University of Minnesota Athletics
Novice Rowing Tryouts
6/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
OPEN TRYOUTS EACH FALL FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S VARSITY ROWING TEAM
- NO ROWING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY -
Rowing is the only Division I Varsity sport at the University which encourages athletic women with no prior rowing experience to try out and walk on to the team. This varsity program develops competitive athletes into champion rowers and coxswains on a nationally-ranked team.
WE LOOK FOR (tall) ATHLETES
– over 5'9" –
AND (small) LEADERS
– under 5'3" –
Each fall, we hold an open tryout period and the coaches spend the bulk of that season teaching the athletes who try out how to row. As a result, no experience is necessary, but the most successful candidates are 5’9” (or taller), with an athletic background in high school. (Small—5'3 and under—and light student-athletes can learn how to be the coxswains who steer the boats) This tryout period includes the chance to do some fall races, and lets the coaches identify athletes with the potential to compete in the spring with the novice squad and, ultimately, on the varsity team in their second year on the team.
The rowing stroke is easy to learn—all you really need is coordination and a willingness to do the training it takes to have a good rowing physiology. It is not necessary to do any special training or even rowing beforehand: since all the novices will be starting out together, you would not need to start in top shape; just arrive in good health and be ready to learn! Experience the world of competitive women’s rowing as a Gopher: YOU could be racing as a student-athlete for the University of Minnesota by October.
Interested? Curious? Need more Info?
Contact: Andy Foltz
Assistant Rowing Coach
612-624-3508 (office)
aefoltz@umn.edu
Here are 6 things you can to Prepare for Next Fall's "Learn to Row" & Try Out Sessions:
1. Get Eligible! Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center over the summer at web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/. Click on "Prospective Student-Athlete" and follow directions to register. All incoming freshmen must be cleared by the NCAA to compete for the University of Minnesota.2. Be Cleared! Schedule a sports physical with your physician at home. You must have had a physical that clears you for athletic activity within SIX months of the try-out in order to participate. Bring the doctor's form with you to the first meeting. If your doctor needs a form, you can request one from Coach Becca Carlton: carlt036@umn.edu
3. Get in touch: Send your contact information to Assistant Coach Becca Carlton at carlt036@umn.edu to get email updates over the summer about trying out for rowing; include your:
- Name
- Email Address(es)
- Date of Birth
- Height
- University of Minnesota ID# (7 digit number off your student ID)
- Home phone number
- Home address
- Any sports you played in high school
5. Show up to learn more: Plan to attend one of our informational Meetings during the first week of classes. Contact Asst. Coach Flynn for times and locations.
6. Stay in good shape over the summer!
