John Nunn

In 1960, John Nunn, a towering and determined 18-year-old standing six feet six inches tall, arrived at Cornell University’s freshman orientation with every intention of trying out for the football team, following in the footsteps of his father, Harold, a Cornell graduate and former Boston Shamrocks pro player. But fate had other plans. While waiting in line to register for classes, John was approached by Bill Stowe, captain of the crew team, who encouraged him to consider rowing instead. Coach Walt Schlaepfer, stationed at the rowing booth, also immediately recognized John’s potential. Although he had never tried the sport before, John decided to take a chance. Within weeks, he’d found his calling.

After earning his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1966, John relocated to Los Angeles to pursue Olympic training year-round in Long Beach. From there, his rowing career skyrocketed. He amassed countless accolades, awards, and medals, most notably a silver medal in the Single Scull at the 1967 Pan American Games and a bronze medal in Double Sculls at the 1968 Olympic Games. In 1971, he claimed another bronze medal at the Pan American Games. Five years later, John served as head coach for the US Men’s Team in the 1976 Olympic Games. He’s coached a slew of Olympians and elite athletes, graced the pages of numerous magazines and newspapers, delivered motivational talks to students and athletes worldwide, and continued to compete in international Master’s competitions until age 78. John, also a former avid skier and marathon runner, was inducted into the Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 and the US Rowing Hall of Fame in 2024. He spearheaded the redesign of the Pete Archer Rowing Center at the historic 1932 Marine Stadium—the venue for the 2028 Olympic Games—creating accessibility for adaptive athletes and establishing dedicated facilities for women.

Dubbed one of the greatest oarsmen of all-time, John is admired not only for his athletic achievements but also for his optimism, generosity, resilience, humility, and unwavering devotion to his family—his wife, Maureen, whom he met on a blind date in 1966, along with their five children and five grandchildren.