The Julian Wolf Alumni Award for Excellence.

The Julian Wolf Award was created in 2016 and honors the spirit of an individual whose vision and commitment fundamentally changed the international sport of rowing and whose character and far-reaching contributions to international and US intercollegiate rowing epitomize the core values of the UCLA Men’s and Women’s Crew programs. The FOUR Board established this award to recognize people within the FOUR community who had provided significant support to UCLA Men’s Rowing and/or the sport of rowing in general, and to those who had achieved significant accomplishments in world of rowing. Julian embodied all of these things. In 2016, Julian’s $100,000 bequest to the program prompted FOUR’s board to create this award in his name. Prior to 2016, there was a similar award called “Alumni of the Year” award issued each year (and we are seeking these names).

Julian rowed and coached at UCLA, served on the Board of Directors of FOUR, and is credited not only with building the UCLA Men’s Crew program into a successful, sustained team sport but also with creating the UCLA Women’s Crew. Based on his belief that competition fosters strong- willed, dedicated men and women and fast boats, Julian established the USC rowing program (we forgive him for this sin) with Bob Hillen and, in 1948 became its first coach. Julian inspired generations of athletes, coaches, referees, Olympians, and many others in our communities and in the business world with an unparalleled humility, integrity, and grace. He believed in fairness and consistent application of the rules and so he established the U.S. Rowing Referee College that bears his name.

Among his many other contributions and accolades, Julian was a founding member of the National Rowing Foundation, a member of the USRowing Board of Directors, and a member and chairman of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Rowing Committee from 1971 to 1988. Julian served as a U.S. National Team manager for the 1984 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team and two U.S. Pan-American teams, and was the Chef d’Mission of the 1978 U.S.  team. Inducted into the Rowing Hall of Fame in 1989, Julian Wolf built the foundation upon which UCLA Men’s and Women’s Rowing now stands.

 Alumni of the Year Winners

2012 Alex Frasco ‘75

2013 Tim Powers ‘77

2014 (help us find this name)

2015 (help us find this name)

Julian Wolf Award Winners

2016 Norm Witt   ‘75      

2017 John Bissett   Head Coach 1964 -1969

2018 Bob Newman   ‘68, Head Coach  1980 - 1985   

2019 Duvall Hecht     Head Coach 1976 - 1979

2020 Geof Strand      ‘70   

2021 Erinn McMahan Head Coach 1998 - 2006

2022 Sheila Parker-Tolle ‘78

2023 Duncan Henderson ‘71

 2024 Barry Berkett ‘74

2025 Matt Smith ‘81