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Dedication....
Shrewsbury Crew was founded by Kenneth F.
Burns in 1937. 2007 is the 70th anniversary of
the Shrewsbury High School Crew program.
Ken Burns was an avid oarsman, still holding
a world record rowing around a stake in a single, which will
never be broken because they no longer hold the event. Ken
was the Chief of Police in Shrewsbury, a Commissioner of
Fish and Game for the state, and was a force in the rowing
world. A member of the Helms Hall of Fame for rowing, Ken
was a judge in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, and was
instrumental in bringing the rowing Olympic trials to
Worcester at that time. He also was one of the founding
fathers of the NEIRA in the late 1930’s, and brought the
Eastern Sprints rowing championships to Worcester in the
early 60’s. Ken coached boys crew until his death in 1982.
Many of the boys that Ken coached went on to become leaders
in industry and their communities.
Girls crew came on the scene in 1975, with
Barbara Burns Caron as the first coach. Barbara coached
until her retirement in 1994. Girls crew brought a whole
new realm to the Shrewsbury crew. Between the two programs,
yearly there were over 120 participants, until the DRC was
built and space saw the program having to cut those trying
out to keep the numbers below 90.
Passion....
A great art, is rowing. It's the finest
art there is. It's a symphony of motion. And when you're
rowing well Why it's nearing perfection. And when
you reach perfection You're touching the divine. It touches
the you of you's Which is your soul. - George Pocock
Over the years the crew has been supported
first and foremost by its coaches, the Town of Shrewsbury,
and more recently by very generous benefactors, many of
whom rowed for Coach Burns. Irving “Jim” Donahue, Jr. and
his family have been the biggest contributors to
facilities and equipment. Fitz Coghlin, the families of
Forrest “Clink” Miner and Bob Doyle, and Anthony “Spag”
Borgatti have all been very generous in support of the
program. Numerous donors over the years have generously
given money towards ergs, oars, boats, and electronics.
In 1987 a 50th anniversary of crew
celebration was held here. People came from all over the
country to attend. There was a banquet Friday night, with
Jim Donahue as Master of Ceremonies, and an outing on
Saturday at Regatta Point. A learn to row seminar for
family and friends of crewmembers, a cookout, and races for
alumni crews were all highlights of the day.
(Another celebration should be held on the 75th
anniversary of the program, since many were anxious to get
back together for a reunion. A committee will need to be
set up, and volunteers will need to come forward to make it
happen. The DRC would be an appropriate place to hold
whatever function is planned.)
Coaches....
Head
Coaches Boys Crew program:
Ken Burns, 1937-1982
Pam Krause, 1983-Spring 2003, Fall 2005
Justin Lednar, Fall 2003-Spring 2005
Colin Regan, Spring 2006-present
Head Coaches Girls Crew program:
Barbara Caron, 1975-Spring 1994
Russ Krause, Fall 1994-Spring 2003
Jason Abraham, Fall 2003-Spring 2006
Pam Krause, Fall 2006-present
Assistant coaches:
Boys program:
Kenny Trinder, Dick Whitney, Clink Miner, Pam Krause, Cliff
Fountaine, Scott McNeil, Brian Eovacious, Deb Grady, Phu
Mai, Jason Abraham, Jim Carr, Curtis Kelly, and Andy
Coniglio (present)
Girls
program:
Russ Krause, Kathy Sanborn Plante, Meg Krause, Jim Carr,
Jason Abraham, Heather Arndt, Teresa Mastrofillippo, and
Russ Krause Benefactors....
The sport
of rowing is very expensive due to the high costs of shells,
oars, maintenance and related equipment. Over our many
years numerous benefactors have helped support the team
including Alumni, Friends and Parents. The Donahue family
has been one of the greatest benefactors in the history
of the team. The SHS boathouse features a Quantum King
8 the "Forest "Clink" Miner, 2 Vespoli
M2's the "Babs Donahue" and "Jim Donahue",
a Vespoli Ultralite the "Bob Doyle 45", 2 Wintech
4's, and several Dirigo's. SHS rowers are a fortunate
group to have such incredible support!
Washing windows
circa 1939 L-R Chandler Creedon, Forest Miner, Fred Layden
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