1. The joint venture initiated by Fordham and Columbia in 2010 to purchase a fleet of 20 new 420 sailboats has provided immediate benefits to both programs, including double the number of boats at joint practices; expansion and increased importance of two historical regattas, and the awarding by MAISA of championship and qualifying competitions. (See Hosted Regattas page.)
2. Fordham's fundraising efforts resulted not only in the purchase of a fleet of 420s but a 19' Grady White, christened MS. FORDHAM, has been added as a second Race Committee/safety boat, and five FJs were bought allowing Fordham to practice in the two most popular racing classes in College Sailing today.
3. Most importantly, for the first time since the Sailing Team was founded in 1950, Fordham has retained the services of a professional coach. Reed C. Johnson, a 2008 graduate of Boston College, was a former Assistant Coach at BC and the University of Pennsylvania. Reed earned All-American honors twice and was Honorable Mention All-American once during his four years on BC's Sailing team. As a senior, he was a member of the team, which won the ICSA Team Racing National Championship. That same year, he placed second in the ICSA Single-handed National Championship and skippered B Division as BC finished second at the ICSA Coed Dinghy National Championship. He replaces Joseph J. Sullivan, Jr. '58, volunteer Head Coach for the past 12 years, who continues to serve the program as Director, Sailing Operations.
