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During his career at California, Ebright's most persistent rival was Washington's calm, handsome Alvin Martin Ulbrickson, known to all as the Dour Dane. One of the great strokes in Washington rowing history, Ulbrickson led the Huskies to two I.R.A. championships, gave his grittiest performance in 1926 when, with a mile still to go in the four-mile Intercollegiate Rowing Association grind at Poughkeepsie, he tore his shoulder muscles. Staunchly, Ulbrickson rowed on despite the pain. Washington won. Under Ulbrickson's coaching, Washington's freshman, jayvee and varsity crews swept the river in four I.R.A. regattas (1936, 1937, 1948, 1950)—a record never equaled. Suddenly this year, Al Ulbrickson, 55 and looking much younger, decided he had had enough and resigned. Explained Ulbrickson: "After 32 years, well, you lose some enthusiasm—and you've got to have enthusiasm yourself to get it out of the kids." Said his successor, Fillip Leanderson: "Those are pretty big shoes I'm supposed to fill."