His parents named him Edward Schreck, but never before has there been a more fitting nickname for a man standing six feet seven inches tall than “Teddy.”

Despite his towering stature, men’s heavyweight crew captain Teddy Schreck projects a warmth that engages anyone, whether he’s displaying Quincy House pride or working nights as a bartender. But do not make the mistake of assuming his easygoing nature is a weakness while on the water.

Rowing brings out an edge in him that has helped him claw his way up during his college career—from the second freshman eight boat to the championship four, competing this weekend in the 44th Head of the Charles Regatta.

“[Schreck’s ascent] is definitely due and definitely a product of his attitude and hard work,” senior teammate Jim Bayley said.

Growing up a two-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, Schreck had never been exposed to rowing until he transferred from his public high school to an all-boys prep school outside of Philadelphia. Adding crew to his repertoire sophomore year, Schreck quickly developed a love and talent for the sport, becoming captain of both the basketball and crew teams by his senior year.

For Schreck, choosing where to spend the next four years of his life was not particularly difficult. Cambridge’s culture and the campus atmosphere were high selling points, and, of course, there was the Harvard crew team.

“I went on a few visits with my parents beforehand and just got a special feeling about the school,” Schreck said. “From the start I was taken with the Harvard rowing program, it being the oldest intercollegiate program around …In high school growing up, my buddies and I knew all the guys on the Harvard varsity eight, because they were winning and sweeping everything.”

His passion for the program remains strong to this day. Along with the proudly displayed shirts of defeated opponents—a rowing tradition—adorning his walls, Schreck has decorated his dorm with another nice touch.

“I have more pictures of [Harvard coach Harry Parker] in my room than I do of my girlfriend,” Schreck revealed.

Such a devotion to the team took some time to develop. Entering his freshman year competing for the Crimson, Schreck discovered he had a lot to learn.

“Collegiate rowing is a totally different world from high school rowing in a number of different respects,” Schreck observed. “The mental aspect, the training, the racing, everything is just a level up in intensity.”

Despite the adjustment period, Schreck has learned much—and thrived—under Parker’s tutelage. Since rowing in the second freshman eight, Schreck has worked his way up. Last season, he rowed in the varsity eight, which went 5-1 in dual races and defeated Yale in the Harvard-Yale Regatta, the crown jewel of the crew season and the oldest intercollegiate competition in America. Despite Schreck’s success with rowing, he exudes an obvious appreciation for the rest of the team.

“The team atmosphere is really what keeps you in it. It’s a bond that’s really hard to break,” Schreck said. “You build it up from September 15 when you start school to June 20 when you race Yale

…You’re doing something that many people think is monotonous or tough

…but you go through that together.”

Following its victory two weeks ago at the Head of the Oklahoma, Harvard’s sights are now set on this weekend’s race on the Charles.

Schreck will row in the Crimson championship four—the boat in which Parker traditionally fields his strongest rowers.

He also has especially high hopes for the rest of the season, beginning with dual races in the early spring and ultimately ending with the Harvard-Yale Regatta.

“When you’re really getting ground down and getting beaten down, that’s what you think of. You know it’s going to pay off,” Schreck said. “Yes, we can compete on the national level, but Yale’s inevitably the boat we want to top.”

While Yale may be the team’s main focus, Schreck says his true source of happiness comes not from defeating rivals but from simple team camaraderie.

“Being part of the team itself has definitely been the most memorable part of my experience, whether it’s all the guys you work with day in and day out, or the coaches, or just the experience you have together,” Schreck said. “Those are the things you never forget.”