Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-11
THE FAME OF .'BOB.'
 COOK RECALLED

It is seasonable to note that the most
 conspicuous figure in the history of
 American boating. should have recently | gone into retirement that is as remote
 as it is picturesque. Bob Cook, once l the Yale rowing coach, has gone to
 Japan, where he intends to reside for
 an indefinite period. For many years
 he was figure in the world of sports
 who transcended Yale rowing interests.
 Thousands of people who would not
 nave walked a mile to see two univer- sity crews race, knew of Bob Cook, and hailed him as one of the notable
 men of the day. For a quarter of a century he was the first authority on
 rowing in this country, and no Yale alumnus was more popular.
 But popular memory is short lived,
 and Mir Cook and his reign seem dim
 history to the active generation of to- day. He withdrew from boating affairs
 five years ago, and with him went the
 most admirable system of amateur coaching and boating spirit ever build
 ed among American colleges. In many
 ways his career at Yale is comparable
 with that of Dr Ware in the boating history of Et0n. Bob Cook stood for graduate coaching. for Yale athletics, for Yale men, and he' r,iised 7X sstaH Ho0f younger experts around him 'who7esf- Tied on his work under his general di- rection. He took his annual vacation time from his large business affairs to coach the dark blue at New London and to him gladly focked all old strokes and captains who could arrange their vacations likewise.
 Their reunion at Gales Ferry was alive with Yale spirit and good fellow ship, all pulling together in a common cause. In it was the dominating mas tery of Bob Cook, who labored for Yale and for no other reward. Arv he brought to Yale proud pre-eminence In American boating that was unQues- tioned for many years. After living in Europe for several years. Mfr Cook came home last year in time to go to Gales Ferry and watch the final pre-. parations of the Yale eight. College memories. too, are short lived. There was no welcoming ovation for the man who had done more than any other man for Yale athletic prestige. except ing Walter Camp. He was allowed to look on, and he made no comment. The Yale crew was in the able hands of a professional coach, and 1t won the race
 But gone from the quarters. gone from the boathouse in New Haven. was something that professional vic tories can never replace, a sentiment that comes from devotion to the col lege and its colors for love and loyalty, any many Yale oarsman has remem- bered when his courage and endurance were tested in later years, the bulldog grit and discipline that were hammered into him by virtue of the presence of Bob Cook The college course held things of less value as an educational influence than the exhortation of this famous teacher. when lungs and back and legs were near collapse in the last stretch of four-mile row against the watch:
 "Get into 1t. Pull every stroke as if it were the very last effort you had in you. When you get dp against hard trials in the world, remember that you'll never strike anything that will test your sand any more than this last mile. Nothing can ever lick you if you this."-0uting.