The Brian Lilly Jr. - Yeah Buddy Memorial Fund

PCRA is proud to announce the establishment of the Brian Lilly Jr. - Yeah Buddy Memorial Fund, created through a partnership of Pelham Community Rowing Association (PCRA) and a gift from the Lilly family; Brian Jr.’s parents, Brian Sr. and Brenda Lilly and his sister, Virginia Lilly. Named in loving memory of their son and brother, the fund provides financial support to the PCRA youth rowing program, specifically for purchase of boats.

Brian Lilly Jr. is an inspiring PCRA and life story. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 6, he outworked the disease through his force of will; pushing and challenging himself physically and mentally to overcome it. Those traits made him one of PCRA’s great transformations; changing him from a gangly, uncoordinated 14 year old to one of the club’s best rowers. His enthusiasm and dedication made him a true leader both in word and deed and he made those around him better. He exemplified the most honored and cherished rowing traits of dedication, discipline, teammate and sportsman. Brian loved PCRA and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. His spirit, enthusiasm and pertinacity will forever be honored and remembered by the PCRA family.

Starting with PCRA in the spring of 2017 as a sophomore at Scarsdale High School, Brian began a journey in the world of endurance sport which would turn out to be one of his life's biggest passions. He worked incredibly hard that winter, breaking the 7 minute mark for 2000m on the erg, which led to him making the 2nd Varsity 8+ and earning a Bronze medal at the New York State Championships. That same year, he was named the Most Improved and was later asked to serve as the team captain as a senior. He earned a bronze medal at the Philly Youth regatta in the 8+ in the summer of 2018 and competed in the PCRA Varsity 8+ for the entirety of his senior year in 2019. He ran and finished the New York City Marathon in the fall of 2018 for the Arthritis Foundation Team, all while training and competing on a full rowing schedule. Brian proudly finished the Ironman Lake Placid triathlon competition in the summer of 2019, requiring a 2.4 mile swim (3.9K), 112 mile bike (180.2K), and 26.2 mile marathon run (42.2K), widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world.

Having found his love of rowing at PCRA, Brian continued on as a Division 1 student-athlete at the University of California San Diego. He helped the UCSD C boat to a 10th place finish of 21 crews in the Men’s Open 8+ at the 2019 San Diego Fall Classic Regatta and was pursuing a BS in Real Estate and Development at UCSD when he died tragically in January, 2021.

Brian believed deeply in the power of sports and rowing to positively shape and transform lives. His family continues in that belief. “Yeah Buddy” is an iconic sports rally cry often used at PCRA and on many other teams. Legend has it that the phrase originated from 8-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman to prepare for lifting incredibly heavy weights. Brian Jr. loved to shout “Yeah Buddy!” with his teammates - meaning maximum intensity, focus, motivation and to celebrate a job well done and maximum effort given. In 2021, shortly after Brian’s passing, PCRA created a GoFundMe that raised an incredible $65,000 in 30 days to purchase a new 8-man boat named the BRIAN LILLY JR. – YEAH BUDDY. Since its’ arrival to the PCRA boathouse, Brian’s boat has gone on to win 3 medals in the Varsity 8 at the New York State Championships, set the program record of 11th overall at the Head of the Charles in 2022, and raced in the A Final at the Youth National Championships in 2023. The Brian Lilly Jr. - Yeah Buddy Memorial fund is dedicated to fund more boats for PCRA, which are vital to team performance, athlete recruitment and PCRA family pride.

“I am honored and humbled by the significant generosity of the Lilly family. Steadfast and resolute in their support of our Youth program, the Lilly’s have consistently given their time and energy to PCRA over the years. Whether it be through their attendance at our annual 18 Miles for Brian event, social media support, or coming to the boathouse to speak with the athletes in the lead up to New York States, the Lilly’s are always there for us and exemplify everything good about being a member of our community. This fund in honor of their son and brother, Brian Lilly Jr, will ensure that his spirit and legacy continue on for many years to come at PCRA and will allow us to continue moving forward in a way that will better the experience of all athletes in the program both now and in the future. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Brian’s life and look forward to the many successes ahead. YEAH BUDDY! GO PCRA!”

- Director of Youth Rowing, Reid Johnson

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FAQ’s:

What is the Brian Lilly Jr.- Yeah Buddy Memorial Fund?
The Brian Lilly Jr. - Yeah Buddy Memorial Fund was created through a partnership of Pelham Community Rowing Association (PCRA) and a gift from the Lilly family. Named in loving memory of their son and brother, the fund provides financial support to the PCRA youth rowing program, specifically for purchase of boats.

How does the fund work?
The Fund is open to additional contributions from donors who wish to support the PCRA mission of making rowing accessible to everyone.

How can I donate to the fund or directly to PCRA?
This donation portal is for a memorial fund at PCRA. To donate directly to PCRA, please visit https://givebutter.com/pelham-community-rowing-association-inc

How can I donate offline?

For offline donations please reach out to the PCRA administrator at admin@pcrarowing.com

The Brian Lilly Jr.- Yeah Buddy Memorial Fund

The Brian Lilly Jr.- Yeah Buddy Memorial Fund is an ongoing fund dedicated to the purchase of new boats for PCRA's youth teams