St. Joe's Prep rowing coach wins award

On Saturday, St. Joseph's Prep rowing coach Jim Glavin will be honored by the Joy of Sculling Conference - a yearly gathering of the world's top rowing coaches - as this year's male junior coach of the year.

The award is given annually to the top high school or club rowing coach in the nation.

"I'm honored," Glavin said. "I think there are many, many great coaches, and a lot are deserving of this same award. But, as in anything, this year was a combination of all the right pieces falling into place at the right time. And I just feel like I am actually winning the award for [the team] and for the Prep."

In 2010, his second year coaching his alma mater, Glavin led the Hawks to Philadelphia city, Stotesbury Cup, and Scholastic Rowing Association of America championships. The season was capped with a trip to the famed Henley Royal Regatta in England, where the crew made it to the semifinals.

"It was a magical year," said Glavin, who graduated from the Prep in 1965. "It was a great group of guys, and it was just a joy and a pleasure to coach them."

Glavin's longtime friend Chris Chase, the man who nominated him for the award, will also serve as presenter of the award at Saturday's banquet in Saratoga, N.Y.

"The speed of [Glavin's] crew is only topped by the quality of the people that he coaches," said Chase, the race and camp director of the Saratoga Rowing Association. "It can't be a fluke that every time you meet one of his athletes, they are incredible young people."