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Pocock Employee Wins USRowing’s Referee
of the Year Award |
For more than 10
years, Bob Cummins has spent countless weekends
and hours volunteering as a rowing race
official. Like many of the employees at
Pocock Racing Shells who are actively involved
in rowing, he doesn’t do it for money
or fame. He simply does it for the love
of the sport.
USRowing recently recognized Cummins and
his dedication to the sport of rowing by
naming him the winner of the 2004 Julian
Wolf Award. Cummins was presented with this
award to honor his outstanding achievements
and contributions to rowing officiating.
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Cummins brings this same level of performance
to his job at Pocock Racing Shells, where
he builds the carbon fiber wing riggers
for the Hypercarbon™ racing shells.
“I was completely surprised and
had no idea that I was even being considered
for the award,” said Cummins, who
has been a Northwest region rowing official
for more than 10 years. “I didn’t
think I was doing anything different than
anyone else, but apparently somebody else
does. Somebody in the Northwest snuck one
in on me.”
“Bob has demonstrated the qualities
embodied in the Julian Wolf award more than
any other referee in the region this year,”
said Warren Polensky, fellow USRowing Northwest
region referee. “The quality of his
performance as a referee is consistently
outstanding. He is calm and unflappable
regardless of circumstance, invariably makes
the right decision, and works with great
effectiveness in training candidates and
new officials.”
In addition to his outstanding performance
on the water, Cummins developed and built
portable starting line platforms for starters
and referees. This innovation is one of
numerous ways that he positively impacted
his fellow referees in 2004.
“Let’s face it, most of
us referees are out doing it for the love
of the sport,” said Cummins. “It
keeps you young. You’re around young
folks who are energetic and enthusiastic
and it’s fun to travel across the
country to different regattas where you
meet great people.”
“Bob is one of my favorite officials
and USRowing is lucky to have him in our
ranks,” said Jody Pope, USRowing Membership
Director. “He is selfless and always
finds a way to solve a problem. He seems
to enjoy what he does and has a zest for
life.”
In addition to working at Pocock Racing
Shells, Cummins and his family have a storied
rowing background. Cummins rowed at the
University of Washington in the late 1960s
and is currently active in the Lake Stevens
Rowing Club, where he runs the Head of the
Bull Trout and the Northwest College Championship
regattas.
His daughter, Angie, rowed for the U.S.
national team, winning a gold medal at the
1999 World Championships in the lightweight
quad. His son, Bob Jr., stroked the University
of Washington’s varsity eight that
won the 1997 IRA and rowed in the U.S. men’s
eight that won the 1997 World Championships.
Pocock Racing Shells is proud to have employees
like Bob Cummins who are dedicated to the
sport of rowing both in our shop and on
the water. |
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