With nearly 30 years of rowing history at The McCallie School, rowing is steeped in tradition. McCallie oarsmen learn more than just strokes on the water. Rowers learn much about themselves as athletes and as individuals. At McCallie, there is a strong emphasis on Honor, Truth, Duty. These attributes are the cornerstone to developing academically as well as athletically. The lessons learned in the classroom and on the water and the friendships made through common struggles and achievements will lead to the formation of a life-long brotherhood.

Sean McCourt took over as the Head Coach of McCallie Rowing in 2012. Since that time, McCallie has won medals at such races as the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships, The National Schools Championship, US Rowing Southeast Regional Championship, The Mid-South Scholastic Championship as well as other cup and head races.

The oarsmen the program has produced have continued rowing after McCallie and have attended some of the most prestigious schools in the country. McCallie rowing alums have rowed at: Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Dartmouth, the US Naval Academy, Hobart, Boston University, Yale, MIT, Georgetown, Harvard, Virginia, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse among many others. Rowers have also participated in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, the Junior World Championships, the Under-23 World Championship, and the Senior World Championship.

Presently, the McCallie Rowing staff is comprised of Mr. McCourt, Paul Merrion (Upper School Art), John Green (Upper School Math), and Megan McCourt (2004 US Olympian).

Mr. McCourt began his coaching career under the direction of legendary McCallie teacher and coach Richard “Doc” Swanson in the Fall of 1999. After stops at St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) and the Mercer Junior Rowing Club (N.J.) which he founded, Mr. McCourt returned to the Ridge in the fall of 2012. In addition to coaching rowing, Mr. McCourt is a member of the Upper School History Department where he teaches 10th grade world history. He lives in Burns Dorm with his wife Megan and their three kids: Caitlin, Connor, and Gavin.