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A Tribute to Richard McCooey
A Tribute to Richard McCooey
(given on April 13, 2013 at the Cadle-era reunion)
(given on April 13, 2013 at the Cadle-era reunion)
by Peter Blyberg F'65
by Peter Blyberg F'65
In the front of your brochure of personal profiles is a letter written 50 years ago next week containing comments made by president theodore roosevelt 114 years ago almost to the day. Richard McCooey wrote that letter to the crew just before we were to face off against the olympic champion ratzeburg rowing club.
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”
A typical full-page ad for the 1789
from a 1964 Hoya issue
Judging by the lives led by the people in this room that advice was clearly taken to heart and followed. it is also striking the extent to which the experience of crew at Georgetown was formative to so many. one of the major elements of any organization that strives to be successful, that seeks to get the best out of its members, that desires to leave a lasting impression is a strong internal culture. such a culture is essential to the long term survival of the organization. The stronger it is the more impact it has on the individuals who are part of it. but building a strong culture is no easy task. for us the legends about our origins, our charismatic leaders, selfless coaches, our shared sacrifice, pain and joy and the lifelong friendships forged are all part of who we are. all of it had to come together and mesh seamlessly to make it real and strong.
Tonight we want to honor one who has contributed in no small part to helping forge the culture of the georgetown crew. in any get together of old ( or not so old really) oarsmen, talk eventually comes around to memories of the 1789, the tombs and the contributions of Dick McCooey. dick was an essential element in creating our culture:
HE ENABLED US TO CELEBRATE MANY OF OUR RITUALS ..think Black Velvets and Welsh Rarebit.
HE HELPED TO SUSTAIN US PHYSICALLY .. think meals upstairs at the 1789, the training table while we worked toward the Olympic Trial and the jobs for quite a number of us.
HE PROVIDED A PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST TO ALL OF US… writing letters like the one you have seen before the big races, believing in us even before the University administration did, creating the crew corner in the Tombs with all of its rowing memorabilia.
Dick did not row but i would put that down to a timing issue. Had he been born a few years later and the crew begun a few years earlier dick would have been there if it were possible. according to his wife Karen, Dick is a great romantic…rowing and rowers in his eyes exemplify the highest level of sportsmanship, camaraderie and competitive grace. while Dick did not row he is, according to his wife Karen “Fred Astaire on the dance floor.”
Peter Blyberg presents framed letter that Richard
McCooey sent the crew 50 years ago, April 20, 1964
now signed by 2013 reunion oarsmen attendees
Richard McCooey holds his 'favor returned' letter tribute
With him: Ann Couglin, Karen McCooey, Paul Coughlin
John Courtin, whom you all know would have liked to have been here tonight but could not make it has asked that the following statement be read…
I know Richard McCooey and I believe he will remember me; for, among other associations between us, I rented him an apartment in Halcyon House in the mid-1970's. Plus I was executive director of Georgetown's Alumni Association, 1984-90, and we had many intertwinings in those years.
Let me make this declarative statement about Richard McCooey from the bottom of my heart:
Simply put, no individual Georgetown alumnus has done more to improve the "human culture" of Georgetown University than Richard McCooey ... through the creation of 1789 Restaurant and The Tombs. His vision for what should happen at that crucial corner of University real estate was spot-on. His execution of the built work --- flawless. The research and attention to detail that he most surely poured into this project during the design phase had to have been astounding --- clearly, a labor of love. The icon was so well conceived and executed the first time that no one ever had to come along later and "improve it." The entire project was done as near to perfection as humanly possible --- right down to the oars over the fireplace --- when first created, which is why it has endured unchanged and has been so much loved by the Georgetown family for half a century now. What Richard wrought has lifted the spirits of generations of Hoyas .... and all this the work of one great man. Thank you.
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“The Lurk and the Skulk”
“The Lurk and the Skulk”
by Ben Domenico '65
by Ben Domenico '65
A question that arises often among 60s era Georgetown oarsmen is the origin of the names of the names Skulk and Lurk for two of the rowing shells of that vintage. The photo to the left provides a visual clue We actually bought two fours (Others say pairs without) and were about to christen them Hoya and Saxa. But Goose would not hear of it. Keep in mind that crew was not the darling of the athletic department at that time. Support from the university was minimal and I don't think they contributed anything toward the cost of the boats. In general the crew of that era was not often in a Hoya Saxa mood.
