Fisher Hall will host its annual Regatta Saturday at St. Mary’s Lake. In order for the Regatta to take place, there are three major differences in the event this year from previous years: limited boats and timed races, no spectators and no food.
First, the boats can have no more than eight people. Those people have to be from the same dorm, off-campus household or club. There can only be three boats in the lake at a time and each boat can only cross the lake once.
In previous years, if you won a race you would race again until a final championship race for both men and women. This year, the races will be timed, and winners will be decided based on those recorded times.
Second, no spectators will be allowed. The only people allowed at the lake will be those that have a wristband.
Starting Friday, fences will be put up from lakeside Old College that will follow the road down the former location of Holy Cross Hall. The boats will be launched into the water from this fenced-off area, and the Fisher Regatta staff will ensure no one tries to cross the road or enter into that space.
Richard Mazzei, Fisher Hall rector, said this change has been especially tough on the men of Fisher Hall.
Off-campus senior and former member of Fisher Hall Kyle Walker emphasized the event’s importance despite the lack of spectators.
“It is very unfortunate that we cannot get any spectators, but it doesn’t make the Regatta lose its significance,” Walker said. “It just shows how much the event means to us that we went to all ends to make the event happen.”
For the third change, there will be no food. Normally, there is a barbecue at the Regatta, and the men of Fisher Hall would grill over 1,500 brats, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Despite these changes, this year’s Regatta is expected to launch over 40 boats. In past years, only an average of 30 boats would enter the race.
“I think it’s that people — young people — they want to return to normalcy,” Mazzei said. “I know it’s not the Regatta we envisioned from the men of Fisher, but we are grateful, totally grateful, that we’re going to put boats in the water out there. That our tradition will continue.”
The Regatta’s main goal has always been to raise money for the children of St. Adalbert’s Catholic School. From fundraising efforts such as boat entries, Regatta tank tops, parents and alumni donations the dorm has been able to make sizable donations for the school. Three years ago, Fisher raised a record breaking $11,000 for the children. This year, they shattered that record and raised around $21,000.
“The most important thing is the money raised goes to the children of St. Adalbert’s, and the guys of Fisher love those children,” Mazzei said.
This year’s proceeds will cover the entire cost of a fence that is being placed around the school for the safety of the children.
“The Regatta is everything for the dorm,” Walker said. “It is our pride, and it is our chance to show the children at St. Adalbert’s that we truly care about them and their development at school.”
Walker also said coming together as a dorm to raise over $20,000 shows the true character of the Fisher men and the bond they share.
Since the Regatta didn’t take place last year, Mazzei is ecstatic that first-years and sophomores will have the opportunity to participate this year.
Mazzei and the men of Fisher Hall said they are extremely grateful for all the help they’ve received from the medical team at Notre Dame, the Notre Dame Fire Department, South Bend Parks and Recreation and the Notre Dame Sailing Club who helped make this year’s Regatta possible.
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