Early in the summer of 2015, row2k started in on researching the presence and influence of international rowers in the US collegiate system, which were increasing in numbers not only in the biggest scholarship programs, but really throughout the ranks of varsity rowing programs.
This reporting was intended as a series about men's rowing in the US in general, with discussions of the status and health of collegiate club rowing as well as other factors, drawing on interviews and conversations with a large number of coaches.
As we returned to the topic, we understood that the overall situation and stakes of the inquiry had changed significantly; in the summer of 2015, the US men's eight missed qualifying for Rio, and then after qualifying in Lucerne, just missed out on the medals at the Olympics while no other men's heavy crews made the A-Finals. Additionally, a task force had been assigned to investigate and make recommendations, and the discussion surrounding that effort bled into our reporting on men's collegiate rowing to an unexpected extent.
As a result, the context of the original inquiry had changed considerably, and as we spoke to folks, they and we found the discussion steered quickly and aggressively toward the bigger picture of men's rowing in the United States.
We kept on nonetheless, and on the site today you will find Part One of the series, in which we limited our reporting mostly to the issue of internationals in U.S. collegiate rowing. Subsequent installments will focus on the overall health of collegiate men's rowing, with an emphasis on the collegiate clubs, as well as a review of other feeder systems for elite rowing in the US, how they might be encouraged and developed, and more. We hope you enjoy the series; thanks for reading!