The Williams Men's Varsity Crew is one of the most consistent and dominant crews in New England. Often NESCAC champion, inevitably Little Three champion, and frequently ECAC finalist.
Contents
History
Rowing was one of Williams' first sports, surfacing on campus in 1869 by the efforts of what was described by the school's administration as a 'decidedly burlesque' group. Williams continued to row until 1879 when it left the Saratoga Regatta along with Harvard, Yale and Bowdoin, to protest gambling and betting on collegiate rowing.
In the 1930's, two very enthusiastic school-boy rowers from St. Paul's School of New Hampshire and Kent School of Connecticut started rowing at Williams. Although they attracted 30 to 40 converts each year, the college was not impressed, and felt the sport would "spell the ruin of all sports in the balmy months of the year." In the early 1940's, attrition and the effects of World War II left the program quite literally without anyone to man the oars.
In 1968 John A. Shaw '62 returned to Williams to teach history. Shaw's energy and financial backing started Williams rowing once again, but unlike the previous two attempts, this time it was for good. One of the college shells is appropriately named the Pride and Persistence.
Traditions
Being a year-long sport with a relatively short race calendar, Williams Crew is full of athletic traditions to puncuate the year. Roughly in order, they are:
- Competes in the annual Schnellstiegen against the Nordic Ski Team and and Alpine Ski Team.
- The intra-squad "Run with the erg."
- The Triathlon.
- Mad Cows.
Schedule
Notable achievements
Went on to win at the Henley Royal Regatta in 1989; beat Harvard along the way.
New England Champions 1994, 1995, 1996; have made New England finals every year since 1993.
Set the Head of the Charles course record for Men's Club 8; it stands to this day (as Onota Lake Rowing Association.)
Little Three champions for the past six years and thus holders of the Saratoga Oar.
Notable Alumni
- Peter S. Wells '79, current head Crew coach at Williams and coach of the Men's Varsity Crew.
- G. Lindsay Brown '86, US National Team, 1988 Olympian, and coach of St. Andrew's (Delaware) Crew.
- Andrew P. N. Erdmann '88, former Iraqi Minister of Education (US State Department.)
- Mark Cullen '90, US National Team.
- John Williams '98, assistant coach, University of Delaware Rowing.