Four teams from the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis will join the hordes of canoe teams on the downtown canal this weekend to compete in the second annual IUPUI Regatta. KSBI is again a key sponsor of the event, which last year was held amid high praise and beautiful sunshine for all who attended. The Regatta has grown larger this year, and hopes are high for an even better event.
“The Regatta was a huge success last year for all IUPUI teams,” said Tiffany Rife, assistant director of alumni relations and special events for KSBI. “We’re even more excited to field four teams this year, and we hope to have a lot of fun and put on another great day of entertainment for all who attend.”
The IUPUI Student Organization of Alumni Relations (SOAR) hosts the Regatta, and the entry fees fund undergraduate student scholarships at IUPUI. The event will begin with team registrations at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, and the closing ceremonies will be completed by 5 p.m.
The half-mile race begins at the north end of the canal and runs from Buggs’ Temple to the USS Indianapolis basin and back. Teams of four will compete two paddlers at a time. Each team may have up to four additional members to assist paddlers getting in and out of their canoes.
Last year, the business school canoe team paddled just a few feet before being the first to test the canal’s water. They recovered to complete the race, but hopes are high for a better result this year in the race for the Regatta wooden paddle trophy.
Continuing the tradition, some KSBI competitors will don business jackets and ties during the competition. In addition to a team from the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis Student Government (KSBISG) and the Finance Club, the two other teams are named Risky Business and Accounts Paddable.
Another perk of the event includes the host of entertainment taking place off the water. Several student and school groups, including KSBI, will sponsor information and entertainment tents along the canal. Several local food vendors will be on hand, and three live music acts will perform throughout the day. The Regatta also serves as a wonderful location for family entertainment, with clowns, face painting, pony rides and more for children.
A welcomed addition to this year’s event will be the Inaugural Art Contest sponsored by the Herron Alumni Association. The contest is open to anyone 18 years or older, amateur or professional, who can use their own supplies for create original artwork. A $10 entry fee applies to all participants except for students and members of the IU Alumni Association.
If you would like to volunteer at the KSBI tent, please contact Tiffany Rife at trife@iupui.edu. For complete information about the Sept. 25 Regatta, visit the website at iupui.edu/~soar/regatta/.
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