Arshay Cooper First Responders Challenge Cup

The Arshay Cooper Cup is a fun 2000 meter indoor rowing race between police, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders. It's designed to celebrate service, teamwork, and community — and to bring a little friendly rivalry to the erg.

About

Why It Matters

Inspired by the film A Most Beautiful Thing, where former Chicago gang members and police officers learned to row together and found common ground on the water, the Arshay Cooper Cup honors that spirit of unity, courage, and second chances.

Here in Hackensack, this race represents our version of that story — first responders, students, coaches, and community members coming together not in crisis, but in competition and connection. It’s about respect, resilience, and having fun while doing something hard… on purpose.

Who Can Compete?

Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders are invited to compete in a 2000m relay race (4 x 500m). Teams can register in one of two ways:

Department Team – Four athletes from the same department (ex: Hackensack Police, Hackensack Fire). Departments may enter more than one team.
Combined Team – For individuals who don’t have three teammates from their own department. You may join with first responders from neighboring towns to form a full police team, fire team, or EMS team. Mixed-service teams (ex: 2 police, 1 firefighter, 1 EMT) will race in the First Responder Open Team category.

*Note: There is no entry fee for first responders. Participation is free, and departments or individuals are welcome (but not required) to make a donation to Hope on Water to support youth rowing access and scholarships. If a Combined Team wins the event, the Cup will go to the department of the team's choosing.

The Trophy

The winning team will receive the Arshay Cooper Challenge Cup, a custom trophy named in honor of rower, author, and activist Arshay Cooper.

Awarded to the fastest overall 2000m team
The trophy remains with the winning department until the next Comet Crush Erg Classic
Top Police, Fire, and EMS teams will also be recognized during awards

It’s serious bragging rights and a chance to race for something bigger than a medal.

Arshay Cooper

Rower, Author, and Motivational Speaker

"Yeah they get frustrated and they get upset sometimes walking down the street but they're great, they're amazing, they're resilient, just failed by the system"