Temple University Athletics
Temple Mourns Passing of Men's Crew Captain Tony Ashburn
8.9.19 | Men's Crew
PHILADELPHIA -Â Tony Ashburn, who served as the captain of Temple University's first varsity crew team, passed away on August 3 at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware surrounded by his family. He was 76.Â
"Tony holds a special place in the history Temple Men's Crew and for me in particular" said teammate David Lagan. "Not only was he the first captain of the first crew but he was a significant catalyst in the early success of the team. Â
Tony was several years older than any of us on the early crews. Â He was the only one with any serious club rowing experience (Vesper). Â At the time of the formation of the team, Temple was a joke around boathouse row not only because we rowed out of the Canoe Club (not exactly a prestigious address at the time), but also we were a bunch on walk-on nobodies who were being coached by Tom Curran who many on the row considered well past his prime. Â
As our captain, Tony somehow was able to make us believe that we could do as well as anyone else on boathouse row (or anywhere else for that matter), as long as we followed the Bear's plan for success that included rigorous workouts, a proper diet and a curfew (not practices embraced by teenagers in the late 60's). Â Indeed, he enforced those rules when any one of us were suspected of digression. Â His attitude about how to achieve success and how to win as an underdog has been passed along through all of us from the early Temple crews down to the team today and no doubt will continue into the future."
Visitation will be held on Saturday August 10th at 11:00 am at Maple Dale Country Club in Dover, Del. with the memorial service to follow at 12 pm. The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Through the Eyes of Children (www.camerakids.photos) a charity for which his daughter has volunteered.
"Tony holds a special place in the history Temple Men's Crew and for me in particular" said teammate David Lagan. "Not only was he the first captain of the first crew but he was a significant catalyst in the early success of the team. Â
Tony was several years older than any of us on the early crews. Â He was the only one with any serious club rowing experience (Vesper). Â At the time of the formation of the team, Temple was a joke around boathouse row not only because we rowed out of the Canoe Club (not exactly a prestigious address at the time), but also we were a bunch on walk-on nobodies who were being coached by Tom Curran who many on the row considered well past his prime. Â
As our captain, Tony somehow was able to make us believe that we could do as well as anyone else on boathouse row (or anywhere else for that matter), as long as we followed the Bear's plan for success that included rigorous workouts, a proper diet and a curfew (not practices embraced by teenagers in the late 60's). Â Indeed, he enforced those rules when any one of us were suspected of digression. Â His attitude about how to achieve success and how to win as an underdog has been passed along through all of us from the early Temple crews down to the team today and no doubt will continue into the future."
Visitation will be held on Saturday August 10th at 11:00 am at Maple Dale Country Club in Dover, Del. with the memorial service to follow at 12 pm. The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Through the Eyes of Children (www.camerakids.photos) a charity for which his daughter has volunteered.
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