Harvard Crew Holds Annual Banquet; Heavies to Face Yale at New London

The Harvard crew team held its annual banquet last night at the Harvard Club of Boston. The Friends of Harvard Rowing sponsored the dinner.

A highlight of the event was the presence for the first time of the Radcliffe crew. A tinge of male chauvinism pervaded the air, however, at least among the older members in attendance, as Edward H. Bennett '37, chairman of the Friends of Harvard Rowing and master of ceremonies, commented. "I won't welcome the Radcliffe crew, but I will acknowledge their presence."

The major news of the evening was the confirmation by Athletic Director Robert A. Watson '37 that it was "99 per cent certain" the four-mile race between Harvard and Yale would be resumed this year at New London, Connecticut on the Thames River on June 7.

The annual race was moved last season to the Charles River in early May because of the calendar change Yale underwent last year.

Watson also announced that Harvard would race the University of Washington in a similar four-mile encounter on June 21.

Watson talked briefly about the trip the heavyweight crew team made to Egypt during Christmas vacation. He said that although members of the Faculty had objected to the crew making the trip, he reported to the Athletic Department's Standing Committee that he was in favor of making the race on the Nile an annual event.

Watson added that he felt any foreign excursions Harvard teams make--such as the baseball team's tour in Italy, and the track team's meet in England against Oxford and Cambridge--were an invaluable experience for Harvard athletes.

The crew team's trip to Egypt had come under some criticism because of its political implications.

Predictions about the upcoming season were not forthcoming. Lightweight captain Ned Reynolds commented. "I'm very excited about the prospects."

Lightweight coach John Higginson, in an often bizarre speech, said it is a "useless pastime" to talk about the up-coming year.

Heavyweight coach Harry Parker lauded the achievements of last year's heavyweight crew, calling it "the strongest squad and fastest three boats I've ever had."

The varsity and junior varsity boats were undisputed national champions last season, winning the Eastern Sprints and dual regattas against Wisconsin and Washington.