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Harmar Rowing Club History
1964 Marietta High School Crew Team: Top Row: Manager, Kirk Adie, Rest of top row is the V8 boat: Nat Case, Dunham Hollister, Terry Morris, Phil Case, Jim Zoller, Dave Lindamood, Bob Murphy, Dave Stoltenberg 2nd Row: Scott Adie, Jon Eells, Rob LaBarre, Fred Abicht, Lloyd Sheep, Don Simon, Rick Mason, Rick Cook Front Row: Dave Kucik, Frank MacAtee, Fred Neilis, Lovis Coleman, Ted Szabo, Ed Godsey, Steve Zoller Sitting: Jimmy Best, Bruce Cochran, Joe Tewkesbury This was the first MHS Crew team coached by Ralph Lindamood
50 Years of Rowing 1964-2014
The story of rowing in Marietta began in the summer of 1963 when Ralph Lindamood secured a donated shell and formed Ohio’s first high school rowing team with a group of local boys. This laid the foundation for what would become the Harmar Rowing Club (formerly known as The Harmar Boat Club), created by former MHS rowers who wished to continue racing together after graduation. The club’s roots are closely linked with the Marietta Rowing and Cycling Club, reflecting shared membership and community.
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In 1976, when women’s rowing was introduced at MHS, the teams grew to around one hundred rowers. This prompted the Harmar Rowing Club to evolve into a booster organization, dedicated to supporting the high school team with equipment and travel. After five school levy defeats, the Tiger Boosters and the Harmar Rowing Club stepped in to shoulder the financial responsibilities of the high school crew team in 1989. With the introduction of college rowing scholarships, the future of the sport in Marietta faced uncertainty. It became essential for the parents of rowers to get actively involved in the club. In 1994, we achieved our Not-For-Profit status, which was a significant milestone for our program.
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As the program expanded, so did its financial needs. The Marietta City Schools have been instrumental in covering coaching staff, travel, and entry fees, while HRC raises funds to replace racing shells that are donated to Marietta High School. The club also provides logistical support, including trucks, trailers, and a traveling chuck wagon tent, with families contributing as drivers, chefs, and coordinators. Long gone are the days when rowers would sleep on gym floors or in hosting houses to save costs.
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With increased competition came a demand for higher-quality equipment. While wooden shells are still in use, lighter fiberglass materials have become the norm, and training has evolved beyond simple running and weights to include ergometers. The growth of both the team and the Marietta College program necessitated a centralized storage solution for our equipment, prompting the club to begin saving. Thanks to a generous donation from the Broughton Family, HRC broke ground on the Carl L. Broughton Boathouse in 2000. This facility has allowed us to maintain our equipment and keep our teams competitive, not only locally but also on a national level.