WEST WINDSOR, N.J. — USRowing announced Wednesday afternoon that the Golden Oar Gala, which will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26, at New York City's iconic Central Park Boathouse, will honor the Olympians and Paralympians from this past summer's Olympic Games and honor the 40th anniversary of the United States' strong showing at the Olympics in Los Angeles.

Although the dinner portion of the Golden Oar Gala is already sold out, tickets are available for the "Coxswain Toss" after-party that will begin at 8:30 p.m. and will include an open bar, dessert, and dancing. More information on the "Coxswain Toss" can be found here.
 

Four Cornellians will be honored at the event, including Michael Grady '19, who aided the United States men's four to its first gold medal victory at the Olympics in 64 years this past August.

Grady became the second Cornellian rower to earn gold at the Olympics, joining the late Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame rower Bill Stowe '62, who won gold with the U.S. men's eight in Tokyo in 1964.

A trio of Cornell alumni who rowed with the U.S. National Team in 1984, Walter (Chip) Lubsen '77, Michael Bach '82, and Dave Clark '82, will also be honored at the event.

Lubsen earned silver in Los Angeles in 1984 with the U.S. men's eight, while Bach and Clark earned a silver medal while rowing with the men's coxless four. The United States earned eight rowing medals at the 1984 Olympics, highlighted by gold medals in the women's eight and men's double sculls.

"The 1984 athletes are not merely champions of their era; they are the trailblazers upon whom today's Olympians and Paralympians build their dreams," said Amanda Kraus, USRowing's CEO. "As we look forward to the return to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this special evening will pay tribute to their extraordinary accomplishments and create a meaningful connection between their legacy and the aspirations of future Olympians."

Ginny Gilder and Fred Borchelt, two members of the U.S. Rowing Team from the 1984 Olympics, will serve as featured speakers at the event. The presence of Gilder and Borchelt will help connect the history of the last Olympic Games in Los Angeles and look toward the future of the next Olympic Games in 2028, which will also take place in Los Angeles.

Along with the evening's festivities, a silent auction will feature signature items such as tickets to a Boston Celtics home game and a rowing experience with Josy Verdonkschot, USRowing's Chief High Performance Officer.

The auction will officially open at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23. All proceeds from the auction and the evening will support USRowing's National Team.