Alabama Rowing to Join SEC as Rowing Becomes 22nd Conference Sponsored Sport
8/23/2024 10:38:00 AM | Rowing
The Crimson Tide will join Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas in the conference’s inaugural rowing season
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference is set to sponsor rowing as the league's 22nd sport and 13th women's sport, the league office announced Friday, following a unanimous vote among the SEC's athletic directors.
Alabama will compete alongside Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas in the 2024-25 season. The site of the first SEC Rowing Championship will be determined later, with the championship scheduled for May 2025.
Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas are currently the lone SEC universities that sponsor rowing. SEC Bylaws state that a conference championship may be conducted when a minimum of 25 percent of the Conference members sponsor a sport, and upon approval by Conference athletics directors.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Said
"The addition of Oklahoma and Texas has given us the opportunity to add an additional conference sport and to provide a championship experience for a new set of SEC student-athletes. We look forward to growing the sport of rowing in the SEC."
Head Coach Glenn Putyrae Said
"This is something that every rower at Alabama, from the beginning of our program, has dreamed of. I am very excited for our student-athletes. Every athlete at Alabama trains to compete for and win an SEC Championship. Our rowers now have that opportunity, and I know they are excited about it."
About Alabama Rowing
- Alabama competed as an affiliate member of the Big 12 from 2014-24
- Prior to joining the Big 12, the Crimson Tide competed in Conference USA
- Last season, UA medaled in four of five races at the Big 12 Championships, earning its second-consecutive third-place team finish
- Alabama finished 19th in the final CRCA Coaches Poll of the 2023-24 season
