John Gaskin had recently completed his seventh season as Director of Rowing at the University of Rochester in 2019-20 and his 11th overall with the Yellowjacket rowing program.
During his time at the helm of the program, Gaskin has helped the Yellowjackets to multiple gold medals, including titles in both the A and B Division III Races at the Dad Vail Regatta, along with wins at the Kerr Cup and during the 1st Varsity 8+ race at the Liberty League Championships.
In 2015-16, Gaskin guided the Yellowjackets to a CRCA/US Rowing Division III ranking of #13 at years end, including reaching a high point of #9 on April 27. Â In addition to wins from the 1st Varsity at the Kerr Cup and Liberty League's, the end of the season was highlighted by UR's Novice 4 boat which captured golds at the Liberty League Championships and at the New York State Championships. Â Overall, the Yellowjackets were 2nd at the LL Championships, its highest ever finish in the conference.
During the 2018-19 season, a young Yellowjackets squad had the Liberty League Novice Crew of the Year. UR's Novice boats earned multiple honors from the Liberty League throughout the season and claimed event wins at the Liberty League Championship, Head of the Genesee and Challenge on the Canal. Rochester also took home the Bergman Cup, defeating Stockton and Cabrini during the early spring competition.
Rochester again earned conference Novice Crew of the Year honors in 2020-21 after the Novice 8+ captured first place at the Liberty League Championship. UR's Varsity 8+ also earned wins against St. John Fisher, Nazareth and St. Lawrence during the season.
From 1999-2009, Gaskin was involved with the rowing program at Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he coached the Women’s Novice team from 1999-2002 and the Women’s Varsity from 2003-09. Under his tutelage, Forest Hills won two team combined state championships; four women’s team state championships and seven individual crew state championships. Three of Gaskin’s rowers won US Rowing National Scholar Athlete awards.
Gaskin began his rowing career at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, where he was part of a team that won Catholic League Championships in 1973 and 1974, as well as a Manny Flick Regatta Championship in 1974. Individually, Gaskin placed 6th at the Schoolboy Nationals in Lightweight 8+. However, Gaskin’s competitive rowing days were not over after High School. As part of the Grand Rapids Rowing Association, he was a four time Master’s 8 Champion at the Michigan Club Championship.
He currently is licensed as a US Rowing Referee from the United States Rowing Association.
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