On January 31st members of Grey College Boat Club gathered for a short ceremony to name their new Empacher eight after Durham rowing legend Eric Halladay.

The boat was named by the current College Principal, Sonia Virdee who was honouring one of her predecessors, alongside captain of the Boat Club Archie Baker.

Born in 1930 and educated at Durham School, Eric Halladay returned to Durham in 1964 as Senior Tutor of Grey College and became coach of Durham University Boat Club, a position he was to hold for over 30 years in what was a period of sustained success for DUBC. He went on to be Master of Grey College between 1980 and 1989, as well as being Chairman of Durham Regatta between 1982 and 1988, and became a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta in 1993. He died in 1997.

The boat will become the College first VIII and is expected to be seen at the forthcoming heads on the Tideway.

Durham University Boat Club named a Filippi pair after Eric Halladay in August 2021.

Photo: Grey College