Aaron Brookhart '97 is the first-ever inductee from the renowned Saint Ignatius rowing team. Former Head Rowing Coach Bob Valerian calls Aaron "the turning point of Saint Ignatius Crew," as they transformed from a ragtag club with borrowed boats into a standout varsity team with a national reputation. "Aaron formed the attitudes and behaviors that became the model for being a Saint Ignatius championship rower."
As a freshman, Aaron was immediately drawn to the nascent crew club. A natural oarsman, he had superb reflexes and endurance, often crushing the conditioning workouts. More importantly, Coach Valerian saw excellent technical skills.
"He stroked four and eight-oared shells equally well. He was easy to follow -- even for the last 300 meters when everyone in the boat is really hurting. He always kept a consistent rhythm."
Nate Heyka '97 describes Aaron as their unquestioned leader. "He stroked the boats that put Saint Ignatius rowing on the map in the mid-1990s. He was such a smooth rower and someone we all attempted to copy."
Coach Brad DeGrandis '91 gives him full credit for leading the team to the National Championships for the first time in the program's history – and for helping form the team culture. "It was more often what he did not say that carried weight. He would refrain from negativity about competitors or teammates, focus on the mission, and let results do the talking."
Aaron led his junior four boat to an undefeated season, including the Midwest Scholastic Championship and a Stotesbury Cup national championship. His boats earned 15 top-three finishes – including eight first-place finishes. His crew's victory in the 1996 Head of Ohio varsity four race set a course record that still stands today.
Jodie Bowers '97 recalls a defining moment in the Stotesbury Cup semifinal. Halfway through the race, the rower in two-seat "caught a crab," meaning he lost control of his oar, and it flew underneath the boat. "We went from first place to last place in the span of 10 seconds. Our boat sat dead in the water, sideways. I remember thinking, 'All this effort, practices, early mornings, everything - all gone. The season's over.' That's when Aaron's magic took over. He yelled, 'flying start!' and proceeded to lead us at a stroke rate of 46, about 15 strokes per minute higher than our typically fast rate and on par with Olympians. Aaron knew what we possessed and was determined to get the best out of all of us."
They passed three national powerhouse crews one by one to qualify for the Stotesbury final.
College coaches considered Aaron "scrawny" at 6' and 165 pounds. Still, he went on to a stellar career at Rutgers University, helping earn the school its first-ever gold medal at the Eastern Sprints Championship. He rowed in England's prestigious Henley Royal Regatta and was named Rutgers' Most Valuable Lightweight Rower his senior year.
After college, Aaron served two seasons as an assistant coach for the Saint Ignatius crew. While attending Capital Law School, he coached the Westerville High School girls' crew.
Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88 says, "If he were with us today, Aaron would deflect all recognition to his teammates and proclaim the glory is in the team."
Aaron passed away on May 9, 2008, at age 28. He was the beloved son of Nancy Fellows and Craig Brookhart.
Saint Ignatius' annual Wildcats Roar celebration will occur on Saturday, August 17, at 5 p.m., and the Saint Ignatius community will forever remember Aaron as he will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. For more information and to register, please visit this link.