HHS crew launches another new chapter

The inaugural Hingham High School varsity crew program, buoyed by the christening of two new boats in a moving and beautiful ceremony this past Sunday morning, is poised to launch another remarkable phase in its short history. 

Two gleaming boats were dedicated at the Lincoln Maritime Center and are now officially the pride and joy of the fleet rowed by The Real Harborwomen and Harbormen. The 8-person Swoop ’95, formerly a Brown University boat, was donated by Tom and Kerrie Holovacs.

“When these rowers come back in future years,” said Tom Holovacs, gesturing to the beaming members of the 2007 HHS crew and some 200 spectators. “I am sure what they will see is not a fledgling program, but a program that everyone looks up to.”

The other shiny new Hingham red vessel, also an 8-person boat, was named in memory of Susan Snow-Cotter, a Hingham resident, a passionate rower by avocation and a tireless advocate for the ocean by vocation, who passed away in December at the age of 45. 

Snow-Cottter was Director of the Massachusetts Office for Coastal Zone Management, the agency that creates policy to balance environmental protection with the human use of the ocean. Her colleague Anne Donovan called it the perfect homage for the boat to carry Susan’s name.

“She loved the ocean,” said Donovan, “So this is a fitting way to allow Susan to continue to share the magic of the sea.”

John Cotter, Susan’s husband and also the coach of the HHS women’s crew, provided a poignant picture of his wife and the honor bestowed upon her.

“It is appropriate to have a moving, dynamic tribute to my wife,” said Cotter. “Boats are seen as living things, making the impossible possible, enjoying the journey, and taking somebody along for the ride.”

With that, John Cotter christened the Susan Snow-Cotter with the ceremonial finish line water from a mixture of three different sources: Mont Lake in Seattle, where he and Susan met and first rowed together; Lake Casitas in California, site of the 1984 Olympic crew races; and closer to home, the Charles River.

That the Susan Snow-Cotter could become part of the HHS crew is the result of a convergence of her good deeds and those of Alan McKim, the Chief Executive of Clean Harbors, whose efforts have led to the cleaning of Boston and Hingham Harbors. McKim desired to give back to the community and generously donated the funds to purchase the boat. In fact, it was McKim’s idea to name the boat for Susan Snow-Cotter.

The Hingham High School rowing program is an unfunded varsity sport, so while Susan Snow-Cotter provided the inspiration, it is generous benefactors like Alan McKim whose support keeps the HHS rowing program afloat.