ABOUT

Melbourne High School began
participating in the oldest collegiate
sport in America in 1977, sponsored by
teachers Pat Hernacki and Earl
Wheeler.

At this time there were only a handful
of schools and youth clubs in Florida,
but with excellent help from Florida
Tech Crew Alumni acting as the primary
coaching source, Melbourne HS Rowing
began to take shape.

Over the last 30 years rowing at Melbourne HS has seen it's fair share of ups and
downs. Team size has varied over the years, but throughout there has always been an
attitude of competitiveness and energy that drives the kids and parents from year to
year. Today Mel Hi Crew is the only high school in Brevard County with a rowing
team.

The team has represented Melbourne High School in local, state, regional, and national
competitions with the Men's double taking 2nd place at the National level. Former
rowers have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, earn scholarships, and also
move into coaching positions at various levels.

30 years later Melbourne HS Rowing is still challenging at the state championships and
competing at scholastic nationals. Now Florida is represented by over 35 organizations
at the youth and scholastic level. Florida rowers have shown themselves to be
amongst the top in the country, and Melbourne HS has a chance to compete against
the very best at every regatta.

We still have the local community to thank
for our continued existence through its
generous financial support of our
fundraisers. Florida Tech still helps with
providing storage and practice site - and
former rowers as coaches. Parents still run
the organization and keep the focus of
coaching and training in the hands of the
coaches. With the generorous help of
everyone this organization is still going
strong.