CENTERVILLE, Mass. – After posting just the second undefeated national championship season in program history, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Board of Stewards has announced that the Big Red lightweight varsity eight has been named the IRA Crew of the Year, while Chris Kerber has been named the IRA Coach of the Year. This is the first time either a Cornell boat or coach has been honored since the awards were established in 2011.
 
The Big Red began the 2014 campaign ranked No. 4 nationally, ascended to the No. 1 position on April 23 and did not relinquish the distinction for the remainder of the season. 

Cornell won its first Ivy League championship since 2008 for its ninth title in program history, and then took the Jope Cup, which is awarded to the lightweight team that scores the highest total points in the varsity, second varsity and freshmen eight races at Eastern Sprints. The Big Red has now won the Jope Cup five times, with the last victory coming in 2008.

The Big Red went on to win the program's fifth national championship at the IRA national regatta, edging Harvard in the varsity eight race by .54 of a second to cap the 11th undefeated season in Cornell lightweight history. Cornell, which has been undefeated IRA champions just once before (1992), last won an IRA title in 2008.  

After their outstanding season, Cornell will travel to England to take part in the Henley Royal Regatta, held July 2-6.