Alumni Spotlight: Marty Torrey ‘72

Navy Commander Marty Torrey '72. Photo from Marty Torrey 72'

From the strokes of a crew oar to the discipline and hardship of military service, Marist College alumni Marty Torrey ‘72 has gone from rowing at the river’s edge to the front lines of Naval duty and beyond. But it all started with a commitment to the crew team.

“In the fall of 1968, there were 44 of us that showed up for the crew. In the spring of 1972, there were three of us left,” said Torrey. 

At the beginning of Torrey's college crew career, he was recruited by some of the juniors and seniors walking around the dorm rooms, and ever since then, he has maintained deep connection with his team — even over 50 years after graduation.

“A teammate equates to being a shipmate,” said Torrey.

At the time, Torrey had to choose between the crew lifestyle or having a social life on campus. As a rower, the campus is awake when you go to bed and asleep when you wake up. Somewhat similar to the experience of being a Navy officer, somewhat isolated from the rest of the world — and yet, Torrey wouldn’t have traded it for anything.

“Knowing what I know now, I would do it again,” said Torrey. “There was a big part of being on the crew team for four years that made you feel good about yourself.”

After Torrey’s time at Marist, he enlisted in the Navy and attended the Navy Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. And when the officers showed Torrey the rigorous obstacle course, it was nothing compared to the early morning crew workouts.

“That's it, are you kidding me?” said Torrey. 

Helping him along the way was Paul Rinn ‘68, the President of the Marist Alumni Association for over 11 years, who passed away last year. Although they did not cross paths at the college, they did in the Navy, where Rinn became something of a role model for Torrey, helping him stay out of trouble and showing him the ropes. 

But Marist is still where it all began. And for students walking onto the crew team, Torrey admits that the lifestyle is a demanding one. Still, it is a great way to start the day already feeling accomplished, and just as it did for Torrey, it teaches the essential skills of discipline, respect and commitment. 

“That's who I am,” he said. “Don’t quit, keep rowing.”

Marty Torrey '72 rowing with classmate Matt O'Brien at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association nationals in Syracuse in June 1972. Photo from Marty Torrey 72'.