Patrick Okens is a proud U of T alum, avid rower and now author of a new book that captures the 126+ year history and magic of the Varsity Blues Rowing team. Blues Before Sunrise: Rowing at the University of Toronto is 100 pages full of stories and images capturing hard work, team spirit, adventures and champions. The coffee table book even includes an all-time alphabetical roster of more than 2,800 Blues alumni. We sat down with Okens to learn more about this chapter in his life.
What is your history with U of T and rowing?
I was on the U of T rowing team from 1993 to 1997 - twice on Ontario University champion crews - and have coached in the years since. As a master’s student of history, I did my thesis on the history of rowing at U of T. It was the perfect blend of mind and body for me.
What did you learn through this process?
That this book isn’t about rowing, really. It’s about young people finding themselves and their lifelong community, by taking on challenges together. University rowing is great for that.
Do you have a favourite part of the book?
The best line in the book is from rowing alum Tony Miller. He wrote me a letter a long time ago which said: ‘It was cold, dark and awful. And I was hooked!’ That line really captures the joy that can be had in simple hardships, shared with friends.
What do you hope people take away from this book?
For alumni and the current student-athletes, that they reflect on rowing as a gift in their life—one that has brought us together on the shores of a lake that has challenged us and taught us so much. And for U of T students who have yet to discover the hard, beautiful sport of rowing, I hope they decide ‘I want some of that.’
This book was years in the making. Who has been an inspiration on this journey?
In rowing, we value people who create a stable platform on the water. In my life, my family is masters at keeping the boat balanced. My mom and sister, not rowers, have supported me despite not really seeing the appeal of this thing I was doing at dark o’clock. And my dad, a rower like his father before him, got me into rowing. Like many of us, at first, I was terrible at it, but I never felt the pressure from him. And that parenting strategy paid off, it’s fair to say. Even dad had this to say once: ‘Rowing is the most important unimportant thing there is.’
Where are copies available?
This book is for anyone with an interest in a slice of Toronto history, sports and U of T. It’s available at https://my.alumni.utoronto.ca/s/731/form-blank/index.aspx?sid=731&gid=51&pgid=20813&cid=34609&ecid=34609 for $50 and all proceeds go to Varsity Blues rowing, so the current team benefits from the same experiences as all who came before them.