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Walk On Information
Novice Women's Rowing
Frequently Asked Questions | Contact the Coaches 
If you're interested:
All female students are invited to walk on the 2013-2014 Syracuse University rowing team. No previous rowing experience is required.
The general interest meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28 at 6 p.m. in the Crew Room located in Archbold North, room 100.
Those who are interested should contact SU assistant coach Jim Lister via email or phone at 315-443-4643.
Check out our Facebook page for current information and updates at http://www.facebook.com/#!/SyracuseWomensRowing
FAQ
Q Why does Syracuse Women’s Rowing have a walk-on class?
A Rowing teams are large and carry rosters of up to 70 women. However, the opportunities to row at the junior level are limited, so the pool of experienced rowers coming out of high school is small.. Most successful walk on rowers were high school athletes coming from sports like volleyball, basketball, cross country, Nordic skiing, swimming, lacrosse, soccer, and softball. Rowing is a sport that requires strength and endurance.
At Syracuse, we offer a no credit, six week long rowing class (PED 259 Section M010 Class#11427) for you to see if you have what it takes to become a Division I, varsity athlete at Syracuse University.
Q Do I need rowing experience to take the class?
A No. Most of the people in the class will have no rowing experience. We are looking for good athletes that we can teach to become good rowers. If you were planning on working out for 60-90 minutes a day, why not do it learning something new, surrounded by a team, and with the potential to go on and represent Syracuse on the national stage and win a ACC Championship?
Q What is the process like?
A Starting August 30th, Rowing Class will begin at our indoor training facility at Archbold Gym (entrance across from the Physics building) Room 100 from 3-4 or 5-6 p.m. The class will last for the first six weeks of school, and will entail teaching you the basic rowing stroke on an ergometer/indoor rowing machine and in our rowing 'tanks' where you can simulate the rowing stroke with an oar in your hand and moving water. Once you learn the basics, you have the opportunity to move to practicing in the boats, on the water.
Come to the meeting to learn more!
Q How much does it cost if I make the racing standard, and become a part of Syracuse Women’s Rowing?
A NOTHING. We are a fully funded sport, and uniforms, practice gear, and travel expenses are covered by the athletic department. You do have to register with the NCAA Eligibility center which cost $75 and is mandatory for every Division I athlete.
Q I am worried I won't be able to do a varsity sport and keep on top of my school work.
A As an athlete at Syracuse, you will have access to the outstanding academic support, free tutors, early enrollment provided to all student athletes. Our team GPA is consistently around a 3.2, which is higher than the university average!!!
Q I heard you need to be tall to be a rower?
A Height definitely helps, but a lack of height can be overcome by effort, technical perfection, and fitness. If you are really small (under 5'4" and 110 lbs), competitive, and a strong leader, you are an ideal candidate to be a coxswain- the person who steers the boat and tells the rowers what to do.
Q Who is the person who steers the boat?
A This is the coxswain (pronounced cox'-en) - a person of small stature whose primary job is to steer the boat, but they also play the crucial role of keeping the rowing and rowers coordinated with one another in terms of timing and rhythm, executing drills and workouts on the water, marshaling the boat around on land, keeping their crews organized during land workouts, and executing the race plan on race day. Coxswains need to be confident, competitive leaders, who are able to earn the respect of the rowers in their boat. Coxswains wear a microphone headset that is attached to speakers which are run underneath the seats in the boat so the crew can hear the commands.
