The Poughkeepsie Regatta was suspended during this time due to the U.S. involvement in World War I.  The 1917 regatta was scheduled, but the IRA Board of Stewards announced in March that the regatta would be cancelled in the event of a declaration of war.  In April, the U.S. declared war and the regatta was officially cancelled.  Cornell suspended all athletics after the war declaration as did Columbia and numerous other universities.  Many crew members joined the military as did several crew coaches.  While some rowing did resume at the universities during this time period, the regatta was not reprised until 1920.