Hall of Fame
A two-time captain, Robert McNamara was a four-year member of Hobart’s varsity eight. He won four Liberty League Championships and was a part of four Liberty League Crews of the Year. One of the most decorated rowers in program history, McNamara helped elevate Hobart rowing to new heights.
As a first-year, McNamara made an instant impact on the lineup. He won a gold medal with the novice eight in his collegiate debut at the HWS Challenge on the Canal. He went on to win a bronze medal with the novice eight at the Syracuse Invitational and finished fourth at the Head of the Genesee with the 2V8. McNamara made his varsity eight debut at the Head of the Charles. Hobart finished 10th of 40 crews at the regatta. In the spring, McNamara won a gold medal at the Liberty League Championships with the varsity eight, earning his first Liberty League Crew of the Year Award. The Statesmen 1V followed that up with a bronze medal at the New York State Championships and a fourth-place finish at the ECAC NIRC.
McNamara’s second season in Geneva was just as successful as his first. In the fall he guided the varsity eight to a ninth-place finish at the Head of the Charles Regatta, a one-place improvement from the previous fall. In the spring, the Statesmen 1V was golden, capturing first place at the Liberty League Championships, and the New York State Championships. At the ECAC-NIRC, Hobart captured a bronze medal. McNamara also collected All-Liberty League recognition following his sophomore year.
In his first year as a captain, McNamara helped the Statesmen varsity eight place seventh at the Head of the Charles Regatta, continuing the team’s upward trajectory at the world’s largest two-day regatta. In the spring, Hobart posted an undefeated season, capturing gold medals at the Liberty League and New York State Championships. McNamara and the 1V claimed the first gold medal in program history at the ECAC NIRC regatta in May. The Statesmen qualified for the IRA National Championships and placed 19th overall. Following the season, McNamara was named to the Liberty League Crew of the Year for the third straight year.
The summer following his junior year, McNamara and teammate August Wherry ‘16 were named to Team USA and competed at the U-23 World Championships in Italy. The duo won the petite final by seven seconds. They were just the fifth and sixth Statesmen to compete for the U.S. National Team.
Back in Geneva, McNamara and the Hobart 1V won silver medals at the Head of the Charles Regatta during the fall of his senior year. In the spring, Hobart’s varsity eight was once again tabbed the Liberty League Crew of the Year following a gold medal at the conference championship. The Statesmen went on to win a silver medal at the ECAC NIRCs and the Knecht Cup. At the IRA National Championships, the varsity eight finished 16th.
McNamara earned the team’s Rookie Award in 2012 and the S. Ford Weiskittel Most Valuable Oarsman Award in 2014. Following his senior year, he took home the Francis L. “Babe” Kraus ’24 Memorial Award as Hobart’s senior athlete of the year. McNamara is just the second rower to ever win the award.
