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2026 alumni events
2026 alumni events
With the success of this year's new alumni happy hour, we've added another one next month at Three Taverns Brewery in Decatur! Join us for another fun get-together.
Happy Hour @Three Taverns (5-7pm)
Happy Hour @Three Taverns (5-7pm)
July 18th, Atlanta GA
July 18th, Atlanta GA
Head of the charles Registration & Erg Score Submission deadline
Head of the charles Registration & Erg Score Submission deadline
July 27
July 27
Debbie Permenter Boat Dedication
Debbie Permenter Boat Dedication
September 5, Atlanta GA
September 5, Atlanta GA
Head of the Hooch Registration deadline
Head of the Hooch Registration deadline
September 21
September 21
Head of the CHARLES & BOSTON ALUMNI GATHERING
Head of the CHARLES & BOSTON ALUMNI GATHERING
October 17th-19th, Boston MA
October 17th-19th, Boston MA
Homecoming Tailgate
Homecoming Tailgate
October 24th, Atlanta GA
October 24th, Atlanta GA
Head of the Hooch
Head of the Hooch
November 8th-9th, Chattanooga TN
November 8th-9th, Chattanooga TN
Day of Giving
Day of Giving
December 1
December 1
Alumni racing 2026
Alumni racing 2026
GTCA is looking to continue on the success we had in 2025 by putting together boats for both Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) and Head of the Hooch (HOTH) in 2026.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at membership@gtcrewalumni.org
Head of the charles
Head of the charles
Head of the Charles will be held from October 16th-18th, with a practice row on the 16th and racing on the 17th. There are events for both the Men’s and Women’s Alumni 4+ and 8+. We have a guaranteed Men Alumni 4+ for 2026 that we are looking to fill again and we will be placing bids in for the Men's Alumni 8+, Women's Alumnae 4+, and Women's Alumnae 8+. In the circumstance multiple boats receive entries, we'll consult with all alumni who've entered, but will aim to prioritize the boat with the highest odds of requalification.
If you would like to express interest, please fill out this form at the bottom of this section, so we may contact you with any updates, and let you know who else has shown interest. We will be sending out an update to everyone who's filled out the interest form by the end of June.
We will accept applications for a seat until July 27th. By July 27th, we will require you to do a 6k on a static Concept 2 erg. If you are trying to determine training goals, last year the men’s 4+ average 6k split (before injury) was 1:47.9. With post-injury replacements, the boat had a split average of 1:51.3 and placed 11th out of 24 boats (11 seconds from not qualifying). For the women’s 8+, the average was 2:07.8 which placed 34th of 52 boats (18 seconds of qualifying).
Along with an erg score, we are also requiring a $100 refundable deposit to cover entry fees. Additional fees will be charged before the regatta to help cover equipment transportation and will be assessed after all entries are finalized. Last year's total cost was ~$275 per person.
Head of the hooch
Head of the hooch
Head of the Hooch will be held from November 7th to 8th, with alumni racing occurring on the 8th. Hooch only has Men’s and Women’s Alumni 8+ events in which we are trying to fill as many boats as possible.
If you would like to express interest, please fill out this form at the bottom of this section, so we may contact you with any updates, and let you know who else has shown interest.
We will also aim to have purposefully filled competitive boats as well as casual boats. If you wish to participate in the competitive boats a 6k is required, but we still ask that everyone who wishes to race sends in a 6k so we can better create line-ups. Please aim to have a 6k on a static concept 2 erg by September 21st.
The deposit for Head of the Hooch is still TBA, but expect more details come September when we have a better idea around costs. Last year, the cost was around $40 per person.
Program takes big leap at ACRA NATIONALS
Program takes big leap at ACRA NATIONALS
On the men's side, GT put out three varsity 8+s at ACRA nationals, a significant leap from last year when Tech sent its first ever varsity heavyweight 8+ at the regatta. Entering three 8+'s drew admiration from several of the big mainstay programs as Tech continues to represent the southern region with pride. The Varsity 8+ finished 17th this year, significantly improved from its 24th place finish last year, and highlighted by the boat pulling the 13th fastest time during heats. The 8+ finished 4 seconds behind George Washington and Michigan and 5 seconds ahead of UNC. The second and third varsity 8+ both finished in 15th and 10th respectively, which represent phenomenal starting points for the shells going into ACRA 2027. The goal for next year is to push all three 8+s into the petite finals.
On the women's side, the varsity put out and prioritized their first ever varsity heavyweight 8+ for ACRA and finished 18th, a big step in program trajectory. With the novice women's 4+ placing 10th, the 8+ will certainly take an enormous leap next year as they look to also push into the petite final in the 8's.
