THE SUNSET OF CONIBEAR Al Shealy ‘75 stroked Harvard heavyweight crews “through four seasons with only one collegiate loss. He boasts three national championships (two official) and four course records.”4492 Shealy also rowed for both Harry and Allen during the 1970s. Shealy: “Parker and Rosenberg represent two of the greatest coaching talents and egos in the business. It is unfortunate for the former and fortunate for the latter characteristic that they have never been in a situation where they could pool their abilities for the common good. “There were, however, technical problems involved [with me switching between the two coaches]. The transition was not as smooth as I had expected. “Theoretically, according to Harry, their two techniques are quite similar, but notwithstanding his honesty (ahem), at Harvard we never rowed with as much stylistic dogma as we did with Al. “Fortunately, our crews were powerful enough to overcome individual defects. “The personalities of the two men are also worlds apart. They have an equally strong faith in their own coaching methods and desire to win. Rosenberg’s intense approach to rowing jumps out and grabs you, but with Harry it was less demonstrably personal and tangible. “With Harry, we had a greater intuitive sense of mutual faith. Harry’s intense competitive drive and his personal rapport with his crews were omnipresent. The feelings were just there – mutual respect, admiration and one-hundred percent commitment. “The qualities which make him the legend that he is give him a cryptic allure to those who don’t know him, but they also explain the affection and devotion of those who do know him.”4493 Historian David Zang: “From the outset, Parker proved to be at odds with the hoary traditions of college coaching – no peppery pre-race speeches, no whipping boys or favorite sons, no foot-stomping tirades, no inspirational banners slung above the Newell [Boathouse] entries. Taking Joe Burk4494 as his model, Parker summed up his low-key style by telling a reporter that, ‘We don’t have to say very much. Everything’s all understood.’ “Most of Parker’s past oarsmen are still searching for ways to explain their coach’s power. His words could be as spare and provocative as koans, but in their absence his mere presence was enough.”4495 In a sport of giants, Parker is well muscled but on the small side. Rosenberg is positively diminutive, a former coxswain, usually impeccably dressed, with a twinkle in his eye, a silver tongue and an infectious love for rowing. Emory Clark, Yale ‘58, 5-seat in Allen’s 1964 Eight, has described him as “this often exasperating, provocative man; a man whose knowledge of this sport far exceeds mine; a man whose ability to impart that knowledge and get the most out of a crew was and is superlative.”4496 My own favorite memory of Allen is of him demonstrating how to backsplash with a spoon in his cup of tea as a crowd of adoring coaches leaned in and loomed over him, straining at his every word. Ted Nash served as Rosenberg’s assistant on the National Team during the 1970s: “Allen has a way of reaching athletes 4492 The Oarsman, March/April 1976, p. 36 4493 Shealy, p. 38 4494 See Chapters 65, 91 and 92. 4495 Zang, pp. 115-6 4496 Clark, p. ? 1243
