HANLAN's HEROES- 1897-1900 Early in 1897 the Argonaut Rowing
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HANLAN'S HEROES- 1897-1900 Early in 1897 the Argonaut Rowing Club, through its Secretary W.H. Bunting, approached the University about starting a club of its own. Possibly, the ARC was womed about its membership base and was looking to the University as an untapped source. This appears plausible, since there was at that time some concern that the rising popularity of cycling would lead to "lean years" for Toronto rowing.' Indeed Toronto newspapers were fùII of stories on cycling, and writing on that sport dominated the leisure pages.' The fears expressed in Arhleric Life proved unfounded, however. If anything, the advent of the bicycle made it easier for rowers to reach the waterfront. One daily newspaper noted that "enquiries arnong the leading clubs result in finding that the rnembership has not decreased but increased, and the members have either resisted the cycling habit or made it subordinate to their boating pastime."3 Furthemore, the Argonaut Rowing Club, numbenng upwards of 400 mernbers, was Canada's largest, and having taken a lion's share of victories at recent Canadian Henley regattas, its most successfiil. The addition of two dozen students paying reduced fees made linle difference to its viability as an organization. Clearly. the ARC'S offer was not rnotivated by desperation. It is more probable that the Argonauts had simply recognized a new opportunity to increase their club's prestige by attncting the sons of wealthy and influential Torontonians. A 9T2 graduate himseIf, the recently elected Bunting was the right man to approach the University. I Addetic Lqe, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1896. ' World (Toronto), 5 April 1897. In an anicle entitled "AH Toronto Awheel", it was estimated that several thousand Torontonians rode bicycles. ' Star (Toronto). 1 3 May, I 897. In addition to the active interest of an outside club, the cause of rowing was helped by the growth of the University. In 188 1, University College had numbered only 355 students. Together with Trinity and Victoria Colleges, there were no more than 800 post-secondary students in oro ont o.' By the turn-of-the-century, these colleges had been federated, and University of Toronto enrolment had nearly tripled to 2241 by 1901-02.' Increasing demand for adequate recreational facilities Ied to the construction of a gymnasium in 1892 and the creation of the Universiîy of Toronto Athletic Association in 1893. The driving force behind athletics was University President James Loudon, who convinced the University Senate to grant $25 000 for the construction of the gymnasium. Loudon had played cricket and football and had rowed in his youth, and as honourary president of the UTAA he continued to promote sport until his death in 1905. The UTAA consisted of representatives from the existing clubs, rugby, soccer, cricket, tennis, lacrosse, hockey and basebali, as well as students from the colleges and one faculty member. It was charged with managing the gymnasium, a facility boasted to be "the finest and best equipped in ~rnerica.'~In 1895 it was recognized as the goveming body representing al1 clubs on University Council. Current and past members of the UTAA would be key players in the leadership of the UTRC. Despite the rapid growth of the University towards the end of the 191h century, it was still a very small institution. When W.H. Bunting made his proposa1 at the annual meeting of the Athletic Association, there were only twenty-five students and faculty in attendance- - - -- A Robin S. Harris, A Hiszor). ofHigher Educarion in Canada. 1663-1960 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1976), 624. lbid., 626-627. T.A. Reed, The Bhre and IMiite (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1944), 18. This somewhat informal, chaotic gathering started a half-hour late as President Loudon desperately searched the Gymnasium for quorum and finally recruited the janitor in order to achieve it. Several amvals and departures and one attendee falling through his chair provided interruptions. AAer some review of the past year, introduction of the new executive, and election of the outgoing president to a life membership, the meeting tumed to the issue of rowing. By way of introduction, Loudon spoke in favour of a University Club that would "teach the American colleges how to row and be a means of adding to our large collection of bric-a-brac by bnnging that historical cup from en le^."' Next, Bunting explained the standing arrangement whereby students paid a reduced fee of $5 and receive full use of the club, its boats, and a trainer. He proposed that the students fom a club and then introduced Ned Hanlan. Retired from competition, the former World Champion had become a coach. Armed with oratory skills developed over many years as a popular showman-athlete, Hanlan spoke "at some length" about the honours gained by Canadian and Torontonian oarsmen, and pledged to help coach the new club. In the end, the prospect of racing against the famous British and American schools, plus the promise of support from the Argonauts aud training under the guidance of the great Ned Hanlan proved too irresistible an offer to refuse. At the close of the meeting. a student cornmittee including former UTAA presidents James Merrick (95-96) and D.B. MacDonald (94-95) was appointed to mobilize wider student support- They acted swiftly. Within a week of the UTAA general meeting, a letter to the editor from W.H. Bunting appeared in The Varsip. Writing with "the best interest of the University at heart", Bunting reiterated the ARC'S offer and the merits of its trainers and Tlte Varsin. (Toronto). 