Most people may not even know of it, but the University club rowing team is a force to be reckoned with out on the lake. In a sport most students know little to nothing about, the crew is one of the University’s best club sports, competing at some of the most prestigious intercollegiate regattas (boat races) in the world.

The crew consists of 60 rowers, both male and female, whom are split into a varsity squad and a novice one.

They practice and occasionally compete at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, approximately 20 minutes away.

Kacy Mulligan, a freshman and newcomer to crew this semester has already experienced the hard work needed to be on the team.

“Working is really hard but in the end it is worth (it) because it is so much fun,” Mulligan said. The rowing team, a club sport at the University, competes against varsity crews at other universities and is funded through team fundraisers and team dues. While the team cannot compete in NCAA events, they are still able to compete against the NCAA teams.

“Rowing is an interesting sport because at lots of clubs like ours compete against schools that have true varsity programs,” Smith said. “We can’t compete at NCAAs because we’re not in that division, but we do get to see lots of the teams that compete there at other regattas.”

Even still, the University crew takes pride in being able to stay competitive with varsity teams.

“We’re always seen as the underdog but that doesn’t bother us. It feels that much better to beat teams that underestimate us,” said sophomore Lisa Smith. “When we’re neck and neck with a huge rowing school on the racecourse, it’s such a rush to know they’re sweating because of us.”

This season brings forth the challenge of putting up a fight at regional and national regattas. The regional regatta is held in Tennessee, and the national regatta is held in Philadelphia. The spring season kicks off with a scrimmage against rival Georgia Tech on March 1 at Fort Yargo State Park.