Last year, Ouachita held an informational meeting for students interested in forming a rowing club. The club would be for students willing to train harder than the group-oriented intramural sports, but it would also be a step down from the intensity of NCAA college athletics.
In the spring, students showed immense interest and dedication, even bringing in seniors who would work with the club for a mere semester. Over the last nine months, the organization has bloomed. The rowing club has been trying to gain ‘critical mass’ to push itself further in its journey towards competitions. Students should be prepared to train hard and commit themselves to the club. It is free for all students to join and compete.
“We have alumni, friends, donors that are eager to sponsor the club, coach the club, and see it grow,” said Tiffany Eurich, assistant professor of communications and the club’s advisor.
The school has provided a training room for the rowing club members to use. With the inclusion of ergs, or rowing machines, members can train mimicking the motion and mechanics of water rowing. The club works out together, and individual crews can schedule practice times. All students will have equal opportunity to train for competition, but only students that have trained consistently with their crew and have met minimum standards will get to compete.
Eurich said that students could be a member of another club already. The club neither exclusive nor so demanding that students can’t be a part of multiple organizations on campus. She also mentioned that all levels of athletic ability are welcome.
The students exemplify the dedication and time put into this club in their eagerness to be part of a team.
“One of the neatest things for me to see is how the club has transformed this very diverse group of students from all different backgrounds, with different levels of athletic ability into a close family in such a short amount of time,” Eurich said. “It’s amazing to see them working and growing together.”
Ouachita’s rowing club has some key competitions and deadlines in mind as well as teambuilding work. This year already, they’ve tripled the interest in the club. The rowing team is gaining some of that ‘critical mass’ it had hoped to gather.
The club has a website to inform interested students. Those interested in joining rowing club will be able to visit the club’s website at rowingclub.obu.edu. They’ll read a basic overview of the club and have access to videos to get a feel for being in a rowing club. Students who want to commit and join the team can send in an application, that will go to the club officers, via the website. Students interested in seeing updates can follow the rowing club on Instagram under the handle @oburowingclub.
By: Will Blase, staff writer
