It’s 5 a.m. Looking out toward the Philadelphia skyline, you see the quiet side of the city most people never see—the one teetering between rise and sleep. But you’ve already beaten the sun on your way to the water. Your teammates have, too. Each of you is integral to the success of the other.  

You are a rower. 

In the boat, you see another view that most only see for a moment: the start line. Rowers are positioned with their backs toward the finish, looking back at the start, never seeing the competition until it is behind you. The only team member facing forward, the coxswain, doesn’t hold an oar, but instead a microphone. And such builds the intrinsic framework that leads the team to success: the rowers steer the boat but can’t see where they’re going; the coxswain can see but can’t steer. It’s the embodiment of teamwork, an exhaustive dance of finding balance through motion. 

Only together can you cross the finish line. 

Rowing is much like life. The discipline instilled and the lessons learned shape success that leads you through the rest of your life, on and off the water. 

Explorers Reflect on the Lessons Learned On The Water

Henry Backe, ’81

“Both my father and I learned the value of discipline and training while rowing for La ­Salle. We spoke many times of the reasons for hard work and long training sessions,” said Henry Backe. A former La ­Salle oarsman, Dad Vail Champ, and coach, he knew both sides of the rowing program. If Backe could endure the cold rainy day practices on the Schuylkill after chopping the ice in front of the dock with blistered hands to get the boat in the water and push off, he could endure anything. “This was a huge confidence builder for me. We both learned that one can go beyond limits one thought he/she had. Crew pushes you to do so. Following college, I attended medical school and found this discipline helped me excel throughout my orthopedic career.”

“We both developed close friendships with the men in our respective programs,” he continued. “You get to know your fellow oarsmen like you know your brothers and maybe better. You see them daily and spend most every waking hour with them for four years. There is nothing you would not do for them and you gain a lifelong respect for them.”

Ken Shaw Jr, ’64

“In my formative years, rowing had the single largest impact on positively shaping my life,” said Ken Shaw Jr. “It afforded me the opportunity to grow and mature into the man I became. As a 77-year-old man, I am fortunate to look back on a life filled with success as a rower, friend, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and business executive. I know now that my success with these endeavors was directly impacted by the critical life lessons that rowing taught me.”

“The discipline, determination, commitment, camaraderie, and focus that rowing demands transferred into success during my adult life,” he continued. “The rigors of rowing become the formation of an individual who learns the secrets of life’s success at a young age. I recognize rowing as the sport responsible for my successes. I continued my rowing career as a master rower, La ­Salle College High School coach, U.S. Rowing board member, referee, and board member of the Pennsylvania Barge Club. I was very successful in business and am blessed to be happily married for 55 years and counting. My wife Betty and I will leave a legacy of 23 gifted offspring. I send out a humble and grateful thank you to the sport of rowing, my life would not have been the same without it.”

Marci Shankweiler, ’90 

“Crew has taught me perseverance, persistence, and reinforced the notion that to succeed at any given task, surround yourself with talent and focus on collective teamwork,” said Marci Shankweiler. 

“When you are in a boat together, whether it be in life or on the Schuylkill, as long as you row in unison, in the same direction, and with your best effort, you will cross the finish line! You will succeed, you will celebrate and you will cherish the race outcome, together! Today, I continue to cherish fond memories of life on the crew team and celebrate the many friendships that continue today over 30 years later! And yes, I am still rowing along the river of life, happily!” 

La Salle’s rowers continue to thrive, recently hitting the water for the Philadelphia Frostbite Regatta, held Nov. 10 and concluding the fall rowing season.

To find out about a new initiative to support La Salle rowing, please contact Brian Quinn at 215.951.1543 or quinng@lasalle.edu.