A slice of history: PLU Crew, the Husky Clipper, George Pocock, and the sport of rowing

Editor’s Note: Jim Ojala ’69, a dedicated rower rooted in his PLU experience, earned four varsity letters and fostered a profound connection to the sport. Through a compelling photo essay, Ojala explores the deep ties between Lute rowing and the iconic Husky Clipper, unveiling the intricate connection to “The Boys in the Boat.”

In 1967, the University of Washington donated several Pocock racing shells to the fledgling rowing programs at PLU and UPS. One of those shells was the most decorated boat George Pocock ever built, the Husky Clipper. In 1936, a Husky crew captured gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics rowing in the Clipper in front of Adolph Hitler.

PLU Crew adopted the Husky Clipper as their own. For the next five years, Lute oarsmen learned in her, practiced in her, and raced in her. She became a much-loved member of the family.

In March 1967, in what proved to be her last race before being retired, rowing in the Husky Clipper, PLU faced their cross-town rivals UPS and the men’s varsity crew from Seattle University in a 2,000 meter sprint on American Lake.

“The Boys in the Boat” from the University of Washington took the Husky Clipper out a winner in Poughkeepsie and Berlin in 1936. The boys in that same boat from Pacific Lutheran University brought her home a winner on American Lake 31 years later.

The Lutes’ winning time of 6:09.6 broke the course record previously held by the University of British Columbia by 13 seconds. Their record stood for almost 30 years.

One month later, the University of Washington reclaimed the Husky Clipper and offered PLU another much-decorated Pocock shell, the Loyal Shoudy, but with one key proviso: PLU would have to transport her down to Tacoma themselves at their own expense. Lacking the funds to truck the Shoudy down, the Lutes decided to row her down.

Hoping to keep their escapade secret out of fear the university would nix their plans, the Lutes saw their cover blown when Royal Brougham, Sports Editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, heard of their scheme and made it front page news.

From Green Lake to Lake Union by foot, from Lake Union through the Ballard Locks, across Elliott Bay and down Puget Sound to Tacoma in a Pocock shell clad in a wafer-thin cedar skin, the PLU men completed their 50-mile winter Odyssey just as darkness fell.

With a stop at Saltwater State Park to dry off and warm up in front of a blazing fire, the Lutes set off for Point Defiance, where a National Guard LST ground ashore and gave them a lift through the dangerous Tacoma Narrows to Steilacoom, bringing their epic journey to a close.

The Lutes’ first order of business upon making it home to American Lake was to repair the damage suffered by the Shoudy during her perilous journey. True to form for a shell built by George Pocock, she quickly recovered and played a major role in the ensuing history of rowing at PLU.

The PLU Crew tradition continues...

Today, PLU’s crew tradition lives on through the university’s highly successful women’s rowing team led by Interim Head Coach Sienna Mathes ’19.