Princeton University Athletics
Rowing at Princeton
April 10, 2000 | Heavyweight Rowing
The Class of 1887 Boathouse on the shore of Lake Carnegie holds "as happy a family as there is," according to men's heavyweight crew coach Curtis Jordan. That "family" includes the four components of Princeton's crew: the heavyweight men's crew, the lightweight men's crew, the women's open crew and the women's lightweight crew. Each of those crews also has a freshman team, bringing the number of rowers in the program to nearly 200 students altogether.
"There's a very friendly atmosphere in the boathouse, people work together," says Danika Harris '95, a world champion and member of the Tigers' 1994 and 1995 women's national championship teams. "At other schools there are politics of various kinds. It might be animosity between the men's and women's teams or between the heavyweight and lightweight teams or competition for places in a varsity boat. Here, everyone respects one another."
The transformation of individual rowers into teams that beat a 2,000-meter course in under six minutes doesn't come easily. "From September through November and from March through May, we row on the lake five or six days a week," says Jordan.
Winter training takes place in the boathouse, which has a 16-oar moving-water rowing tank, a workout room and dozens of rowing machines called ergometers, or "ergs." Boats, oars, weights and ergs are provided by the Princeton University Rowing Association, an alumni group that supports all aspects of the program equally. During the winter the rowers use the ergs to compete against themselves with the same zeal that they compete against other colleges in the spring.
"The crew is a bunch of really intense athletes," says Don Fornes '95, a member of the 1995 men's national runner-up heavyweight boat. "No one is concerned with being a star, just being his or her best."
Princeton's men row in the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (EARC) and the women in the Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges (EAWRC). Each squad has three boats (varsity, 2V and 3V) and two freshman boats.
As all of Princeton's coaches are quick to point out, much of the team's training is aimed at getting eight individual rowers in such sync that it's no longer a thought process.
One factor contributing to the general high spirit in the boathouse is that Princeton crew has a legacy of success. The 1990s have been a decade of crew dominance at Princeton, as the men's and women's varsity crews have combined for 10 national titles. In 1998 the heavyweight and lightweight men each won the national crown, and the lightweight men also went undefeated.
The women's open crew competed at the NCAA championships, while the second-year lightweight women's crew won the national crown.
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The Princeton Experience
"Lightweight women's crew has not only complemented, but has extended
my education as a student-athlete. Rowing at Princeton has allowed
me to experience teamwork, competition, and ambition that differs
from academic learning. Crew provides an opportunity to apply a
strong work ethic, persistence, and dedication to life beyond the
classroom. But most importantly, rowing provides two hours each
afternoon away from academics to simply enjoy the competitive spirit
of a team. This rest from my studies allows me to approach my
responsibilities as a student with a refreshed perspective. Rowing
has contributed to my role as a competitor as well as my role as a
learner and has rewarded me with a unique experience at Princeton."
- Julie Jarrett '01, Women's Lightweight Crew
"Guts. You can talk all you want about what it takes to row at
Princeton - break the stroke down into multiple drills, count the
banners and trophies of each squad, trace back every beloved
tradition, you can dissect it down to a perfect science. But more
than anything, being a member of Princeton crew takes guts. Guts to
come to practice each day, demanding just a bit more than yesterday.
Guts to perform not only on Lake Carnegie but also in orgo lab or
your politics seminar. Guts to accept that being a team means
everything you do affects everyone else and that your boat is only as
fast as "its weakest link". And it takes guts to cross that line,
the entire race a complete blur, having no regrets only pride. As a
Princeton rower, you leave with more than a diploma. You face the
world with relentless drive, unwavering dedication and life-long
lasting friendships. And of course, invincible, rock-solid guts."
- Kristin Bartges '00, co-captain,
Women's Open Crew
"During these past four years as a member of the heavyweight team, I
have learned more on Lake Carnegie than in any classroom or building.
The nature of the sport requires total dedication, discipline and
determination. The Princeton Crew experience is unique in that
because we have the best coaches, facilities and rowers in the
country, each member of the team can succeed by simply working as
hard as possible. The exciting and competitive environment of
Princeton rowing drives each rower beyond their personal goals. In
the spring, the intense, personal competitiveness of each rower
yields national championship caliber crews. This process, which
happens each season, has made my entire Princeton experience more
rewarding than I ever imagined it would be."
- Dave Bordeau '00, captain, Men's Heavyweight Crew
"The best decision I've made in recent memory, other than
saying "YES!" to Princeton, was joining the crew team. As a high
school cross country runner, I was looking for a new athletic
experience my freshman year of college. What I found in the
Princeton rowing program was far beyond anything I'd ever imagined.
Training under the leadership of world-class coaches and with the
inspiration of the Princeton Crew legacy, I've met and conquered both
mental and physical challenges through dedication, determination, and
hard work of the rawest nature. This individual effort, fostered by
and combined with the effort of each teammate and the effort of the
team as a whole, has led me to the most intense and the most
rewarding moments of my life. After graduation, I'll miss racing as
a Princeton crew because of these very moments, but will cherish the
memories and friendships forged with my teammates and coaches as we
strove together for something faster, something stronger, something
greater than any one of us could have ever achieved on our own."
- Joe DiNorcia '00, co-captain,
Men's Lightweight Crew
"I came down to the boathouse in the fall of my freshman year, with
no rowing and little athletic experience. Now, in my fourth year on
the Princeton crew, I consider my hours spent on Lake Carnegie as
some of the most important of my Princeton career. I have learned,
and been taught how to be a better rower, friend, team-member and
athlete with the help of my coaches and teammates. The strength and
guidance that the boathouse community has provided me are reflected
in the close relationship I have with not only the people, but also
the values of Princeton Crew. Among these values I would include
dedication, teamwork, tenacity and drive. Today, these ideals have
become an integral part of who I am, and promise to stay with me at
Lake Carnegie and beyond."
- Sarah Cook '00, co-captain, Women's Open Crew