Athletics | July 21, 2011

Harvard crew coach Harry Parker undergoes cancer treatment

Harry Parker is receiving treatment and reducing his work schedule.

Harry Parker, the nation's most successful heavyweight crew coach, is undergoing treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a type of blood cancer, according to a report in the Boston Globe by John Powers ’70. The syndrome can be a precursor to leukemia. Next year, the 75-year-old Parker, subject of a Harvard Magazine cover article in 1996, will coach the Crimson oarsmen for his fiftieth season. To make provision for a possibly reduced workload while Parker, Bolles coach of heavyweight rowing, undergoes treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Harvard department of athletics has promoted longtime freshman heavyweight coach Bill Manning to the newly created position of associate head coach of heavyweight rowing. The program plans to hire a new freshman heavyweight coach. In a July message to Harvard Varsity Club members, Parker also shared one of his personal plans: "to get back on the golf course as soon as possible!"

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