Number two Loucks adds, "He makes you want to do all the stadiums and ergometers not just for him, but as a challenge to yourself."

Prentke has a simple formula for handling his rowers.

"I just try to be friendly, direct, and honest," he says.

Prentke has accumulated an impressive three-year record of 10-1, including the sprints title last year and a second place finish two years ago, in addition to this year's powerhouse.

The remarkable thing about this record, since Harvard does no recruiting, is that he taught all his crews from scratch how to row.

What does he like about coaching?

"The most important thing to me is that I've introduced rowing to ten boatloads of people and had contact with 400-500 freshmen since I've been here," he says.

The biggest tribute to Prentke's salesmanship abilities is that, in a year when the freshman heavies can barely fill two boats, Prentke has four enthusiastic boat loads of people.

His second boat could qualify for the sprints final, and his third boat is better than any second boat around.

Prentke is cautiously optimistic about his team's chances at the sprints.

"You can't count your chickens until they've crossed the finish line," he says. "By my calculations, Rutgers will be the toughest, with MIT also very strong."

Unfortunately for Harvard, this marks Prentke's last race as a coach. He graduates from the Law School this year.

"Well, at least maybe I'll stop losing hairs from my head," he says.