<p>I am a coxswain at a very competitive high school (both athletically and academically) and am interested in pursuing this interest at the college level. I wanted to know how the recruiting process for Ivy/D1 schools would work; I imagine it must be a bit different for coxswains. What I want to know is how to persuade a coach to pick me over others. </p>
<p>The thing is, I am established in my academics: 2400 SAT Combined/2380 SAT Single, 800 SAT Math 2, 790 SAT Chem, 3.95 GPA (Unweighted). I was hoping this would widen my possibilities, because coaches at, say, HYPSM might be looking to balance out their low-academic, high-athletic rower recruits.</p>
<p>In terms of coxing, I haven't placed in any huge regattas like Stotesbury or SRAAs. I only have first place wins on local regattas. Also, my freshman year, my boat got 3rd in the state championships. I'm on the junior 8 this year and I hope we can clinch a state title, which is a realistic goal.</p>
<p>I was a cox at Cornell. The coach saw that I was a pipsqueak when I was registering for classes and he asked me to walk on. I don’t know if it has changed, but I think they would love to have you. However, my guess is that he could not afford a slot for you, so you might have to get in on your own – but it looks like your academics are very good anyway. I think you should email the coaches and let them know of your interest. Also, apply ED to wherever you want to go, especially HYP.</p>
<p>HYP, etc. do not admit “low-academic” students for sports but your stats are good. Email the coaches and see what kind of response you get. The coaches typically want to see some kind of an activity resume. You can google examples of one if you want. Send that along with a brief note about why you are interested in their program. Make sure you include height and weight information. They can’t contact you directly unless you are outside of your junior season (which is sounds like you are not), but they can reply to emails.</p>
<p>I know a cox who was invited to an OV at Yale, but the coach told him he wouldn’t use a slot on a cox, he’d have to get in on his own. He did not.</p>
<p>However, I know another cox who was recruited, with scholarship, to the University of Washington.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! Of course, the more the better, so bring it on, CC!</p>
<p>I was also looking at the Stanford Crew website, and they mentioned the NCAA Eligibility Center frequently. I’ve been to their website but didn’t register because it cost money. Is it mandatory for prospective athletes to register with the Eligibility Center to be recruited? Also, are there any NCAA rules that I should be following right now?</p>
<p>Sorry for so many questions, but I just want to give myself the best chance possible, which will only come if I am well-informed.</p>
<p>The Yale cox was recruited from Eton two years ago. So that position is filled four the next couple of years (and yes, he was a recruited cox…).</p>
<p>As yesterday’s Boat Race makes very clear, a good cox is literally a life saver. That crazy swimmer would be dead (the issue of should I shall leave aside) if the Oxford cox not screamed STOP–she did that even before being told that the race was suspended by the Umpire–and was able to get her crew-- bearing down in one of the closest Boat Races in recent memory-- to do so. Later a coxing error cost Oxford the race–</p>
<p>Coxes, especially in races that use natural courses, are critical to success–and coaches are well aware. </p>
<p>I would try to get some video, your results and letters from coaches and even strokes to get a crew coach’s interest. Obviously your meeting with the coach is critical as you are the coach’s mouth during the race and assistant during training-- there has to be chemistry between you.</p>
<p>Your academics seem terrific and that will be a great help. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you. I am sure that there will be a fit for you at a program.</p>
<p>Yes, you must register with the NCAA eligibility center and send either your ACT/SAT scores to them or you can’t be recruited. They have to prove you are academically eligible to participate in college sports. Not an issue for you really, but it is what it is. It’s $69 or something like that to register. </p>
<p>The NCAA rules are mainly for coaches and when and how they can contact students. Just be aware that they cannot call you directly until after your junior season but they can email you back if you send them an email-which is why it is a good idea to email coaches at the various schools.</p>
<p>Not that the cox isn’t important but the coaches get a limited number of likely letters for their sport and they are probably going to use those for top rowers. I wouldn’t count on admissions assistance at HYP,etc. I think other’s have given you great advice about looking at other schools the do offer scholarships for rowing as well.</p>
<p>synth204–WashU lists their Crew Team as a club team and they are Division 3, so no athletic money for rowing either way. Not that WashU isn’t a good option for the OP, just wanted to point that out so she would know that.</p>
<p>^SteveMA If the cox is special they do. This I know for a fact as Yale’s cox was a classmate and friend of my son’s and was most definitely recruited–not just by Yale but every top program in the country–and Oxbridge as well. Top programs recognize the need for top coxes and that the cox is not merely a small person with big lungs who can steer. That said, the cox in question has to be outstanding–but is he/she is, she will find good D1 schools (University of Washington frequently is contending for top NCAA honors–Brown, esp the women are top tier as well). Lots of programs and few top tier coxes.</p>
<p>Yes, it is worth contacting coaches. Some Ivy coaches do help coxswains through the admissions process. Our club has a graduating senior who received a L.L. to an Ivy this year and another who is at UVA. (both with OUTSTANDING academics & lots of experience) I think that you need to have stellar academics to help boost the teams’ A.I. - sounds like you do. Also, contact the coaches of men’s teams too. As a girl, you are eligible to cox both men’s and women’s boats. Make audio tapes of your races and video too. When you email, ask the coaches what they require. See if you can get the opportunity to cox at some big races. Is there a competitive masters (adults) program around you? Look into coxing at a strong camp this summer. While it is more difficult to receive a slot as a cox, it is not out of the question. Even if you aren’t offered a L.L., they may be able to give you a little push. Good luck!</p>
<p>Are you male or female? Are you a junior or sophomore? The coaches will tell you if you should register with the NCAA; some leagues require it, even if you’ll be recruited for men’s rowing (not an NCAA sport).
