About the Program

University of Rhode Island Men's Crew is a successful club rowing team that competes in the New Engalnd Region against some of the best club and Varsity Div. III teams in the country. The team is open to anyone willing to make the rigourous committment.

The team was founded in 1965 by Math Professor Ralp Kopperman (Columbia '62) with the help of student Bill Sonzogni '67. (For more information see the history of the program). Since then, the URI Crew Club has been teaching young men & women about rowing, teamwork, responsibility,commitment, competitive success, and how to get things done when no one will do it for you!

The club program has been open to all URI students who are interested in trying the sport. Although many of our rowers are novices (new to rowing), the program has a history of taking inexperienced rowers and making them into champions. No less than 5 athletes over the history of the program have gone on to represent the United States in International and Olympic competition. See here for a list of National Team Oarsman.

The team trains throughout the school year, from September to June. There may be a few, "Head - style" races in the fall (Ex. Head of the Charles). The real racing season season runs in the spring from late March to early June, and most travel is around New England. Schools on our regular racing schedule are as follows; UNH, Boston College, Fairfield, UConn, Bates, WPI, UMass, Coast Guard. We annually race at the New England Championships in Worcester,MA in Early May. If the team performs well enough, then they may continue on to the Dad Vail, ECACs or ACRA regattas.

The team rows on the Narrow River out of the Campanella Rowing Center. The Rowing Center house two spacious boatbays, a workshop, erg room, weight room, conference room, men's & women's shower/changing room, and a coach's apartment. The Narrow River offers a 2000 meter, four lane race course , as well as an additional 3000 meters of rowable water further downstream. The Campanella Rowing Center is home to both the Men's Crew Club and the Women's Varsity Rowing Team.

The program is partially subsidized by the University Student Senate and Recreational Services Department. However, most of the financial support comes from generous alumni, parents and friends. Although the athletes do not pay dues, they are are responsible for a fair portion of fundraising throughout the year (Work-a-thon, row-a-thon).

Because of the support from Alumni, Parents & Friends, the team is blessed with a great rowing facility, good equipment, and a commited coaching staff.