Iona Rowing Christens the Francis T. Trainor Shell, Honoring a Legacy of Generosity
The Francis T. Trainor shell was made possible through a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Trainor ’77, ’81MBA and Marilyn Musial Trainor ’85, ’84MBA.
The Iona University men's and women's rowing programs celebrated the addition of a new racing shell to its fleet with the christening of the Francis T. Trainor following competition at the Novak Memorial Metropolitan Championships on May 2, 2026, at Glen Island Park.
The post-race ceremony brought together alumni, parents, supporters, and members of the rowing community, continuing a growing tradition of recognizing those whose generosity and commitment have helped elevate the program. The newest shell represents another step forward in enhancing opportunities for Iona's student-athletes as the program continues to build momentum.
The Francis T. Trainor shell was made possible through a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Trainor ’77, ’81MBA and Marilyn Musial Trainor ’85, ’84MBA. This latest contribution builds on their significant investment in the program last year, which provided a state-of-the-art, eight-person shell for the men’s and women’s rowing teams through the dedication of the Robert J. Musial shell. Their continued commitment to Iona rowing further strengthens the program and directly impacts current and future Gael rowers.
“Supporting Iona rowing is an investment in the student-athlete experience and in the future of the program,” said Larry Trainor. “Honoring my father, Francis T. Trainor, through this shell is especially meaningful to Marilyn, me, and our family and we are proud to help provide resources that empower Gaels to compete, grow, and succeed.”
The Trainor's continued commitment to Iona rowing further strengthens the program and directly impacts current and future Gael rowers.
This ceremony served as both a celebration of the present and a reflection on the strong foundation of support surrounding Iona rowing, reinforcing the connection between past, present, and future Gaels. This continued investment from alumni and supporters underscores a shared commitment to providing transformational experiences for Iona student-athletes for generations to come.
“The Novak Memorial Metropolitan Championship was, once again, a great event for Iona Rowing,” said Coach Ben MacDougald. “Not only was it a highly successful day of racing, but an exceptional moment for Iona rowers, new and old, to join together to reflect on the legacy and mission of Iona Rowing.”
“We cannot thank Larry Trainor and his family enough for their overwhelming generosity and belief in our rowers,” MacDougald continued. “The team is growing in size and talent faster than we could have ever hoped. Our athletes would not have been able to train or compete without the unrivaled support of our alumni. Please reach out to me personally if you ever are available to come watch a practice. We couldn’t do any of this without you and we will continue to strive to make you proud.”
This ceremony served as both a celebration of the present and a reflection on the strong foundation of support surrounding Iona rowing.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2026, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.