Harvard Crew Has New Coach At Helm For First Time In 51 Years
BOSTON (CBS) --- For the Harvard Men's rowing team, the Head Of The Charles is basically a home game.
But this weekend, the rowers have an extra reason to do well.
They're hoping to do well for a legendary coach they lost a few months ago.
It's the first fall since 1960 without Harry Parker.
Parker was at the helm of Harvard's crew team for an amazing 51 years, until his death last summer.
His legacy is forever part of the team.
"Everyone said he was more of a teacher, throughout your life," Captain Andy Holmes said.
Charley Butt is gearing up for his first Head Of The Charles as the men's crew head coach at Harvard.
"The student has been emphasized for the last 50 years and that's what we're going to try to do and maintain," he says.
Butt has been with the program for 27 years but he's practically a novice compared to his predecessor.
As the team prepares for their first Head Of The Charles without him, they reflect on the loss.
"We realize how lucky we were to have him as a coach and everyone thought he would go on forever so it was a bit of a shock," Holmes said.
The team is dedicating the race Sunday to Parker.
But beyond that, the new coach says he'll continue what he started 51 years ago.
