Perseverance and Desire

As a sophomore on the University of Pennsylvania varsity crew in 1954, Harry Parker had an experience which put him to, perhaps, the greatest test of his rowing career.

Rowing in a storm on the rough water of the Harlem River, Parker recalls rowing so poorly that he doubts whether he had one good stroke in the whole race. He saw the Yale crew pass his boat three times before Penn pulled ahead to win the race.

That race in New York taught Parker that "rowing requires more perseverance than other endurance sports because there are so many more frustrations involved."

That race solidified his philosophy on rowing: "No matter how badly you are doing in a race, if you keep pulling you can win."

Perseverance and intense desire to win have characterized Parker's illustrious rowing career. After beginning to row at Penn in 1953, he went on to win the American single scull championship and single scull gold medal at the 1959 Pan American Games.

As the national champion again in 1960, Parker represented the United States at the Olympics in Rome.

"You're rewarded for every bit of effort that you put into the boat," Parker said of his personal rowing experiences. "The fact that the boat just directly responds to everything you do gives you an incredible sense of power."

The lean and solid port rower has achieved many successes in individual scull competition, but "there's nothing like rowing in a good eight, "Parker says. "The team experience is unique--there's no other sport where eight people are so obviously dependent on one another."

Harvard sophomore heavyweight John Amory compared Parker to Bear Bryant, the legendary head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. "He's someone you can latch onto as the symbol of the whole Harvard crew program," Amory said of Parker. "We've had a really successful program and you attach that to him."

When he became the head coach of Harvard heavyweight crew in 1963, Parker revolutionized the sport of rowing. He trained his crews year-round, moving indoors for the winter.

Harvard took the Eastern Sprints title seven consecutive years--from 1964 to 1970--and Parker established himself as the premier rowing coach in the country.

Parker has coached his teams to tremendous successes both on the collegiate and the international levels. His varsities have completed 13 undefeated seasons, have taken 14 Eastern Sprints titles, and have won numerous international titles. Parker has also been a U.S. Olympic crew coach since 1964.

When Harvard heavyweights are asked about Parker, they emphasize his tremendous ability to inspire and motivate. He is, they say, a coach of limited but profound words.

"For the most part, our students are well-motivated, "Parker said. "I just try to teach them skills and inspire them to row the boat as well as they can."

The Stuff of Legends

Every year Parker challenges the Harvard rowers to guess which day of the year the ice on the Charles River will first break. And every year, Parker wins the bet.

Parker also participates in a triathlon competition with his team every fall that includes running, completing an erg piece, and racing up and down the steps of the Stadium. Parker gives his rowers a real run for their money, placing in the top half of the group every year.

Parker looks forward to the "sheer spectacle" of the Head of the Charles.

Parker especially looks forward to rowing in the double sculls race with his son, David, who rowed lightweight crew for Harvard before graduating last June.