Harvard University
Key Facts:
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, East Coast.
Division: Division I
Conference: The Ivy League
Womens NCAA 2023 Rank: N/A, Last Championship Title: 2003
Womens Lightweight 2023 Rank: 4th, Varsity finish: 5th, Last Championship Title: 2014
Mens IRA 2023 Rank: 5th, Varsity finish: 8th, Last Championship Title: 2005
Mens Lightweight 2023 Rank: 2nd, Varsity finish: 2nd, Last Championship Title: 2013
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Rowing at Harvard: Tradition, Excellence, and Balance
Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest higher education institution in the United States. Among the Ivy League's most prestigious athletic programs, Harvard rowing consistently produces top crews and olympians. With roots dating back to the 1840s, Harvard men's rowing is one of the university's earliest athletic programs. The famous Harvard-Yale rivalry began on the water in 1852, which makes the annual Harvard-Yale Regatta the oldest still-running college sports event in the country.
The women's team competes under the Harvard-Radcliffe name, while the men’s team competes under the Harvard name. Radcliffe Crew, founded in 1972 as the Ivy League's first women’s rowing team, maintains its name and black and white colours out of respect for the women who established the storied program. Though separated by title, both programs uphold the Crimson’s tradition of athletic and academic achievement.
Coaching Excellence
Charley Butt enters his 11th season with Harvard Heavyweight men's rowing. Butt has guided the Crimson to a 43-9 dual record and five top-5 IRA finishes. Butt rowed for the U.S. at the 1980 World Championships and won an IRA title in 1979. With nearly four decades of coaching excellence, Butt has coaches USA olympic crews in four different Olympics.
Billy Boyce enters his seventh season as the Harvard Lightweight men’s coach. In his lightweight debut season, Boyce guided the Crimson to an IRA Championship win 9-1 record. In 2022 Boyce lead Harvard lights to two dual wins and an IRA second place position. His student-athletes consistently compete for conference and national championships.
Claire Ochal starts her first season as Harvard's head coach for women's rowing in 2023-24. She comes to Cambridge after a successful five years as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Syracuse. There, Ochal elevated the Orange to new heights like a third place ACC Championships finish in 2019.
Sarah Baker enters her ninth season leading the Harvard-Radcliffe lightweight women's rowing team in 2023-24. Last season Baker guided her team to a 2-2 record, third place Eastern Sprints finish, and fifth at IRAs. Prior standout seasons include a 2017 HOCR gold medal and Eastern Sprints crown under Baker's leadership. Baker continues the Radcliffe lightweight legacy as one of college rowing's most successful programs.
Year-Round Competition
Harvard rowing faces top competition throughout the year. In the fall, the Crimson feature in the Head of the Charles and Foot of the Charles. To build fitness ahead of the racing schedule, the teams embark on training trips to Florida twice annually when the Charles River freezes over.
One of the highlights of spring is battling ancient rival Yale in the historic Harvard-Yale Regatta. Come championship season, Harvard sets sights on claiming the Eastern Sprints, Ivy League, IRA national, and NCAA titles. The Crimson also regularly represent the school at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England.
Balancing Academics and Athletics
Embracing the life of a Harvard rower means embracing rigor. The day kicks off with 6:45am practices, followed by evening water sessions, amassing over 20 hours of training each week. Navigating this demanding schedule alongside rigorous classes underscores the importance of time management. Balancing the demands of academics and rowing at one of the world's top-ranked schools presents its challenges, but it's a journey that offers immense growth and reward.
World-Class Academics
Harvard offers an unmatched education with faculty and resources among the world’s best. The university is renowned for its research output, award-winning faculty, and distinguished alumni. Harvard consistently tops global university rankings and offers generous financial aid - about 60% of students receive aid.
With over 400 student organizations and secret clubs, Harvard provides opportunities for academic, extracurricular and athletic engagement. From living in historic dorms to dining in picturesque halls, students experience a rich campus life. The Ivy League institution opens doors to careers across every discipline and provides connections around the globe.
How to get recruited to row at Harvard:
To start your recruiting journey, begin by filling out the rowing recruiting questionnaires on the Harvard rowing website. After completing the questionnaire, take the initiative to send an introductory email to the rowing recruiting coach, providing essential details about yourself. This helps create a strong initial impression and lays the foundation for effective communication with the coach.
Get expert help on how to secure scholarships and get recruited to row in college: