Recruitment

Dear Prospective Rower:

         If you are interested in learning a new, exciting, and rewarding sport that doesn’t have to end with college, Villanova Rowing is the perfect fit. With the Men’s Crew team, you will find a group of individuals dedicated to achieving their goals together. If you are looking for the opportunity to meet new people, get in shape, and push your physical limits to new levels, this is the team for you.

         The Men’s Rowing Team will be sponsoring an on-campus recruitment event during Freshmen Move-In on August 21 and 22. Look for our boat on campus and come introduce yourself to the team! Additionally, we will be holding a brief information session after the Fall Activities forum for those interested in learning more about the team. Check back in the fall for more information on the exact location and time. In the meantime, please feel free to look around our website. 

Welcome to the ‘Nova Nation!

 Villanova Men’s Rowing

-- About the Team --

    Fall Season

        Our fall season consists of Head Races, where boats race one-at-a-time against the clock down the river. This is the time of year when learning and conditioning takes place. Varsity rowers return in August anxious to start the new season of competition. This is the time when new members of our team can begin to learn the basics of rowing technique, and form a solid foundation of strength to build upon with winter training.

        There are no cuts on Villanova Rowing. If you’re willing to set your alarm clock and put in the effort at practice, you’re welcomed as a part of our team. As you will quickly learn, rowing is THE team sport. No where else in the world will you find the level of teamwork and camaraderie that exists in rowing. There are no ‘star-players’ or MVP’s. In rowing, victory depends upon the crew that rows best together.

        Winter Training

        Winter training is the time of year when we develop the skills we learned on the water, while building up our core strength and endurance. We practice indoors on rowing machines called ergs with weight-lifting and cardio workouts added to strengthen our muscles and push our limits. Come race day, you’ll appreciate the time put in at winter training when you’re getting back the right answers on the water. Winter training concludes with a Spring Break trip to Florida, where we take advantage of the warm weather to get back out on the water and see how our winter training has paid off.

         Spring Season

        In rowing, the spring season is Sprint racing season. Rather than racing against the clock, the events are arranged into 6 lanes of boats awaiting a shot-gun start. Spring season is when you discover just how much of a team sport rowing really is. It’s a long 8 minutes down the race course but you take confidence in knowing that there are 7 other guys pulling just as hard as you with the same goals in mind. With every drive of the legs, your body burns with the desire to walk through the boats on either side of you. It is an experience you will never forget, and provides you with lessons that will remain with you for the rest of your life.

        When it’s all said and done, you’ll realize just how much you’ve changed this past year with improved physical strength and mental development, learning to push yourself to new limits of self-discovery. It’s a long and grueling path to walk as a novice; but if you stick with it, the rewards you find developing within yourself will have you anticipating the start of the next season, and another year of challenges and boundaries to break.

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--- Frequently Asked Questions ---

Do I need to have prior rowing experience to join the team?

While prior experience is a plus, it is not required for joining our team. Many of our rowers began their rowing careers at college. Unlike other sports that require years of training to compete on the collegiate level, rowing requires determination and a drive to succeed – proper technique can be picked up within a couple weeks of practice. So it’s never too late to join!

How much of a time commitment is rowing?

Rowing, like any sport, requires practice and self-discipline. We usually practice six days a week throughout the season. While this may sound like a large commitment of time, you’ll find that it’s actually quite manageable, and many rowers find a solid balance between practice and life on campus.

What does the average practice entail?

The typical weekday practice begins with vans leaving campus at 5:15AM. We head to our boathouse in Conshohocken, where we practice on the water from about 6AM to 7:30AM. Vans depart from the river by 7:45-8AM and have you back to campus in time for your 8:30 class or team breakfast in the dining hall. Weekend practices can vary, but typically begin no earlier than 7:30AM and get us back to campus in time for lunch at 11AM.

What types of individuals is the team looking for?

There are no height or weight requirements for joining the team. Regardless of your shape or size, you will find a place on our team. We welcome any individual interested in learning to row. Many of our current rowers were high school athletes in other sports; but individuals with dedication and a drive to succeed can make the best rowers, regardless of past experience.

How are classifications broken down?

There are Heavyweight (over 165bs), Lightweight (under 165lbs) and Coxswain classifications in rowing. We are always looking for men (and women) interested in being a coxswain for our team!

I’m a high school senior visiting Villanova. Is there someone from the team I can meet with?

Of course! Anyone interested in meeting with a rower is encouraged to contact teammate Mike Zborowski. He will be happy to arrange for a team member to meet with you during your campus visit. You can reach him by email <:michael.zborowski@villanova.edu> or by phone at (215) 380-8902.

How do I become a part of Villanova Rowing?

Come out to our information session during the Fall semester to sign-up or get more information. It’s never too late to join – if you missed the information session you can also contact us by email. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Captain Mike Henry <Michael.k.henry@villanova.edu> or Coach Laura Rush <eriegirl812@hotmail.com>.

                                                                                                                        "Not everybody wins, and certainly not everybody wins all

                                                                                                                          the time. But once you get into your boat and push off, tie

                                                                                                                      into your shoes and foot-stretchers, then ‘lean on the oars,’

                                                                                                                    you have indeed won far more than those who have never tried."