Arrigoni Hall of Fame
Vincent Ventura enters the Iona College Hall of Fame after a stellar career as both a rower and a coach at Iona College. A graduate of Iona with a degree in Philosophy, Vincent Ventura was a member of the Crew team from 1965-1969 serving as Captain and President of the team from ’67-69.
Ventura was the winner of three M.I.R.A. (Metropolitan Intercollegiate Rowing Association) championships as well as 12+ dual races. Vincent Ventura’s rowing and coaching career is very impressive and his accomplishments are much too expensive to list completely.
Ventura took over the coaching reigns from 1969-1974 and again in 1987. In 1973 his team won the “Lightweight 8” M.I.R.A. Championship, 8th at Dad Vail Regatta. In 1974 the team repeated as M.I.R.A. champions, 5th at Dad Vail Regatta where they were the first Iona Crew to make a Dad Vail Final since 1959.
A participant of the Olympic and World Team Trials (1972-1976), Vincent Ventura won two national titles, 15 second place finishes at national championships and ten third places. Additionally, he medaled at various prestigious regattas. His coaching career included 50+ gold medalist crews in the national championships and uncountable silver and bronze medals. His coaching career spanned many athletes and many events such as the 1983 and ’87 Pan American team, the USA National team and the 1980 and ’84 Olympic Teams, (the ’84 team won the Silver Medal.)
Ventura’s rowing and coaching career have seen remarkable success, and his athletes were successful due to the extremely positive attitude toward the sport that was developed and influenced by their mentor, Vincent Ventura.
