George Washington University Athletics
GW Men's Rowing Ceremony Opens Commencement Week
5/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Rowing
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Now a yearly tradition due to the extended spring season of competing athletic teams, the George Washington University opened commencement week by staging a special ceremony for the three graduating seniors of the men's rowing team on Tuesday afternoon at the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theater at the Marvin Center.
The ceremony was held to formally recognize the three men's rowing student-athletes - Matthew Coughlin, Pat Lacey and Scott Yanoff - who are unable to join their classmates on the National Mall this weekend due to scheduled competitions.
The men's rowing team will be in action at its conference championship, the EARC Sprints on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sunday.
Despite missing out on a ceremony that will take place in the shadows of the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol, the trio of oarsman still took part in a ceremony that mirrored the sentimental and historical qualities of a traditional commencement exercise.
The ceremony began with a procession into Betts Theater, led by University Marshall Charles Garris, Jr., Provost Steven Lerman and President Dr. Steven Knapp.
Following a performance of the National Anthem by William Hinman, CCAS '15, Provost Lerman welcomed and congratulated the student-athletes and their families on such a proud achievement.
Head coach Mark Davis then took to the podium and thanked his seniors for their tireless efforts over the course of four years.
"Thank you for your hard work and dedication to this program and for helping us achieve the success we have attained," said Coach Davis. "Most importantly, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. I have enjoyed getting to watch you grow and mature over these four years. It has been a pleasure and I know I will look back on this time very fondly."
Davis cited the sport of rowing as more than just a competition. "Rowing has taught us that perseverance and sustained effort pays off," said Davis. "It has taught us to put aside your ego, let go and be a part of something bigger."
Coughlin served as student speaker for the ceremony and recounted a comical tale of his recruiting visit and his initial thoughts on the university and the program. Turning serious, Coughlin said he knew something special was happening at GW as he fell in love with the city, school and team.
As advice to his younger teammates, Coughlin implored them to avoid distractions and put forth the work necessary to succeed both in the classroom and in competition. "You must ignore distractions and you will find yourself up here one day," Coughlin told his teammates in attendance. "Distractions will fade away and you will get to cherish the times that you are experiencing now."
Following Coughlin's remarks, Dr. Steven Knapp welcomed the graduates to the worldwide community of George Washington alumni. He then led the Charge to Graduates, calling for the three young men to keep alive the spirit, community and the commitment to service that has defined them as undergraduates. He charged them to use the knowledge and experience gained over the past four years to make the world a better place.
Knapp then conferred the student-athletes to move their tassels as they officially became graduates of the George Washington University.
