BOSTON, Mass. – After listening to and watching our contestants work at several regional regattas and reviewing additional audio from our semifinalists, the IRA Announcer Contest selection panel of Gary Caldwell, Tom Sullivan, Bob Jaugstetter and Katie Boldvich have announced Steve Todd as the winner of the 2017 IRA Announcer Contest.
"Steve Todd, former Oregon State University Heavyweight Men’s Coach head coach, current lead announcer for the PAC12 championships, has shown an insider’s knowledge of the west coast crews having competed and coached in that part of the country,” stated IRA Commissioner Caldwell. “He will balance well with Fred Schoch, who spends the better part of every spring on the road back east, following races on a weekly basis." Also joining the broadcast team is Colleen Saville, former varsity coxswain at Ohio State University and Northeastern University.
"Colleen has been our lead announcer for the Women's Sprints for three seasons and finish line announcer this year at the Men's Sprints. She brings a Division I Championship coxswain’s eye, having coxed at both Ohio State and Northeastern, and we are tremendously excited to add her to the team along with Steve,” added Caldwell.
Fred Schoch and Bob Jaugstetter will return in the chase launch and broadcast booth and as the lead announcers on the water. Willie Black and his USRowing production team will provide the technical expertise, including a Drone's eye view from our camera position at the upper end of the course.
“The IRA membership would like to thank Paul Cooke for organizing a fundraising effort with several former alumni and friends of Brown University to allow the organization to purchase a drone for use at this year’s and future National Championships,” said Executive Director Boldvich. “The organization and extra efforts from Paul and generosity from Jamie Koven, Edward Patton and Timothy DeVries allows us to raise the bar on our production and ultimately provide a better product to the rowing community.”
A special thanks to the contestant’s semifinalists Joe Copeland, Eric Grasso, Evan Meisler, Steve Perry and David Wyant who provided excellent coverage at several regional qualifiers and championship events. The selection panel is excited about the talent the contest has uncovered and the organization and affiliates are looking forward to utilizing all five semifinalists in future productions.
All three days of racing will be broadcast LIVE on USRowing's YouTube channel beginning Friday, June 2, 2017. Further details available at irarowing.com, @IRARowingChamps and Row2k.com.
A special shout out to the IRA’s contest partners at Row2k.com for their efforts and coverage in running a successful contest and poll. Many thanks to Ed Hewitt, Oli Rosenblatt and the entire Row2k staff for their continued support and coverage of the IRA and collegiate rowing.