Bishop Ireton High School’s Crew Coach, John Imperial, recently received the 2005 Organization Anacostia Rowing & Sculling (OARS) Community Outreach Award at the presentation of the Anacostia Community Boathouse Association (ACBA) $300,000 grant to renovate the boating facility. The grant was awarded by the Washington, D.C., Department of Transportation.

Imperial is the award’s first recipient, recognized for his on-the-water rowing and paddling initiatives, activities, programs and events conducted on the Anacostia River for the benefit of neighborhoods and youths.

Imperial has been a member of the Anacostia Community Boathouse since 1999 and has a passion for rowing and a dedication to sharing that passion. He has coached and taught over 150 members of the Washington community how to row sweep, and has coached six Capital Novice classes since 2003. Imperial is an active member of the Capital Rowing Association, and has served as their sculling and small-boats representative in 2004-05. Through his efforts, he has introduced many to sculling and rowing in and outside of the Washington community.

Imperial also ran a fall novice scholastic rowing camp in 2003. In the fall of 2004 he took over as head coach of Bishop Ireton’s crew team and led the team to a record number of wins and ribbons in the spring of 2005. John is currently working to organize a fall youth program for members of Washington-area high school rowing teams. His commitment to safety has been a significant benefit not just to Capital Rowing, but to the entire ACBA community. He remains a proponent of increased and diligent safety measures for Ireton and ACBA communities.

Mark Heiser, athletic director at Bishop Ireton, said he is "delighted to have John as part of our coaching team.

"He’s a wonderful influence and motivator to the students and is generous with his crew knowledge," Heiser said.

The Bishop Ireton crew team will compete in the National Capital Area Scholastic Rowing Association next April. In the three years the team has competed, it has won over 50 ribbons and awards.