Harvard Head Coach Harry Parker is a legend and rowing icon. In his 46+ year tenure at Harvard Mr. Parker’s crews have won 17 national championships. He knows how to win races and find the right equipment to make it happen.
It was a beautiful balmy day on November 20th, 2009 when Mr. Parker and Boatman Joe Shea, welcomed Team Resolute and the Abbott family to the Harry Parker Boathouse to dedicate their new Resolute XT to long time boatman and friend Everett A. Abbott. Resolute’s new XT was chosen to add a strategic dimension in the Harvard Fleet. The XT, based on our legendary mid-weight hull, can accommodate the tallest of rowers and the latest design allows the hull to slice aggressively through the water.
Mr. Parker and Everett began their relationship back in the mid 1980’s after an interview the day before the Head of the Charles. Impressed with Everett’s knowledge of boat maintenance and repair he hired him on the spot confident that he, like the new XT, would give the Harvard crew new options in the quest to win races.
The dedication came as a complete surprise to Everett. After much subterfuge on the part of Mr. Parker, Rick Laviolette, President and CEO of Resolute, and Sue Hinckley, Manager of Commercial Operations, Everett arrived at what he thought was going to be a meeting to discuss the success of the new Resolute XT. Instead what he found when he walked through the big bay doors at the boathouse was family and friends, students and coaches, surrounding the nose of a brand new boat. Everett was stunned and visibly moved as he took in the scene. With a flourish Mr. Parker introduced Everett to his name sake. As one of his daughters said later “Wow, I don’t think I have ever seen Dad speechless!”
As Everett and his wife Ruth christened the boat with champagne, Everett leaned down to the boat and whispered “Win lots of races.”
Resolute would like to thank Harry Parker, Joe Shea, the Abbott family and all the others who made this day a great success.
Rowing Icon and Harvard Head Coach Harry Parker with Guest of Honor Everett Abbott
Harry Parker and Resolutes' biggest supporter Bernie Taradash
Richard Itkin, Rick Laviolette, and Bernie Taradash
Sue Hinckley, Ruth and Everett Abbott
The Christening
"Win lots of races"
The Abbott Family
Everett Abbott with Team Resolute
Everett with the new Resolute XT "Everett Abbott"
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