SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A crew of students, faculty, staff from Springfield Technical Community College and community members battled the elements – braving rain, wind, waves and currents – to finish 2nd out of six boats in the community division.
The STCC Rowing Club joined the annual Springfield Dragon Boat Festival at North Riverfront Park in Springfield on Saturday, July 18. Hosted by the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC) and Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts, the annual festival is a series of friendly races on the Connecticut River in dragon boats which are giant Chinese war canoes. Each team has at least 17 people and a drummer. The races occur between groups, businesses and organizations divided into club or community teams. Club Teams raced 500 meters Community Teams raced 200 meters.
Meet the 2026 STCC Dragon Boat Crew:
Students:
- Regina Bensch Coe
- Carson Blakley
- Anthony Liquori
- Dayanara Rivera
- Evelio Velez
STCC Staff, Faculty, Community
- Nathan Andary (STCC staff)
- Stephanie Briggs (Community)
- Shaun Bush (STCC staff)
- Fran Cress (Community)
- Alisa Feliberty (STCC staff)
- Gladys Franco (STCC staff)
- George Hargrove (STCC staff)
- Rahmel Hill (STCC staff)
- Cynthia Ho (STCC staff)
- Jeremy Martinez (Community)
- Bryant Martinez (Community)
- Alberto Nieves (STCC Staff)
- Laura Piquette (STCC Faculty)
- Luz Santos (STCC Staff)
- Megan Scully (Community)
- Kathryn Senie (STCC Staff)
The STCC Rowing Club was launched in January 2025 through a partnership between STCC and the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC). It was created to introduce students to the sport of rowing in a non-competitive, inclusive environment supported by professional coaches and volunteer rowers.
Throughout the winter, students trained indoors using rowing machines (ergs or ergometers) and engaged in fitness activities to prepare for the on-water season. As the weather warmed, they transitioned to rowing shells on the Connecticut River and had the opportunity to take part in recreational and competitive rowing events like the Springfield Dragon Boat Festival.
Want to see the excitement in action?
Check out the festival’s official page and watch the video “Dragons Are Coming” for highlights of this remarkable annual event.
Join the Club!
Membership in the STCC Intramural Rowing Club is open to all currently enrolled STCC students taking at least 6 credits or enrolled in a non-credit college program. Students must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Contact for more information:
Dr. Kathryn C. (K.C.) Senie, Club Advisor, Director of Compliance,
Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX & ADA Coordinator, STCC
Student Learning Commons (B19), Room 153
(413) 755-5642 or kcsenie@stcc.edu
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth’s only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC’s highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the College—a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution—seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed, and socially responsible graduates.
