In this episode, Beau Hoopman, Head Coach for the University of Wisconsin Men’s Rowing Program and 2004 Olympic Champion, dives into what makes Wisconsin rowing different, it’s 150 years of rowing success, recruiting walk-ons as the center of program, and what it takes to compete for an IRA Grand Final. 

Key Takeaways:

• Wisconsin Training - Hard, purposeful training to build mental toughness, going back decades, and testing limits both on and off the water to make 2000 meters feel easy.

• Recruiting Walk-Ons - The value of finding fast novices who can push the recruited athletes, focusing on development, and the process for making the current roster.   

• Varsity 8+ Speed - Why every athlete's goal should be to make the top boat on their team, and what it takes to get to that speed at the top level of college rowing.

Follow Coach Hoopman and Wisconsin Rowing:

• Wisconsin Rowing - @badgermrowing

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In this episode, Kumari Lewis, Head Coach for the University of Alabama Women’s Rowing Program, dives into her first year leading Alabama, the transition from Ivy League success to the newfound resources of an SEC program, and the journey to insert another SEC power into the mix at the NCAA Championships.

Key Takeaways:

• First Year Coach - The leap Kumari made from Philadelphia and Penn to joining Alabama and a world class athletic department, without prior head coaching experience.

• SEC vs. Ivy League - The differences in what resources and support are available at Alabama versus other programs, particularly scholarships and aid.   

• D1 Workload - The commitment D1 rowers make to training, performance, and being an athlete both on and off the water, including two sessions per day, meditation, and more. 

Follow Coach Lewis and Alabama Rowing:

• Alabama Rowing - @alabamarow

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In this episode, Gary Caldwell, retired Commissioner of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association for over 25 years, dives into the formation of the present day IRA, the current state of men’s college rowing, and how programs and coaches should approach the current landscape in college athletics.

Key Takeaways:

• Formation of Current IRA - The start to the present day IRA, with the formation of the association, to the removal of club participation and freshman events, and more.

• Trends in Men’s Rowing - The limited scholarship opportunities, the growth of Division 3, the need for exposure to be comparable to the success in NCAA rowing.  

• Program Sustainability - The importance for programs to become fiscally self-sustaining and “bulletproof", and why limited funding is most often an institution problem.

Follow the IRA and the IRA Coaches Association:

• IRCA - @ircacoaches

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In this episode, Stacey Rippetoe, Head Coach for the Michigan State University Women’s Rowing Program, dives into her return to Michigan State, now as Head Coach, the competitiveness of the BIG 10 and what it takes to compete at that level, and MSU’s interest in finding recruits with and without prior rowing experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Second Stint at MSU - Returning to Michigan State, and the process for returning the program to its fastest period during her first stint as assistant coach.

• BIG 10 Conference - The competitiveness of women’s rowing in the BIG 10, and what it takes to compete and position yourself for a NCAA bid.   

• D1 Training - The coaching philosophy of experimenting throughout the spring season to figure out lineups and peak at the conference championships.

Follow Coach Rippetoe and Michigan State Rowing:

• MSU Rowing - @msu_rowing

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In this episode, Kevin dives into why aspiring college rowers should consider starting broad in their college rowing recruiting journey, with a strong emphasis on discovery and comparison, and the negative consequences that can arise by narrowing your college search too early. 

Key Takeaways:

• Narrowing Early - Why limiting your options early in the process can negatively impact your scope of what’s out there and what may be a better fit long term.

• Discovery and Comparison - How communication and visits with schools is the best way to compare programs and reaffirm your decision later.

• Recruiting Timeline - Thinking about recruiting as a marathon, and that even though it starts June 15th after sophomore year, managing the journey is crucial.

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In this episode, Kit Bennett, Executive Director and Head Coach for both Skyline Crew and the Washtenaw Rowing Center, dives deep into the trends he is seeing in scholastic rowing, both regionally and nationally, and the importance of fundraising for survival and to hit program pillars that drive athlete retention.

Key Takeaways:

• Scholastic Rowing - The trends within scholastic rowing, from athlete participation and new teams, to the difference in needs for private schools versus public school programs.

• Successful Fundraising - The importance of establishing fundraising systems to support the goals of financial aid, livable wages for coaches, and equipment.

• Athlete Experience - How investing in the regatta experience, from visibility with jumbotrons to medals docks helps make rowing more exciting and drive participation.

Follow both Washtenaw and Skyline on Instagram:

• Washtenaw Rowing - @washtenawrowingcenter

• Skyline Crew - @skylinecrewa2

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In this episode, Mary Foster, Head Coach for the Boston University Women’s Lightweight Rowing Program, dives into everything women’s lightweight rowing, and what it takes to get recruiting and compete at a top lightweight rowing program.

Key Takeaways:

• Evolution of Lightweight - The differences between IRA Lightweight and NCAA Openweight, how it started, and the recent growth of lightweight rowing.

• Recruiting - The recruiting standards for a competitive lightweight rower at a top D1 program. From 2k scores, to athlete size, to rowing skills.

• Speed of Top Lightweights - The speed at the top end of lightweight rowing, and how the standards of fitness continue to elevate.

Follow Coach Foster and Boston Lightweight Rowing:

• BU130’s Rowing - @terrier130row

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In this episode, Kevin dives into the importance for rowers to continue erg and strength training throughout the spring season to maintain fitness and continue 2k progress, and how to add them both into your routine while also balancing the spring season. 

Key Takeaways:

• Training Approach - Why a 1+2 or 2+2 erg and strength training approach, on top of practice, is crucial for maintaining fitness and 2k progress.

• 5 Training Styles - The 5 best ways to add in additional training On-Your-Own, while limiting the costs to school, team focus, and personal life.

• Routine - The importance of having a 90% certainty routine that can allow you to prioritize consistency over intensity while training OYO.

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In this episode Lisa Lowe, Doctor of Physical Therapist and former competitive rower, dives into her specialty of helping rowers stay physically healthy and navigate the path back to the water after experiencing many of the common injuries in rowing.

Key Takeaways:

• Managing Athletes Through Injury - The scale Lisa runs athletes through to help athletes assess the pain, and the degree of caution they need to take moving forward.

• The Severity of Rib Injuries - Why rib injuries are so common in rowing, and how they can be one of the most significant injuries is mismanaged.  

• Preventative Work - The importance of pre-work prior to rowing in order to wake the highly stressed muscles up, so they can withstand the training.

Follow Lisa on Instagram and check out his Website:

• Instagram - @lisalowe.dpt

• Website - https://powerhousephysio.com/

Navigate College Recruiting with the ATT Collective

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In this episode, Paula Thoms, Head Coach for the Williams College Women’s Rowing Program, dives into her unique journey of moving from coaching D1 to D3, the advantages the D3 model as it relates to development of the student-athlete, and what is takes to succeed at a competitive academic school like Williams.

Key Takeaways:

• Division 1 to Division 3 - Paula’s move from over a decade coaching Division 1 rowing, to finding her perfect fit as a coach now leading at a top D3 program in Williams.

• The D3 Model - How D3 gives athletes the environment to develop as people first, encouraging participation in clubs, activities, and rigorous courses while rowing.

• Balance and Priorities - How athletes shift focus to being successful on the water, while also taking advantage of the holistic education D3 provides.

Follow Coach Thoms and Williams Rowing:

• Williams Rowing - @ephswcrew

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