UVic Sports Hall of Fame
CATEGORY: Team
With success at UVic came international attention for the 1983 Men’s Rowing Team Varsity Eight, who acted as harbingers of the Vikes’ Olympic rowing tradition. Eight team members of the boat would go on to represent Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Racing as members of the Vikes, the eight won the Canadian university championship and were undefeated in local regattas. The eight would also place second at the esteemed San Diego crew classic.
At the Olympics, Zasada competed in the coxed pair, his last race before his tragic death later that summer. Ross, Toulmin, Christian and Tessier made up Canada’s fifth place entry in the coxed fours. Grant, Crawford and Main helped deliver Olympic gold in the heavyweight eight, in defeat of the juggernaut American crew. Main, Neufeld and Ross would also compete in the 1988 Games in Seoul.
Neufeld, Crawford and Main also collected hardware during their time at UVic. Dean Crawford received the UVic Martlet award in 1981, while Grant Main and Kevin Neufeld received the prestigious Presidents Cup award, with Main being honoured in 1983 and Neufeld winning the award in 1987 and 1988.
UVic Achievements
- Crawford received the Marlet award in 1981
- Main received the President’s Cup award in 1983
- Neufeld received the President’s Cup award in 1987 and 1988
International Achievements
- Eight of the nine crew members represented Canada at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, including coach Al Morrow
- Dave Ross, Grant Main, Kevin Neufeld would also represent Canada at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul
1983 Men's Rowing Team Roster
David Ross
Grant Main
Kevin Neufeld
Dean Crawford
Tim Christian
Rob Currie
Tony Zasada
Paul Tessier
Nick Toulmin
Al Morrow (Head Coach)
