Ted Sprague is a lifelong resident of Corning, attending schools here and graduating from Corning Free Academy. He got his first taste of rowing while attending Cornell University and has been in love with the sport ever since. During his days at Cornell, Ted was a member of the rowing team. Following a stint in the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1944 as a pilot, Ted returned to Cornell, got his degree and returned to Corning. Ted stayed fit by running and in 1979 a good friend and former Olympic rower, Cal Coffey, came to Corning and built racing shells. Ted bought one in 1980 and began competing shortly thereafter. He began win​ning medals each year with the Head of Charles race in Boston holding a special challenge for Ted. He's won this most prestigious race three times and holds the course record. He's been competing in national and international races since the late 1970s and still com​petes today. He races singles, doubles, and is a member of the Golden Eight, a team that rows in an eight oared shell in International competition.