Vivian Nickalls

Pennsylvania's Crew Coach 1913-1915

Vivian Nickalls was an English sculler and educated at Magdalen College, Oxford.  He competed in a number of events while at Oxford and won a number of prizes.  He and his brother, Guy Nickalls, competed in "The Boat Race" between Oxford and Cambridge in 1891.  He won the Diamond Sculls (single scull race) at Henley in 1891 and the Wingfield Sculls (pair of single sculls racing side by side) in 1892 and 1894.

After he left Oxford, he and his brother joined the London Rowing Club and again won several prizes including the Wingfield Sculls in 1895.  They won the Silver Goblets race at Henley in 1894, 1895, and 1896.  Their father donated the Nickalls Challenge Cup commemorating the triple win in this race.  Vivian was also part of the London Rowing Club boat that won the Stewards' Challenge Cup in 1895.  He retired from rowing in 1896.

After retirement, he worked in his father's stockbroking business.  In 1908, he came to the U.S. to serve as coach of the Detroit Boat Club and continued there as coach until 1912.  In 1913, he was hired by the University of Pennsylvania as head coach.  He stayed there through 1915, when he returned home to enlist in the army during WWI.

He passed away in 1947.

Writings by Nickalls:

Oars, Wars, & Horses (1932)

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