New Rowers / Recruiting

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Frequently Asked Questions

Letter From the Coaches

Dear Prospective Student and Family,

Choosing a college is not an easy decision, and we appreciate the time you have taken to consider the University of Cincinnati. You will find the university offers a variety of majors, living arrangements, and activities for you to participate in, including joining the University of Cincinnati Rowing Team.

The rowing team gives students the opportunity to participate, at a national level, in a collegiate sport. The team has been an established entity on campus for almost 30 years. The full-time coaching staff has over 40 years of rowing and coaching experience. UC Rowing is a professional operation focusing on quality rowing and intense training. Each athlete is respected as an individual and personal relationships are established to allow each rower to become his or her own best rower, teammate, and student.

Just as any other intercollegiate athlete on campus would, the rowing team practices with regular frequency. The coaching staff takes into consideration class schedules when determining practice times. The rowing team has structured practices during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. The team competes in races all over the country against the likes of some of the nation’s top programs. In addition, we take Winter and Spring trips to warmer climates for intense training and fun.

It is an understandable concern that this sport may take time away from the student’s academic performance. The coaches believe school comes first: There is a required GPA that exceeds university standards, and rewards for those on Dean’s List. Additionally, we provide study tables twice a month. Current Freshmen rower and Cincinnatus Scholarship student, Elizabeth Heiber says “I’ve found that students really need to perfect their time-management skills to explore everything that UC has to offer,” she says, “but I’ve found you don’t have to limit yourself here.” It is well known throughout the collegiate landscape that students on rowing teams typically have stellar academic records: Being a rower will help one focus and prioritize.

There is no rowing experience necessary to join the team. In fact, most collegiate rowers (even those who go on to join the National and Olympic teams) have never rowed before. We are looking for students who want to work hard and become a part of something BIG. Athletes of other sports are welcomed to join the team. However, it is not required to have an athletic background. The coaching staff can transform any willing participant into an elite, highperforming athlete. We currently have 40 athletes on the roster, and hope to double in size Fall of 2010. As each rower participates with excellence, we intend to win a National Championship within the next few years, and we hope you’ll be on our team celebrating victory.

Go Bearcats!

UC Rowing Coaching Staff