The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- February 15, 1999

Rowing met challenges, became a championship

As the equestrian community attempts to work out the many issues involved with becoming an NCAA emerging sport, it may want to look to the sport of rowing, which had many of the same challenges to overcome.

It too had a novice class that competed in the national championship, and it too had competition among different-sized schools without regard to NCAA divisions.

"When women's rowing became an NCAA sport, it wasn't always supported by the rowing coaches throughout the country," said Jan Harville, rowing coach at the University of Washington.

Washington has had women's varsity rowing since 1975 and the club sport since 1969. Washington won numerous championships before rowing was an NCAA sport, and it has won the first two NCAA championships in 1997 and 1998.

"I think we all saw the championship as something that the NCAA could provide for our sport," Harville said. "And, it has been a really big improvement. The NCAA championship is a first-class event in terms of where it is and how it is managed. Also, it really highlights the student-athletes. I think that was the best thing that came out of it."

Harville also saw a tremendous difference in how her team was treated when it won an NCAA championship.

"We were the first sport at Washington to win an NCAA championship," she said, recalling the attention her team received when it returned to campus. "Here's the band coming out to meet us, and here are all these reporters. And we were like, 'Guys, we've done this before.' But that's what the NCAA means to the public. I think the attention helps our sport and helps our institutions."

But like equestrian, rowing had some areas where the NCAA rules simply didn't fit. Harville suggests that the equestrian community prepare for that eventuality now. "I'd advise them to organize a collegiate coaches association -- something that's not their governing body -- so you can have some strength later in figuring out the rules and the issues that come up," she said.

And, while the process is long and arduous, it really is worth it to become an NCAA championship sport, Harville said.

"There are things that have changed," she said. "But this is like a train going forward, you can either get on it or let it pass you by. I recommend getting on it."