Honoring the Legends Who Shaped Scholastic Rowing

Ever wonder who Stotesbury, Charlie Butt, or Ted Phoenix really were?
Behind every regatta name is a story of passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the sport of rowing.
These individuals—coaches, visionaries, veterans, volunteers, and philanthropists—helped build the rowing communities we know today.
This page pays tribute to their legacies and their lasting impact on generations of athletes across the region and beyond.

Charlie Butt

The Father of DC-Area Rowing

Charlie Butt dedicated over four decades to shaping the sport of rowing in the Washington, D.C. region. As head coach of Washington-Lee High School's crew program from 1949 to 1990, he was a pioneering force behind the growth of scholastic rowing, not just in Northern Virginia, but throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Often called the “Father of DC-area Rowing,” Butt was instrumental in developing rowing programs across schools and colleges, coaching thousands of student-athletes while simultaneously working full-time as an aeronautical engineer for the U.S. Department of Defense. He firmly believed that the foundation of a strong rowing program lay in its novice rowers and was always eager to mentor, share his philosophies, and support coaches and athletes alike.

Butt’s influence extended beyond the boathouse. He played a vital role in the creation of the Sandy Run Regional Park rowing facility and in the continued development of the Thompson Boat Center in Washington, D.C.—both key sites in the region’s rowing infrastructure today.
His commitment to youth development and community earned him recognition as Washingtonian of the Year in both 1979 and 1980. More than a coach, Charlie Butt was a teacher, mentor, and advocate whose legacy continues in every stroke rowed by generations of athletes across the region.

Ryszard “Ryz” Obuchowicz

A Steward of Scholastic Rowing

Ryszard “Ryz” Obuchowicz brought tireless energy, leadership, and heart to the world of scholastic rowing. His journey into the sport began when his children, David and Gracy, joined the crew team at West Springfield High School in Springfield, Virginia. What started as parental support soon evolved into a lasting and influential role in rowing across the National Capital region and beyond.

Ryz became a rowing referee in 1994, steadily rising through the ranks to become a Referee Clinician—a role in which he mentored and trained the next generation of officials. In 2007, US Rowing honored him with the prestigious Julian Wolf Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.

While he officiated at numerous national events, Ryz’s passion remained rooted in scholastic rowing. He was a familiar and respected presence at National Capital area regattas, the SRAA Championships, and countless local events. He served as Vice President of the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA), referee representative on the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) Board of Directors, and held multiple leadership roles, including President of the West Springfield Crew Boosters and Regatta Director for VASRA from 2011 to 2013.

As referee liaison, Ryz coordinated schedules for regional regattas and championed recruitment and development efforts for referees, greatly expanding the sport’s officiating capacity in the mid-Atlantic region. His legacy is seen in the well-run regattas, the strong officiating community, and the countless athletes whose experiences were elevated by his commitment.

Ryz Obuchowicz passed away on October 24, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of service, generosity, and unwavering support for scholastic rowing.

Edward "Ted" Phoenix

A Lifelong Servant and Champion of Rowing

WriteCommander Edward “Ted” Phoenix exemplified a life of service, leadership, and dedication—both in uniform and in the community. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars, Phoenix served 25 years in the United States Navy before continuing his work in national security and public service through civilian leadership. a bio for each team member. Make it short and informative to keep your visitors engaged.

After retiring from the Navy, Phoenix played a key role in national emergency preparedness. Working with SAIC and the Department of Homeland Security, he helped develop and implement the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service and Wireless Priority Service—critical systems designed to ensure reliable communication during national emergencies.

Outside of his professional work, Ted Phoenix devoted his personal time to a different passion: rowing. His involvement began in 1983, helping Potomac High School in Woodbridge grow its fledgling rowing program. That local commitment evolved into a regional mission. Phoenix took on leadership roles with the Northern Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (NVSRA), its successor the National Capital Area Scholastic Rowing Association (NCASRA), and eventually the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) following reorganization in 2008.

At the time of his passing on September 16, 2004, Ted Phoenix was the president of NCASRA, a member of the Board of Directors of the Scholastic Rowing Association of America, and had just been elected to the Board of Directors of US Rowing—the national governing body for the sport in the United States, including Olympic-level competition.

Ted Phoenix’s legacy is one of service, both to country and community. Through his work in national defense and his lifelong commitment to scholastic rowing, he helped shape both safer systems and stronger student-athletes across the region.

Edward T. Stotesbury

The Patron Behind the Stotesbury Cup

Edward T. Stotesbury’s name is forever tied to one of the most prestigious traditions in high school rowing: the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. A prominent Philadelphia financier and philanthropist, Stotesbury’s involvement with rowing began not as an athlete, but as a passionate supporter of the sport and its values.

In 1887, Stotesbury became a member of the Bachelors Barge Club, one of the oldest rowing clubs in the country, located on Philadelphia’s historic Boathouse Row. Though he joined as a social member at the age of 38, Stotesbury quickly became a key leader in the club, serving as Vice President and later as President from 1927 until his death in 1938.

During his tenure, Bachelors Barge Club saw some of its most successful competitive years, including Olympic medal wins in 1924, 1928, and 1932. But his most enduring legacy came in 1927, when Olympic rower and clubmate W.E. Garrett Gilmore approached him with a visionary idea: to establish a major competition for high school rowers. Stotesbury agreed, sponsoring a trophy for the Boys Senior Eight race in what would become the very first high school rowing regatta in the nation.

That event, held on the Schuylkill River, marked the birth of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta—an event that has since grown to become the largest high school rowing competition in North America, attracting crews from across the U.S. and Canada.
Through his generosity and leadership, Edward T. Stotesbury helped elevate scholastic rowing and create a lasting tradition that continues to inspire generations of young athletes.

Darrell Winslow

A Legacy of Vision and Stewardship

Darrell Winslow devoted 28 years to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, including 18 years as Executive Director. Beginning his service in 1966, he was instrumental in transforming the region’s park system into one of national distinction.

Under his leadership, NVRPA saw the development of several major regional parks, including Bull Run, Occoquan, Algonkian, Hemlock Overlook, Upton Hill, and Balls Bluff Battlefield. He was also responsible for the creation of the rowing facilities at Sandy Run, which continue to serve athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Beyond parks, his vision extended to popular amenities such as the wave pool at Cameron Run, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, and Brambleton Golf Course. His work ensured that residents across Northern Virginia had access to quality outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities.

Often referred to as one of the founding architects of NVRPA, Darrell Winslow helped define the role of regional parks in community life. He passed away on January 17, 2022, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy marked by public service, natural preservation, and a deep commitment to the well-being of future generations.