Xavier University Of Louisiana Makes History As First HBCU To Have Rowing Program

Xavier University Of Louisiana Makes History As First HBCU To Have Rowing Program

A school in Louisiana has just made sports history when it became the first program to have a varsity-level co-ed rowing program at an HBCU.

Xavier University of Louisiana announced the history-making news that the co-ed rowing program will become an official university sport later this year during the fall season. The New Orleans Rowing Club (NORC) partnered with the school to launch the Xavier Rowing Club program in September 2023.

“We could not be prouder to work with the Xavier Rowing team as we launch this historic debut as an official varsity university sport,” New Orleans Rowing Club (NORC) member Elizabeth Manley, Ph.D., professor of history and chair of the History Department at Xavier, and Chloé Jobin, the club’s head of community outreach and diversity initiatives said in a written statement. “The passion and dedication of our athletes, combined with the support from esteemed national figures including Olympic Rower David Banks, former Division I Coach Kevin Harris, rowing luminary Arshay Cooper, and Brannon Johnson of BLJ Rowing, who have all visited to inspire and coach our students, truly exemplifies the spirit of Xavier. Launching this team of athletes onto the competitive national stage is not just about rowing—it’s about building a community, inspiring our students, and creating opportunities for growth both on and off the water.”

The rowing club has gained attention from organizations in the rowing community since it launched in 2023. They have gained sponsors and donations from various companies including USRowing, Mr. Cooper’s A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, and other major players in the sport, including Vespoli USA, JL Athletics, and Concept2.

The rowing program joins other sports that are included under the Xavier Athletics umbrella: basketball, baseball, softball, competitive cheer, cross country, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Athletic Director Pat Kendrick is excited to add rowing to the roster of official sports.

The school is now looking for a head coach to lead the program as it will also step up its recruitment efforts for prospective rowers.

Xavier University Of Louisiana Makes History As First HBCU To Have Rowing Program

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