The program also put out an array of small boats with a Men's Ligthweight 4+ that finished 10th, a Women's 2- that finished 14th, and a Women's 2x that finished 19th.
Thank you to Rhiannon Morgan Jones '00 for the pictures and continuing to support the program during its Oak Ridge trips!
All-ACRA Awards
All-ACRA Awards
ACRA South ALL-region Coach
ACRA South ALL-region Coach
Tim Pierce '21
Tim Pierce '21
ACRA South ALL-region Team
ACRA South ALL-region Team
Connor Peterson '29
Connor Peterson '29
Congratulations to Tim Pierce and Connor Peterson for earning All-ACRA recognition! They join several past rowers and coaches in earning these honors.
Supporting the Road to ACRA 2027
Supporting the Road to ACRA 2027
Giving to the endowment today creates momentum to allow the program to thrive. Every dollar you give helps the team achieve competitive success in the following tangible ways:
Lake Lure Spring Training Trip:
The team successfully completed 12 sessions over 7 days without any practice cancellations at this pristine location. Training here, while slightly more expensive than locations in the past, was incredibly valuable towards buidling the speed that allowed for this year's Spring success.
Fleet Management:
Per our five year plan, the team has reached its first benchmark in purchasing it's first shell, the Debbie Permenter, which was raced this year at ACRA nationals.
Coaching Recruitment and Retention:
Success in rowing programs is built over many years and cycles, which can only occur when coaches stay for 5+ years. Supporting the endowment lets the team continue to offer our coaches competitive salaries and allows success to compound over time.
When you give to the endowment, you are contributing to a community-centered perpetual gift to the program which gives it the flexibility to meet the needs of the day. With stewardship from alumni and advisors, the endowment has and contniues to be leveraged to improve program strength and vault us ahead of our peer rowing programs.
In 2027, the GTCA aims to:
Continue to support the team as needed in executing another successful Spring Training Trip
Turn over old inventory and help deliver a Men's 8+ to remain on track with our Five-Year fleet turnover plan.
Provide alumni engaging opportunities to connect with the wider GT Crew community
Ways to Give
Ways to Give
Visit GTCA's Endowment Campaign through PayPal here to make a donation. Donating through here is tax-deductible and you'll receive a receipt upon donation.
2) By Check
2) By Check
Checks should be payable to "GTCA Charitable, Inc." with "GT Crew Endowment" on the memo line and mailed to PO BOX 550494 ATLANTA GA 30355-2994
3) By Donor Advised Fund
3) By Donor Advised Fund
GTCA Charitable's Tax ID Number: 45-1586583
Address: PO BOX 550494 ATLANTA GA 30355-2994
4) By Will or Living Trust
4) By Will or Living Trust
Please email janet.kinard@alumni.gatech.edu for instructions on how to make a gift by stock transfer or bank wire.
Team Banquet
Team Banquet
Prior to ACRA, the GTCA held an End of Year Banquet for the team to welcome freshely graduated seniors to the alumni group and celebrate this year's achievements. For the last decade, this ceremony was held at Penn AC during Dad Vails with the help of Kris Batol, David Judah, and Curt Browder. Since the team has prioritized ACRA, it only felt right that the GTCA take up the mantle of hosting this gathering. The following Georgia Tech Crew members earned awards chosen by the coaches. The Edmonds and Woodburn awards are given to the team members who best exemplify the spirit of Brian Edmonds and Catherine Woodburn respectively.
Most Valuable Varsity Oarsman: Connor Peterson
Most Valuable Novice Oarsman: Cooper Grant
Most Valuable Varsity Oarswoman: Sophie Pegnia
Most Valuable Novice Oarswoman: Stella Song
Most Improved Varsity Oarsman: Luke Rhodes
Most Improved Novice Oarsman: James Hostetter
Most Improved Varsity Oarswoman: Hailey Weitzel
Most Improved Novice Oarswoman: Gabriella Peburn
The Edmonds Award: Stephen Cross
The Woodburn Award: Kinzley Lebeda
Men's Coaches' Award: Margaret Moe
Women's Coaches Award: Sophie Andersen
Most Outstanding Contributor: Alan Saju
John Hunter Award: Alec Kaye
Dedicating the Debbie Permenter
Dedicating the Debbie Permenter
On September 5th, Georgia Tech Crew will officially dedicate our newest shell, the Debbie Permenter, honoring a founding member and the first coach of the team. In addition to recognizing all that Debbie gave to the team, we will also be celebrating the life of Jeff Woodard, whose teammates from the '93 Lightweight 8+ donated a seat on behalf of, nickname included.
Join us in celebrating these key figures in GT Crew history and commemorating the impact they had on the program.
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