The Oak Ridge Rowing Association boathouse at Melton Lake Park on the Clinch River.
After 13 years here, the head coach of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association is leaving the Secret City.
Allen Eubanks no longer works for the ORRA. The rowing association’s board agreed unanimously earlier this month that Eubanks was “no longer needed for the position he held,” ORRA President Bob Franks said Monday.
Franks declined to elaborate on the personnel change, which he called a business decision.
“He’s a good guy,” Franks said of Eubanks. “He’s going to be successful, and we wish him well.”
Eubanks announced his resignation from the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board in a Monday morning e-mail.
“My work situation has abruptly changed, and I will be leaving this great community Aug. 9,” he said. “I have greatly enjoyed my 13 years in Oak Ridge, and I feel I had become part of the community. I will miss this place and especially the people. I hope that my time here was productive and that I made a difference where I could.”
Franks said the ORRA has interviews coming up with six candidates from all over the country for a new head coach and director of rowing position.
“We would be a prime fit for many people,” Franks said.
The Oak Ridge rowing course is considered one of the best in the country. Rowers say they like the six-lane course because it’s flat and fair, and there is generally not much wind or other boats. Also, spectators can see most of the race from the waterfront, and they can ride bikes down the greenway on the waterfront to follow the race.
In addition to Eubanks’ departure, ORRA Executive Director Bill Garland, employed full-time since November, has found another full-time job that was a “huge opportunity,” Franks said. But he said he hopes the rowing association can continue using Garland as an adviser if the nine-member board agrees.
In his resignation from the Recreation and Parks Board, Eubanks said he truly believes in rowing in Oak Ridge.
“What the community has here is the best place in the country,” he said in his e-mail. “There are many things to be done to keep the Melton Lake Park competitive with the newer rowing venues being built.”
Note: This story was updated at 11 a.m.
Vicki says
This article makes it sound like Coach Eubanks is leaving of his own volition. Nothing could be further from the truth. The ORRA board decided to go in a new direction with their rowing program. In my opinion, they have made a huge mistake that will affect Oak Ridge and the rowing program negatively for a very long time. The only direction they will go is downhill.
Jessica says
Coach Eubanks, along with his entire family, contributed not only to the ORRA program and to the community of Oak Ridge, but also to greater Anderson County through the school system. Sadly, the ORRA board’s choice of a “new direction” will have ripple effects far beyond the boathouse on Melton Lake Drive. Allen Eubanks served as the Chairman of the Parent Advisory Board for Anderson County Schools, and his wife, Candace, has been an Academic Coach with the school system for many years. Her expertise and coaching ability is outstanding and irreplaceable. Unfortunately, the lack of judgement demonstrated by the ORRA board will impact many of us who realize just what a blessing we had in the Eubanks family. I have no doubt that the Eubanks will continue to influence another community with their talents, kindness, generosity, and friendship. Hopefully, this new community will realize what a treasure they’ve gained with the Eubanks and treat them as such.