Seattle Pacific University Moves up to 3rd among Division II colleges nationwide in comprehensive study of both academics and athletics.

NCSA 2012 Power Rankings Study Helps Prospective Student-Athletes Evaluate Strengths of Top College Institutions Around the Country

(Chicago, IL) – NCSA Athletic Recruiting is pleased to announce that Seattle Pacific University was ranked 3rd among NCAA Division II universities, in the 10th Annual NCSA Collegiate Power Rankings . Further, SPU ranks first among northwest schools and places 26th among all universities in all three Divisions nationwide!

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Seattle Pacific Ranks 3rd in the U.S.News & World Report Ranking

Seattle Pacific ascends to 3rd among the west's Best Value institutions: (article link)

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About Crew: Crew is one of the fastest growing sports in America, and for good reasons. Rowing builds your body. It develops the muscles of your legs, arms, back and stomach. It is a balanced sport that builds both strength and endurance.

Rowing builds discipline. It's a great way to challenge yourself and press your personal limits. Through months of rigorous training, you'll build character strength that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Rowing builds teamwork. When you join a four- or eight-oared crew, unity takes on new meaning. Each rower must move in perfect unison with the others or speed is lost. No other sport demands more teamwork.

Finally, rowing builds excitement. More and more participants and spectators are being attracted by the competition and finesse of crew.

If you think you might be interested in becoming a part of crew at SPU then please take the time to fill out this questionnaire. You are not committing to anything, but merely letting us know you have an interested in learning more.

  Men's Crew brochure                 Women's Crew brochure

Frequently asked Questions

Do I need experience?
Do you have to be a certain size to row?
Are there scholarships?
Are there tryouts?
When/where is the first meeting/practice?
How long does the crew season last?
What clothing should I have?
Are there cuts?
How much does it cost?
How should I get in shape for it?
What do I need before I arrive?
Champion race results 1981-present

Do I need to have experience to join?
No, approximately 95% of new joins are true walk-ons with no former rowing experience. One great thing about collegiate rowing is that there are novice race categories, accordingly, as a novice rower you will not be out-matched by opponent crews with greater experience.

Do you have to be a certain size to row?
There are several weight classifications for men and women. As the NCAA does not recognize lightweight women's rowing we are not actively recruiting or racing lightweight women's categories, though it is typical for us to have a few lightweights on the team. Being light is not necessarily a disqualifier for participation. Openweight (no weight requirement) for women is unrestricted, but typically we're looking for women above 5'8" tall. We do however, need small women for coxswain positions. A coxswain (the person who steers and motivates the crew) can be male or female for men's crews (women only for women's crews). and of small stature, usually under 135lbs. Men's lightweight is 160lbs max with a crew averaging 155lbs total; Men's openweight is any male over 160lbs, we strongly encourage all to tryout. These weights are enforced during the racing season, not during the first practices.

Are there scholarships?
We currently have the equivalent of one full-time scholarship for women. It is being divided into a number of partial scholarships. We hope that in the future we will be able to offer more.

Are there tryouts?
Yes. Autumn quarter is basically the tryout period. You will be fully oriented to rowing and conditioning over autumn quarter and coached by the staff. Winter quarter you will be definitely training for competition which is in spring. You may tryout as many times as you like.

When/where is the first meeting/practice?
There are no meetings or training before autumn quarter begins. Informational meetings for walk-on candidates for each team are typically planned for the first week of school each Autumn so look for announcements or contact the staff directly. The first practice for both men and women new joins is the following week. The shellhouse is located on the bottom floor of the northwest corner of Royal Brougham Pavilion (SPU gym), accessed from the outside in back.

How long does the crew season last?
Crew is a year-long sport. Practices begin in the fall and continue through winter and spring. The collegiate racing season is primarily in the spring (March, April, and May). Rowers are not required to practice over Winter break, but we do practice over Spring Break because it falls during racing season.

What should I expect from training?

Training varies widely in rowing but involves six days a week of committed effort, this is a varsity sport. Two hours daily for organized practice on the water, and an additional one hour per day for supplementary conditioning is typical, adding up to anywhere from 18 to 20 hours per week. The practices are usually from 5 to 7 a.m. weekdays, 6 to 8 a.m. on Saturdays, though the new rowers will start in the afternoons for the first week or so at 4 p.m. All of the training is prescribed, the supplementary conditioning is three days per week in the weight room and three days per week on the rowing machines. Again the type of training varies throughout the season from long sets of aerobic training early on, transitioning to quite rigorous sprint pace, interval training in winter and spring. Rowing uses more muscle mass than any other activity known to mankind. You will work long and hard.

What clothing should I have?
The first week is all orientation, there will not be much outdoor work and no heavy exercise. Dress in normal workout clothes however, as you will be on the rowing machines, and rowing in the boats at the dock. Clothing should allow full range of motion and freedom of movement, but should NOT be excessively loose or baggy. Shorts or shirt tails that are too loose or long get caught in the seat tracks. Also, clothing commonly gets very dirty or even snagged on equipment so expensive sweat outfits are not recommended.

Are there cuts?
Each year is different with regards to rosters, budget, and capacity, the possibility exists for cuts on the women's rowing team.

How much does it cost?
There is a $90 fee which includes practice shirts, racing tank, and equipment fee. Additional uniform items can be purchased but are optional. Additional costs include the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse, the float test, and the Sports Participation physical. These costs are only for your first year of participation.

How can I get in shape for it?
While there is plenty of time during the year to get in shape, it is recommended to interested prospects that they attempt to do some basic aerobic activities three days per week. This can include just about anything that sustains an elevated heart rate such as running, tennis, etc. It is also recommended that you attempt another three days of strength training in a weight room, rowing is a total body sport so work as many muscle groups as you can. It is suggested that you start at a fairly light pace and work up on both aerobic and strength routines, especially if you are inexperienced at either. You can contact the staff directly for more information, but these are provided as recommendations only.

What do I need to do before I arrive?

1. IMPORTANT!!! - NCAA Academic Eligibility. It is important that you understand that all of your freshman year academic eligibility is based upon your high school academic performance; ninth through twelfth grade. There are many criteria to being eligible, to include core course requirements, minimum SAT/ACT scores, and grade point average. You absolutely need to do two things in preparation for your collegiate athletic career: Go to the NCAA eligibility Clearinghouse website NCAA Eligibility Center online and check the requirements, everything you need to know is in there. Then register using this same website. It is critical that you do this as soon as possible and your ability to practice and compete depend on you being designated eligible through this process. Additionally you will need to verify your amateur status once you register at this link as well .
   
2. First Year Sports Physical. Your first year physical is your responsibility, after that SPU arranges and covers your physicals. As such it is recommended that you get your physical completed sometime before you arrive utilizing your current physician (MD, Physician's Assistant, Dr of Osteopathy or Nurse Practitioner only) which may allow you to better utilize your own insurance. We have a form (link) that you must fill out a portion of and take to your appointment, upon completion your doctor must fill out their portion clearing you and return the entire form to you. Physicals are only good for one calender year, you may use an old physical but you will have to get an updated one during the year if it expires before the end of May.
   
3. Medical Insurance. Per NCAA and SPU medical policy It is REQUIRED that you have your own personal medical insurance, and your policy MUST COVER ATHLETICALLY RELATED INJURIES. You cannot practice or compete without it. Bring all your information with you, or if you want to get ahead of the game download our medical insurance questionnaire form and return it along with a photocopy of your insurance card to SPU Crew 3307 3rd Ave. W. Suite 301 Seattle, WA 98119-1957. Fax 206-281-2266 Attn: Kathy Wimer.

Championship Results 1981-Present

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