The Bob Newman Years

Bob Newman, UCLA Head Coach

Bob Newman was no stranger to UCLA rowing, having been a varsity letter winner in 1967 and 1968 and the Freshman coach during 1974/75.  Newman began his rowing career as a freshman rower at Orange Coast College and transferred to UCLA where he became a member of the undefeated 1967 Varsity eight that won UCLA’s first Western Sprint championship defeating Washington by one length in a dramatic final. A sailboat crossed in the path of UCLA at the 1,000 meter mark, the Bruins maintained their composure, circled around the sailboat, caught Washington and opened up a lead.  After graduation, Bob and Butch Pope, ‘69, teamed up to earn UCLA rowers' first berths on a U.S. National Team in a 2+, and represented the U.S.A. at a world championship competition in Copenhagen in 1971 [20 crew field, still called “European championship” at the time]. After coaching the UCLA freshman for one year, he became the head coach at UC Irvine developing a very competitive program for four years until 1979. Following his six years as head coach of UCLA’s program he maintained his close relationship of support for the program including a $2.5 million gift from Bob and Mary Jo Newman. “Bob Newman, ’68, Gifts 2.5 Million to UCLA Men’s Rowing”

1980

Bob Newman’s first year as head coach was successful.  The 1980 “Varsity Eight won six of nine races.  The wins were over UC Irvine, Long Beach, U. of San Diego, USC and Stanford in the Harbach Cup, and the Newport Regatta and Western Sprints Championships.  The losses were to Cal, to Washington at the Opening Day Regatta in Seattle by 1.7 seconds, and a fourth place finish at the PAC-10 Championships.  The Varsity Four won the PAC-10 Championships.” “Friends of Bruin Crew” Newsletter, 26 Feb 1981. The San Diego Crew Classic was canceled because of sewage contamination from broken pipes caused by winter rainstorms.

 The Western Intercollegiate was scheduled in Newport Beach on Monday and Tuesday of the week preceding the PAC-10 championship.  UCLA took advantage of the opportunity to compete and won the Varsity eight and Freshman four at the WIRA along with a second place finish in the Junior Varsity eight, third place in the Freshman eight and sixth place in the Varsity four. 

At the PAC-10’s single elimination format UCLA defeated Washington State in first round and ended up placing fourth, the Junior Varsity third, the Freshman eight third and the Varsity four winning their event.

The UCLA wrestling program, that predated the UCLA rowing team by almost ten years, was being congratulated in the April 1, 1980 Daily Bruin for its fifteenth place finish at the NCAA championship that included two All-American finishes (fourth and sixth in their weight divisions). However just a few days later, the Daily Bruin carried the announcement that the wrestling program would be terminated immediately, citing lack of space as the main reason (their training area was to be redesigned into office space in MAC-B’s lower level and a new wrestling space would cost approximately $750,000 and there were higher priorities). An additional reason cited was the allocation of scholarships, eleven of which were split between men’s soccer and wrestling and a desire to place UCLA in the top five of sports nationally.

Obviously, there was the potential for other non-revenue varsity sports to be dropped.

1981

There was an investment in equipment with UCLA armed with new carbon fiber oars {$175/oar} and two new Carbocraft eight-oared shells [“J.D. Morgan” and “Rigger Brown”] each costing $10,000.  There was also a stronger outreach toward supporters. Coach Newman in a February 1981 newsletter outlined “making a concerted effort to involve all the alumni, parents and friends who have ever had a connection or interest in this program.” Newman further stated, “We want you to be proud of the program and welcome your support, be it morally, physically, and/or financially.” There was an Alumni Day scheduled to start off the spring.

 It was a very successful season highlighted by a victory over Cal and a second place Varsity finish in the PAC-10 championship.  Prior to those events, UCLA built a strong record with dual race sweeps of UC Irvine and Long Beach State, a victory over the University of San Diego and a sixth place finish in the San Diego Crew Classic after beating Oregon State, Brown and Wisconsin in their heat.  Other UCLA crews placed in the Crew Classic finals, the Novice eight was second, the Freshman eight fourth and the Varsity four sixth, while the Junior Varsity was edged out of advancing to the final by Yale.

