Knecht Cup welcomes college crews to Cooper River racecourse

The 2025 Knecht Cup Regatta welcomes 60 college crews to New Jersey’s Cooper River racecourse April 12-13, honoring the late William J. “Bill” Knecht, the man behind the development of the venue as well as a founder of the National Rowing Foundation.

The regatta also features the inaugural race of NCAA Division I’s newest program, the University at Albany Great Danes.

“We’re incredibly proud to make our debut at the Knecht Cup this weekend,” said UAlbany head coach Kim Chavers. “This will be the first collegiate race not only for our program, but for every student-athlete in our boats. It’s a huge milestone.”

Knecht was an Olympic gold medalist and lifelong advocate for rowing. After picking up an oar at La Salle High School in Philadelphia and continuing his rowing career at Villanova University, Knecht went on to win gold medals in the eights at the 1955 Pan American Games and 1964 Olympics, and additional golds in the double sculls at the 1959 and 1963 Pan Am Games. He also represented the U.S. at the 1960 Rome Olympics, with John B. Kelly Jr.

Knecht was a driving force in developing rowing infrastructure and governance across the country and abroad—as President of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen (the precursor of USRowing), as a delegate to Federation Internationale des Societes d’Aviron (FISA, now known as World Rowing), and as a founding member of the National Rowing Foundation.

“This regatta is about more than just racing,” said Laura Knecht Blanche, Regatta Director and daughter of Bill Knecht.  “We’re proud to carry forward the vision of people like my father, and so many others who helped build the sport.”

“My dad’s company was just across the river in Camden,” said Blanche.  “He believed rowing brought out the best in people, and that’s what we see here every year.”

More than 350 crews will race in 37 events at the Knecht Cup, which streams live on YouTube with professional commentary from local FOX 29’s Mike Jerrick, Meteorologist Drew Anderson, and rowing commentator Joe Leonard.

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