A question that arises often among 60s era Georgetown oarsmen is the origin of the names of the names Skulk and Lurk for two of the rowing shells of that vintage. The photo to the left provides a visual clue We actually bought two fours (Others say pairs without) and were about to christen them Hoya and Saxa. But Goose would not hear of it. Keep in mind that crew was not the darling of the athletic department at that time. Support from the university was minimal and I don't think they contributed anything toward the cost of the boats. In general the crew of that era was not often in a Hoya Saxa mood.
On the other hand, one of the goofy crew "traditions" at the time was "skulking" and "lurking." If you remember Wiley E. Coyote from the cartoon, he was the consummate skulker. And between tiptoeing skulks from one hiding place to another, he would of course lurk behind something -- something that did not quite hide him completely. As you can see in the photo, the crew took it's skulking and lurking seriously.
On the other hand, one of the goofy crew "traditions" at the time was "skulking" and "lurking." If you remember Wiley E. Coyote from the cartoon, he was the consummate skulker. And between tiptoeing skulks from one hiding place to another, he would of course lurk behind something -- something that did not quite hide him completely. As you can see in the photo, the crew took it's skulking and lurking seriously.
So, after an emergency meeting of the executive council, those two shells were named the Skulk and the Lurk. As I recall, we had the names painted on without telling anyone, so it was an amusing surprise when the names were unveiled at the formal christening.
So, after an emergency meeting of the executive council, those two shells were named the Skulk and the Lurk. As I recall, we had the names painted on without telling anyone, so it was an amusing surprise when the names were unveiled at the formal christening.
Caught lurking on federal land:
Left to right: Fred King, Nick Carlucci
Phil Negus, Bob Zack, and Ned Moran
Tiger with Don Cadle in background, 1962
Everyone who goes out for crew wants to be in the Varsity. Not everyone can. Some have more finesse, some are stronger, and others are just plain cagey. I fell into the latter category, but there was a time I was in the Pickle Four.
Everyone who goes out for crew wants to be in the Varsity. Not everyone can. Some have more finesse, some are stronger, and others are just plain cagey. I fell into the latter category, but there was a time I was in the Pickle Four.
The Varsity is pushed by the JV, and the JV, in turn, is pushed by the 3rd Varsity. And then there is the Pickle Four which comprises those who want to get out of it and into any other boat. Everyone did his own bit to make the crew go fast, including the occupants of the Pickle Four. It is hard to explain what this mismatch of ardent rowers contributed. Sitting in the stern of this debacle was pure hell. There was no set.
The Varsity is pushed by the JV, and the JV, in turn, is pushed by the 3rd Varsity. And then there is the Pickle Four which comprises those who want to get out of it and into any other boat. Everyone did his own bit to make the crew go fast, including the occupants of the Pickle Four. It is hard to explain what this mismatch of ardent rowers contributed. Sitting in the stern of this debacle was pure hell. There was no set.
The Varsity went “CHUUMPHHH” at the catch and “SHINNNNNNNGGGGG” on the recovery, and these two sounds were repeated in a mesmerizing tedium in an otherwise soundless, still, spring morning. The Pickle Four made so many different sounds, that it may be impossible to list them all here:”LURCH”, “GOLLLIE-WOOBBBLLLE”, “SCREAKKKKK”, “BUUMMPP” would be a good selection and it felt just like it sounded, maybe worse. There were many reasons for this. Your lot in life is just your lot in life and you’d better make the best of it. I tried. There was some progress in that one or two weeks of the Pickle Four. Some were diving for the catch and were convinced to reach up. Others rushed their slide on one end or another. Progress was made perhaps out of self-preservation as much as anything else. But my time in the Pickle Four is the middle of my story.
