Success In and Out of the Water

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – When asked what a typical student-athlete is, many different answers may come to fruition. Former Syracuse University women's rower Rebecca Soja's path as a student-athlete is far different than many others. Soja rowed in the varsity eight boat for four seasons from 2010-14 and is graduating in May with a bachelor's degree in architecture.

Soja began rowing her freshman year at Simsbury High School in Simsbury, Conn. Her initial plan was to run cross country with her twin sister, Jessica, but eventually settled on rowing. Jessica continued her career at Quinnipiac University as member of their cross country team.

In high school, Soja participated in several junior national camps and helped Simsbury to three straight second-place finishes at the Connecticut Public School Championships. By her senior year, Soja was looking to row collegiately and pursue a degree in architecture.

"What it really came down to was I was able to find that program," added Soja. "I knew I wanted to do architecture and row in a Division I-level program. Syracuse had that best fit because I could do both, but I knew it would be a challenge. I just ended up going for it."

The architecture program at Syracuse University is certainly a rigorous challenge. It is a five-year, 162-credit program and was recently ranked the fifth-best bachelor of architecture program in the nation by DesignIntelligence. The program has been ranked among one of the top 10 in the nation every year since 2004.

"It was going to be a precedent I was setting," commented Soja. "I was willing to take on that challenge."

The Simsbury, Conn. native certainly embraced the challenge of juggling rowing and school. In her final season of competition in 2013-14, Soja was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team and Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) First Team All-South Region. Out of the water, Soja was recognized for her efforts in the classroom, being named a three-time CRCA Association National Scholar Athlete.

Last season, Soja had a final review for studio the day prior to the Monticello Invitational in Charlottesville, Va. She was able complete her review and then make it down for the races. There, she helped the Orange to a third-place finish in the varsity eight competition.

"I got there just in time to race," said Soja. "I got there at 10 p.m. and was obviously tired from the final review. That's the only time in the school year that I am losing sleep."

Not many student-athletes have taken the challenge of competing in a Division I sport and working towards a degree in architecture while at Syracuse. Soja has done that and more. When she graduates, she will move to Washington, D.C. and be working with international architecture firm HKS. Until then, she will continue to support her former teammates as they enter the spring season.

"In terms of numbers, we are definitely at that breaking point of getting into the top 16," commented Soja. "Once they start racing and beating some teams, hopefully they will creep up. They will see a lot of good competition that they have never seen before. I am really excited for them."

Syracuse University Athletics

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