1994 Men's Crew Team (2014) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

1994 Men's Crew Team

Induction:
2014

In the long and storied history of Brown men’s crew, which dates back to 1859, there have been countless numbers of impressive oarsmen, coaches and crews. However, what transpired at Marston Boathouse in the spring of 1994 can be considered miraculous. The entire program achieved perfection, as all five Brown crews (varsity, second varsity, third varsity, freshman and second freshman) ended the season unbeaten in every dual race and championship event, a total of 48 victories.

Under the direction of head coach Steve Gladstone, the varsity boat took the rowing world by storm and shattered records along the way. In addition, coach Scott Roop’s freshmen accomplished the amazing feat of besting the times of every crew the varsity had defeated in dual competition, and capped the season by winning the Thames Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.

The 1994 squad’s accomplishments are even more impressive considering the roster changes and required rebuilding. Gladstone had to replace virtually every oarsman from the 1993 varsity eight, which had won every dual meet, as well as the Eastern Sprints, IRA, National Championship and the Ladies’ Challenge Plate at Henley. Nevertheless, Gladstone had plenty of depth and filled the 1994 varsity boat with four Olympians. The first varsity duplicated the success of the preceeding 1993 crew, rowing through all the competition, and again winning the coveted Triple Crown.

Brown’s undefeated boathouse was the crowning achievement in Gladstone’s illustrious career. He retired after the season and became Brown’s acting Athletic Director. The unprecedented 1994 undefeated season stands as a mark of excellence in the sport of college rowing. In Brown’s long athletic history, few teams have ever put together an undefeated campaign of this magnitude. The sheer dominance of all five crews is an accomplishment that is not likely to be duplicated at Brown or elsewhere. It is only fitting that in their 20th anniversary year, all five 1994 crews join the coaching staff as members of the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame.