2010 Reunion Row - Class of 1985 Lightweights

Bow -- John Lang, Sanjoy Sundaresan, Justin Ryan, Jim Nugent, Danko Bodor (photos),

Gregory A. Norris, Nesbitt "Bubba" Hagood, Stroke -- Kim Marvin, Cox -- Dick Willis

Igor Belakovskiy's action photo

Class of 1985 Lightweights

behind oars: Kim Marvin, Nesbitt "Bubba" Hagood, Gregory A. Norris, Danko Bodor (photos),

Jim Nugent, Justin Ryan, Sanjoy Sundaresan, John Lang

in front of oars: Dick Willis

Thoughts about the 2010 Reunion Row

Linda Mar, ’85 Reunion Row Captain

I wanted to share with you some thoughts and feedback on this year’s Reunion Row.  Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I have received an outpouring of positive emails from my classmates.

The Class of ’85 had quite a number of alumni sign up for the 2010 Reunion Row, so we had rowers in three boats:

·        The ’85 Lightweights boat was comprised of lightweight men who had rowed together at least as freshmen.  Some had continued rowing throughout their MIT years, while others succumbed to the academic demands we are all familiar with.

·        Three ’85 oarsmen/women joined the Class of ’60 boat.

·        The remaining ’85 members were joined by two ’75 rowers for a third boat.  The ’85 rowers in this boat included alumni with very minimal rowing experience, but the ’75 members were extremely good-natured in rowing with our less-experienced team. 

For our 25^th reunion, we decided to make up racing shirts.  Everyone was very enthusiastic about the shirts, and even several non-attending alumni put orders in for their shirts.  We received numerous compliments on their design and on how our entire class looked.  And judging from the results, looking good together sure makes a crew faster!

The most positive aspect of the event was the expression of warmth and friendship we all experienced, among our classmates and with members of the other classes we rowed with.  The collaboration of mixing classes to fill out boats gave us an opportunity to know people we may not have talked to otherwise.  We cheered for each other and met each other’s spouses and families.  The pairing of ’60 and ’85 was especially meaningful, since both classes were at milestone reunions.  And the ’75 rowers (both men) were honored to have women in their boat and regaled us with stories of when women’s rowing was still in its infancy at MIT.

Bill Peck, the ’60 Captain, mentioned that next year is the 100^th anniversary of MIT Crew.  He and I talked about future opportunities for mixed-class collaborations, perhaps at the celebrations next year.  We hope the anniversary events will be open to all rowing alumni and suggest there be some rowing opportunities that encourage further mixing of classes.

I have provided below some sample email testimonials that I received, several about the mixed class boatings.  Thank you for a memorable event.

Linda Mar

Gentlemen:

I want to say that that was ... magic.

Even if we hadn't won (which I am really tickled that we did) that was one of the best two mornings I have had in a long, long time.  It was an honor to be thrown into that scummy-disease-ridden river by you.

Dick Willis ’85 Lights coxswain to his crew.

I'll second what Dick said.  What a great time that was, albeit brief and over too fast.  It really was fantastic to see you all and be on the water together again.  To our guys that couldn’t make it for distance, injuries, illness, and other factors, we felt you with us out there as well.  We hope to see you out there with us at the next reunion.  Of course we may have to have seat races…