Madison Crew Dedicates New Boat to Past President Al Fox

Surrounded by a sea of rowers in red and white tie-dyed t-shirts, the MadCrew family came together this weekend to honor one of its own.

Past President Al Fox, age 59, passed away last June after battling pancreatic cancer and on behalf of his family, the James Madison Crew team dedicated a boat in his honor on Saturday, March 25th at the Polar Bear Regatta at Sandy Run Regional Park.

The regatta’s name results from the expectation that the weather conditions will be cold and often rainy, but that was not the case at this Polar Bear Regatta. The regatta was warm and sunny as it was meant to be for this special occasion.

Al’s wife Eileen and children, Albert, Ryan, Jack and Katie, christened the new Vespoli VHP High Performance Model V1 boat the “Al Fox” with waters from the Occoquan Reservoir and bestowed upon the Women’s Varsity 8 rowers a victors’ wreath to bring good fortune to them and to all who will race the Al Fox in the years to come.

Most fittingly, the debut performance of the Al Fox was an amazing race and the MadCrew Women’s Varsity 8 won first place in the Polar Bear Regatta with a blazing speed of 5:12.2.

The entire team wore tie-dye shirts and bright rainbow colored tie dye bandanas adorned the tables and the victorious team to celebrate and remind the ceremony participants of Al’s fun-loving and larger-than-life personality.

If anyone is interested in more information about the Al Fox boat naming ceremony or Madison Crew, please email JMHScrew@gmail.com