Q:  Why crew, why not another sport?

A:  There’s no good answer to this question.  Most sports are great.  All have advantages and disadvantages.  But here’s some opinions to consider:

• Trying out for most sports in high school, means competing for spots with athletes who’ve played for years while growing up.  Experience counts.  At crew, almost everyone shows up with the same experience… none.  It’s a level playing field.  Athletics, natural ability, and desire to improve will dictate who does best.
• In rowing, you get a great workout.  Rowers are complete athletes.
• Rowing has fewer injuries (including concussions) than most sports.  Rowing is also lower-impact.  You might be able to row when other sports are not an option.
• Crew is a self-cutting sport.  Thus, the team does not make cuts.  If you can do the work and want to keep getting better, then there’s a seat for you in a boat.
• Rowing together in a shell builds harmony.  Most crews have great teamwork atmospheres.  You can really belong, and contribute.
• Doing multiple sports is smart.  Every serious athlete cross-trains.  So maybe the real question is “why not crew, in addition to my current sport?”

Q:  What are the benefits of crew?

A:  There’s a huge list; let’s cover the big ones:

• The physical benefits of exercise have been scientifically proven.  Some of that science has shown the benefits last for your entire life
• The mental benefits are equally important.  In almost all cases, athletic participation aids in academic performance.
• The psychological benefits of being outdoors and working hard are big.  Each day you can get in a boat and leave you concerns on land for a few hours.
• Crew is all about teamwork.  You’re likely to make good friends.  And you’ll learn to work hard/well with others, a vital skill for any person.
• Rowers have grit.  Crew training forces you to test your limits.  Athletics is a safe place for students learn from failure, and get stronger.
• Any sport builds confidence.  The drive to compete is essential to all of us.  Crew fine-tunes that desire, creating leaders and responsible individuals.
• Any sport broadens your prospective on the world.  You don’t take your phone on the water.  We can all do with less screen time.
• Crew can help you get a job.  They want people ready to handle life’s challenges.  Rowing presents plenty of challenges that help you prove yourself.

Q:  Can this help me with college application and/or scholarship?

A:  Yes, it can.  First, colleges are looking for well-rounded students.  Participation in a sport that takes high levels of commitment can show college admissions boards that you can handle their workload.  Women’s rowing offers scholarships that are easier to earn than most, if not all sports.  There may be a few scholarships out there for men, but they’re not easy to get.  Sorry guys, such is life in a land where football is king.