A pioneering set of gifts from the Nordstrom family has established the first endowed coaching position for Husky Athletics. The Blake Nordstrom Endowed Coach in Men’s Rowing is aimed at providing a secure source of revenue for the Head Coach position.
“My deepest gratitude to the Nordstrom family for their loyalty and leadership, and for this impactful gift that will have a lasting influence on a sport that has come to define the character and deep tradition of Washington Athletics,” Director of Athletics Pat Chun said.
Blake Nordstrom, co-president of the Nordstrom retail empire until his death at age 58 in 2019, was a longtime mentor, donor and advocate for Washington Rowing. In an interview shortly before his passing, he called rowing “a really rich and important experience in my life, a chapter I’m very proud of.”
His family’s ties to Washington Rowing date back nearly a century. Blake’s maternal grandfather, Willard Wakeman, crewed in the late 1920s. His father and uncle, Bruce and John Nordstrom, rowed in the 1950s, with Blake picking up the oars for Washington in 1982.
“Our children, Alex and Andy, and I are thrilled to support this new endowed position for a program that meant so much to Blake,” notes Molly Nordstrom, Blake’s widow. “He valued crew so highly — the sport itself — and the everlasting bonds he made with his teammates. He wanted everyone to have that, he really considered it one of the great blessings in his life.”
The endowment will help ensure the sustainability of one of the most storied sports in Washington history. If you would like to contribute to the future of Men’s Rowing and honor the legacy of Blake Nordstrom, you may donate to the endowment at GoHuskies.com/NordstromCoach.
The lasting power of Husky endowments
Endowments are the gifts that keep on giving. When you establish an endowment, the principal of your donation remains intact. The interest it earns each year — typically 3.6 percent — supports the scholarship, coaching position or program that you endow.
Endowments create a stable, ongoing source of funding. The more scholarships, coaching positions and programs are endowed, the more funds are freed up to support other critical program and department needs.
Individuals, families, friends or groups of alumni can join together to start an endowment with an investment of $100,000. You may continue to add to your endowment through the years to improve its ability to support the sport you love.
To learn how you can make a lasting impact through an endowment, contact Lee Grever at [email protected] or 206.399.0283.
