Sy Barash Regatta

The Beta Sigma Beta Sy Barash Regatta was named for a Beta Sig, Sy Barash, a prominent State College businessman and civic leader who died of cancer in 1974. One year later the first Regatta was staged at Stone Valley. Beta Sigma Beta is a local fraternity at Penn State University established in 1920.

The Regatta remained at Stone Valley at 1983, when the need to accommodate upwards of 15,000 people necessitated its move to the more spacious Bald Eagle State Park. In addition to the canoe races and tug of war competitions, the Regatta featured fantastic musical entertainment. Some of the performers featured included Joan Jett, the Hooters, the Romantics and Ziggy Marley, REO Speedwagon, 38 Special, and Blues Traveler.

At its peak, the Beta Sigma Beta Sy Barash Regatta was the largest single-fraternity philanthropy in the country. By the end of its 15th year, it had raised over $300,000 for the Centre County unit of the American Cancer Society. And the Beta Sigma Beta Sy Barash Regatta is listed as an American Cancer Society $100,000+ Excalibur Contributor.

Unfortunately, increasing costs, such as insurance, cut into the amount of money that could be donated and in the mid 1990s the Regatta was discontinued as the Beta Sigma Beta philanthropy. Now Beta Sigma Beta is involved in another philanthropic event called the WE ARE....Curing Autism Now 5K run/3K walk which is is in its 3rd year and has raised $291,000 since its 1st year.

A popular saying for the event was, "Ya gotta Regatta!"