While Parker started coaching in the style of his old mentor, Joe Burk, a trip to Europe would soon change rowing on the Charles—and in North America—forever.

“I got curious right away with what was going on not just in US intercollegiate rowing but internationally because there was a big big change that took place in the late 50s and early 60s in Europe,” he recalled.

Parker was particularly intrigued by the rise of the Karl Adam’s Ratzeburg crews from West Germany.

“There was a big change in technique, in equipment, in training, and I think it’s no exaggeration to call it a revolution in the way that it affected rowing,” he said. “I was intrigued by that, and so I began to look for things that they were doing that I could incorporate into my coaching, and quite frankly I’ve continued to do that ever since.”

Some of these changes were in the kinds of equipment that his crews used; Harvard started importing English oars and various European boats, from the Swiss Staempflis used in the 1960s to the empachers used by today’s varsity crews.

Parker was also the first American coach to employ interval training, another idea pioneered by Adam.

But it would be unfair to call Parker’s style simply an American adaptation of Adam’s. Parker has continued to study the sport long after his trip to Germany.

“He’s always studying, thinking, probing, and he’s always been good at the mechanics and science of boats, rigging, and training,” Dick Cashin ’75 said in an e-mail.

“There have been various moments when things have been very stable with few changes, but overall [I’m] continuing to change as I see and learn things that are a little different—and maybe a little bit better,” Parker added.

A MAN OF FEW WORDS?

“I have to say, the myth of me not having too much to say is not very accurate,” Parker asserted.

Actually, Parker has plenty to say. He just doesn’t waste his words.

“Whatever Harry said, it was law,” said Henrik Rummel ’09, who rowed under Parker for four years and is currently training with the U.S. national team. “It’s kind of unique. There was never any questioning of Harry. It was very clear cut that everyone was on board.”

And Parker never needs to raise his voice to get his point across.

“I’m not a yeller or a screamer or a shouter or abusive,” he said. “My coaching style is basically, you know, coaching people, if you will, to get it right, encouraging them when they do. I tend not to be critical when they don’t or negative. I think it’s fair to say my coaching style is positive reinforcement.”