FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University Athletic Director Michael Mominey announced today that John Gartin has resigned his post after eight years of heading up the Shark women’s rowing program. Gartin has accepted a coaching position with the women’s rowing program at NCAA Division I Oklahoma.

“Coach Gartin has set the bar for excellence, not only for our women’s program, but for consistent success for women’s rowing across Division II,” Mominey said. “He will always be recognized as the leader who began this program and one who made a commitment to developing quality student-athletes throughout his tenure here at NSU.”

Gartin started the Sharks rowing program in 2003. Since taking on the start-up program, he guided NSU to immediate success at the conference, regional and national levels. Under his tutelage, NSU has won four Sunshine State Conference titles (2007-09 and 2011) and earned seven bids to the NCAA Division II National Championships in the programs eight seasons. In 2009, his Varsity 4 claimed the NCAA Varsity 4 National Championship.

Gartin’s athletes have performed phenomenally during his time at NSU. He has coached nine All-Americans, 11 Scholar Athletes and 35 All-Sunshine State Conference selections.

This past season Gartin earned SSC Coach of the Year honors, the second of his career, after guiding the team to their fourth SSC Championship and their seventh NCAA Championship bid.

“I cannot thank enough Athletic Director Michael Mominey, Chancellor Ferrero, President Hanbury, Dr. DePiano and the staff of the NSU athletic department for their support and commitment to the rowing program and its student-athletes,” Gartin said. “These past eight years have been a very special time for me. It was my privilege to coach and mentor the rowing student-athletes who are the heart and soul of the NSU rowing program.

“I know that this program is going to continue to grow, get faster and continue to be an integral part of the NSU community because of the exceptional rowing student-athletes who are NSU Rowing.”

Mominey has announced that a national search will begin immediately.