We are extremely sad to notify the rowing community that Brown boatman Mark Schofer passed away Friday Dec 21 after a six-month illness; Mark was 65. Mark had been the boatman at Brown for more than two decades, and had served prior to that in several capacities including the de facto boatman at Virginia. Mark graduated from the University of Virginia in 1975, got involved in rowing at a learn-to-row in 1989, got deeply involved in the sport including helping Virginia coach Kevin Sauer with so many projects large and small that he became the de facto boatman, and joined Brown as the boatman in 1998.

Although the trademark Hawaiian shirt, his role as the Wakamole commissioner, and his vast knowledge of many arcane subjects were eccentric touches (and it could be argued that he was playing to part a bit as a boatman), the serious truth is that he was always one of the most sane people on pretty much any regatta site, holding things together in a way that kept priorities absolutely on track, and always with a touch of humor and intensity. He was also creative and funny; Mark was the one who created and served as "Commissioner" of the annual NCAA Riggers Croquet Championship (the winner of which earns the Wakamole Trophy, for which Mark also served as official historian), was a guy who named his cat Butter - i.e., Butter the Cat - and was also the guy who said his goal was "to frighten everyone, but make sure that everyone who came through the program knew how to rig a boat when they graduated" - a rare combination of wit and wisdom intertwined. Mark was one of the best and my favorite people in rowing; we will miss him.

Brown coaches Paul Cooke and John Murphy wrote the following remembrance of Mark today.

For Mark Schofer.

For the past 20 years, the entrance to the Marston Boathouse has been guarded by Mark Schofer, the Brown University Boatman. Each day, Mark was there behind his desk with the boat doors open looking out over the Seekonk River, regardless of the weather, and he greeted visitors with a bit of southern hospitality, which he could turn on a little extra when necessary. His breadth of knowledge was quite remarkable and he was conversant on many subjects and especially a fan of history. He liked stories about people who showed grace and courage and character. He also liked people who were just downright tough like Ray Nitschke, the great middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, a poster of whom he hung next to his desk.

Bear Pack (photo: Jim Hooper)

Mark left an indelible impression on the athletes who went through this program. He could be gruff and unyielding and he was absolutely insistent on people taking care of their own stuff and looking after the equipment. He defended the boathouse and the boats with his honor and when a boat was brought into the shop, it was the coxswain who needed courage to report the need for repair. The effect of Mark's efforts was to make people responsible and to create an uncompromising attitude towards success. Mark was a ferocious competitor and he helped create a mood of self-determination that made a cowardly performance or complaining intolerable.

On the biggest of race days, Mark would be visible near the boats in a bright red and yellow Hawaiian shirt, which he would pull out of the back of the truck. Mark also was known to pull the shirt off when a crew didn't do quite as well as he had hoped. Despite all of the toughness and grit, Mark also knew that the best competitors love the battle and that the race is a celebration of character. He had an incredibly strong fighting spirit.

Mark at work with the team (photo: Jim Hooper)

Sometime ago Mark galvanized the collegiate boatmen into a very solid unit that has never been shy about expressing their opinions. For a number of years a high point for them has been their annual croquet tournament, organized by Mark, at the NCAA National Championships. How a winner is determined has always been somewhat questionable but as Mark would explain, "there are no rules.". When loading the trailer for the NCAA one could always be certain that Mark's croquet set had been carefully packed and not forgotten. So too, Mark Schofer will not be forgotten by all of us who have known him along the way.

And Finally... We are so grateful to our neighbors in the Narragansett Boat Community who took such good care of Mark during the past several months. There were a bunch of kind folks who shopped and cooked and cleaned for Mark and drove him to appointments and interfaced with VNA, etc., many of whom didn't know him before he got sick.

Mark at work with the team

Butter the Cat