Dear Eagle:
I found the answer(s) to several of my questions on the K.U. Web Site. It appears only Womens Rowing is offered, and is offered as a Varsity Level Sport in response to Title IX.
Page last modified: 21:18:44 - Monday, March 15, 2004 Now: 10:30:27 - Friday, April 02, 2004
Kansas Rowing! Why Kansas Rowing?
Rowing at Kansas can provide an exhilarating and competitive opportunity for any woman. Previous rowing experience is not necessary. Consider the fact that only 300 high schools across the country have rowing programs and most of the current Jayhawk team members never rowed before they arrived at Kansas.
"Rowing gives women the opportunity to compete in college athletics, namely at the Division I level," head coach Rob Catloth said. "As a varsity level sport, the chance to earn a scholarship and compete as a Jayhawk is now available to many more women on the Kansas campus."
With your decision to row at the University of Kansas, the Jayhawk coaching staff will teach you the fundamentals of rowing. You will begin as a novice rower, and with encouragement and assistance from coaches and fellow teammates, you have the opportunity to advance to varsity level competition.
Women's rowing and soccer are the first varsity level sports Kansas has added since the 1970's. During the 1994-95 academic year, rowing began the transition from a club sport to gaining full varsity status in the fall of 1995. As a club sport for 17 years, the Jayhawks enjoyed a tremendous amount of success. The Jayhawks have earned five gold medals at the Midwest Rowing Championships over the years and five boats have rowed in the Collegiate National Rowing Championships with one earning silver medal honors. Coach Rob Catloth gained his initial rowing experience as a member of the Kansas club team.
"College is not just about the academic experience," Catloth said. "Being a part of the rowing team really broadens the college experience. Our athletes learn teamwork and self-discipline."
The success does not end when the races are over. The Jayhawk rowers have had tremendous overall success in the classroom. In Spring 2001 there were 47 rowers that earned Jayhawk Scholar honors. The team combined for a 3.19 grade point average. Kansas rowers have gone on to do great things after their collegiate careers were over also. Several are currently enrolled at the University of Kansas Medical School. Others are currently in law and engineering graduate school programs. Still, others are pilots in the military. When your career is over, the accomplishments do not have to end.
The Kansas rowing team also received its first graduation rate this year. This rate reflects the percentage of Kansas rowers who leave the university and the rowing program with a college degree. Illustrating, once again, the well-rounded experience the Kansas rowing program has to offer, the Jayhawks notched an outstanding 94.7 percent graduation rate.
KU also competes on the varsity level with eight other women's programs: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
