Members of the rowing team understand the concept of teamwork. Eight people work together in unison, using precise body movements to place the blades into the water with immense force, propelling the boat forward at the fastest possible speed. Being on the same page at all times is what helps the crew perform at its peak, and the head coaches for the men’s and women’s crews set the example.

So it’s a good thing for Ithaca that the two head coaches have had 11 years of marriage to work together.

Dan Robinson, the men’s coach for 27 years, and Becky Robinson, the women’s coach for the past 13 years, like any other coaches at Ithaca, spend six or seven days a week at their day jobs as head coaches of the rowing teams. But when the day is over, the Robinsons head home together to two young boys eagerly awaiting their return.

In more ways than one, the marriage has only helped to carry on a tradition of winning for the Bombers’ rowing teams.

“I really have an invested interest in his team and he really has an invested interest in my team beyond what maybe two other men’s and women’s coaches might have,” Becky Robinson said. “The closeness in our relationship carries over to the closeness of the two crews and helps them get along and respect each other.”

Crew is one of few college sports in which the men’s and women’s teams work together every day. The teams practice at the same place, share each other’s equipment, travel together on the same bus and even share a bathroom at the boathouse. On top of that, there are several championships decided by the combined performances of both crews.

“The unique thing about the rowing program is that we do so much together as a team. In 2001 and 2002 at the ECAC regatta, Ithaca won the points trophy, which combines the finishes of both the men and the women,” Dan Robinson said. “That was my favorite moment and the most representative moment of what the two programs mean to each other.”

With the wins in 2001 and 2002 and the women winning two straight Division III National Championships, there has been plenty to celebrate in recent years. But the success of the team has become dependent on the help the two coaches give each other.

Sophomore Annie Bova rowed for the women’s team for a semester and then made the switch to the varsity coxswain of the men’s team and has seen both coaches at work.

“I know that Dan pays attention to what Becky does during her practices and incorporates it into ours, and I know Becky uses ideas that Dan gives her,” she said. “They have a system that seems to be working well.”

The coaches have different personalities that complement one another in their personal lives and coaching strategies, and they are constantly motivating each other to strive for better results.

“I’m much more restless and goal orientated and trying to move forward, but he’s really good for me because he reminds me that it’s more about enjoying the moment,” Becky Robinson said.

Senior rower Marissa Spitz said both coaches also use each other to express their frustrations so they stay under control around the boathouse.

“Becky is always so calm and focused around the team, and I think that comes from having Dan around to talk to at home about any troubles the team is having,” she said.

With the help of each other, the Robinsons are better able to handle the long and strenuous crew season that keeps them busy for 10 months of the year, either in the office or at the boathouse.

“Of all the places we interact, [the boathouse] is probably the place we interact the least because you are down there you are trying to get prepared for your crews and it’s a big enough space that you’re walking past each other and then you’re out on your boat alone,” Becky Robinson said.

The rest of their time is spent at home, occasionally discussing strategy or watching video of their crews, but usually playing games with 7-year-old Connor and 5-year-old Eli, who produce a welcome break from the stresses of work.

“You get home and they couldn’t care less whether you won, lost, sank or floated,” Dan Robinson said. “So they help and put it in perspective for us.”

The boys don’t seem to mind the fact that their parents are busy with coaching duties throughout most of the fall and spring, as long as the boys can keep doing what they love to do. Both play baseball and soccer and enjoy going to watch the home crew races on Saturdays. But Becky Robinson said when she and Dan Robinson are at work, kids and family life are far from their minds.

“When I’m on the water coaching, I don’t even think about the kids, which is terrible,” she said. “But I don’t think about them once and then I get off the water and I’m back to doing what I need to do.”

The Robinsons spend what little time they have away from coaching during the summers, not surprisingly, either water skiing or wakeboarding on their motorboat.

“Me and water, we are really tight, and we spend a lot of time together,” Dan Robinson said.

Although it might seem like the Robinsons have a schedule more difficult than a stressed-out college student’s during finals week, they don’t seem to mind. That’s good for the members of the crew teams who can only hope their coaches don’t get tired of their hectic schedules any time soon.