<p>hi im wondering if anyone knows the amount of non-recruited athletes on any given team? For example if 5 seniors graduate, does the coach have 5 slots, or does he have 4 slots and will need to take a walk-on? Also, does the number of slots vary year by year (this year 6 seniors graduated so there are 6 slots) or is the number is steady no matter what?
Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>I’m certainly not an “old rowing hand,” but I have been thinking about recruitment quite a bit, and I can give you my two cents. It really depends on the team. I’ve read about some teams who get so many walk-on candidates that they have to cut them in try-outs. Other teams are very welcoming to walk-ons, but keep in mind if you aren’t a particularly good athlete you probably won’t race much, if at all. