Launching in the 2021 - 2022 Season

This award will be presented annually to the rowers, one female and one male, who best demonstrate Karen’s consistent ability to wisely and fearlessly navigate the personalities in the boathouse to bring athletes together, creating faster boats and closer teams.

Award recipients exemplify the leadership, humility, humor, spontaneity, loyalty, enthusiasm and presence that defined Karen in her role as the 7-seat in the undefeated crews of 1987 and 1988 and later as the first female president of the Friends of Harvard and Radcliffe Rowing. In short, our winners exhibit thoughtful and intentional leadership that connects and buoys everyone.  This leadership may be first demonstrated in the boathouse, but promises to carry forward in their lives ahead.

Award recipients are chosen by the men’s and women’s coaches from among either the heavyweight or lightweight squads and are announced at the end of the spring racing season. The award will be presented, and it’s winners recognized, at the fall banquet before the Head of the Charles Regatta in October. This is the only award that recognizes athletes from both the women’s and men’s boathouses.