Virginia Rowing to Receive 2015 Musial Award

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Dec. 3, 2015

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Virginia rowing program, led by head coach Kevin Sauer, will be honored on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the 2015 Musial Awards for a selfless act it performed during the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships. The Musial Awards, presented by Maryville University, are produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission.

In May, the Bates College rowing teams made a cross-country journey from Lewiston, Maine to Sacramento, Calif., for the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships. Unfortunately, their boats didn’t make it because they were damaged when the truck transporting them hit a light pole. The team’s misfortune was akin to a baseball team showing up with no bats or gloves — and no ability to go out and buy replacements at a store. So, Virginia and Loyola Marymount came to the rescue. Each team provided Bates a boat for the competition. Their generosity led to Bates winning the Division III team title, the first national championship for the school in any sport.

Named in honor of St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Hall of Famer, Stan “Stan the Man” Musial, the awards are presented to celebrate sportsmanship in all sports. Virginia and Loyola Marymount will share the spotlight on Dec. 5 at the Peabody Opera House in downtown St. Louis with several sports luminaries — including golf legend Arnold Palmer, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and ESPN sports anchor Ernie Johnson – and average people and sports fans who demonstrated what it means to be selfless and generous.