Check Out: Malvern Prep Rowing Team Honors Fallen Marine

"This skull is no longer just a skull is it? It's a legacy," said Father James Flynn.

On a brightly lit but windswept Saturday, Brandon Bury was, for a moment, very much alive; the center of attention for all the right reasons.

"We were, uh, up in Canada, and as we were returning, I got a call from my dad. He was really upset, and I figured something bad had happened," said Austin Bury.

That call came on June 6th last year, and something bad had happened. Sgt. Bury, on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, died. The 26 year old father of two was killed by an I.E.D.

"And I just broke down," said Austin. "It was a really sad day."

Austin Bury was Brandon's cousin. Geographically, they were not close. Brandon lived in Texas, but in every other way they were.

The loss hit Austin hard, derailing his season as a championship caliber rower at Malvern Prep.

It hit the team hard, too. Though they had never met him, they were inspired by Brandon's sacrifice. So they dedicated the season in his honor.

Saturday, they made certain he would be a part of their future seasons as well. Christening the Sgt. Brandon C. Bury, USMC, a varsity quad given to the team by an anonymous donor.

Brandon didn't row, but he was an avid swimmer and a fierce competitor, so this, his family says, is fitting.

Though Saturday was the official christening of the Sgt Brandon Bury, the boat has already been on the water twice, winning both times.

"More than anything, the boys really feel motivated when they get into that boat," says Rowing Coach Craig Hoffman.

The dedication gives the young athletes someone to fight for, and for Brandon Bury, the consummate the soldier, a different fight to join.

"This is just awesome," said Austin. "I can't wait to come back and watch them race, next year's varsity squad to see how they do. I'm sure they will be fast and the boat will lead down the river."

You can also watch more videos on this story on Malvern Prep's Youtube Channel
Read original story here

Plans for The Conshohocken Rowing Center

To view the complete plan for the Conshohoken Rowing Center, Malvern Rowing's Future Boathouse, click here

Donations for the boathouse are greatly appreciated. To donate, click here

Malvern Arrives at Henley

Malvern Prep Rowing Team to Christen New Boat in Honor of Fallen Soldier

The phone call came on June 6, 2010, as Austin Bury ’11 was on his way home from Canada, where he had been racing as a member of Malvern Prep Crew. The call was from his dad, Tim, who delivered the news that Austin’s cousin, 26-year-old Marine Sgt. Brandon Bury, had been killed while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan. The news weighed heavy on Austin’s heart as he endured that long trip home.

Brandon Bury had already served two tours in Iraq before he was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2010. He had most recently been assigned to train Afghan police officers, and spoke to family and friends about making progress with the local population. “He had a light about him when he walked into a room, and everyone was always drawn to him," said his wife Heather, mother of Brandon’s 4- and 2-year-old sons. “He was the kind of man who wanted to help everyone.”

Rowing provided comfort for Austin, who greatly loved, admired and respected his cousin. He focused his energies on the US Rowing Youth National Championship in Cincinnati, and the US Rowing Junior Men's National Team Selection Camp, but his commitment to crew meant he was unable to join his family in attendance at both Brandon's funeral in California and memorial service in Houston. Brandon was in his thoughts last season, and this year the loved one he lost will be with him throughout the racing season.

A brand new quadruple scull, a gift of an anonymous donor, will be christened as the Sgt. Brandon C. Bury USMC at a ceremony on Saturday, April 2, at 12:00 p.m. at the team’s boathouse, located at 601 Washington Street in Conshohocken. Malvern Prep rowers, families, alumni and friends are invited to join the special event, which will include comments by Malvern’s Head of School, Father James R. Flynn, O.S.A., Brandon’s aunt Missy Whitney, and Malvern crew coach Craig Hoffman.

“The dedication of this quad has meant so much to Austin and his extended family,” said Betsy Bury, Austin’s mother. “Brandon's father, Brian, and mother, Terri, are overwhelmed with gratitude to Malvern for this honorable recognition of their son. We hope that Sgt. Brandon C. Bury USMC will see Malvern Prep all the way to Nationals this year.”

For more information on Sgt. Brandon Bury, click here

Read Original article at: http://catholicphilly.com/2011/06/news/honoring-the-memory-of-a-fallen-marine/

Malvern Rowers Prep 601 Washington For the Fall Season

Dan Schwarz working hard trimming the weeds as part of the 601 beatification process. This past weekend Malvern rowers gathered to prep the Boathouse for an upcoming year of rowing.
Alec Somers working the broom

Pat Quinn multi tasking, ajusting the riggers for the fall season while also practicing posing for his GQ Photo Shoot.

Austin Bury and Jeremy Gonzalez also work the broom making 601 OCD proof.

Malvern Rowing Looks forward to being competitive this Fall

Wondering what happens when you break your arms early?

Sophomore Jeremy Gonzalez practices the pseudo release drill in the rowing tanks with the assistance of "the blocks" to correct his bad habit of breaking his arms early.

Check it out on Row2k's "Photo of the Day"

Malvern Rowers Prepare Rowing Tanks for Indoor Season

Photo: Andrew Paisley(left), Alec Somers (middle), Austin Bury(right)

With the Fall season behind them, Malvern rowers all pitched in to help prepare the Melton Rowing Center for the upcoming indoor season. After a few hours of mopping, wiping, spraying and a little elbow grease, the Melton Rowing Center was as good as new and is now ready to host winter training.


Update: Video and photos taken at USRowing East Coast Speed Orders have been posted.
For Row2k photos click here.

For video click here.

"The Rowing team works on their technique "

"The Rowing team works on their technique "
as seen on MalvernStrength

Where were you??

Jack Buckley, David Matasic, Austin Bury, Andrew Paisley and alumnus Mike Donohue help ready the motor boats for the upcoming school year.

"Ask not what Conshohocken can do for you, but what you can do for Conshohocken"

Malvern rowers Bill Doughty, Dave Matasic, Andrew Paisley, Austin Bury and Pat Allen help clean up Conshohocken to prepare for the upcoming year.

Malvern Rowing featured in "The Bulletin"

Malvern Rowing was recently featured in the article "Row Homes: Malvern, EA, Springside Have An Oar Up On The Competition" in The Bulletin newspaper.

"Malvern — From the outside, the Melton Rowing Center at Malvern Prep looks quite ordinary. Boring, even. The cream-colored stucco, red brick base and dull, gray roof offer a muted exterior to the roar of 16 oars working inside as one." to read the full article click here.

Head of the Charles Video

A video of the Malvern rowers who raced at the Head of the Charles in Boston can be found in malvernrowing's video gallery here

HRR Photos

Photos taken at Henley Royal Regatta 2008 are now in the photo Gallery

Malvern Rowing on CBS

Click here to see video of Malvern Rowing on CBS in Philadelphia Magazine's Top Schools report.

Freshman and Sophomores who are interested in trying out for the Malvern Rowing Team

Freshman and Sophomores who are interested in trying out for the Malvern Rowing Team must attend meeting at the Rowing Tanks after school dismissal on September 2nd. Any questions please contact head rowing coach Craig Hoffman at 610-812-6957 or email choff69845@aol.com

Photo Gallery

Have digital pictures of the Spring Regattas?? Send them to billdoughty@yahoo.com to have them added to the Malvern Rowing Photo Gallery to be shared with the rest of the team. Were looking to start separate ablums for each different regatta Malvern participates so just email them to me and ill add them to the gallery


thanks!