The advisory body that has guided Naval Academy sailing for more than 75 years and founded the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation.
In January 1949, the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy asked Commodore DeCoursey Fales of the New York Yacht Club to form an advisory committee of distinguished sailors who could provide expert guidance to the Academy's sailing program. Fales agreed, and the committee that bears his name has served the Naval Academy without interruption ever since.
The original Fales Committee brought together five men whose combined experience spanned competitive racing, naval service, and sailing journalism at the highest levels:
These founding members set a standard of excellence and service that has defined the Committee's work for more than seven decades.
For its first 24 years, the Fales Committee operated as an informal advisory group, connecting the Naval Academy sailing program with the expertise and resources of the civilian sailing community. By the early 1970s, it became clear that the program needed a formal, tax-exempt organization to receive donated vessels and manage the growing fleet.
In December 1973, the Fales Committee established the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation, incorporated in the State of Maryland as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. This single act created the institutional structure that has sustained Naval Academy sailing ever since, enabling the Foundation to accept donated boats, manage a professional investment portfolio, and fund on-the-water activities for midshipmen.
The Fales Committee now operates as an Advisory Sub-Committee of the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation, serving a dual role that honors its original mandate while meeting the needs of a modern, nationally competitive sailing program.
Advisory Role
The Committee provides qualified advice on the entire Naval Academy sailing program, encompassing seamanship training, offshore racing, and the intercollegiate dinghy program. Committee members review and update operational standards for the Offshore Sail Training Squadron, drawing on their professional expertise and competitive experience to ensure that midshipmen receive training that meets the highest standards in the sport.
Ambassador Role
Members of the Fales Committee serve as ambassadors for Naval Academy sailing in their regional and local sailing communities across the country. They connect the program to the broader sailing world, introducing potential donors, raising awareness of the program's mission, and ensuring that the Naval Academy remains a visible and respected presence in American sailing. This network of relationships is a vital asset that no amount of money can replace.
The Fales Committee's work continues. If you share our commitment to developing leaders through sailing, we invite you to learn how you can support the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation.
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