Temple Dedicates Varsity 8 Shell to CSC Advisory Board Member Jason Read

From Temple University:

PHILADELPHIA – Temple University dedicated a new Varsity 8 shell today to one of its all-time great rowers, Jason Read, Friday. The dedication of the Jason “JR” Read shell took place at the Temple Boathouse Launch area and the new shell will be utilized by the Owls’ Varsity 8 starting with tomorrow’s Murphy Cup Regatta on the Schuylkill River.

“It is only fitting that our new eight shell is dedicated in honor of Jason Read,” Temple men’s crew coach Gavin White said. “JR has not only excelled in rowing following his graduation, winning Olympic Gold in 2006, but also in life where he has been an inspiration to so many. Our Temple men will row proudly with his name on this eight.”

A 2003 graduate of Temple University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Economics and Finance, Read, a member of four Dad Vail Regatta heavyweight eight championship crews at Temple from 1997-2000, has been competing for the United States for 12 years, including seven years with the senior national team.

The only person to have received the USRowing “Man of the Year” award twice, he was recognized in 2001 following rescue operations at Ground Zero and again in 2004 after he and his boatmates won Olympic gold in Athens. In 2001, he was a finalist for the Sullivan Award, recognizing the top amateur athlete in the United States.

A Ringoes, N.J. native, Read received the Arête Lifetime Achievement Award in Sport for his response to Ground Zero following the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11. He held the position of Chief Operations of the Amwell Valley – Ringoes Rescue for nine years. In 2005, he was selected as one of 28 firemen in the U.S. to march in the Presidential Inauguration parade in Washington, D.C., and received the Governor’s Volunteer Award in Public Safety, the highest award given to a volunteer in New Jersey.

Read is the first American fire/rescue chief to win an Olympic gold medal. In 2005, he was inducted into the Halls of Fame of the New York Athletic Club and The Hun School. He is recognized as an expert in the public safety industry and speaks regularly at national conventions and forums regarding public policy, public safety, and homeland security.

Once again, congratulations to Jason on a well deserved honor.