Stockton University will honor local rowing legends Dr. John Holland and Sue Peterson at the Rowing & Growing with the Ospreys event at the Stockton University Atlantic City campus at 7 p.m. Friday, March 25.
In 1957, Dr. John W. “Doc” Holland created the Viking Rowing Club in Ventnor, the pioneer rowing club in South Jersey. Since then, the Viking Rowing Foundation has provided opportunities for thousands of rowers of all ages to learn the sport, starting as young as age 10 all the way to master rowers.
The boathouse, named in memory of Holland, who died in 2004, also houses the crews for several area high schools. Holland’s son, Ward, an original member of the club, serves vice president of the Viking Rowing Foundation.
Sue Peterson is former president of the Southern New Jersey Scholastic Rowing Association, a position she held for 16 years. She was on the board of directors, a coach and regatta director for the Atlantic County Rowing Association for over 29 years. She also rowed for one of the first women’s crew teams at Atlantic City High School.
“The rowing programs in South Jersey would not be as successful as they are without Doc Holland and Sue Peterson and their decades of support,” said Stockton Rowing Coach John Bancheri. “We are thrilled to recognize their contributions and help continue their legacies.”
The event will be held in the John F. Scarpa Academic Center, 3711 Atlantic Ave. Tickets and sponsorships start at $250 a couple. More information is online at stockton.edu/rowingevent.