Of UCLA’s five second victory over Cal Coach Newman was quoted as saying, “Cal may have looked ahead to Washington and if they were they made a big mistake.  We were the underdog but we were prepared.” Christine Dzllvelis, “After Decade, Crew Beats Cal”, UCLA Daily Bruin, 21 Apr. 1981, 32. The Bruins then swept the Harbach Cup against USC and Stanford and won the Varsity event at the Newport Regatta also earning the regatta’s Palmer Cup.  In addition to the Varsity eight’s second place finish, the Junior Varsity finished third, the Freshman eight second, the Varsity four first and the Lightweight eight fourth.  Over all for the season the crews of the varsity squad compiled a 47-20 record.  After the silver medal performance by the Bruins at the PAC-10 Championships, Newman was named PAC-10 Coach of the Year.

1982

Following early season dual victories over UC Irvine and Long Beach State, UCLA’s Varsity placed fourth at the San Diego Crew Classic, finishing thirteen seconds behind winner Cal, but three seconds ahead of Harvard and six seconds ahead of Cornell in the final.  Though the Bruins lost their dual to Cal by twelve seconds, UCLA swept the Harbach Cup and finished only four seconds behind a “darn fast” Cal but twenty seconds ahead of UC Irvine at the Newport Regatta.

 As in 1980, due to scheduling, the Western Intercollegiate was in Long Beach on the Monday prior to the PAC-10. Given that opportunity, UCLA won the WIRA Varsity eight and Varsity four and placed second in the Junior Varsity eight.

In the PAC-10 Varsity eight semifinal UCLA faced Washington. The Bruins had a 2 seat advantage by 500m and were dead even at 1000m. “A Power 20 put the Bruins up by 3 or 4 seats at 1250 meters.  This race was to come down to the sprint at the very end to determine the victor.  As they crossed the line it was the Huskies winning by two seats [1.4 sec].” “As the crews returned to the beach… the Huskies returned apparently physically spent and emotionally defeated. As UCLA stroke Russ Powell described the experience, they had learned ‘what it was all about: giving your all over 2000 meters with nothing left.’ UCLA had achieved the satisfaction of giving it their best against the best regardless of the result.”  UCLA Bruin Oarsmen, 28 Sep 1982.  In the finals UCLA placed third in the Varsity eight, Junior Varsity eight, Varsity four, Freshman eight and Lightweight eight.

 The mid-May newsletter pointed out that men’s heavyweight and women’s programs was “primarily funded by the Dept. of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Men’s Lightweight program is not funded.  As per the accompanying letter, our help is now needed to continue the program at UCLA. It is no secret that minor sports are being cut at many major universities.  For our program to continue to climb, success as witnessed in the past two year’s accomplishments, UCLA rowing needs our help and now is the time.” Matt Smith, May 1982 newsletter. There was a greater push to raise supporting funds. In a letter on  May 6, 1982, Coach Newman announced a goal of raising $50,000 by Dec 31, 1982, with  the intent of implementing at least 50% of what is raised into an endowment fund with up to 50% used for current needs.

 1982 marked the final year of several UCLA coaches. Freshman coach Mike Bennett (1977-1982), head Women’s coach Larry Daugherty and Lightweight coach Kirk Hansen.

1983

During the 1982/83 season the “Bruin Oarsman” changed its name to “Friends of UCLA Rowing (F.O.U.R.)”

With the objectives of:

·       Sponsor social events which will act as focal points to reunite the UCLA rowing community.

·       Re-establish communication with UCLA crew program alumni.

·       Develop a long-term base for support to complement the activities which are historically sponsored by the University.

The unification of the interests of all the UCLA rowing programs, both men’s and women’s, was hoped to that the support of the program continued and even an expansion of the boathouse to include a women’s bay and locker room and an alumni lounge.  The centerpiece of the 50th anniversary would be a race against Harvard, dubbed the UCLA Classic, with a bare bones budget of $14,245.

