What is the importance of Harvard in the nonfiction book, The Amateurs?

Harvard University is the home of one of the nation's best rowing teams, at least amongst male competitors. It is brought up in the first chapter because it is one of the places where the champions found in this book improve their abilities.

It is located in the East, where the majority of the best rowing teams are located. This private college serves as the background for a large portion of the events in the book. Much of the time the details are limited to ones relevant to rowing.