The Duquesne University Rowing team was established in the Fall of 1986 because of a wish and will of the late Tom E. Grealish, a Duquesne alumnus. A Pittsburgh Post gazette article titled “Determined Duquesne crew rises early and rows steady”; published April 15, 1987 stated “as [T. E. Grealish] lay dying in his bed at home atop Mount Washington, he looked over the three rivers and wondered. “He said, ‘Wouldn’t it be neat if we had a crew team?” recalled his son, Tom A. Grealish. He never was in a rowboat. Neither was I.” Yet he wanted to establish a rowing club. “He never got a chance to do it,” his son added, “but it was obvious he wanted it done.” After his father died, the younger Grealish took charge of the money left for this venture and turned it into two fiberglass shells, eight racing oars, and 62 interested rowers. At this time in the team’s history it had no budget and none of the students had rowed before. Despite these obstacles, the Duquesne University Men’s rowing team was born and later joined the Three Rivers Rowing Association (TRRA) located on Washington’s landing.

As the years passed and the team grew, a strong alumni group emerged leading to the team’s first Head Coach Jeff Lowe. As decades passed, numerous Duquesne men graduated and have gone forth not only with a well-respected Duquesne degree but also with the strength, character, and friendship they obtained from the team. In the past years, the Men’s Team has had the privilege of traveling to Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia for Spring break training. Overall the GPA on the team has often been among the highest of athletic organizations on campus, and the team membership has been comprised of students from all colleges and majors on campus. The Duquesne Men’s Team has medaled in both regional and national regattas in recent years; such as Head of the Ohio, Head of the Occoquan, Head of the Speakmon, WV Governor’s Cup, and the highly coveted Dad Vail Regatta. These accomplishments, and more, validate the entire organization. The Duquesne Men’s rowing team looks forward to continued success.