 The varsity posted comfortable early season victories over UC Irvine, San Diego State and Long Beach State prior to the San Diego Crew Classic.  Success continued for the Varsity eight as it placed fourth (6:04.16), behind Washington (5:58.10), University of Victoria {the Canadian National team} (6:00.73), and Yale (6:03.67) while placing ahead of Cal (6:05.98) and Purdue (6:06.64), with a tremendous move in the middle 1000m. The final was restarted after one of Washington’s oars hit a buoy and broke a rigger after they had strayed into Victoria’s lane. The ruling was Washington was not to be disqualified since referees had not warned Washington of the lane infraction. Tim Gillman, “OCC Oarsmen Help Washington Capture the Copley Cup”, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr 1983, 53. The Lightweight eight placed second in the Crew Classic. Next the varsity raced duals with Cal where they went from “an open water disadvantage with 600 meters to go to a two seat advantage with 20 strokes to go. Unfortunately, they came up a little short and lost by five feet.  The next day the Bruins easily defeated Stanford at Redwood Shores.” Bob Newman, “Men’s Heavyweight Varsity”, UCLA F.O.U.R. newsletter, Spring 1983.

Celebrating 50th anniversary of UCLA Crew the team hosted Harvard.  In the Varsity eight Harvard [who later won the Eastern Sprints] won by one and one-half length over the Bruins before some 12,000 spectators. Members of the 1933 UCLA crew were special guests, and included UCLA’s first coach Major Goodsell. Maury Grossman from that first crew donated medals and a trophy for the event. Newman and F.O.U.R. raised over $14,000 from the event.

 This was the last time that the WIRA and the PAC-10 championships were held on different weekends.  UCLA’s Freshman four won their WIRA event and the Lightweight eight raced in their final.  At the PAC-10 UCLA placed third in the varsity eight, second in the varsity four fourth in the junior varsity eight, lightweight eight and freshman eight.  The freshman eight had been seeded first but in their semifinal against Washington State an oarlock broke 300 meters into the race, leaving only seven oarsmen to finish the remainder of the race.  Then in the third place final the Bruins rowed a fast time (5:46.8) to lose to Cal that finished three-tenths of a second faster, both times being markedly faster than the crews in the first place final.

 In was reported that F.O.U.R. raised $39,326.29 in the 1983 fiscal year – unprecedent in the history of our program. With the help of the Athletic Department, UCLA purchased a new carbon fiber shell for the Freshmen replacing the damaged “Noella.” The conclusion of the anniversary season was punctuated by a trip to the IRA were the Varsity eight placed eighth and both the Freshman eight and four finished fourth.

1984

There was a four race fall schedule.  The F.O.U.R. Board faced challenges in addition to fund raising needed to amend its bylaws that allowed it to reallocate funds raised for the benefit of specific teams, to act in the best interest of the rowing program as a whole. In the fall Matt Smith, ’81, became the new lightweight coach and was active in fund raising for the lightweight team as a subset of F.O.U.R. with a goal to fund an $18,000 budget.

The yield from the 1983 Freshman eight was one rower and the coxswain. With four returning oarsmen from the 1983 Varsity eight. Coach Newman’s expectation for the season, “We look forward to a competitive but, at this point, very unknown future.  UC Irvine and Long Beach have picked up speed and Stanford will host their best crew in the last 20 or more years. The competition will be tough – all of it.” Bob Newman, “The Heavyweight Varsity”, UCLA Bruin Strokewatch, March 1984.

