WORCESTER, Mass. – The Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (EARC) have announced that the Cornell heavyweight varsity eight has been named the recipient of the prestigious Rusty Callow Award. The award is the sixth in the history of the progra, with the Big Red having won previously in 1971, 1976, 1977, 1982, and 2001. 
 
"The Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges administration is excited to see Cornell University's heavyweight rowing program honored with their sixth Rusty Callow Award. The entire program – starting at the top with Head Coach Todd Kennett – embodies all of the qualities the award stands for; spirit, courage, unity and much more. Congratulations to the university, coaching staff and student athletes for this honor," said Katie Boldvich, EARC Executive Director.

The head coaches of the EARC selected the Big Red for this honor after a strong regular season showing. Cornell's best result of the spring season came as they claimed the Madeira Cup by defeating Penn. The crew also posted victories over Dartmouth, Navy, Syracuse and George Washington and claimed fifth place at the Eastern Sprints, its best finish since 2009.
 
The Rusty Callow Award is presented each year by the EARC to the crew that, in the previous year, best personified the virtues of "spirit, courage and unity." Awarded annually since 1963, the winner of the award is determined by a vote of the head coaches of the EARC. Rusty Callow was a legendary rowing coach, whose career spanned the first half of the 20th century. Rusty coached for many years at Washington, the University of Pennsylvania, and Navy. Among his many accomplishments, Callow coached the 1952 Navy crew to an Olympic gold medal.