a challenging season opener," Coach Patterson said. "It's great to start off locally but the competition is a bit lopsided. We will have four Fairfield boats that are competing against a talented field with only the clock to determine who is the faster for the head racing format."

The Head of the Housatonic will be the first of three Fall event for the women's team while the men's team will compete in four regattas over the next six weeks.