Walter "Bud" Raney

Washington's Freshman Coach 1937-1947

Columbia's Crew Coach 1948-1957

Walter "Bud" Raney graduated from the University of Washington in 1935 and rowed on the varsity crew 1933-1935 (he rowed on the freshman crew in 1932).  Upon graduation, he became an assistant to Washington's freshman coach, Tom Bolles.  When Bolles left to become head coach at Harvard, Raney took over as freshman coach and coached 3 crews to victory at Poughkeepsie, in 1937, 1939, and 1947 respectively.  Bob Moch assisted Raney with the coaching of the freshman and lightweight crews from 1937-1939.

Raney continued at Washington, taking 2 1/2 years off to serve in the Navy during World War II, until 1947.  In September of that year, he was appointed head crew coach at Columbia.  During his time at Columbia, Raney was not successful in putting together a winning IRA crew due mostly to struggles recruiting a crew as well as a poor course, the Harlem River, to train and develop a crew.  The highest Columbia placed in the IRA was 5th in 1953.  Despite Raney's lack of success, he was well respected by his peers who considered him to be a good trainer and coach.  While his crews did not win, they were considered to be the smoothest in their oarsmanship.

Ultimately, Raney left Columbia and crew coaching behind to pursue a career in business in 1957.  He cited the lack of success in putting together a crew as one of his reasons for leaving.

Sources about Raney:

Men's Crew History 1930-1939, University of Washington

Men's Crew History 1940-1949, University of Washington

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