The Varsity went “CHUUMPHHH” at the catch and “SHINNNNNNNGGGGG” on the recovery, and these two sounds were repeated in a mesmerizing tedium in an otherwise soundless, still, spring morning. The Pickle Four made so many different sounds, that it may be impossible to list them all here:”LURCH”, “GOLLLIE-WOOBBBLLLE”, “SCREAKKKKK”, “BUUMMPP” would be a good selection and it felt just like it sounded, maybe worse. There were many reasons for this. Your lot in life is just your lot in life and you’d better make the best of it. I tried. There was some progress in that one or two weeks of the Pickle Four. Some were diving for the catch and were convinced to reach up. Others rushed their slide on one end or another. Progress was made perhaps out of self-preservation as much as anything else. But my time in the Pickle Four is the middle of my story.
Having coached and started a number of different crews and rowing programs, I can say, and somewhat with authority, that the “boating” of the crew presents a special problem. First of all, you do not want to discourage the participants, and you must remain impartial and fair. Not making the boat can mean disenchantment, but usually oarsmen are so gung-ho that they move right along with the program.
Having coached and started a number of different crews and rowing programs, I can say, and somewhat with authority, that the “boating” of the crew presents a special problem. First of all, you do not want to discourage the participants, and you must remain impartial and fair. Not making the boat can mean disenchantment, but usually oarsmen are so gung-ho that they move right along with the program.
In Cadle’s time, ergometers had yet to be invented. Erg scores are a great aide in initial boating, but after that the melding of any particular crew is an art and a science. Changes and adjustments have to be made until the boat settles in, so to speak. Without ergometers, Cadle relied on winter training attendance and test scores based on physical abilities. This was somewhat favorably skewed to the smaller guys who had less weight to lift on the chinning bar. It became tedious to count the number of situps we were able to perform, so you could not score more than 400 in that category. Same for legups, you could stop at 150. And almost everyone was topping out in these categories. So it came down to chins and pushups. Coxswains did not have to compete in the exercises but may had been told to call out cadence in the morning gym practices. This duty had to be the most boring and hated chore of being on the Crew. Cadle knew this and made a simple rule: if you don’t work out in the gym in the winter, you don’t row in the spring. Roll call was taken every morning. I never missed a morning practice while the other coxswain(s) did. That is how I got into the Varsity. It was not because I was punctual; it was because I was cagey. I never missed a gym session because I was 'already there.
In Cadle’s time, ergometers had yet to be invented. Erg scores are a great aide in initial boating, but after that the melding of any particular crew is an art and a science. Changes and adjustments have to be made until the boat settles in, so to speak. Without ergometers, Cadle relied on winter training attendance and test scores based on physical abilities. This was somewhat favorably skewed to the smaller guys who had less weight to lift on the chinning bar. It became tedious to count the number of situps we were able to perform, so you could not score more than 400 in that category. Same for legups, you could stop at 150. And almost everyone was topping out in these categories. So it came down to chins and pushups. Coxswains did not have to compete in the exercises but may had been told to call out cadence in the morning gym practices. This duty had to be the most boring and hated chore of being on the Crew. Cadle knew this and made a simple rule: if you don’t work out in the gym in the winter, you don’t row in the spring. Roll call was taken every morning. I never missed a morning practice while the other coxswain(s) did. That is how I got into the Varsity. It was not because I was punctual; it was because I was cagey. I never missed a gym session because I was 'already there.
Tiger coxes a non-Pickle Four at a 1963 Potomac race
L to R: Sergeant, Casey, Allen, Blyberg and Hoeschler
When you get a Varsity letter, you get a gym locker. I had three Letters, so I got three lockers. I knew Mr. Movren who ran the Gym and he let me have them all together in a row. So I kept all my stuff in those three lockers. If you think I am just bragging about being a “Three Letter Man” and a “Big Man on Campus”, check this out: at that time I had greater name recognition than Bill Clinton. Bill was merely the President of the Yard, but I, I was the “Varsity Coxswain”.
When you get a Varsity letter, you get a gym locker. I had three Letters, so I got three lockers. I knew Mr. Movren who ran the Gym and he let me have them all together in a row. So I kept all my stuff in those three lockers. If you think I am just bragging about being a “Three Letter Man” and a “Big Man on Campus”, check this out: at that time I had greater name recognition than Bill Clinton. Bill was merely the President of the Yard, but I, I was the “Varsity Coxswain”.
