Affiliations and Organizations

Seattle Pacific University Crew is a member of two primary organizations that drive the competitive schedule; the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference (NCRC), and the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA). The NCRC is comprised of seven NCAA Division II and Division III member institutions within the northwest region. These include Humboldt State University, Lewis & Clark College, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, Western Washington University, and Willamette University. The Conference Championship is held in late April at Lake Stevens and is the precursor to advancing to the WIRA Championships.

The Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA) is a western regional organization with membership comprised of approximately 28 rowing programs at all division levels, andrepresenting colleges and universities in five western states. For ease of reference WIRA includes almost all non Pac-10 institutions with rowing programs in the west. The WIRA Championships are in late April or early May and are held at Lake Natoma near Sacramento, California.

The SPU crew race schedule progresses towards well established, national level championships. For men these include the Dad Vail Rowing Association (DVRA) Championships in Philadelphia and the National Invitational Rowing Championships (NIRC) in Worcester, MA. Attendance at these is based on progressive qualification at the respective regional level championships or through selection by the various championship committees. The venue is based on the race categories offered at the respective events. Pairs, lightweight fours and novice fours for example, are offered at the DVRA, while men's varsity fours are held at the NIRC. As of 1996, women’s rowing has been adopted by the NCAA and Seattle Pacific University is affiliated at the Division II level along with 13 other institutions who offer varsity rowing across the U.S. The combined NCAA women’s championships are held at the end of each May in different locations. Division II institutions must advance a team comprised of a women’s varsity 8 and varsity 4, or an at-large eight. One team from each of three regions as well as three at-large crews are selected by committee.