• Regatta Results
• Photo Gallery
  • Preseason
  • Regattas
• Archive

On Saturday, March 21, 2009, members of the Oakton Crew Club gathered near the boathouse at Sandy Run Park to celebrate the naming of its latest eight shell, a Vespoli M-2 model. The team named the shell in honor of our coach, Tom Bennett, who has been with Oakton Crew since the club was started in 2002. Coach Bennett acted as head coach for our first three seasons, and has coached both girls and boys teams, novice to varsity, over our six seasons.

The ceremony began before practice, when President of the Oakton Cougar Crew Booster Club, Damian Danowski, unveiled the name and delivered a speech. A ribbon-cutting and "christening" were then followed by the first rowing of the boat.

Here is the speech given by Damian, as written by Eugenia Driscoll:

"I'd like to welcome everyone to Oakton Crew's boat naming ceremony. This is not our first such ceremony, but it is the first where the name has such a personal meaning for the current rowers.

Our team started in 2002-2003, when one girl decided she wanted to row at OHS. Her mom, Susan Perpall, worked for 2 years with the bureaucracy that is inherent to any large school system and made it a reality. Susan is honored with a shell named after her.

back to top

That same year, a freshman boy expressed interest in rowing, and his dad's reaction foreshadowed his actions for the next 6 years: he jumped in to help. That man, of course, is Tom Bennett.

Tom has always been around boats of all sizes. His first experience with crew was at the U.S. Naval Academy, rowing under coach Rick Clothier. He then served 11 years in the U.S. Navy, serving on 3 different vessels: the U.S.S. Mississippi, the U.S.S. Belkmat and the U.S.S. Aubrey Fitch. Tom did not row in these last 3 boats, but his experience allowed him to master the V-Hull.

The first year of Oakton Crew, he took on the mantle of "Head Coach" for 40 rowers. Girls and boys were split evenly and rumor has it that the adults were happy if the oars crossed the finish line still attached to the shell! We've come a long way since then. Over the next 5 years, Tom coached every conceivable grouping of kids — always moving around to fill a coaching void and with the team's betterment in mind.

Anyone who has been to on-the-water practice can see he is patient and encouraging with the novices. His easy going demeanor belies his determined agenda. While facing the agitated cries of more than one novice rower as they step into the wobbly shell for the first time, Tom soothes and ultimately makes the kids achieve their potential. Most people supervising large groups of new rowers would bend under the stress of caring for their welfare and safety. But Tom's sense of humor and his ability to remain collected carry him through even when a boat of new rowers and their coxswain fell in the water. The reason? They were all looking at a fish from the same side of the boat at the same time!

back to top

Tom is an inspiration to the rowers in so many other ways. His fashion sense is legendary. "The Coach Bennett" hat has become a staple on some of the rowers' heads. Rowers report that his unique rallying cry — OOOOOOAKTON — can be heard far across the water during their races. Tom's coaching style has even inspired rowers to write poetry about his effect on them as athletes. All these things are singular achievements, but the real beauty of his achievements lie in the fact that Tom does it all effortlessly. He is a leader by example, he expects no more from the rowers than he would expect from himself, he is forgiving of mistakes and takes each one as a learning opportunity — the hallmark of a natural coach.

Two years ago, Tom coached the Freshman 8 Women's boat to Nationals. The girls traveled to New Jersey to compete. From the outside, Tom appeared as he always did — calm and unflappable. It was only when the girls were pulling away from the dock for their race that Tom revealed that he felt like he was "putting them on the bus for the first day of school."

Naming a boat is never a random, spontaneous act. Boats are prized possessions for their owners and the names are meant to evoke cherished memories. Our shells are no different. So in recognition of Tom's dedication, exemplary sportsmanship and unwaivering support, it is my honor and pleasure to present the Tom Bennett."

back to top

Photos by: Shafer Dobry and Lou Ward
The Oakton Crew Club crowd gathers	Damian's Speech	Damian unveiling the new name
Coach Bennett and Damian	Bow of the Tom Bennett	Coach Bennett cuts the ribbon
3 Cheers for Coach Tom Bennett		Christening the boat
back to top
Carrying the Tom Bennett onto the dock	Putting into the water
Rowers prepare for launch	Coach Bennett watches as the Bennett is launched
First row as the Tom Bennett, by members of our club representative of the various teams Coach Bennett has coached over the years at Oakton

back to top