January 25, 2005
Los Angeles, CA: The Trojan Navy’s undefeated men’s varsity crew will return to race at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta, board chairman Jack Schumacher ’54 has announced.

USC are traveling to England at the invitation of British member of the House of Lords and USC Trustee Lord James Hanson, who sadly passed away in November.

The Late Lord Hanson & wife Geraldine in 2003.

In a letter to USC Coach Gene Kininmonth shortly before his death, The Lord Hanson volunteered to cover the $30,000 cost of the crew’s trip to England’s Henley Royal Regatta in 2005.

“I don’t have to repeat to you what an excellent impression you all made over here on behalf of USC and I know next year will be even better,” wrote Lord Hanson.

USC (26-0) will enter its heavyweight eight in the Ladies Plate event at the world’s most prestigious rowing regatta, which is scheduled from June 29 though July 3 in Henley-on-Thames, England. The event is designated for the world’s top university and club rowing crews.

“It will be so exciting to return to Henley,” said Tommy Simoneau, a member of last year’s four-man crew that toured England. “Every one has been so much more focused since the Lord Hanson extended his invitation. We are saddened by the news of his passing and extend our warmest commiserations to the Hanson Family.”

Racing at Henley in 2004, the University of Southern California were knocked out in the first round of the Visitors Challenge Cup. However, since returning to the United States, the Trojans have won the National Collegiate Club Rowing championships, the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival and currently enjoy a win-loss record of 26-0.


USC Crew by the Thames in 2004.

The Henley Royal Regatta puts USC on the map with California Berkeley and the Ivy League universities.

“Not only is it huge for recruiting but it is a point of pride for our oarsmen and everyone associated with the program,” said Coach Kininmonth. Last year we were the only collegiate men’s crew from the West Coast of the United States at Henley. Racing at Henley Royal Regatta is now an opportunity we offer our oarsmen that most top scholarship programs do not.”

Transfers Bolster Crew Ranks
With the higher profile that comes with a Henley tour, USC has seen a dramatic rise in interest from high school recruits and transfer students from junior colleges and 4-year universities.

“We are now receiving letters of interest from student rowers and coxswains across the United States and even as far away as Edinburgh, Scotland,” said coach Gene Kininmonth.

Coach K says he expects this to continue, especially given the success the Crew has had in helping transfers gain acceptance to USC. “Several students transferred to USC in January and we have a number of top caliber oarsmen slated to arrive in the Fall.”

“It also doesn’t hurt that our football team won the national championship,” said port oarsman Jeff Clark. “The atmosphere on campus is electric.”

USC will select the Crew for Henley in March. The team will depart for England in late June.