My d had a close friend who rowed for University of Rochester. Also the daughter of my supervisor was a walk-on for rowing at Rutgers. She had played varsity volleyball and travel volleyball in high school but couldn’t make the team at Rutgers. She ultimately didn’t continue with rowing but she loved the perks of being a college athlete at Rutgers, able to have a car with good parking spot on campus, athlete’s gym with tutors and homework center providing assistance.