I posted this as a more general question beforehand. Basically, I am very interested in participating in crew in college; however, the opportunity to try it in my state is slim to none. Is the questionnaire only for athletes with experience or should I complete it to express my interest?
Read the first line of the text closely; looks like there is a chance for you if you can pass muster. Good luck!
http://mitathletics.com/sports/m-crewlt/FAQ09-10
What does it take to be a member of MIT Lightweight Men’s Crew?
Men’s Lightweight Crew is comprised of guys who rowed competitively in high school and athletes who first pick up an oar at MIT. In order to make the lightweight crew at MIT, you need to have an abiding passion for rowing and racing. In the spring, our athletes need to weigh 170lbs or less, and demonstrate the desire, dedication and ability necessary to contribute to the team’s success. The coaches do not hold “try-outs”; typically the rigors of training provide all the selection necessary. Generally, the freshmen squad is 20-30 individuals. Regardless of your skill and experience, your first year is spent training and racing on the freshmen team.
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Even if you were already a rower looking to be recruited, now is pretty much too late to fill stuff out, since teams want you to apply to their school EA. Official visits and whatnot have already taken place.
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Generally the forms for these things are for athletes who are already accomplished at what they do and want to be recruited.
That being said, go ahead and fill it out. It can’t hurt to express interest, and maybe even talk to the coaches a little, just to get to know what’s going on, what the team is like, etc., even if they won’t support your application. Also, when you say that your opportunity to try rowing in your athletic state is slim to none, you are just plain wrong. Pretty much every team, just like the poster before me mentioned, does take walk-ons, and some even go on to compete in the Olympics. Rowing is unique in that it’s a sport where excellent athletes sometimes don’t even start until high school or college, unlike something like soccer where if you don’t start when you’re 4 years old, you’re done. So whether or not you’d be amazing at it, if you go to MIT, you will have the opportunity to try the sport there. Just out of curiosity, are you at all athletic already? Have you played another sport? Also, what is your height and weight (and for that matter, sex, since you didn’t mention it in your post).
@mistergrimsby I’m pretty small (5’1", 110 lb) and female. If I could, I would be a cox. I play tennis and participate in my JROTC’s physical training team. I had meant geographical state since I only know of two high schools with teams at all.
Thank you for your reply.
@OpalStone There are a ton of walk on coxswains in collegiate. It’s much easier to train a coxswain from nothing than to train a rower who needs both fitness and technique work. You’re pretty much the perfect size for a coxswain, so I’d say definitely drop one of the coaches an email to say you’re interested, and ask them anything you’d want to know about the team or the sport in general. I can’t speak for the women’s coaches there, but at least all of the men’s coaches are very friendly and would probably be happy to give you information.
@OpalStone
^^^^ great advice! Coaches are always looking for walk-ons and are willing to give someone who is a well conditioned athlete a try.
If you are looking to cox your profile looks great. Just watch out! Crew is addictive. My son drank the Kool Aid four years ago and hasn’t looked back.
Good luck!