The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has announced that it will be sponsoring rowing as its 22nd sport and 13th women’s sport in the 2024-25 season. Alabama will compete alongside Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas in the upcoming season, with the first SEC Rowing Championship scheduled for May 2025 at a location to be determined later.
Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas are currently the only SEC universities that sponsor rowing. The addition of rowing as a conference sport was approved by the SEC athletic directors following the inclusion of Oklahoma and Texas in the conference.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey expressed excitement about growing the sport of rowing in the SEC and providing a championship experience for a new set of student-athletes. Head Coach Glenn Putyrae of Alabama stated that competing for and winning an SEC Championship has been a dream for every rower at Alabama since the program’s inception, and he is excited for his student-athletes to have this opportunity.
Alabama has competed as an affiliate member of the Big 12 from 2014-24, and prior to that, the Crimson Tide competed in Conference USA. In the previous season, UA medaled in four out of five races at the Big 12 Championships and finished 19th in the final CRCA Coaches Poll of the 2023-24 season. The addition of rowing as an SEC sport is set to further elevate the competitiveness and opportunities for Alabama’s rowing program.
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Photo credit rolltide.com
