History

In September 1991 6 students joined together to form the first rowing team at Mt. Lebanon High School. At this time the team had no coach, no budget and none of the students had rowed before. Despite these obstacles, the first team held regular informal practices and joined the Three Rivers Rowing Association (TRRA).

In February 1992, Sean Nangle signed on as Head Coach. With him came Mike Baker, as Assistant Coach. In the fall of 1992, Mt. Lebanon participated in their first race, the Head of the Ohio (HOTO) held in Pittsburgh. Several weeks later the team traveled to Philadelphia for the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta.

As the years passed and the team grew, a strong parent group emerged with the help of our first commodore, Mike Hughes, followed by Mike Eastman. It was with their guidance that rowing became anchored at Mt. Lebanon High School.

The crew club became incorporated in the State of PA as a not-for-profit organization and, for the most part, financially supported through membership dues and an annual fundraiser. We have built a partnership with the school; our rowers are able to receive letters and other support, such as space at the high school to work out on our erg machines. In 1999, the school provided financial support for the payment of boat storage.

At ten years after beginning with 6 students and no coaches, MTL hit 70 students, with a head coach and three Assistant coaches. We have moved from having no assets to owning three 4+ and three 8+ shells, 28 oars, 4 cox boxes, and two 14 ft. launches with motors and one coxed quad.

Crew has a long regional heritage and, with the reclaiming of the rivers, is a fast growing sport in the city. The team continues to win numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals. These accomplishments validate the entire organization. We look forward to continued success!

Rowing at Mt. Lebanon

Rowing is a Club sport at Mount Lebanon High School.  A Club Sport is different from a club and this is an important distinction.  Because we are a Club sport, the team members provide the financial support for the team and its activities (racing, purchasing equipment, travel).  

A “club” is a socially oriented activity whose purpose is to give students a chance to do something fun with their friends (i.e. ski club).  Mt Lebanon Rowing is an athletic program that competes directly against Varsity and other Club crews at every regatta.  Therefore, it is expected that all team members understand this AND approach participation on this team accordingly.  If competing at a varsity-level is not something you wish to do, you should reconsider rowing.

Scholastic Rowing

The popularity of high school rowing, known as scholastic rowing, has exploded throughout the United States. Once the domain of exclusive prep schools, scholastic rowing teams now can be found in both public and private schools throughout the country.  These teams race under the banners of high school and club teams sanctioned by regulatory rowing associations.  MTL Rowing is a member of the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association.

Novice rowers - those just starting out - may be surprised to find that there is almost no opportunity to become a competitive rower prior to high school.  While there are some learn-to-row programs for eight graders, rowing as a competitive sport does not really begin until high school. Unlike some other sports such as soccer or baseball (which some kids start playing even before kindergarten), rowers cannot really get a “head-start” in the sport.  But this is not a negative.  Rather, it points to the fact that nearly everyone rowing at the scholastic level started at the same age.  It is because of this that new rowers can be assured that the coaches realize this and plan the training accordingly.

Rowers and their parents must realize that there is rivalry in crew and it can be intense. Coaches face difficult choices in deciding which rowers and coxswains will be in any boat in any given week. Teamwork itself is sometimes hard work. The coaches try very hard to make certain that all members have the opportunity to race as much as possible over the course of the season.