A New Opportunity

May 22, 2009 - USRowing adds yet another collegiate championship regatta into the spring racing mix. Besides the risk of the race dates coinciding, isn't it a little absurd that there are so many "national" championships? That's three "national" championships we have now in the United States.

What is USRowing thinking? IRA is widely considered the national championship for men's racing. A new championship not just under the name of but actively controlled by USRowing pits the prestigious Intercollegiate Rowing Association against what amounts to its parent company. If you want to row internationally, the only way to do it is through USRowing.

Rowing championships are messed up enough as it is. Take a look at the ACRA championship results. In the men's varsity eight, Michigan destroyed the competition, finishing nearly eight seconds ahead of the UC Davis. Last place was Texas, with a 6:31.1. See the strength gap?

It's even more pronounced in the men's varsity four with cox, which Penn State won with a 6:40.2. LSU staggered across the petite-finals line with a 7:31.0. In the third-level final, Binghamton finished with a 7:10.6 (bad seeding?) while Ohio State struggled for a 7:42.5, over a minute behind Penn State.

What I like about the ACRAs, though, is the emphasis on small boats.

Everyone knows the Varsity 8 is the holy grail of collegiate rowing, showing you can field eight strong rowers at your school. But what about schools that only have, say, four great rowers and twelve other mediocre ones? Question: Do you put together a strong four and a mediocre eight or a mediocre eight and a mediocre four?

Answer: You put your strongest guys in the eight, because that is your Texas Football Team(TM). Your Texas Football Team wins you respect, even if all the players are weaker than those soccer pansies (read: scullers and other technically good rowers, etc.) who are only good for giving you kickers. You lead with your Texas Football Team because it's the biggest penis you have to flaunt.

USRowing could really shine in offering elite-level competition in small boats and sculling (1x, 2-, 2x as well as 4- and 4x). This is an unfilled niche in the rowing championship market. Both the NCAA and IRA championships focus on big boats (eights and fours). The USRowing championships would offer a nice championship for smaller schools and those that wish to focus more on sculling.

From the press release:

"The purpose of creating this event is to provide a post-season regatta for the collegiate community that truly reflects an open format across multiple boat classes," said USRowing Chief Executive Officer Glenn Merry. "Our junior programs have really embraced small boat rowing and sculling, and this regatta will provide similar racing opportunities for collegiate rowers."

That "open format" does not exist now, but USRowing stands able to really create it with this championship. Long under-represented, sculling and small-boats offer a great opportunity for smaller schools and teams that do not have the recruiting power of D-I and Ivy schools.