Iona University Rowing Unveils Robert J. Musial Shell in Celebration of Legacy and Support
The Iona University Rowing Program – alongside Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Trainor ’77, ’81MBA and Marilyn Musial Trainor ’85, ’94MBA – recently hosted the Christening of the Robert J. Musial Shell at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle on March 29, 2025. Thanks to the generous support of the Trainor family, the rowing program was able to acquire a new, sate-of-the-art, 8-person shell, enhancing opportunities for both the men's and women's teams.
“Marilyn and I are thrilled to support Iona University and specifically our rowing program,” said Larry Trainor. “Football and crew were a huge part of my four years at Iona, which fostered many great friendships that still exist 50 years later. We are so excited to see the growth of our crew team excel under Coach Ben McDougald, and we expect the Robert J. Musial shell to win many races. Iona sports have been a huge part of all of us, whether an athlete or fan, so we feel it is imperative to give back to our great institution.”
The event began with a reception and formal christening ceremony, bringing together parents, Iona rowing alumni, and dedicated supporters of the program.
Following the ceremony, the Iona rowing team took to the water in a spirited race against Manhattan University, marking a memorable and competitive conclusion to the day’s celebration. The afternoon was a special gathering that highlighted the strength and camaraderie of the Iona rowing community while honoring the legacy of Robert J. Musial.
“Before our first race, we had the honor of christening our new 8+, the Robert J. Musial,” said Ben MacDougald, director of men’s and women’s rowing. “We are deeply grateful to the Trainor family for their generosity and unwavering support of our athletes and program. It was a privilege to have the Trainors with us, along with many alumni and friends of the program. A first race is always special, but being surrounded by the legacy of former oarsmen reminds us of the shoulders we stand on and those who helped us get to where we are today. We are truly humbled by the support of everyone who joined us.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.