Anyways, the top teams usually recruit one coxswain per year, with a reserved spot. That’s especially true for the ivy league or D1 OW women and the HW men teams. The LWs usually don’t but take a walk-on. To be recruited, coaches will look how your boat did at the regattas as well as request coxing audio/video tapes, usually race tapes. And yes, high grades and test scores are more important for the coxswain than the rower.
If your boat did not do so well, you still can get recruited. You could go to a national id camp (too late for this year, though), go to a summer camp that also includes coxing training, and try to get tapes from top coxswains; Here are some online links: [Seth</a> Bauer and Pete Cipollone Cox the 1997 Head Of The Charles®](<a href=“http://www.row2k.com/stories/sethpete.shtml]Seth”>Ooops! Page not found! Rowing and Sculling for Rowers and Scullers - row2k.com) Seth Bauer and Pete Cippollone at the HOCR
[US</a> Rowing Junior National Team](<a href=“usrowingjrs.org”>usrowingjrs.org) Chelsea Lucas at women’s 8 at junior worlds
[2011</a> Rowing World Champs final LM8+ (cox version) - YouTube](<a href=“Cox Recording - 2011 Rowing World Champs Final LM8+ - Australia - YouTube”>Cox Recording - 2011 Rowing World Champs Final LM8+ - Australia - YouTube) LM8+
[Coxie.com</a> - Quinn Sivage - ORU - San Diego 2003 Final M8+](<a href=“http://www.coxie.com/reference]Coxie.com”>http://www.coxie.com/reference)</p>
<p>Wow thanks! I’ll look at the coxing tapes - I’ve already listened to the tape by “Max,” the coxswain for the Men’s 8+ at IDR this past year - something remarkable indeed.</p>
<p>I think there is a competitive masters program that I can join, but what I wanted to know was whether it would be as good, because we may not go to common regattas including Club Nationals (I’ve never been there, but I really want to go, since I hear it’s the best place to meet some of the college coaches who are scouting there).
Oh awkward…I didn’t mention. I am a male junior.</p>
<p>And what I wanted to know is how to portray myself as one of those “top-tier” coxswains. Again, I just wanted to express how much I appreciate your advice, everyone. I know that this kind of information is invaluable, and I have no doubt it will help me in my goal.</p>
<p>Eh, sorry. I don’t know why I assumed that you were a girl. Still, it’s possible to get recruited, although not quite as many options. One of the coxswains that I was referring to is a boy and is headed to an Ivy after receiving a L.L.</p>
<p>I would ask your coach’s advice about the best way to gain experience this spring and summer. If you aren’t confident in your coach’s advice & experience with regard to recruiting, it may be a good idea to ask some coaches at colleges you are interested in. You don’t have a lot of time left, so you want to maximize it. Your outstanding academics will be a pull for coaches. Don’t let that slip - you will help to balance out a weaker academic, but strong rower and your academics. That may be the most appealing thing about you to a coach. Cast a wide net! Look into all the Ivy programs! It is my impression that the rank of the team does not necessarily jive with how many slots/pull the coach is given by admissions. </p>
<p>IDR in Philly has a big tent with a lot of coaches the day after junior racing ends. There are even more coaches at club nationals which is in NJ a couple of weeks later. I don’t think that you even have to race to go to the recruiting tents. (I would double check) You need to register and you must be a rising senior to be admitted. Bring a resume that includes - your name, age, height, weight, school, academic stats, a copy of your transcript & screen shot of your test scores (attached) race experience, awards/honors. (a small photo of your face is useful to help them remember you - just print it on your resume)
There are summer camps that attend both of these races. Junior I.D. & selection camps as well as Penn A.C. and others whose names escape me at the moment. The trickiest thing for you will be to try to go someplace with strong rowers and a shortage of coxswains. It won’t do you as much good to cox a weak boat. </p>
<p>I don’t know where you live and how far you would have to travel to get to these races, but if you are available to make the trip, it might be worth it. There is considerable overlap, so no need to go to both if you won’t be racing. (Club Nat.'s will have more coaches, but will be crazier & more crowded.) Perhaps you can combine the trip with some college visits. Remember - make sure you contact any coaches ahead of time and see if you they will be available to meet with you during your visits!! Good luck!!</p>
<p>Are there any summer rowing programs in your area, either junior or masters? Many junior programs go to Club Nationals. Also, does your school team go to Stotes or SRAA? Does your school row year-round, or could you join a fall program? And will you be coxing the 1V next year?
As anothersomeone has said it is harder to get recruited as a male, but there are still plenty of options; it’s not like the Yale job has been filled for the next two years. Freshmen aren’t allowed to race in non-Freshmen boats (I’m pretty sure that includes the coxswain), and there is more than one boat that needs a coxswain.</p>
<p>I live in the Northern VA area, so there are a few clubs that I can go to (someone who has rowed here would know more). Because of an internship I’m doing, they’d have to be in the evenings or on the weekend, but I’m sure I can find something. Especially since many of the masters programs are in the evenings (adults have to work too!).</p>
<p>My team does go to both Stotes and SRAAs; I will be going there as the coxswain for the junior 8+. My school only rows in the spring, but there is a fall rowing program that is available (although, I’d have to do the masters program for this. The plus side is that I get to race the Head of the Charles.)</p>
<p>I will be coxing the 1V next year, and since 5 people in my class (2013) have been on the 1V since sophomore year, we have a very good chance next year (although, this won’t matter for me though).</p>
<p>My realistic goal for this year is for our junior 8 to win states (the VASRA championships), which I think will give me a boost.</p>
<p>You may want to contact coaches now and establish a contact. Then keep them updated and let them know your boat is doing during the season. Unless your boat does really well this season, I’d think that you need to do some coxing over the summer.</p>