Sometimes, the best ideas are born far from home – even in an airport.

While attending a domestic recruiting fair in New York City in September 2025, North Cedar Academy’s Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, Clay Jacobs, found himself answering familiar questions from prospective families: “Does your school have sports? How about rowing?”

At the time, the answer was “no.” But as he spoke with families from across the Northeast, where rowing is a longstanding tradition, Clay began to see a unique opportunity.

“It really just made a lot of sense to start thinking about a rowing team,” Clay recalled. “We’re located right along the beautiful Flambeau River, I mean, our dormitory literally overlooks the river. When these students and parents kept asking if we had a rowing team, it felt like a natural fit for us.”

The idea stuck with him. On his flight home, Clay began researching what it would take to start a rowing program at North Cedar Academy. That’s when he discovered indoor rowing and the Concept2 ergometers, or “ergs” – machines used by rowing teams around the world for training and competition.

“When I learned that schools could actually compete with these ergs on campus – without needing boats or a lake right away – everything clicked,” he said. “It was the perfect, accessible way to introduce rowing at NCA.”

Back on campus, Clay surveyed students to gauge interest. The response was immediate and enthusiastic – more than 25 students, both boys and girls, expressed interest in joining. He followed up by hosting a series of information sessions, showing rowing footage from collegiate programs like Harvard and Wisconsin. Excitement spread quickly, and before long, NCA had the momentum to move forward.

With administrative support, the school acquired its first two Concept2 rowing machines, marking the official start of the North Cedar Academy Rowing Program. Students now train on campus, learning proper technique, endurance, and teamwork, while also building connections to a sport deeply rooted in tradition and perseverance.

What began as a simple question at a recruiting fair has grown into a defining example of NCA’s forward-thinking spirit – where ideas become action, and inspiration turns into opportunity.

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