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Alumni Spotlight:

Nick Fradkin
University of California, Berkeley, 2009

"TJC demanded more from me than I thought was possible. While rowing, I learned how to truly commit to a goal, to others, and to myself. The experience was, and still is, invaluable to me."



History of Tempe Junior Crew


Tempe Junior Crew was formed in March of 2000 when a small group of athletes, training under Coach Daniel Duxbury, traveled to and competed in the Long Beach Sprint Regatta. This experience sparked the desire for competition in these young athletes, who would turn out to be the predominant driving force behind the first competitive crews of Tempe Junior Crew. Over the next year and a half, the athletes competed under this unofficial umbrella. It quickly became clear that they were on the fast track to becoming a force to be reckoned with in junior rowing. Despite less than perfect equipment, which was either rented or borrowed from other programs, TJC crews performed at a much higher level than what would normally be expected of a new program.

In December of 2001, a group of dedicated parents began to lay the groundwork needed to form an official club that could support the competitive ambitions of these young rowers. By February 2002, a Board of Directors had been formed and tax-exempt status had been achieved. Tempe Junior Crew was now a reality.

By this point, TJC had already taken delivery of its first shipment of equipment. The club had managed to purchase three used shells (an 8+ and two 4+s) and twenty oars. Soon after, with the assistance of Kaschper Racing Shells Ltd., the club purchased two brand new, top of the line shells. The sleek, black 8+ and 4+ arrived in Tempe in April of 2002, just in time for the Southwest Junior Regional Championships.

Since then, TJC has enjoyed numerous successes, including multiple regional and national championships. Membership has expanded, graduating seniors have received college scholarships, athletes have participated in National Team Talent Identification and Development Camps and the Board of Directors has continued to gel into a cohesive group working in partnership with the coaches and athletes to continue to drive TJC towards being one of the top junior rowing programs in the nation. And of course, we've gotten much, much, FASTER!