Stanford University
With help from Iris Klok
Key Facts:
Location: Stanford, Bay Area, North California.
Division: Division I
Conference: Pac-12 Conference, moving to ACC in 2024
Womens NCAA 2023 Rank: 1st, Varsity finish: 1st, Last Championship Title: 2023
Womens Lightweight IRA 2023 Rank: 6th, Varsity finish: 2nd, Last Title: 2019
Mens IRA 2023 Rank: 13th, Varsity finish: 8th, Last Championship Title: N/A
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Rowing at Stanford
Stanford, founded in 1891, in the heart of Silicon Valley, emphasizes STEM. It follows a quarter-based academic system and holds a special place in rowing history since 1904, known for inclusive walk-on programs. Stanford's Men's, Women's, and Lightweight Teams foster walk-ons, achieving remarkable success in All-American rankings, Championships, and even the Olympics. Notably, the Lightweight Women's Team clinched nine out of ten IRA national championships from 2010 to 2019. Stanford's exceptional athletic history shines as it has produced more Olympians than any other university.
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Coaching Excellence
In the 2023-24 season, Derek Byrnes is celebrating his eighth year as Stanford's head women's rowing coach. Under his leadership, the Cardinal's women's rowing program has consistently excelled. In 2023, Byrnes earned recognition as the Pac-12 & NCAA Coach of the Year as he guided Stanford to Pac-12 & NCAA Championship titles - its 14th consecutive top-10 finish at the NCAA Championships.
Lizzy Houston, the new associate head coach for Stanford's women's lightweight rowing team, arrives with impressive credentials. Formerly at Boston College, she coached the third and fourth varsity eights to strong showings at ACC championships. Her responsibilities included on-campus recruiting, walk-on tryouts, novice team selection, and collaborative support to the head coach.
In 2023-24, Ted Sobolewski enters his fifth year as the Farwell Family Director of Men's Rowing at Stanford. The Cardinal's Varsity 8+ featured standout Peter Chatain, who's vying for a spot on the U.S. Eight at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Stanford ranked 13th at the IRA National Championships and has consistently been a top-20 contender for 15 seasons. Freshman Caspar Griffin earned Pac-12 Co-Newcomer of the Year, and Chatain and Travis Senf received All-Pac-12 honors.
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Cutting-Edge Facilities
In 1905, Stanford students recognized the need for a boating club and constructed the first Stanford boathouse. The Arrillaga Family Rowing and Sailing Center, a 15-minute drive from campus, hosts Men's and Women's Rowing, Women's Lightweight Rowing, and Stanford Sailing. This two-story complex features five boat bays, over 16,000 square feet of space, locker rooms, a multifunctional area, a laundry room, a history room, and a kitchen. The erg & weights room, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, is conveniently located on campus at the Burnham Pavilion & Ford Center.
Year-Round Competition
Stanford engages in a comprehensive rowing program, facing rivals like California in major fall races including the San Diego Crew Classic, the Big 10 invite in Florida, and the iconic Head of the Charles regatta before competing against PAC-12 opponents in the spring season. Following the conference championships, Stanford focuses on competing at the IRA and NCAA national events. Stanford's rowers can maintain their training routine without the need for a winter training camp due to the warm Californian weather year-round.
Balancing Academics and Athletics
Stanford's rowing teams start their days early, leaving campus at 5:45 AM to row every morning and undergo land training in the evenings. With over 20 hours of training each week, balancing academics and sports is demanding. Stanford provides free 1-on-1 tutoring, along with group tutoring for larger classes, ensuring academic success for all athletes. Athletes live on campus and are held to the same academic standards as their peers. Despite the time commitments, the rowing teams maintain a higher average GPA than the university's average student body.
World-Class Academics
Located in the dynamic San Francisco Bay Area, Stanford University is renowned for its STEM programs across seven colleges. Notable alumni, including Nobel laureates, continue to drive academic excellence. Stanford excels in tech innovation, thanks to its School of Engineering and Computer Science Department, benefiting from its Silicon Valley proximity. With a network of influential alumni in tech, Stanford nurtures aspiring entrepreneurs. Offering need-blind admissions and substantial financial aid, Stanford's yearly tuition averages $7,200, making it an exceptional place for education and rowing.
How to get recruited to row at Stanford:
To start your recruiting journey, begin by filling out the rowing recruiting questionnaires on the Stanford 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.
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