By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Bob Ernst has been cementing his legacy at Washington for four decades. To celebrate his dedication to the university and its rowing program, GoHuskies.com presents a collection of five stories told from the perspective of people who have worked with and rowed for the coach. | Series Home
When Silas Harrington looks back on his college career and thinks about Bob Ernst, the former standout rower at Washington said that, in a way, he feels bad for the coach. That is, at least during Ernst’s time as the men’s coach at the university.
“Young men in that age group don’t make the best choices,” Harrington said with a laugh.
Harrington helped the Huskies’ varsity eight win an IRA National Championship in 1997. He was one of many rowers Ernst has helped mold from teenagers to men during his 40-year career on Montlake.
Now raising children of his own, Harrington credits Ernst with helping him get through those times he was one of the young men making choices that weren’t advisable.
“He handled them in a great way and made me a better person as opposed to destroying me and throwing me away or not addressing some of my failings,” Harrington said. “The fact that he did stand up, address them and let me move forward allowed me to enjoy the success I was able to have with the program.
“Washington rowing had a tremendous impact on my life, and Bob in particular.”
As years pass and the distance between Harrington and his college career grows he continues to be impressed by Ernst’s organizational skills.
“Whenever we traveled, and we traveled quite a bit, there were never any loose ends,” he said. “Our boats were always there. The hotel rooms were always ready for us. You just did not have to worry about trying to figure out where you were supposed to be, because Bob was so well organized.”
At the time, it was easy for the rowers in the program to take that organization for granted. That was all the athletes knew.
“I didn’t realize how important that was to success until now, looking back on it, that was something he brought to the table that was really important to the success we had,” Harrington said.
“I didn’t realize that was a special skill set he had. Bob just has a great way of taking care of all the details, so the athletes don’t have to worry about anything other than showing up and getting the job done.”
Harrington remembers Ernst often “yelling about dark bananas.” He still isn’t quite sure what that means, but he uses the saying with his children.
“Whenever they’re misbehaving I say, ‘Well, that’s going to be dark bananas for you,’” he said.
To this day, when things get “sticky,” Harrington still calls Ernst for advice.
“He remains an important influence in my life,” Harrington said. “He has good insights on how to deal with people.”
Before the end of a recent interview, Harrington started to laugh: “What strikes me now about Bob is I used to think he was so old when I was rowing there and I see him now and the guy really hasn’t aged much at all.”
For Washington’s rowing program, the years pass, but Ernst remains constant.
