The fundamental characteristics of an elite oarsman are mental toughness and self-discipline, physical strength and superior-conditioning, and an innate sense of rowing technique and mechanics.
An elite oarsman knows how to row, but a leader of elite oarsmen is something more, something special – a leader of elite oarsmen is a student of rowing who truly understands rowing fundamentals and makes a great coach.
Jon Eric VanAmringe is such a student and such a coach. A more perfect match between rowing technology and fundamentals could not be made than to christen a state of-the-art, eight-oared shell JON ERIC VAN AMRINGE every six years in honor of a true student of rowing and endowed by Navy lightweight rowers from the Classes of 1974 – 1978.
Photo courtesy of Karen Cook
In the fall of 1966, Jon departed Nashua, New Hampshire and entered Yale University with the Class of 1970 to study, to row, and to serve. Jon was awarded a Navy ROTC scholarship majoring in political science, and he rowed four years on Yale’s lightweight crew. In 1968, he was awarded the Henry Babcock ’35 Yale 150 Crew Cup for Outstanding Spirit.
In 1970, Yale’s lightweights defeated all crews except Harvard and were second in the EARC Sprints Championship Jope Cup competition, which was a points cup awarded to the school with the highest point total from the 1V, 2V, and 1F lightweight eight events [the 3V event now supersedes the 1F event]. Yale’s second place finish was the best of all Yale lightweight crews until 1979 when Yale’s lightweights again equaled the mark.
Following his senior year, Jon competed in a pair at the Henley Royal Regatta and also won a silver medal in lightweight double sculls at the U.S. National Rowing Championships.
Upon his Yale graduation, Jon was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. He qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer and served aboard the USS Myles C. Fox (DD 829) and USS Allen M. Sumner (DD 692).
In 1973, Lieutenant VanAmringe reported for duty as an assistant professor in seamanship, tactics, navigation, and political science at the U.S. Naval Academy – and as Navy’s Varsity Lightweight Crew Coach
From 1973 – 1976, Jon’s crews rowed to a record of 68 – 27 and at the EARC Sprints Championships his crews won a 2V bronze in 1974, a 1V silver and 2V bronze in 1975, and a 2V silver in 1976. Jon’s crews were second in the 1975 Jope Cup competition, which was Navy’s best team finish until Navy’s lightweights equaled the mark again in 2002 – finishing second to Yale
Photo courtesy of Henry Netzer ’74
In 1976, Lieutenant Commander VanAmringe resigned his commission, departed the Navy and Navy Lightweight Crew, and entered the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. While earning an MBA in finance, Jon continued his involvement in rowing and was elected the Captain of the Harvard Business School Boat Club.
Upon graduation in 1978, Jon began a corporate career in finance, management, and investment banking services. He served with companies in the banking, transportation, communications, and health care industries in positions of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer.
Leaving the corporate world in 2003, Jon has spent the better part of his time consulting and in community service, as well as building two classic New England Barns, erecting a 19-foot diameter Yurt, and renovating an 85-plus year-old boathouse. For many years he sailed competitively on the Great Lakes and offshore. Since moving to Downeast Maine, he now sails along the coast on Nunki, his vintage Hinckley Yawl, and Pelagus, a classic powered launch. Jon holds a USCG Master 100 GT Near Coastal license for power and sail.
Jon is a life member in US Rowing and US Sailing and a Board member and Secretary of the Yale Crew Association.
With ties to Blue & White and Blue & Gold, Jon continues to cheer “GO BLUE!”