Today’s story begins not with the subject at hand, but with a flight.
Recently, while flying from Philadelphia to Indianapolis for a meeting with the NCAA men’s lacrosse rules committee, I had a view worth sharing. Seated by the window in 17A, I admired the clear skies and beautiful sights of Philadelphia as we took off. The route included a sweeping turn over University City, giving me a perfect view of the Penn campus, Franklin Field, and the Palestra. It sparked a passing thought: “Princeton over Penn.”
During the flight, I enjoyed picking out landmarks as we cruised across state lines, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at fellow travelers munching on pizza and burgers at 10:40 in the morning. After a brief 98 minutes, we touched down.
Now, let’s talk about someone who loved the world of sports — Harvey Yavener. He was a renowned Trenton sportswriter who spent over 60 years covering local events. Yav always found joy in people, whether they were athletes, fans, or fellow journalists. His unique approach to interviews focused on understanding the person behind the sport.
Yav had a surprising fondness for Princeton Rowing. For him, races were as essential as the biggest football games or March Madness. He embraced the significance of every event, regardless of the sport.
This past weekend, all four Princeton rowing teams were competing in their national championships. I can imagine Yav eagerly catching up with the athletes before they left — he would relish those conversations, filling his notebook with stories.
The open women finished sixth in the NCAA regatta, a solid performance in both the 1V race and overall standings. The men’s lightweight and heavyweight teams also impressed, with the lightweight 1V finishing second and the heavyweight 1V taking third. And the lightweight women? They did what they do best: they clinched the national championship, marking five straight wins for the 1V and six overall points championships.
Harvey Yavener would have enjoyed every moment, celebrating the athletes and sharing their stories. He reminded us that it’s the connections we make in sports that truly matter.
For more detailed results on the Princeton teams, you can check NCAA Regattas.
This glimpse into both a journey and Yav’s legacy highlights how sports can unite us, demonstrating passion that extends far beyond the scoreboard.
