Sports Shorts
Lightweight crew coaches step down
Coaches Ted Benford and Andy Hilton are leaving the lightweight men’s rowing program, Director of Athletics Julie Soriero announced on Monday. Benford, who served as the Engineers’ head coach for the past five seasons, will be returning to Northeastern University as the associate head coach. Following a three-year stint at MIT, Hilton will be going back to Dartmouth College, his alma mater, as the assistant heavyweight coach.
During their tenure, Benford and Hilton’s crews continuously improved resulting in the closest racing the program had experienced in years. The Cardinal and Gray captured top-10 national seedings in 2008 and 2009 while the freshman lightweight squad placed 10th at the 2008 EARC Sprints Championship.
“Through their hard work, technical knowledge and fine character, Ted and Andy built MIT’s lightweight men’s crew into a cohesive and successful team,” said Tony Kilbridge, MIT’s director of rowing. “Everyone associated with the program will miss them and wishes them the best.”
UFC Fan Expo coming to Boston
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will host its annual Fan Expo this weekend at the Hynes Convention Center, marking the organization’s first-ever event in Boston.
The UFC is an association of fighters practicing mixed martial arts, featuring a wide range of techniques and combat skills, including wrestling, karate, and boxing. Fighters compete in an caged octagonal ring, and score points via strikes and by grappling.
The event will culminate with a series of bouts on Saturday night. Several of the participants and organizers are from the Boston area, notably fighter Kenny Floria and the association’s president, Dana White.