Crew team reinstated, hopes to increase team members

Chapman decided not to renew its boathouse lease in March 2017, a decision the former captain of the men’s crew team, Ethan Friederich, said came as a “shock.” Michael Long, the team’s new head coach, plans on accepting all students interested in rowing on a rolling basis, regardless of previous experience.

Rob Farmer was “ecstatic” to receive an email this summer announcing the reinstatement of Chapman’s crew team after the sport was fully disbanded at Chapman in 2017.

Since crew was dissolved due to high costs and low enrollment, Farmer was not able to row at Chapman his freshman year. Now, as captain of the team, he looks forward to the physical and mental sense of accomplishment that comes with rowing, he said.

“By the end of the race, you’re getting out there, you’re soaked in sweat, drenched in water, and you just have the biggest smile spread across your face because you know you did it,” said Farmer, a sophomore data analytics major.

By the end of the recruitment process, Michael Long, head coach, hopes to have enough men and women to form a solid team. There are about 50 interested athletes, he said. Mary Cahill, Chapman’s senior women’s administrator, said that two athletes have officially committed to the team as of Sept 20.

“I have a target of 11 women and seven men. That’s taken from an analysis of successful clubs in California,” Long said.

The team is looking to recruit athletes who are committed, but is not yet focused on competition, Farmer said.

“If we get enough experienced guys or girls just really getting out there and giving it their all, then we are going to have a very successful season,” Farmer said. “Even if we take home no medals, no victories, no places, we’re going to be out there having a good time every morning.”\

Interested athletes are undergoing physical exams to ensure they are fit to participate, but admission is rolling — so athletes can join at any point during the year, Long said.

The Chapman University Robert & Marie Gray Crew Center

Long is focusing on recruiting retired student athletes who have been previously injured, but are still looking to compete, he said. Rowing is not a weight-bearing or a contact sport, two qualities Long said make it ideal for injured athletes.

“Every team I’ve coached, I’ve had people with severe knee injuries, from soccer to basketball; shoulder injuries from wherever,” Long said. “Rowing becomes their competitive outlet, and that’s who I’m actually trying to reach, people who are athletically inclined and still want to compete.”

Long said for many injured athletes, rowing is a final opportunity for competition.

“That’s where rowing finds their athletes. It’s the last stop,” Long said.

Practices will be Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., but unofficial practice will go until noon, to give athletes the ability to come in at their convenience, Farmer said.

“Practice starts at 6 and goes until 7 with a flex practice. That means everyone can come out of their schedule that can accomodate from Monday through Friday,”

Farmer said. “Our coach will be there the entire time and pushing the group to work harder and get better.”

At this point in the recruitment process, Long said he plans on taking every interested player, regardless of previous athletic experience. This season, he hopes to rebuild the team without focusing on competition, he said.

“There are no cuts,” Long said. “There will be a stratification of performance, but that’s so far down the line.”