When the original history was written in 2003 for the UW Rowing Centennial, it was deliberately written as a continuing story, each year different but each year consistent and built on the same foundation as the year before. That foundation was created by Hiram Conibear and the men and women of those earliest years. The goal has been to continue the theme that Washington Rowing is unique in many ways, but particularly in the consistent values that drive the program and continue today in our coaches and student-athletes that row at Washington.

This timeline does not touch on the deeply human stories that define the program, and I urge anyone reading this summary to read the more in depth history. We have one book – The Boys in the Boat – that covers a small timeframe in the life of this program, and yet every year and generation has similar stories, and students, and coaches and leaders and every year could be a book. Some do not end as successfully, but the reality is many do in their own way.

And then finally this: a timeline, as a summary exercise, leaves years out. And yet every year has had a Washington Varsity 8 and a 2V8 and other boats, and some of those years end with national champions. Some end with west coast champions. Or amazing comeback stories or stunningly bad luck. I have always felt that, if we could line up every varsity 8 at their prime since our first in 1907… and have them race 2,000 meters… the winner would not be one of the favorites; it would just as likely be some dark horse year that you will not find on the timeline because at Washington, every Varsity 8 has high-level, dedicated athletes developed under the same core values.

So take this as the summary exercise it is. The real story of Washington Rowing, true since the very beginning, is the opportunity - as George Pocock would say - for young people to reach for the stars and succeed as a team together.

Note: The National Championship race distance, the sponsoring organization, and number of events have all changed multiple times since 1910. Today, for men, a national team champion is awarded (known as the Ten Eyck Trophy) based on points earned in all IRA events; however regardless of team results, the winner of the IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) Varsity 8 race is considered the National Champion. That was also true for the women’s national championships through 1996; however in 1997, when the NCAA began governing the women’s sport, the officially recognized National Champion became the combined team (V8, 2V8, V4) with the highest point total, and not the Varsity 8 race.

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1937: Varsity 8 National Champions and another IRA sweep

2018: Women win NCAA 2V8 National Championship; team finishes 2nd in the NCAA; UW men win the Temple Cup at Henley