This year's regatta will feature more than 5,000 athletes in 868 boats competing in 130 races, from boys' freshman eight time trials at 8 a.m. Friday to the boys' senior eight final at 5:50 p.m. Saturday.
Around 176 high schools from eight states, Washington, D.C., and Canada will be represented in what organizers are calling the largest high school regatta ever, and anticipated attendance at Philadelphia's historic home for rowing - counting competitors, coaches, parents, family, fans, and alumni - is 25,000.
Barker might not know everybody, although he'll chat up a large percentage. But everybody knows him.
"He's an institution on Boathouse Row," said Clete Graham, former commodore of the Schuylkill Navy, the association of 10 clubs on Boathouse Row, and current director of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. "He's a legendary figure."
Since Barker's first season in 1962, his boats at Haverford School have won more than 150 city championships, and more than 100 Stotesbury Cup championships. This year's team is young and might not add to the total, although the old coach knows his guys will compete.
"We might have a chance in one or two events," Barker said. "This is a young group, so they need patience. It's a matter of staying with them and seeing what happens."
Barker's love for the sport, wisdom, and coaching ability provide unlimited opportunities for his athletes, according to Geordie Coffin, head coach of the Boston College crew team. Coffin rowed under Barker at the Haverford School, graduating in 2004.
