Our History

Stanton Rowing began in 1990 when students approached two teachers (Steve Hitchcock who had rowing and coaching experience at Jacksonville University, and Tess Durant) and asked if they would start a crew. Since that time, these teachers have inspired the Stanton crew to row at nationally and internationally competitive levels.

During the summer of 1990, parents and rowers worked with the coaches to repair the program’s first boats, acquired by parents on a weekend road trip to Atlantic City, NJ. These wooden boats were in very poor condition, one dating from the early 1970’s and the other from the early 1980’s, but they were proudly rowed that fall in Stanton’s first race, the 1990 Florida First Coast Head Race. Today our fleet includes 36 rowing shells, including eights, fours, singles, doubles and quads.

The coaches, rowers and parents have accomplished a great deal with limited financial help. The Duval County School Board’s approval of Crew as a Varsity Sport at Stanton in 1993 came with the proviso that the Board would not provide direct financial support.

The Head Coaches are volunteers. Coaches, rowers, parents and friends have conducted all of the successful fund-raising activities. Stanton Rowing’s first home, a lean-to shelter at Jacksonville University, was built by parents and rowers in 1990 and was used through 1995. With the help of the City of Jacksonville, the Stanton Rowing Foundation purchased the ideal rowing location at River Bank Court, almost 2 acres with 300 feet on the Arlington River, in 1996.

After beginning in a borrowed barge with wooden oars we now have, thanks to the hard work and generosity of our parents and donors, a fleet of competition grade shells. We have four wakeless launches, and a wonderful floating dock.

Since 1994, Stanton Crew has won five national titles and more than 100 State Championships. Stanton rowers have participated in gold medal wins at Worlds as part of the Junior National Team. Many Stanton rowers continue to row in college, some with full scholarships.