CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ROWING.

Post date: Feb 3, 2011 8:02:03 PM

2011 is the 25th year of rowing for Georgia Tech Crew and we intend to spread out the celebrating over the course of the entire year. Please join us in looking back at an amazing quarter century of rowing on the Chattahoochee.

More information on 2011 events and merchandise will be available soon, so keep checking back!

A brief history of the team (read more):

Present day Georgia Tech Rowing was officially started in spring 1986 with the charter of the Rowing Club. The founder and first team president, Michael May, was a Cross-Country Runner with no eligibility left. After being introduced to rowing while co-oping, he and his roommate Mark Turner started to row out of the Atlanta Rowing Club. At ARC, they met the people who would ensure GT Crew’s success: Jeff and Debbie McKenna. These two would coach, employ, row with, and lead the very few rowers whom comprised the small team. The team first got money from the Student Foundation for used boats and used oars – thus giving GT Crew its first equipment.

The first season, fall ’86 / spring ’87 surprised the rowing world with a novice men’s four that medalled in almost all regattas entered and finished 6th at the national championship regatta, Dad Vails. Fall 1987 the team was able to purchase two new boats through a bill passed through the Student Government Association.

The next year, spring 1988, GT Crew was given a gift: John Hunter. Mr. Hunter was a devout Tech supporter and he fell in love with the team. He agreed to sponsor GT Crew on St. Andrews church land and fund a boathouse. One of the reasons why Tech Crew was able to get support from the church was they agreed to help start a high school rowing program: the Saint Andrew’s Rowing Club, named after the church.

The Crew team steadily grew the next couple years and in the nineties, the team started to become the force they are today. With every accomplishment, the team grew in depth and speed. Now in the 2000's, the team is well known all over the country for it's excellent level of coaching, the fierce loyalty of it's members, and their consistent speed on the water.

At the 25 year mark, it is time to take a look back at our team and celebrate our successes. We invite you to send stories, share photos and join us at our events this year as we celebrate GT Crew.

WELCOME TO THE 25TH YEAR OF GEORGIA TECH CREW!!