Pittsburgh, Pa. – Prior to the Duquesne University rowing team opening its 2026-27 season Saturday at the Head of the Ohio, the program honored its former head coach and current Senior Associate Athletic Director by naming the hull of its new boat, the Vespoli GSR 8+, after Joseph Setting.

"Joe's connection to Duquesne rowing is incredibly unique," said head coach Matt Carlsen. "He was a student-athlete on the Bluff, coached the program and has continued to serve Duquesne Athletics long after his time in the coaching launch by serving in the department's administration. He has left an impact on generations of rowers and has played a huge role in building Duquesne women's rowing into what it is today. Naming a boat after Joe is our way of recognizing that legacy and saying thank you for everything he has given not only to our program but to the University."

Setting, a native of Newtown, Pa., was a double major as an undergraduate at Duquesne, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies. While earning two degrees, Setting was a member of the men's rowing program. He served as head coach of the women's rowing team from 2006 to 2017 and has led the Duquesne Athletics business office since 2017.

"I'm truly humbled by this honor," Setting said. "Duquesne University has meant so much to me both personally and professionally. Choosing to come to Duquesne as an undergraduate was just the beginning of what has become a journey filled with opportunities and experiences that I am forever grateful. What I hold sacred and cherish most from my tenure as head coach were the extraordinary staff and student-athletes that I had the honor to work with. Collectively, through hard work, dedication and many long hours and days, we were able to elevate Duquesne women's rowing to new heights. We believed in holding ourselves accountable to being our best on and off the water. We were also relentless in establishing the program as a consistent competitor, and the result was a resounding success."

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In his current role, Setting is the Chief Athletics Financial Officer for the department of athletics and is responsible for providing direct oversight and coordination of all business, internal operation and facility matters. He also serves as the athletic department liaison to the University's planning/budget, controller, procurement, human resources, facilities management, auxiliary services and information technology offices. As sport program administrator, Setting oversees women's rowing, women's lacrosse, women's golf and acrobatics & tumbling.

"My office on campus is filled with pictures and memories of my time leading Duquesne women's rowing, and I remind myself each day how fortunate I was to be able to work with such tremendous people," Setting said. "Thank you for believing in the shared vision for the team. It is a joy to still be a part of this wonderful program, now as sport administrator, and see the team continue many traditions established long ago."

The Vespoli GSR is the newest entry in the manufacturer's compliment of racing shells as well as the company's newest hull type since the VHP model was introduced in 2015. The GSR hull class is a redesign of the Vespoli racing shell that introduces new technology and engineering to the water. Different from the VHP class, the redesign enables the GSR to move more efficiently through the water then prior hull classes. The GSR class has a single, bow-mount carbon fiber rigger, which eliminates the need for a backstay, which each prior class has for its side-mount or stern-mount riggers. Inside the shell, the seat tracks are concave instead of convex, making it more efficient for the wheels to pass along the track and keep tracks clean, in addition to other design updates in the rower seat area to make the shell more comfortable for athletes to row.

Adding to the honor for Setting is that Duquesne's GSR 8+ is the first of its kind to take to the course for competition, while the second was delivered to St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, a program that was founded by Carlsen. Vespoli is an American racing shell manufacturer established in 1980 in Hamden, Conn., that is currently based out of New Haven, Conn., and manufactures racing shells for all skill levels of crews, both domestic and international. Vespoli also introduced a GSR 4+, which was delivered to Lower Merion High School in Conshohocken, Pa.

During Setting's 11 years as head coach at Duquesne, the Dukes achieved a program best by finishing third at the Atlantic 10 Championship in his first season in 2006. He helped guide Duquesne to a total of 17 conference medals, including seven first-place finishes. Overall during his tenure, Setting helped the Dukes capture 184 medal placements in 11 seasons.

"A few people I would like to especially recognize for this honor were instrumental supporting my tenure as head coach," Setting said. "Mark Bellinger, who hired me for my first coaching position with the Fox Chapel Crew Club. His mentorship, guidance and continued support provided me a foundation to learn how to coach. Jennifer Langzettel, my assistant coach during my entire tenure, no words can express the depths of my appreciation and gratitude for all of your unwavering support. Dave DeNardo, my sport program administrator and continued mentor to present day in my current position at Duquesne, thank you for being in my corner throughout my career. Lastly, a big thank you to all my family members that have contributed to supporting Duquesne rowing in a host of ways over the years. Whether it was sending some funds to help support a new piece of equipment, cooking every meal for the athletes over spring training or just taking some time to come and support the team at a race, your presence was felt and appreciated."

Duquesne, which claimed its fourth consecutive U.S. Steel Cup at the Head of the Ohio to open its 2026-27 campaign, is next in action Saturday, Oct. 17, with its Varsity 4+ taking part in the Head of the Charles in Boston, Mass.

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