The Washington Crew's Climb to Berlin

This thread tracks Washington's developing crews from uncertain freshman tryouts to the Olympic title.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Promising Turnout

A New Class of Rowers Selection Tom Bolles gathers a large group of novices at the Washington shell house, including Joe Rantz and Roger Morris. Most have never rowed a racing shell, and only a few will survive the demanding selection process. Possibility Al Ulbrickson sees potential among the newcomers, but he knows physical power alone cannot produce a winning boat. The crew must learn technique, endurance, and how to row for one another.

Freshmen Become Champions

A Surprise in Poughkeepsie Breakthrough Washington’s freshman crew races established eastern programs on the Hudson River and wins the national freshman title. The inexperienced westerners impress observers with their composure as much as with their margin. New Expectations The victory makes the young crew a possible foundation for future Olympic ambitions. It also raises the stakes for the rowers, who must now prove the performance was not a one-time achievement.

The Sophomore Setback

A Crew Comes Apart Fracture The former freshmen are promoted into varsity contention, but taunts and internal pressure repeatedly disrupt their racing. A rival junior varsity boat, steered by Bobby Moch, learns how to provoke them into losing their rhythm. Demotion After the sophomores falter in Poughkeepsie, Al Ulbrickson sends the older crew to the varsity race. The setback tests whether the younger men can recover without confusing past success with present ability.

A Crew Finds Its Balance

The Right Combination Change Al Ulbrickson moves Joe into a promising boat with Roger Morris, Chuck Day, Johnny White, Shorty Hunt, Stub McMillin, Gordy Adam, and Don Hume. Joe responds to the group by rowing in relation to his teammates rather than as an isolated powerhouse. Lift-off The boat begins winning decisively and becomes the varsity contender for Berlin. Its improvement comes from technical skill joined to trust, not from any single rower’s effort alone.

Gold in Berlin

The Olympic Finish Final Test Washington starts poorly in rough water and spends most of the Olympic final fighting wind, illness, and the German crowd’s roar. When Don Hume recovers enough to set the pace, the crew raises its rate and closes on the leaders. Achievement The Americans cross first by six-tenths of a second. Their victory fulfills the campaign’s central ambition and confirms that the boat’s defining resource is collective confidence.

October 1933

June 16, 1934

Spring 1935

March 21–28, 1936

August 14, 1936