Springfield Technical Community College made waves at the annual Springfield Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, July 19, as the STCC Intramural Rowing Club paddled their way to a 2nd place finish in the Community Division.
The STCC Dragon Boat crew brought together eight students, along with faculty, staff, friends, family members and volunteers from the Dragon Rays, a local rowing group. The team’s hard work and dedication paid off in a thrilling day of racing on the Connecticut River, earning them a medal and cheers from the crowd.
Meet the 2025 STCC Dragon Boat Crew:
Students:
- Claire Blakely
- Regina Bensch Coe
- Lisa Bunch
- Anthony Liquori
- Benjamin Goulet
- Jacob Forna
- Shaleah Guild
- Evan Evilio Velez
Staff, Faculty, Friends, and Dragon Rays Volunteers:
- Alberto Nieves – Staff
- Nathan Andary – Staff
- Deb Avery – Staff
- Lucy Santos – Staff
- Cindy Ho – Staff
- Jason Cohen – Staff
- Maura Cournoyer – Workforce Development
- Laura Piquette – School of Health & Patient Simulation
- Bryant Martinez – Family
- Jeremy Martinez – Friend
- Anna Symington – Dragon Rays
- Chris Giguere – Dragon Rays
- Mary Besaw – Dragon Rays
This victory marks a significant milestone for the STCC Intramural Rowing Club, which launched in January 2025 through a partnership between STCC and the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC). The club 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. Senie, Club Advisor
Director of Compliance, 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 unequaled 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.
