Usually in January, the team places an order on behalf of interested rowers for rowing jackets. These very useful items of clothing are warm for those cold early days of the season, include handy pockets and have a hood and drawstring to add to the warmth factor. They also clearly identify you as a member of your high school rowing team (and include personalization on the front, such as name and class year). Despite their utility, they are optional. They are also pricey ($165 each).

This year, it is a bit more complicated, courtesy of the pending name change. The jackets we order this year will look like those already used by members of the team. In other words, they will have the “S” on the chest and “JEB Stuart Rowing” on the back. (See photos and order online here.)

Particularly because of the cost, some of you might want to wait another year for the Justice version.

That said, if we have an order for six (or more), we will be ordering the last round of the Stuart version next week. If you are interested, let Mari Mullane know no later than next Wednesday (Jan. 17). We expect jackets to arrive by Feb. 23.