 At the San Diego Crew Classic UCLA’s varsity finished fifth in its heat defeating Stanford, and then third in the petite final behind Wisconsin and Northeastern and defeating San Diego State, Stanford and UC Irvine.  On April 21   host UCLA lost to Cal by four seconds in choppy conditions. In other men’s races the UCLA Novice eight and both Lightweight crews defeated Cal.  In the second UCLA Classic, Cornell (5:42.9), Stanford (5:48.2), and Princeton (5:51.8) defeated UCLA (5:55.0). The next weekend at the Newport Regatta Cal (6:10.8) again defeated UCLA (6:13.5) with Long Beach State (6:23) finishing third.  UCLA finished third in the Junior Varsity and Freshman eights falling to Cal and Orange Coast in both events.

1984 marked the combination of WIRA and PAC-10 on the same weekend at the same venue in Sacramento without the two-boat progression for the PAC-10 since there was a desire for more lanes.  On Sunday the top three PAC-10 finishers raced the top three WIRA finishers in the grand final of a new event titled the Pacific Coast Championship.  UCLA’s Varsity eight placed third in both the PAC-10 and then the Pacific Coast.  The Junior Varsity eight was not in the grand finals. The Freshman eight placed fourth in the PAC-10 and the Varsity four won their PAC-10 event.  UCLA’s Novice eight finished third in the Pacific Coast Championship.

1985

After easy early season victories over UC Irvine and Long Beach State the Bruins prepared for the San Diego Crew Classic.  With an average of 6’4” and 210 pounds coach Newman was hopeful that his team’s size and strength would make up for their lack of experience, consisting mostly of second year oarsmen. John Sullaway, “Oarsmen to Face Stiff Challenge in San Diego Classic”, UCLA Daily Bruin, 5 Apr 1985, 24.  The regatta was on a shortened 1500 course and plagued with a quartering tailwind. The Varsity eight finished fourth in their heat behind Cal, Navy [this year’s only East Coast crew) and British Columbia.  The Bruins failed to settle during the heat but did win the petite final.  In the other men’s events the Freshman and Novice eights finished third, the Lightweight eight fourth and Junior Varsity sixth. John Sullaway, “San Diego Crew Classic Big Letdown for Bruins”, UCLA Daily Bruin, 8 Apr 1985, 31.

Three weeks later at the Newport Regatta UCLA had “blossomed” and entered the race with a different strategy according to coach Newman, “Instead of going all-out at the start, we paced ourselves through the body of the race so that we could have a stronger finish at the end.” The strategy worked as UCLA with the Bruins erasing almost ten seats advantage by Cal in the last 500 meters to finish only by only six-tenths of a second.  This was a further improvement to the previous week’s dual race against Cal when UCLA came within nine-tenths of a second of Cal. The Bruin Junior Varsity finished in third behind Cal and Orange Coast. John Sullaway, “Cal Nips Heavyweight Crew at Newport Race”, UCLA Daily Bruin, 30 Apr 1985, 23.  The crew entered the Pacific Coast Championship with a positive feeling because they were improving and felt like they were jelling.

 Beginning in 1985, and through 1994, the WIRA and PAC-10 teams were combined in a single Pacific Coast championship regatta.  UCLA placed third in the Varsity eight and team points placed tied for seventh with Stanford and California Maritime Academy. Newman thought that the Bruins “raced much better at the Newport Regatta, … I think that the pressure of the high expectations that other people have of them and their inexperience really worked against them.” Senior #6 oar Robert Salonitas said “we had a good first 500 meters and they outpulled us for the rest of the race.” John Sullaway, “Huskie Crew Tops Cal, UCLA in Coast Finals”, UCLA Daily Bruin, 21 May 1985, 27. The Rest of the varsity finalists were Stanford in fourth place followed by UC Irvine and close behind them was Long Beach State.

 The UCLA lightweight squad raced at the Eastern Sprints, finishing third in the Lightweight Freshman eight behind Harvard and Princeton, and the Lightweight Varsity eight finished third in their event’s petite final.  The same Lightweight Freshman eight finished in second place in the Lightweight Junior Varsity race at the Pacific Coast Championships.

