Melbourne High School Crew Team Competes At State Championships, Scholastic Nationals
By Space Coast Daily // August 21, 2015
hosting fundraising event on Aug 26
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – For 38 years, the Melbourne High School Crew Team has been helping the youth of our community discover the life-long sport of rowing.
Originally sponsored by teachers Pat Hernacki and Earl Wheeler, this organization consistently grew and developed into what it is today.
For 32 years, Florida Tech provided storage and a practice site, as well as former rowers as team coaches. The team has since moved their home to Ballard Park. Every season, Brevard County’s youth participate in the competitive and skill-building programs.
During the summer, their developmental summer program draws student-athletes who want to go on to join Mel Hi Crew when school starts. Competitive rowing has gained tremendously in popularity nationally and in Florida, and it is now booming in the Brevard area.
You may have seen the long, slender shells as they glide atopthe Indian River, propelled by the synchronous and powerful strokes of eight student athletes, guided by a ninth youth who sets the cadence.
Since it’s inception, there has always been an attitude of healthy competitiveness and energy that drives the kids and parents from year to year.
Now, thirty-eight years later MHS Rowing is still competing at the state championships and scholastic nationals. Florida rowers have shown themselves to be among the top in the country, and Melbourne High School Crew has a chance to compete against the very best at every regatta.
The team has represented Melbourne High School in local, state, regional, and national competitions.
The MHS crew team travels the state and beyond representing Melbourne at some of the most competitive regattas available for junior rowers They participate in 8 or more regattas annually, including the famous Head of the Hooch in Tennessee and the Nationals in New Jersey.
Their athletes have competed in Nationals every year in the last 20 years, where they face some of the best teams in the U.S. Thousands of spectators see them in action each year.
In addition, former rowers have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, earn scholarships, and also moved into coaching positions at various levels.
Did you know that the Mel High Crew Team is entirely supported by parents, volunteers and fundraising?
The MHS Crew Team have the local community to thank for its financial support through sponsoring, ads and fundraisers.
All of the funds are reinvested in the program and used for equipment, coaching, and competition. As the team grows in size, enters more regattas, and needs additional equipment, they need more support to keep the team going strong.
To expand their outreach and capabilities, they have developed a corporate sponsorship program.There are opportunities to be involved at 3 different levels.
They will be at the Five Guys in Palm Bay on August 26 from 5-9 p.m. and the Walmart in Indian Harbor Beach on September 26 collecting donations if you’d like to come out and support them.
November 6 and 7, the crew team will be doing their annual Erg-a-thon in Downtown Melbourne. In addition, there will be several other fundraisers throughout the year at various events and locations.
They are a 501(c)3 and accept donations of equipment and financial support. If you are interested in being a sponsor, or helping the team in another way, please visit the website here.
