Coaching Staff

Head Sailing Coach and Waterfront DirectorJon Faudree

Jon has been coaching for nearly 30 years at the youth, high school, college and professional levels. Jon is a former collegiate sailor, professional sailor, youth sailing director and sailmaker. Jon built the JU Sailing team and since 2013 has led the team from 250th in the country to the top 20. In 2019, he was named Sail1Design/Gill Coach of the Year.

• jfaudre@ju.edu
• (904) 256-7617

Assistant CoachesDanny Lawless

Danny is our assistant coach for the JAX sailing team. From Rochester NY, Danny found himself in Jacksonville back in 2013 when he started his BBA at the University, graduating in 2017. After a short hiatus in Newport RI, Danny returned to Jacksonville in 2021 when he began working with the team again. In his free time Danny enjoys running, cycling, swimming, and racing one design. Danny is an aspiring engineer, triathlete, and will soon being starting a family of his own. 

 

 

 

Ben McKissick-Hawley

Ben is an alumni of Jacksonville University. Originally from Kansas City, MO, he started his sailing career when he was 14 years old. After graduating from JU in 2020, he was a director of a youth sailing program for three years. Ben returned to JU to receive his Master’s in Public Policy and has been on our coaching staff since fall of 2023.

 

 

 

Ellie Maus

Ellie started sailing and racing at 8 years old in Norfolk, VA. For her undergraduate degree, Ellie attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick Maine. During her time at Bowdoin, she accomplished many great things, she was a four-year starter and captain. At Women’s Nationals in 2022, she helped her team break the top ten for the first time in school history! This is her second year working with the JAX sailing team. At JU, she is working towards her Master’s in Marine Science, investing the social network of the St. Johns River dolphin population.

• emaus@jacksonville.edu
• (757) 202-0937)

 

 

 

Alfonso Garcia Bringas

Alfonso started his sailing career at a young age, growing up in Mexico. He is an alumni of Jacksonville University, and during his time at JU he was an important assets to the sailing team. Leading the team to 3rd overall at Coed Nationals in 2021, winning A-division, and earning an All-American in the same year. Upon returning to JU to receive his Master’s in Business, he has been working with the sailing team for two years. On top of coaching collegiate sailing, he has been coaching youth-high performance programs for 5 years.