The Stanford Quad reported that the Stanford team was granted varsity status, after many years of being a club, and boated three varsity and five novice crews. For decades the Stanford men’s crew had been referred to as the “orphan crew” since they were not funded by the athletic department. In an article in March 1983 in the Stanford Daily that the 29 club sports serving 1300 athletes were organized and run by the student-athletes including fundraising and administrative chores. The men’s and women’s rowing club teams raised funds through row-a-thons and clean the stadium after football games, with the athletic department and Associated Students of Stanford University providing some funding. The women’s team captain Margi Fetter cited their financial challenge with club-status, “Our main problem is just financial. we’ve got enough money to get by, but we’re constantly in need of equipment.” The men’s crew captain Steve Debenham stated that they prefer to remain a club, even though last year’s budget was on $25,000, “We’ve outgrown the limits of what Club Sports has to offer in funds, but we prefer to remain student run.” Sid Atkins, “Club Sports Emphasize Competition, Management”, Stanford Daily, 2 Mar 1983, 5. That changed in the 1984/85 season. In December 1983 the Stanford Board of Trustees decided on a three-tiered system for funding the University’s 24 intercollegiate teams that would cut a $1 million athletic budget deficit due to shortfalls in expected television and gate receipts from the 1-10 football team.
Of the 24 teams, 16 [MEN: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, football, swimming, tennis, track and field; WOMEN: basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball] would be in the top tier, Varsity I, and not receive any major funding cuts.
The Varsity II teams would have “part-time coaching, no recruiting or scholarships and will compete on a local level” [MEN: crew, gymnastics, sailing, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, water polo; WOMEN: crew, field hockey, sailing, soccer, softball]. Varsity III [fencing] would operate on a “self-help basis similar to Stanford’s current club sport program.” The plan required raising $300,000 to keep the Varsity II sports from falling to the Varsity III (club level). Mark Zeigler, “University Reviews Athletic Budget”, Stanford Daily, 9 Jan 1984, 1, 10. This provide more support, but less than full support for the rowing teams. Ken Dreyfuss was hired as the head men’s coach and the team received 25% of its budget from the athletic department. Mark Beyreis, “‘Coach of the Year’ Goes to Crew Coach”, Stanford Daily, 15 August 1986, 2.

Jim Sims becomes Head Coach for the 1985-1986 Season

Jim Sims was a 1967 UCLA graduate and had been the stroke of the 1967 Western Sprints champion. He coached the UCLA Freshman during the 1968/69 and 1969/70 seasons and then the 1973 USC Freshman. Jim earned his law degree from Loyola and had been practicing law in Ashland, Oregon.  Jim and his partner moved back to Los Angeles to set up a practice and he became the Freshman coach for three years beginning in the fall of 1982, succeeding Mike Bennett. UCLA Bruin Oarsmen, 28 Sep 1982. Newman's contract was not renewed and his successor was the Freshman coach Jim Sims. Sims became the head coach for the 1985/86 season. Following the season he returned to Ashland, Oregon to continue his law practice there.

In 2020, Jim Sims donated $100,000 to start the FOUR endowment fund.

1986

TThe alumni were notified in a letter entitled “URGENT    SAVE THE UCLA CREW PROGRAMS” stating that the coaching staff had been informed in June 1985 that the “rowing programs at UCLA would be sharply curtailed effective September 1985.  As of June 1986, the Administration may withdraw its entire financial support.”  The letter outlined an immediate goal of raising $100,000 by December  31, 1985 and an ultimate goal of three million dollar endowment, along with a letter writing campaign to the UCLA Chancellor.  In the words of coach Sims, “the threat of program termination hung over the heads of this year’s crew.” Jim Sims, “Heavyweight Crew Report”, Bruin Strokewatch, Sep 1986.

 The spring season began with a home opener on March 29 and clean sweep against USC (as the Harbach race). The following weekend at the San Diego Crew Classic UCLA’s Varsity eight was edged out of the grand final by one-half a length by Navy.  Next up in the schedule was the UCLA Classic on April 12.

