Head Of The Charles Regatta 2018 HOCR Program | Page 31

memories/
WHEN HARRY PARKER ASKED ME TO BE HIS
DOUBLES PARTNER
DAN BOYNE
I
got the call in late September, when
all the crews had already been out
training on the Charles for several
weeks.
“Dan, it’s Harry,” the caller said, dis-
pensing with the normal pleasantries.
The dark timber of the voice, bor-
dering on a growl, was unmistakable.
It was Harry Parker, the Harvard men’s
heavyweight coach.
“Yes, Harry,” I replied, immediately
bracing myself. Usually when Parker
called it only meant one thing— you’d
done something wrong and he was
going to let you know about it.
“I’m calling because my son David
can’t row with me in the Head of the
Charles this year, and I thought you
might be interested in taking his place.”
I paused for a moment, caught
off guard. Wait, I thought. Parker was
asking me to row with him?
“You and David are about the
same weight,” he added, sensing my
confusion.
“Right,” I said. “Well, I haven’t
been training much this fall...”
“You have three weeks, so that
should be plenty,” he said. “Think
OPPOSITE PAGE
Dan Boyne with Harry
Parker (stern seat).
PHOTO: SPORT GRAPHICS
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
FIFTY-FOURTH HEAD OF THE CHARLES REGATTA
31