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BOSTON – Nearly 300 currently and former student-athletes and program supporters came out to Henderson Boathouse and Matthews Arena on Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Northeastern men's rowing.
The former oarsmen began the day by taking to the Charles River for an alumni row, which began at 10 a.m. From there, the group then headed to Matthews Arena later that day for a dinner celebration. Guest speakers included Christopher Meehan '75, Larry Gluckman '69, Jim Dietz '72 and Jeffrey McLaughlin '89. Coaches
John Pojednic,
Ted Benford and
Dan Walsh also addressed the crowd throughout the evening.
"We're here to celebrate three outstanding men's varsity coaches, their assistants, their student-athletes, a university that saw the value of having a great rowing program, and the friends and alumni who continue to support it after 50 years," Gluckman said.
The university launched its highly-accomplished rowing program in 1965, when a group of novice oarsmen took the rowing world by storm, defeating 33 of 34 crews and earning an invitation to the Henley Royal Regatta. Northeastern capped its impressive first half-century with a fifth-place team finish at the IRA National Championship in early June to solidify its standing as one of the nation's preeminent programs.
"It's no surprise that I chose to come to Northeastern," Dietz said. "There was a culture here at Northeastern that everyone on the squad aspired to be on their national team. In 50 short years, Northeastern can boast world and Olympic medals and world and Olympic medalist coaching staffs.
"After 50 years, you have to go back and thank Asa Knowles, Herb Gallagher and Chandler Hovey for planting the seed, because the seed has sprung up to a great oak, and it will continue to spread and do great things, not only for Northeastern but for the world."
One of the nation's most resurgent programs, Northeastern crews have captured medals at each of the last four Eastern Sprints. A year ago, at the IRA National Championship, NU took home the Clayton Chapman Award for the greatest team point increase over the prior year, and at this year's championship, the Huskies advanced two of three eights to Grand Finals and placed fifth nationally as a team, ahead of Harvard and Yale.
"As has been explained, men's rowing is changing with possible inclusion as an NCAA event, allowing first-year rowers to row on the varsity, and squads with a much smaller number of walk-on athletes.
John Pojednic and his staff have made the transition and have demonstrated a continued high level of competitiveness and success, but now its time for alumni, parents and friends of Northeastern to give it a go."
The Huskies will return to the water on Saturday morning when Northeastern takes on Harvard on the Charles River for the Smith Cup. Racing is set to begin at 8 a.m.
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