Ted Nash

Ted Nash was the only man to row on both the U.S. coxIess four shells that won medals at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics. The gold in 1960 was probably the highlight of a distinguished rowing career, both as an oarsman and a coach. Nash won over a dozen national titles, both in the United States and Canada, and won gold medals at both the 1959 and 1963 Pan-American Games. Though he started out at Boston University, most of his rowing was done either for the University of Washington or the Lake Washington RC.

As great a competitor as he was, it is probably surpassed by his career as a coach. He started with the freshman crew at Penn in 1965 and moved to the varsity job in 1969. Also coaching the Penn Elite Crew, he produced over 40 rowers who made Olympic teams, and coached multiple boats in either Olympic or Pan-American competition from 1967-2007. Twice he led Penn to unbeaten seasons. Nash was also active as an administrator; he was a founder and past president of the National Women’s Rowing Association and was a member of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Committee for Women.