SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University athletics department and the Broncos men's crew and women's rowing programs are hosting its annual Black Velvet event Saturday, February 26. The event celebrates the beginning of their spring competition season. The day begins with an afternoon row at the SCU Boat House (at Lexington Reservoir) and concludes with a banquet at Neto's Market and Grill, 1313 Franklin Street, Santa Clara, 95050.

Santa Clara University President Michael Engh, S.J., has accepted the team's invitation to attend the afternoon row and bless the team's boats. In the evening, the teams, parents and alumni will celebrate the new season and the 46th anniversary of the men's program at Neto's Market and Grill with a traditional banquet starting at 6 p.m. Both men's and women's teams will be in attendance.

Both programs are preparing for their first race of the new year, at the UC Davis Invitational, Saturday, March 5 at the Port of Sacramento.

"We are gearing up for the first race of the season," said Santa Clara Head Men's Crew Coach Wieslaw Kujda. "Although the championship race is still eight weeks ahead, our varsity eight is already showing a very good speed at this stage of preparation. Compared to the last season, they are a little faster and more consistent, which doesn't come as a surprise since there are five seniors in the boat."

For more information on the Black Velvet event please contact, Jimmy Shoven (jshoven@scu.edu).