Although you may not have read it in the New York Times, the Class of ’63 has once again won the MIT Reunion Row—a 500 meter eight-oared crew “event.”
The following fifteen oarsmen and coxswains participated in the row:
Bill Gadzuk
Bob Kurtz
Bob Vernon
Dennis Buss
Harvey Bines
Jack Lynch
Jerry Skinner
Jim Latimer
Ken Andersen
Lou Taff
Mike Greata
Rick Metzinger
Ron Cheek
Ron Young
Tony Fiory.
In addition, Bob Johnson volunteered to videotape the reunion row instead of rowing and Elliot Bird the hardworking manager of the MIT crew was present to support us.
The Class of 1963 fielded two boats, designated A and B. The seats in the A boat were filed with those oarsmen who had the most recent rowing experience and had the most recent physical training.
Class of 1963 A, from Bob Vernon
Bow:Harvey Bines, Rick Metzinger, Ken Andersen, Dennis Buss, Bob Kurtz, Bill Gadzuk, Ron Cheek, Tony Fiory, and Bob Vernon, Cox
Several oarsmen in the B boat admitted to being a bit out of shape but were willing to participate anyway in the comradery spirit of the reunion row. The B boat had five oarsmen from the class of ’63 (plus a ’63 coxswain) and thus were supplemented by three oarsmen from other classes. We very much appreciate the contributions made by Alex Jessiman, Eric Fitch and Pete Staecker. By the way, Alex Jessiman, totally coincidently, is the son of our ’63 classmate Bill Jessiman.
There were ten boats who raced from the various fifth year reunion classes. These raced in two five-boat heats. During the first heat, one of the oarsmen in the ’63 A boat caught a crab (oar caught in the water and then yanked out of his hand) and the recovery took a long time and the boat finished dreadfully far behind the others and were consequently eliminated. The B boat rowed a “smart” race by rowing a very low stroke which not only conserved their limited resources but allowed them to row more smoothly, which made them faster. They finished almost tied with the class of ’73 boat and based on the age handicap secured themselves a lane in the final race. Despite two oarsmen who later said they were totally exhausted after the first heat, the final race went even more smoothly and the B boat, given their age handicap was declared the winner of the reunion row.
left to right: Top Row: Bob Johnson, Alex Jessiman, Dennis Buss, Bob Kurtz, Ron Cheek, Bill Gadzuk, Jim Latimer, Tony Fiory, Lou Taff
Middle Row: Harvey Bines, Rick Metzinger, Jerry Skinner, Mike Great, Elliot Bird
Bottom Row: ?, ?, Peter Staeker, Jack Lynch with Cup, Ron Young, Bob Vernon, Coach Gary Zwart
by Calvin Yee '63
Once again, the Class of ’63 has demonstrated what it means to have a “boatload of guts.” Our oarsmen have participated in all three reunion rows, and have been fortunate to win all three, We would have liked to have finished first and second this year but rowing accidents, especially catching a crab, can happen to any crew and to any oarsmen so we were fortunate that we had a plan B to carry us forward.
We were very privileged to row as undergraduates under the extraordinary coaching we received from Gary Zwart and Jack Frailey, both of whom were present at the Reunion Row. In addition, we would like to remember and honor the charismatic Freshman Heavyweight coach, Dick Erickson, who mentored many of our oarsman. Dick passed away a few years ago.
MIT's Reunion Row Results page
Ron's Reunion Row Pictures
Go to M.I.T.'s Alumni Reunion Row Page
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http://alumweb.mit.edu/classes/1963/reunionrow2003.shtml
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