 “The university’s authorities, who closed down their journalism school a few years ago as an economy measure, have been threatening crew, too, reducing its annual budget to $75,000.” Bob Oates “A Jolly Good Show, Old Sport”, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr 1986, 79.

First year head coach Jim Sims shared that the UCLA administration was evaluating whether to terminate the team because it was non-income generating.  A goal was set to raise a multi-million dollar endowment to generate a $300,000 yearly budget. Following the example of the 1983 50th anniversary event against Harvard, the 1986 UCLA Classic would feature Oxford University and Cal against the host Bruins.  “Coach Jim Sims said the event also would be his eight’s statement against recent athletic department reviews questioning the financing of crew and its continuance as a university activity.” Paul Dean, “UCLA Crew, Out to Improve Image, Meets Oxford at the Marina April 12”, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar 1986, 51.

Oxford had come after their loss to Cambridge in The Boat Race to perform public relations for Augusta, Georgia and lost by a few feet to Temple University, then to Marina del Rey to face California and host UCLA.  UCLA experienced a bobble on the third stroke that placed them six seats behind. Though Oxford got out to a quick lead, they were passed by California after about 600m and failed to hold UCLA at the end.  The last event of the Classic on April 12 ended with California the victor in 5:43 and finishing UCLA two inches ahead of Oxford both in 5:50.

Oxford coach Topolski shared in his book that rowing a shorter distance than their training for The Boat Race and “with a new stroke, a substitute 6 man” Oxford was at a disadvantage but “a big crowd had turned up and everyone was happy – rowing looked secure on the Creek for another year at least.” Daniel Topolski with Patrick Robinson, True Blue: The Oxford Boat Race Mutiny, 1989, 57.

At the Stanford Classic, both Stanford and UCLA lost both their morning and afternoon races.  The six crew field also included Cal, Washington, Brown and Wisconsin.  UCLA’s losses were to Washington and then to Cal. The Newport Invitational was won by UC Irvine, Long Beach State placed second and UCLA was third. The Freshman 8 challenged the eventual winner Orange Coast but bobbled at the 1500m mark finishing in second. Prior to the Pacific Coast Championship, UCLA hosted Orange Coast and the University of San Diego.  OCC won all the men’s races they competed in and UCLA defeated San Diego in the Varsity eight. At the Pacific Coast Championships both the Varsity eight and Junior Varsity eight finished fourth, and the Freshman eight was fifth, one length out of second place.

 “Following the Pacific Coast Championships, UCLA received an invitation to compete at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in Syracuse.  Because the frosh eight had made a dramatic 38 second improvement through the season and it was decided they should also go to the IRA.  Two of the oarsmen the varsity eight decided they didn’t want to go, so the varsity organized a four and a pair.” Jim Sims, “Heavyweight Crew Report”, Bruin Strokewatch, Sep 1986. The Freshman eight finished in fourteenth place (last in the third level final) while the Varsity four-with-coxswain finished sixth and the Varsity pair-without-coxswain finished third after winning its heat.  

 Although the UCLA rowing team received a reprieve, it was only temporary. 

 Lightweight coach Kevin Sherwood reported the expansion of the squad to varsity, junior varsity and freshman crews and that the “lightweight fund raising efforts were successful, and exceeded $43,000; which added a used shell and boat trailer, and helping send the team to Washington’s ‘Opening Day’ [placed third] and the ‘Eastern Sprints’.” Kevin Sherwood, “The Lightweight Crew”, Bruin Strokewatch, Sep 1986.

A reminder of one of the challenges of a club trying to survive on a shoestring was a fatal accident that occurred after the Pacific Coast Championships.  While returning home from the regatta, a 15-passenger van carrying twelve men from the San Diego State team and one women from UC San Diego was involved in a rollover accident on Interstate 5. At about 8 p.m. with a 19-year old athlete driving, a tire blew as the van was traveling at an estimated 85 miles per hour. Three athletes were killed and the others injured. “Athletes Killed in Accident”, Oroville (CA) Mercury Register, 12 May 1986, 1.