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Archived News Article

MSOE plans to add men’s varsity rowing

Published: 09/14/2006 Bookmark and Share

By next fall the Milwaukee River will be home to Milwaukee’s first college varsity rowing team. Milwaukee School of Engineering Athletics will begin a men’s varsity rowing team – or crew -- that will compete nationally.

The program is a result of student interest, startup funds from an anonymous donor and a unique collaboration between MSOE Athletics and the nearby Milwaukee Rowing Club.

With funds donated for startup and the first five years of running the program, MSOE will row as part of the club using the club’s award-winning facilities, boats and practice equipment, as well as tap some of its members’ expertise, who include former national team members and Olympians. The MSOE crew team coach also will coach the club’s program for high school students.

UW-Madison is the only other university in the state with varsity men’s rowing team.

Rowing is a sport that fits MSOE’s student profile well and at least 50 of its students have shown interest in the sport. A team sport, rowing requires mental intensity, teamwork and willingness to push beyond limits, which are all qualities of MSOE students. MSOE’s Kern Center is about three city blocks south of the Milwaukee Rowing Club facilities, so travel time to practice will be limited.

MSOE President Hermann Viets, Ph.D., said rowing will be a positive addition to campus:

“I know our students do not choose to come to MSOE because of their athletic aspirations. Rather, athletics augments our students’ true reason for attending MSOE – a great education that is the foundation for a successful career. But athletics are important to students' total experience. That’s why we built the Kern Center two years ago. Rowing is one more addition to help round-out the student experience.”

Kenneth Nelson, president of the Milwaukee Rowing Club, says the new MSOE program also will add to recreation and downtown life:

“When you consider the focus of MSOE student-athletes, combined with the backing of the college, the club’s first-rate facilities and our beautiful Milwaukee River, there’s no reason to believe that these students couldn’t develop to a national ranking or even Olympic possibilities. It could also really raise the bar for club programs and the Milwaukee Junior Program.”

Despite significant academic rigors and without the added incentive of scholarships, two-thirds of the student population participates in varsity and/or intramural sports. With the addition of rowing, MSOE offers 20 men’s and women’s varsity sports, competing in NCAA Division III. MSOE teams have won 12 conference championships in the last five years in various sports and MSOE is regularly recognized by the Lake Michigan Conference with both player-of-the-year and coach-of-the year accolades. MSOE has had four Athletic All-Americans and seven Academic All-Americans in the last 25 years.