JON ERIC VAN AMRINGE
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 sweep as the Jon Eric VanAmringe in honor of a true student of rowing!
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 1970, Yale’s lightweights defeated all crews except Harvard and were second in the EARC Sprints Championship Jope Cup competition, which is a points cup awarded to the school with the highest point total from the 1V, 2V, and 1F lightweight eight events. Yale’s second place finish was the best of all Yale lightweight crews until 1979 when Yale’s lightweights again equaled the mark.
In his senior year, Jon competed in a lightweight pair at the Henley Royal Regatta, won a silver medal in lightweight double sculls at the U.S. National Rowing Championships, and was awarded the Blagden Award for outstanding contribution to Yale Crew.
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 finished with 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.
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 Boat Club.
Upon graduation in 1978, Jon began a corporate career in financial, management consulting, 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 building a classic New England Barn, erecting a 19-foot diameter Yurt, and renovating a 75-plus year old boathouse.
Jon is a life member in US Rowing and US Sailing and in the Yale Lightweight Crew Alumni Association.
With ties to Blue & White and Blue & Gold, Jon continues to cheer “Go Blue!”
We are proud to have a group of alumni, Classes of ’74-’78 and friends, raise enough money to start a perpetual boat fund in honor of their Navy Lightweight Coach, Jon Eric VanAmringe. The alumni have raised enough money so the fund will perpetually accumulate interest to buy a brand new Jon Eric VanAmringe racing shell every few years. This will be the Navy Lightweights’ first “endowed” boat.
On behalf of the Naval Academy coaches, athletes and administration, we would like to thank all those who have made this project happen. We couldn’t have a more supportive group of alumni to become the benchmark for all of our other classes. The Classes of ’74-’78 strove for excellence on the water, elevating the Navy Lightweight Program among the top schools in the nation. They have now stamped their place in Navy Lightweight history by housing a new racing shell within the walls of Hubbard Hall forever.
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