Freshman FAQ
WHEN DOES FRESHMAN CREW START?
Freshman Crew will start on Monday, January 6th at the Prep. We will meet on the Mezzanine
(second floor track above basketball courts) immediately after school, bring running shoes and
exercise clothing. Weekday Freshman/novice practices will take place at the Prep and outdoors
(running locations in Fairmount park), until mid-February when weekday practices relocate to the
Gillin Boathouse. The season ends in early June.
WHAT IS THE PRACTICE SCHEDULE?
January 6th through mid-February: Monday-Friday 2:45-5:15p (at The Prep); Saturday mornings
(at The Robert M. Gillin, Jr. Boathouse), Sundays off. Starting mid-February all practices will be
held at The Robert M. Gillin, Jr. Boathouse and the practice schedule will change to: Tuesday-
Friday 4-6:30p; Saturday & Sunday 8:30-11a; Mondays off. *Practice schedule and times are
subject to change.
*Once weekday practices begin at the boathouse, athletes will need to coordinate rides home with
parents or varsity athletes. Freshman will not be returned to the prep for the 5:20p buses.
WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
None! All we ask is that you attend every practice and work hard, we will teach you the rest! All of
the freshmen and new rowers will learn and train together as a freshman team. However, all
athletes will need to know how to swim, there will be a swim test prior to practicing on the water.
*If you need to learn to swim please contact Coach McCullough.
ARE THERE CUTS?
No. Unless there are attendance or disciplinary issues.
IS THERE PRACTICE DURING SPRING BREAK?
YES. During spring break, the whole team practices twice a day and it is mandatory. We also have
races during spring break. Please plan accordingly.
HOW DO FRESHMEN GET TO THE BOATHOUSE?
There is a bus that will transport freshmen and any rowers needing a ride to the Boathouse after
school. Rowers will need to coordinate rides home from the Boathouse. The upperclassmen will
help arrange rides for all freshmen who want/need one to the Boathouse and home.
CAN CREW HELP ME GET INTO COLLEGE?
YES. Rowing is a Division 1 sport at all top-level schools. Prep rowers have been recruited to
Brown, Cal-Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Holy Cross, Georgetown, MIT,
Princeton, Stanford, Syracuse, University of Pennsylvania, Washington, Yale, U.S. Naval Academy
and many others. Prep Crew is well-known among the top college coaches in the country.
Additional Questions:
Contact Freshman Coach Jimmy McCullough