Dallas United Crew announces that five of their 2014 alumni rowers have been recruited to D1 collegiate rowing programs! North Texas’ largest youth rowing program saw their 2014 senior rowers recruited by collegiate teams across the country, including: Kendall Mueller, the University of Virginia; Shannon Barry, The University of Texas; Chloe Sarfatis, The University of Oklahoma; Sarah Smith, Santa Clara University; and Logan Ford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Additionally, Taylor Byxbee, a coxswain with DUC prior to relocating to Indiana, is now coxing for the University of Pennsylvania. These young men and women join dozens of DUC alumni that have gone on to row in collegiate and college club programs since DUC began in 2002. In the last two years alone, DUC has seen over twenty of their alumni on the water and winning races with college programs from coast to coast.
Recent data from the NCAA shows what rowing coaches have known for a decade, that rowing in high school holds one of the best chances to be recruited for a college athletic scholarship for both men and women. DUC’s Program Director Jonathan Stevens has seen that happen over and over for DUC rowers, saying, “We have been fortunate to send so many of our rowers off to excellent collegiate rowing programs around the country. One of my proudest moments as coach is attending their signing ceremonies during their senior year, and then following their progress as they compete for their universities during their college years. Due to the college scholarship opportunities through the sport of rowing, many athletes are able to attend the college of their choice, and DUC is proud to prepare them well for that remarkable accomplishment. Our financial assistance program helps many athletes train, travel and race at the high school level to prepare them for a successful college rowing career.”
It isn’t just Dallas United Crew that is big on rowing in Texas. Over the summer, the University of Texas recruited former USC Women’s rowing coach Dave O’Neill to head the coaching staff for the UT Women’s Crew and awarded him the highest rowing coach salary in the country. O’Neill led USC Women to two NCAA titles and this summer led the United States Under 23 Women's Rowing Team to a pair of gold medals and a silver medal at the 2014 World Rowing Under 23 Championships. Look for big things from both UT and DUC in seasons to come.
DUC has just started their fall high school rowing practices in preparation for fall races in Oklahoma City, Boston, Austin and Chattanooga. High School and Middle School students interested in rowing with Dallas United Crew can find more info at www.dallasunitedcrew.org or contact info@dallasunitedcrew.org
About Dallas United Crew
Dallas United Crew (DUC) builds community through teamwork in oar and paddle sports, developing leadership and opportunity by providing access to the water of White Rock Lake. As North Texas’ largest oar and paddle sport organization, it serves a multigenerational population of youth, adults, and families through a range of programs for novice and experienced rowers and paddlers including those with disabilities. These programs challenge, strengthen and empower people both mentally and physically.
DUC has embarked on a campaign to build a community boathouse, creating an accessible, public home for recreation and competition on the water. To learn more about the new boathouse and DUC programs, visit www.dallasunitedcrew.org .