On Saturday, Jan. 31, the Jesuit Dallas crew program dedicated its newest racing shell in honor of Admiral Patrick M. Walsh '73, honoring the highly-decorated four-star admiral at the annual S.W.E.A.T. Regatta at the Terry Center.

A one-time member of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the "Blue Angels," he flew combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm and Provide Comfort and commanded numerous squadrons throughout his distinguished Naval career, including the Gunslingers of Strike-Fighter Squadron 105, Carrier Air Wing 1, and Carrier Group Seven of the John C. Stennis Strike Group. In 1988, Admiral Walsh was appointed a prestigious White House Fellow by President Ronald Reagan and later was selected as Chairman of the Leadership, Ethics, and Law Departments at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Beginning in 2007, Admiral Walsh served as the 35th Vice Chief of Naval Operations as well as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. In 2009, he began a three-year tenure as 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. With responsibility for an area that encompasses half of the Earth's surface and is home to half of the world's population, he was in command of five aircraft strike carrier groups, 180 ships, 1,500 aircraft, and more than 100,000 sailors.

The ceremony recognized Admiral Walsh, who christened the boat by pouring water from White Rock Lake over the bow. In addition, Admiral Walsh was surprised with an additional recognition on the stern, as his call-sign "Sponge" and four-star general notation were recognized.

Admiral Walsh is the highest ranking military officer by a Jesuit Dallas graduate. The shell is the third added to the Jesuit Dallas fleet since 2015; the Admiral Walsh shell will join a fleet which recently saw the addition of a varsity 8 shell dedicated in memory of the late Rev. John H. Edwards, SJ and an additional boat dedicated in honor of former head coach John Fife.