Alabama Rowing To Join SEC Along With Three Other Schools

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Southeastern Conference (SEC) on Friday announced it will sponsor rowing as its 22nd sport and 13th women’s sport following a vote by the league’s athletic directors.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

The Crimson Tide will compete in rowing alongside Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, starting with the 2024-25 season, which comes after its previous membership in the Big 12.

UA said the location for the first SEC Rowing Championship, scheduled for May 2025, will be announced at a later date.

Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas are currently the only SEC universities with rowing programs and, according to SEC Bylaws, a championship may be established when at least 25% of conference members sponsor a sport.

“The inclusion of Oklahoma and Texas has provided us with the opportunity to introduce a new conference sport and offer a championship experience for a new set of SEC student-athletes,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “We look forward to growing the sport of rowing within the SEC.”

Alabama has competed as an affiliate member of the Big 12 from 2014 to 2024 and previously raced in Conference USA. The team has been a scholarship sport since 2006.

The Crimson Tide earned medals in four of five races at the Big 12 Championships last year and secured a third-place team finish for the second consecutive year. The team also finished 19th in the final CRCA Coaches Poll for the 2023-24 season.

“This is something that every rower at Alabama, from the beginning of our program, has dreamed of,” head coach Glenn Putyrae said. “I am thrilled for our student-athletes. Every athlete at Alabama trains to compete for and win an SEC Championship. Our rowers now have that opportunity, and I know they are eager for it.”

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.