The University of Washington has established the first endowed head-coaching position in UW Athletics history for Men's Rowing in honor of the late Blake Nordstrom, thanks to significant gifts from the Nordstrom family.

By the Numbers
  • Blake Nordstrom, Class of '82, had a deep connection to UW, rowing for the university and being part of the Washington Rowing Stewards.
  • Blake Nordstrom passed away in 2019 at the age of 58, leaving a lasting legacy in rowing and the UW community.
Yes, But

While the Nordstrom gifts create a landmark coaching position, they come at a challenging time for Olympic sport programs facing budget cuts nationwide.

State of Play
  • The gifts from the Nordstrom family have solidified UW Rowing's legacy, tying it closely to the Nordstrom name for generations to come.
  • Michael Callahan, the Men's Rowing head coach, will now hold the inaugural Blake Nordstrom Endowed Head Coach title, emphasizing the values and lessons instilled by Blake.
What's Next

The establishment of the endowed coaching position not only ensures the future of rowing at UW but also carries forward the values and dedication exemplified by Blake Nordstrom for upcoming generations of athletes and coaches.

Bottom Line

The Nordstrom family's generous gifts have not only secured a landmark coaching position at UW but have also immortalized Blake Nordstrom's influence, values, and commitment to rowing, shaping the future of the sport and its athletes at the university.