27 January 1897. 14 its "well-equipped, commoaious and convenient" boathouse, located at the foot of York ~t.'Echoing Loudon, Bunting expressed his belief that in time the University could win a name for itself in international rowing cornpetition. The student newspaper's editors also approved the idea of a rowing club. They considered athletics a healthy counterweight to academic training and "a mighty educative influence which springs fiom this constant and familiar intercourse with men of one's own age and condition.'" Having secured favourable publicity in the Var-sity,the student cornmittee caIied a general meeting for the following week. A "large and enthusiastic meeting" at the Student Union hall on February loch,1897. and the endorsement of professors Loudon and Hutton assured the viability of the UTRC. Next, W.WWBunting addressed the students, reiterating his previous points and suggesting that they try inter-year competition as a means of generating interest. Next to speak was Ned Hanlan: The great oarsman demonstrated to the meeting the marvelous advantages which were derived from rowing. By being an oanman he had visited every part of the world where the English Ianguage was spoken. and had since the openinç of his career won more races than any man ever bom. If a club \vas formed ai Varsity he promised that "Hanlan is at your service for any assistance he can give." He espressed faith in Varsity's athletes by saying. "I am ready to stake my life that 1 can get the maieriat in Varsiry to \vhip any right-oared crew in the world."'' Full of bravado and ambition. Hanlan's speech stressed the thrill of victory in competition. The next order of business was the reading and adoption of a constitution, which had been drafied in advance by MacDonald. ' ' It opened membership to graduates, undergraduates and faculty of the University and its affiliated colleges for a fee of $5.50. The Varsiry (Toronto), 3 February 1897. 9 Ibid- 1 O The Varsir).(Toronto), 17 February 1897. 1 I The Constitution of the UTRC appeared in the 24 February 1897 edition of The Varsity. The executive committee was to consist of four elected members and three undergraduates appointed by those officers. A slate of nominees was named at the meeting and went uncontested. The first executive of the UTRC was as follows; Honorary President, James Loudon; President, D.B.MacDonald; Vice-President George Sellery; and Secretary-Treasurer, James Memck. Within two weeks, the University of Toronto Rowing Club had evolved into a viable entity with a constitution, executive, coach and membership. The rapidity of organization was due to a combination of factors. Affiliation was an Argonaut initiative, but without a university organization to negotiate on the students' behalf, the plan would have failed. The presence of the UTAA made the entire student population accessible to the Argonaut Rowing Club. From that core group of students, MacDonald and Memck emerged as the leaders of the UTRC. With the experience gained through time spent on the Athletic Directorate, they quickly mobilized interest in the club and gave it the legitimacy of faculty support and an organizational structure. Al1 that remained was to row. The UTRC was staunchly amateur in its approach to the sport of rowing. This is evidenced in the environment of the parent club. it's outlook on cornpetition, and in the composition of its membership. The definition of an amateur in Canadian rowing was first set in 1880, when the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen was founded. Its constitution stated: An amateur is one who has never assisted in the pursuit of athletic exercises as a means of livelihood, who rows for pleasure or recreation only and during his Ieisure hours, and does not abandon or neglect his usual business or occupation for the purpose of training more than two weeks dunng the season." This distinction effectively separated professional scullers racing for pire money from rowers who competed in club cornpetitions such as the newly instituted Canadian Henley regatta. Since professional rowing demanded high skill in a few individuals and amateur rowing emphasized a broader base of participants with moderate ability, the two branches of the sport attracted different kinds of athletes and supporters.