Dan Bakinowski, Champion of Women’s Rowing at BU, Dies at 75

Dan Bakinowski, 75, founder of Boston University’s varsity women’s rowing program and a former president of USRowing, died in December.

An attorney, Bakinowski served the sport of rowing through numerous volunteer and leadership positions, including as a founding board member of Boston’s Community Rowing, Inc.

A 1972 cum laude graduate of Boston University, where he rowed and was honored as the university’s scholar-athlete, Bakinowski earned a master’s degree in education from Harvard University and a law degree from BU’s School of Law.

While working full time, Bakinowski coached the first BU women’s rowing program as a volunteer and elevated it from club to varsity status. In 1974, his lightweight and openweight fours won the U.S. national championship, and he took the BU open four to the 1974 World Rowing Championships in Lucerne.

When BU tried to cancel women’s rowing in 1979, Bakinowski rallied supporters to save the program and played a key role in the renovation of BU’s boathouse that resulted in the completion of DeWolfe Boathouse in 1999.

“Dan never dodged the big fights but always met them head on, whether it was saving the programs from cancellation at BU, vigorous championing of Title IX, or being an original supporter and board member at CRI,” said Gary Caldwell, retired IRA commissioner and former USRowing treasurer.

“Of an age when all of us were generalists by necessity, he was among the best. People misjudged his smile and cordial demeanor for weakness, but he had a spine of steel when it was necessary, as it often was.”

Bakinowski is credited with modernizing the management of USRowing, securing its first corporate sponsorships, and advocating successfully for including lightweight rowing in the Olympic Games.

After retiring from practicing law, Bakinowski continued working for community organizations, nonprofits, and foundations, within and outside rowing.

“A gifted polymath” is how Chris Maietta of Weston-Weyland Crew remembered Bakinowski.

“Dan’s enthusiasm, energy, intellect, and rowing expertise will be sorely missed.”

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