On May 11, 2019, my friend Raoul and I will be competing in an Ironman triathlon in Sonoma County, California. Raoul is friend from high school who swam for a Division I program in college and who shares my enthusiasm for absurd soul-crushing feats of endurance athletics. The Ironman initially represented a next-level fitness goal for me to work towards now that I am no longer competing as an intercollegiate rower, but it has taken on a new significance in recent months. On one level, working towards a challenging fitness goal has sustained me through the frequent uncertainties of post-graduation life. On another level, my training has allowed me to reflect on my experiences on the rowing team and to remember certain teammates who best embody the values of Virginia Rowing.
In this respect, my thoughts have regularly turned to Nick Marshall. Although it has been a year since Nick’s passing, I am frequently reminded of Nick’s tenacious, friendly, and generous spirit. The same has been the case for my fellow 2018 alumni. As a result, I wondered if it would be possible to meaningfully and respectfully dedicate my race to Nick. I reached out to the Marshall family in January and have been in regular contact with Mrs. Marshall to exchange ideas about how to use this triathlon to best honor Nick. We would like to use the event to raise awareness for mental health among students. Nick grappled with depression by himself without asking for help, and the depth of his illness was ultimately masked by the success he achieved in every area of his life.
We hope this initiative will catalyze charitable giving to the Virginia Rowing Nick Marshall Fund to support a lasting team emphasis on mental health. Most importantly, we hope to respectfully commemorate Nick and his lasting contributions to the culture of Virginia Rowing.