The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) rowing team is set to compete in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championships for the final time on May 16-17 at Cooper River in Pennsauken, New Jersey. The competition will commence at 9:30 a.m. each day.
This marks EMU’s last participation as an affiliate member of the CAA, as the Mid-American Conference (MAC) will introduce rowing in the 2025-26 academic year. EMU will participate in several heats on Friday, with top performers advancing to Saturday’s Grand Finals.
“The CAAs champion will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships,” which are scheduled from May 30 to June 1 in West Windsor, New Jersey.
In recent events, EMU’s 1V8+ boat achieved a notable victory against Dayton on May 3, clocking a time of 7:13.5. The team also celebrated Senior Day by sweeping all races against Dayton.
Head Coach Kemp Savage was recently named President of the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association and expressed his commitment to enhancing coaching opportunities and expanding rowing as a sport. “It’s really great to have been elected by my peers,” Savage said.
Additionally, Savage and student-athlete Lily Wilhelm led the United States women’s eights boat to a gold medal at the World University Championships. “Winning is hard to put into words,” Savage remarked after their victory.
Assistant Coach Lucie Roy has joined EMU after serving as Head Men’s and Women’s Rowing Coach at Adrian College. Roy brings experience from her time as a rower at Michigan State University.
The MAC announced that women’s rowing would be added as a sponsored sport starting with the 2025-26 academic year, bringing six programs into competition under its banner.
A total of 18 EMU rowing student-athletes were recognized as Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar-Athletes for their academic achievements during the 2024 season.
The Eagles have also benefited from new training facilities with a renovated erg room that offers expanded space for off-season preparation.
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