UC Berkeley (Cal)
UC Berkeley Key Facts:
Location: Berkeley, California, West Coast.
Division: Division I
Conference: Pac-12 Conference
Womens NCAA 2023 Rank: 8th, Last championship Title: 2018
Mens IRA 2023 Rank: 1st, Last championship Title: 2023
Known as: Cal Bears
Mascot: California Golden Bear
Undergraduate Population: 29,310
Tuition: $36,369
In-state, On Campus Average Net Price: $17,160
Classroom Ratio: 18 to 1
Campus Setting: City: Midsize
Institution Type: 4-year, Public College
Testing Required: No
ACT Median: 32
SAT Median: 1370
Rowing at UC Berkeley
Known for its prestigious academics and idyllic California campus, located near San Francisco, UC Berkeley offers an exceptional opportunity for aspiring rowers. Consistently ranked as the top public university in the U.S. Cal is one of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. The Golden Bears consistently rank among the top varsity rowing programs, producing Olympians and national champions on both the men’s and women’s teams. The bears had the second most athletes represented at the ‘23 world championships with 16.
Coaching Excellence
Cal mens rowing head coach Scott Frandsen is entering his 11th season at Cal. Last year, he guided the Varsity 8+ to an undefeated national championship and swept Pac-12, IRA, and IRCA National Coach of the Year honors. A 2002 Cal graduate and three-time national champion rower, Frandsen took over the men's program in 2018. Under his leadership, the Bears dominate academically as well, claiming the top team GPA among Cal men's sports for five straight years.
The cal women’s rowing head coach Al Acosta, a 1993 Cal alum, enters his 10th season as women’s head coach. After 13 successful years at Stanford lightweights, Acosta took over the Bears in 2014. In his first season, he was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year, leading Cal to a conference title and NCAA runner-up finish. Acosta guided the Bears to the 2016 NCAA Championship and won national coach of the year honors. Following another runner-up in 2017, he led Cal to the 2018 NCAA crown.
Learn about the college recruiting timeline >
Cutting-Edge Facilities
Situated along the Oakland Estuary, the cal mens rowing home is the renowned T. Gary Rogers Rowing Center. Outfitted with an array of ergs, weight room equipment, and advanced training tools, the boathouse provides every resource needed for success. Rowers also have access to a second boathouse located at Briones Reservoir, a 4km stretch of water 20 minutes from campus, which is where the cal women’s team predominantly row.
To accommodate its large rowing program, Cal offers student-athletes access to three well-equipped erg rooms and weight training facilities conveniently located on and near campus. The favorable Northern California climate also enables on-water practice all seasons long - a luxury not afforded to many East Coast colleges.
Year round Competition
UC Berkeley rowing teams battle top competition year-round. The Bears face off against conference foes at regular season matchups like the esteemed San Diego Crew Classic, The Las Vegas International, and The Dual against arch rivals Washington. Cal also heads out of state each fall to take on the best at the Head of the Charles and Princeton Chase. Come spring, the squads set their sights on capturing the Pac-12 conference crown before pursuing the ultimate achievement – returning the NCAA and IRA championships to Berkeley.
Balancing Rowing and Academics
Between 7am practices on the Estuary to intense land circuits, Cal rowers commit 20+ hours a week. However, with flexible professors and free tutors providing academic support, student-athletes are able to find balance. Rowers also get priority when registering for classes, helping them mesh competitions and practices with their course schedules. The university's commitment to assisting Cal Athletics ensures rowing and academics goals can be pursued in harmony.
World Class Academics
In addition to athletic excellence, UC Berkeley offers world-renowned academics. Perennially ranked as a top public university, Cal provides access to prestigious programs across all fields of study. Rowers pursue diverse majors from business to engineering, benefitting from Berkeley's Nobel Prize winning professors and further research opportunities. The university's exceptional academic resources help set up student-athletes for success both in competition and in launching their careers. Located near Silicon Valley, UC Berkeley has become one of the hubs for computer science and engineering.
How to get recruited to row at Cal, Berkeley:
To start your recruiting journey, begin by filling out the rowing recruiting questionnaires on the Cal rowing website. After completing the questionnaire, take the initiative to send an introductory email to the rowing recruiting coach, providing essential details about yourself. This helps create a strong initial impression and lays the foundation for effective communication with the coach.
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Next Steps
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