FAQs
What kind of university sport is this?
- Minnesota Men's Crew is the most nationally competitive sports club at the University of Minnesota.
- We compete in the American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) division against college crews including Michigan, Purdue, Virginia, Notre Dame and UCLA.
- We travel to Georgia, Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee to train and race at the highest club level.
Do I need previous rowing experience?
- 90% of college rowers are walk-ons (started rowing for the first time in college).
- Swimmers, runners, and countless other athletes often start rowing in college to take their athleticism to the next level.
- Walk-on athletes can become top collegiate oarsmen. Some of our walk-on athletes have even gone to make the US National and Olympic teams.
What is the time commitment?
- We practice weekdays in the afternoons for 90-120 minutes, plus some Saturdays to race. All practices will be arranged around your class schedule.
- Minnesota Men's Rowing hold academics to a very high standard and school will always come first. The team had 9 Academic All-Americans named last year.
What is practice like?
You have to be strong, fit and powerful to win rowing races. Novice practices consist of rowing in a boat, a tank and on machines to learn how the technique and how to race. We also use weights, machines and other devices on land to build strength and endurance.