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What if the biggest impact of rowing isn’t winning races—but changing lives? That’s the story of Arshay Cooper. Growing up on Chicago’s West Side, rowing wasn’t part of Cooper’s world—until he became a member of the first all-Black public high school rowing team at Manley High School. At the start, the challenges were real. Many of the athletes didn’t know how to swim. Some came from neighborhoods that didn’t mix. Trust didn’t come easily. But rowing demanded something differ

The Team Behind the Team If you’ve ever been at a regatta at 6:00am, you’ve seen them. They’re the ones unloading coolers before the sun comes up.Setting up tents in the wind.Handing out coffee, sunscreen, and last-minute snacks.Cheering just as loud as the athletes.And somehow still organizing rides, meals, volunteers, and everything in between. They are the quiet engine behind ETHS Rowing. The Parent Board isn’t just a group of volunteers. It’s a community. A support system

By Lu Tysinger Twas the night before MSRA, and all through the house, not a rower was stirring—wait, scratch that. The rowers are definitely stirring. Perhaps scrambling to throw clothes into a bag they should’ve packed hours ago, or lying in bed, jittery with nerves. And if you manage to fall asleep, the painfully early alarm isn’t far behind. We huddle outside Door 3 of ETHS, preparing to board the buses before the sun has even peeked over the horizon. Spring bus rides are

After a weather-shifted return to Milford, ETHS Rowing showed exactly what this program is; not just fast at the top, but deep, resilient, and competitive across every level. From the first races of the morning through the final events of the day, Evanston crews were in the mix. Multiple boats advanced through heats and semifinals and by the afternoon, ETHS had built a full slate of finals appearances across varsity, JV, novice, and small boats. The results tell a powerful st

Our Spring Fundraising Campaign runs April 10 to May 10 with a goal of $75,000 to support our $150,000 annual budget, and we need your help. In just four years, ETHS Rowing has grown from 22 to 110 student-athletes. We are proud to be a dues-free program open to all, but rowing is an expensive sport. We rely on tax-deductible donations to fund our season, along with support for uniforms and regatta meals so no rower is left behind. While ETHS helps with some transportation a

The Grand Rapids Invitational regatta has been cancelled due to extreme flooding. Luckily, we were able to pivot to the Mitten 2 series on the same weekend, preserving a major race opportunity on such short notice leading into MSRA. It’ll require some flexibility, but all in the name of preparation for the regional championships. Thank you to everyone who volunteered last weekend and thank you in advance to those who make it work for Mitten 2! PARENT TENT VOLUNTEERS:...

ETHS Rowing Shows Depth and Momentum at Mitten Series 1 Regatta ETHS Rowing turned in a strong, full-team performance this weekend at the Mitten Series 1, competing against some of the top programs in the Midwest. From early morning time trials through afternoon finals, Evanston crews consistently advanced and stayed competitive across a wide range of events highlighting the continued growth, depth, and momentum of the program. The standout story of the day came from the novi

By Isabella Franconeri One of my most vivid (and slightly traumatic) memories of freshman year was the first rowing tryout ‘period’. Before we had access to the boathouse or our own erg room, we were a jumbled group in the non-air-conditioned (in early August, so absolutely sweltering) gym. With only six cardio-room ergs to go around, we spent our sessions in small rotations, alternating between rowing, core and endless laps. By the end of each practice, the floor was so slic

The ETHS Rowing Team is built on a simple but powerful idea: every student should have the opportunity to row, regardless of background or financial means. As one of the fastest-growing and most inclusive programs in the area, ETHS Rowing is intentionally expanding access to a sport that has traditionally been limited to a narrower demographic. That commitment requires meaningful community support to ensure no athlete is turned away. To operate we spend $75,000, or $1,250.00

As of Spring 2026, ETHS Rowing is officially recognized as a Varsity sport within the high school. After years of tireless commitment to the team and to each other, our Varsity-level athletes are now letter-earners. This graduation from a Club sport to a Varsity sport was primarily the result of the commitment our athletes have demonstrated over the years by practicing 5-6 days per week and competing across the Midwest. We’ve long known that rowing is not an easy sport - mont

Each summer, many athletes from the ETHS Rowing Team continue their development by attending rowing camps locally and across the country. These camps provide a unique opportunity to train with new coaches, meet athletes from other programs, and experience different styles of rowing. For ETHS rowers, it’s a way to stay sharp between seasons while continuing to build strength, refine technique, and gain confidence heading into the fall and spring. Camps are typically open to al

The ETHS Rowing Team spring season builds toward two of the most important regattas of the year—the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association Championships (MSRA) and the USRowing Youth National Championships in Tennessee. MSRA is the premier regional championship for high school rowing programs across the Midwest, bringing together top crews from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and beyond. It serves as both a championship event and a proving ground, where teams compete head-to-head to

By Emilie Bishop The winter months in Evanston aren't exactly known for their warmth, but in the erg room? The heat was undeniable. While the Channel was frozen over, ETHS Rowing was busy preparing for our best spring season yet. Winter training is really the ultimate test of a rower's discipline and commitment to the sport. Without the reward of the boat and being in water, it can be difficult to see a reason to keep going–but the team was determined. Over the course of the

Hello ETHS Rowing friends and supporters! I have officially made it through a whole semester of college, and I am excited to offer you news of my experiences; the Rutgers Report, if you will. It has been interesting living on the east coast and getting acclimated to “jersey”. So far I have learned that frequent Wawa trips are an obligation, whether central jersey actually exists as a region is a heated debate, (I thought Rutgers was in central jersey??), additionally, I have