"He rarely talks," varsity seven-man Dan Justicz says, "so you're always wondering what he's thinking. What he says counts. In a way, the oarsman is made even more aware of his own mistakes while he turns over Harry's words in his own head."

"Losing is unacceptable at Harvard," Owen says. "From the first day of the fall we are competing, looking up at the walls, seeing the great crews of the past and measuring ourselves against them. Harry makes sure that we know that we are part of a great tradition."

To Parker, though, it is not just a continuum--each crew is different--although he diplomatically hedges when asked to name the highlight of his coaching career.

"There have been so many," Parker answers. "Earlier in my career, it may have been easier, but now, it seems as if every win is a highlight and every loss a lowlight."

"I think I look back most fondly at the victory in the Adams Cup when I was rowing for the University of Pennsylvania as a sophomore," says Parker, recalling his favorite memory as a rower. "That year, we beat a Navy crew that had gone undefeated for four straight years and it sent a message to everyone that we were a fast crew."

Despite prestigious individual achievements as a single sculler, Parker most fondly remembers his days as a sweep oarsman for Penn. This team philosophy has carried over to coaching.

Shhh, the Race

Before a race, the silence can be overwhelming. Parker refuses to call upon the ghosts of old to inspire the Crimson. No chalk talks and fiery speeches--Parker lets the rower motivate himself.

Parker has never relied on trick racing strategies, but stresses intensity and aggressiveness and tells his crew to battle its opponent. He feels his rowers should enter every race expecting to win.

"I treat every crew separately so that they can get the most out of their own rowing experience," Parker says. "It would not be fair to put any extra pressure on them. This way, every crew can aspire to their own heights."

But Harvard heavies are very aware of the past and are also aware of Parker's successes. Every crew would love to be remembered by Parker as one of his all-time greats. Walking into the boat house, the rowers know that Newell has been filled with many great crews, and Parker, seemingly, has always been there.

As the Crimson swept across the finish line to win the Sprints last year in Worcester, he was there. All alone on the roof of the boathouse, he was watching...watching...watching and without a word, he just smiled when the race was over.

With few words, he's always been there, watching...and winning.