Princeton University
Key Facts:
Location: Princeton, New Jersey, East Coast.
Division: Division I
Conference: The Ivy League
Womens NCAA 2023 Rank: 3rd, Last Championship Title: 2011
Womens Lightweight 2023 Rank: 1st, Varsity finish: 1st, Last Championship Title: 2023
Mens IRA 2023 Rank: 4th, Varsity finish: 3rd, Last Championship Title: 1998
Mens Lightweight 2023 Rank: 1st, Varsity finish: 1st, Last Championship Title: 2023
Known as: The Tigers
Undergraduate Population: 5,400
Tuition: $63,690
On Campus Average Net Price: $17,205
Teacher-Student Ratio: 5 to 1
Campus Setting: Suburban: Small
Institution Type: 4-year, Private College
Testing Required: No
ACT Median: 33
SAT Median: 1500
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Tradition, Tenacity, and Community
Princeton University, a distinguished Ivy League institution founded in 1746, stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious in the US. Princeton has educated leaders like Michelle Obama and Jeff Bezos for over 275 years, as well as two U.S presidents. The Ivy League institution boasts a rich athletic tradition, with its rowing program cultivating excellence on Lake Carnegie for over 150 years.
Coaching Excellence
Entering her 27th season leading Princeton women's crew, two-time National Coach of the Year Lori Dauphiny has guided the Tigers to unprecedented success including two NCAA titles and 12 Ivy League crowns. Her crews have won 85 of the last 89 Ivy duals, demonstrating Dauphiny's long-term excellence elevating Princeton to the top echelon nationally.
Paul Rassam, begins his 19th season leading Princeton's lightweight women's rowing program. In 2023, they claimed three golds at the Eastern Sprints and swept the IRA National Championships, securing Rassam as the IRA Coach of the Year. The varsity eight has remained unbeaten since 2019 underpinning Princeton as one of the great lightweight programs in recent years.
Greg Hughes has led Princeton men’s rowing back among the elite since taking over in 2009, amassing a 87-25 regular season record. His crews have earned 7 Eastern Sprints medals and 3 IRA medals, alongside consistent grand final appearances. Hughes also mentored 4 Olympians in 2020, all reaching their event's Grand Final and winning 2 bronze medals.
A two-time national champion rower at Princeton, Marty Crotty enters his 13th season coaching the Tiger lightweight crew in 2023. Under Crotty's guidance, Princeton has won multiple national titles and IRA medals, including a 2023 IRA title. His student-athletes have achieved All-American honors and victories at prestigious regattas like the Head of the Charles. Crotty’s crews consistently challenge for national titles.
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Cutting-Edge Facilities
The Shea Rowing Center on Lake Carnegie serves as the home base for Princeton University's rowing programs. The boathouse is a 10-15 minute walk from campus, most athletes bike to the boathouse in under 5 minutes. With top amenities including a rowing tank, weights equipment, and erg room, the center supports over 200 student-athletes as part of Princeton's largest varsity sport. Rowers also utilize the strength facilities at Princeton Stadium. The Princeton rowing program shares the space with the U.S. National Team, allowing access to world-class training.
The Shea Rowing Center
Year-Round Competition
Princeton rowing competes in major fall regattas including the annual showdown at the Head of the Charles and the home head race, the Princeton Chase. In spring, the Tigers typically attend a winter training camp in Florida before the semester begins. After this intensive preparation, Princeton battles rivals most weekends seeking Ivy League supremacy.
The men's team aims for the Eastern Sprints title before setting their sights on the IRA national championship. The women target the NCAA Championships after the Ivy League finals. Both men's and women's crews frequently represent Princeton at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England. Through these competitive events all season, Princeton rowing takes on their biggest rivals while fostering world class rowers.
Balancing Athletics and Academics
Princeton rowing requires dawn practices and 25+ training hours weekly. However, free tutoring at the McGraw Center helps student-athletes excel in challenging classes and manage a tough course load. Rowing practices start at 6:45am two mornings per week, with most days also having afternoon sessions. Though academics are demanding, Princeton rowers take advantage of tutoring resources to balance intense training with academic success. This allows them to challenge themselves as students and competitive athletes.
World-Class Academics
Princeton University is one of the oldest and finest institutions in the US, renowned for its academics, faculty, and research. It offers abundant activities including eating clubs, where students dine, socialize, and attend events. With over 300 student groups and required freshman/sophomore residential housing, Princeton fosters a close-knit campus community. Princeton delivers superb academics with popular majors in social sciences, engineering, sciences, and interdisciplinary certificates. Small classes with a 5:1 student-faculty ratio ensure personalized attention. Princeton also provides exceptional need-based financial aid, with the average cost after aid $11,000 per year.
How to get recruited to row at Princeton:
To start your recruiting journey, begin by filling out the rowing recruiting questionnaires on the Princeton 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.
Get expert help on how to secure scholarships and get recruited to row in college:
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Next Steps
Discover the University of Pennsylvania's rowing story, where a mix of tradition and modern facilities sets the stage for academic and athletic excellence. Navigate the unique journey of Penn's student-athletes as they strike a balance between rigorous academics and competitive rowing on Boathouse Row.