PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The 2010 BIG EAST Rowing Championship begins this weekend in Worcester, Mass., on Lake Quinsigamond. Practice sessions begin for all teams on Saturday, April 24 with race day starting on Sunday, April 25. Notre Dame, which has won every rowing title since 2004, will look for a seventh championship crown.

BIG EAST Rowing Returns to Lake Quinsigamond After a two-year hiatus, the BIG EAST Rowing Championship returns to Lake Quinsigamond. Quinsigamond State Park consists of two sites located on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester: Regatta Point and Lake Park. The 25-acre Regatta Point area offers facilities for swimming, sailing, picnicking and fishing. The area is used extensively for sailing and rowing crew regattas. The 2,000-meter rowing course established on Lake Quinsigamond is internationally recognized as one of the best courses in the world.

Fighting Irish Look to Make it Seven in a Row Notre Dame, which is receiving votes in the latest US Rowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA Division I Poll, heads to Worcester in search of its seventh straight title. The six consecutive BIG EAST titles is the second-longest current active streak in the conference. Only the Irish women's swimming and diving team - which captured a record-setting 14th straight championship in February - has more consecutive league titles. Since joining the conference rowing fold in 2001, the Irish have finished no lower than second, with Syracuse being the only team to best the Irish on the final scoreboard in 2003.

BIG EAST in the National Polls Three BIG EAST schools are receiving votes in the latest US Rowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA Division I Poll. Notre Dame leads all BIG EAST schools with 42 votes. Louisville has 20 while Syracuse is also receiving a vote.

Louisville and Connecticut Earn Conference Accolades In the weeks leading up to the BIG EAST Championship, both Louisville and Connecticut earned Boat of the Week honors. The Cardinals’ varsity eight earned the first award of 2010 on April 7. The crew made it two-in-a-row, taking the honor again on April 14. Connecticut’s novice eight took home the distinction earlier this week on April 21.

Championship Central The most up-to-date information on the 2010 BIG EAST Rowing Championship is on the Championship Central Page on BIGEAST.org. Results and exclusive video content can be seen free of charge. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase photos from the event and check the out all the information on the event.