But I digress. The reason I never missed a gym practice was because I slept there, on the stage, on top of the wrestling mats, with my stuff in the three lockers all in a row and I did not send back the check my father sent to pay for the “rent." That became my pocket money. I did do the exercises with the oarsmen and scored pretty well since I only weighed about 120 lbs. Still, it was disconcerting to think that I was 10 lbs overweight. When we hit the water in the Spring I was in the Varsity. It was like driving a Cadillac. I loved it. But I fell from grace and wound up in the Pickle Four.
But I digress. The reason I never missed a gym practice was because I slept there, on the stage, on top of the wrestling mats, with my stuff in the three lockers all in a row and I did not send back the check my father sent to pay for the “rent." That became my pocket money. I did do the exercises with the oarsmen and scored pretty well since I only weighed about 120 lbs. Still, it was disconcerting to think that I was 10 lbs overweight. When we hit the water in the Spring I was in the Varsity. It was like driving a Cadillac. I loved it. But I fell from grace and wound up in the Pickle Four.
Freshman year I found my boat up against Brown University at the Vail, and I knew a boy rowing in the engine room of that boat. We shot ducks, geese, and quail together nearly everyday of hunting season on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I say “nearly” because you were not able to hunt on Sunday, and that is when we shot skeet & trap. Anyhow, Brown won and I never heard the end of it. I did not have a chance to get back for a rematch because they moved on up out of Dad Vail and into the “Big Time”.
Freshman year I found my boat up against Brown University at the Vail, and I knew a boy rowing in the engine room of that boat. We shot ducks, geese, and quail together nearly everyday of hunting season on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I say “nearly” because you were not able to hunt on Sunday, and that is when we shot skeet & trap. Anyhow, Brown won and I never heard the end of it. I did not have a chance to get back for a rematch because they moved on up out of Dad Vail and into the “Big Time”.
Tiger at 2012 Dad Vail
One afternoon, years later, my hunting buddy showed up on campus and we made plans for a big party. His date wound up married to Charlton Heston and I am pretty sure my date was no slouch either. It was Black Tie. The Shoreham. That sort of thing. There was some drinking. I became separated from the group. I remember a large room full of trays with half eaten food and wine, unguarded by unsuspecting supervisors. I fell off my diet to lose those extra ten pounds and dove into gluttony. There were half eaten squab, hardly touched orders of lobster thermador, etc. Somehow I found my way to practice the next morning, still in my tuxedo with wine stains down the front of my dress shirt that was missing a stud or so. I got there just as the Varsity was pulling away from the dock under the unfamiliar tutelage of an interloping coxswain. “Tiger! Take out the Pickle Four.” That was all that Cadle said. Although he saw me, it was if he didn’t see me.
One afternoon, years later, my hunting buddy showed up on campus and we made plans for a big party. His date wound up married to Charlton Heston and I am pretty sure my date was no slouch either. It was Black Tie. The Shoreham. That sort of thing. There was some drinking. I became separated from the group. I remember a large room full of trays with half eaten food and wine, unguarded by unsuspecting supervisors. I fell off my diet to lose those extra ten pounds and dove into gluttony. There were half eaten squab, hardly touched orders of lobster thermador, etc. Somehow I found my way to practice the next morning, still in my tuxedo with wine stains down the front of my dress shirt that was missing a stud or so. I got there just as the Varsity was pulling away from the dock under the unfamiliar tutelage of an interloping coxswain. “Tiger! Take out the Pickle Four.” That was all that Cadle said. Although he saw me, it was if he didn’t see me.
The days that followed in the four have been commented on above, and I am glad I persevered because one day something happened and I was back on the Varsity squad. Maybe there was a seat challenge, or maybe it was Russ LaMantia who had replaced me, at least until he sunk the cabin cruiser and Cadle shuffled him off to the Witness Protection Program. I don’t remember, other than that I was out of the Four and back in the Varsity.
The days that followed in the four have been commented on above, and I am glad I persevered because one day something happened and I was back on the Varsity squad. Maybe there was a seat challenge, or maybe it was Russ LaMantia who had replaced me, at least until he sunk the cabin cruiser and Cadle shuffled him off to the Witness Protection Program. I don’t remember, other than that I was out of the Four and back in the Varsity.
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