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James A. Ten Eyck Collection

An inventory of his collection at the Syracuse University Archives


Finding aid created by: Anna Smallwood
Date: 2016



Biography

Photograph of James A. Ten Eyck

James A. Ten Eyck (1851-1938) was a Syracuse University rowing coach for 35 years during the early 20th century. Born on October 16, 1851 in Tompkins Cove, New York, Ten Eyck made his career as a rowing coach. At age 13, he won his first rowing race and by 16, his first single scull race. Along with three others, Ten Eyck won the Championship of the World in England in 1884. By 1899, Ten Eyck began coaching for the crews at the United States Naval Academy and remained there until 1901. Two years later, he started at Syracuse University as a rowing coach. Under Ten Eyck’s lead, Syracuse Varsity and Freshman teams won the Poughkeepsie Regatta, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association's National Championship, several times. During the summers, he coached at the Duluth Boat Club, leading its crews to many titles.

Just as Ten Eyck was coached by his father and grandfather, he in turn coached his two sons, Edward H. (Ned) Ten Eyck and James E. Ten Eyck. Under the guidance of his father, Ned, at age 17, after winning all he could in the United States, competed and won the Diamond Sculls Championship in England, being the first American to do so. Walter Hoover, who also won this title in 1922, was coached by Ten Eyck as well.

Ten Eyck was known to the Syracuse community as the “Grand Old Man of Rowing” or simply the “Old Man.” He was well beloved by his teams as well as the larger rowing community. On May 28, 1937, the James A. Ten Eyck Boat House, now called the James A. Ten Eyck Memorial Boathouse located at Long Branch Park in Liverpool, New York, was dedicated in his honor. He later died on February 11, 1938.


Scope and Content Note

The James A. Ten Eyck Collection includes materials relating to his time as a Syracuse University rowing coach, as well as a large section of clippings. This collection, dating from 1875 to 1964, has two series: Personal Material and Printed Material.

The Personal Material series is composed of Ten Eyck's photographs, correspondence, scrapbooks and memorabilia including event ribbons. Photographs depict him, his teams and his family. Correspondence includes letters Ten Eyck received during his career as a Syracuse University rowing coach. The two scrapbooks in the collection are a compilation of clippings he saved during his career.

The Printed Material series, which comprises the majority of the collection, include clippings and articles relating to Ten Eyck, his family, his work as a Syracuse University coach, rowing and people he coached.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.


Related Material

University publications were removed and placed in the Reference Collections within the Archives.

The Archives holds a clippings file and a portrait file on James A. Ten Eyck as well as materials related to Syracuse University men's rowing in the Athletics Collection.


Selected Search Terms

Names

Ten Eyck, James A.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Rowing.
Higher education.
Rowing coaches.

Types of Material

Clippings files.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

James A. Ten Eyck Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

The Archives has no information about the acquisition of the James A. Ten Eyck Collection.

Processing Information

Materials were rehoused in archival folders and boxes. Clippings were photocopied and the originals were discarded.


Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order except clippings, which are in chronological order.


Table of Contents

Personal Material

Printed Material


Inventory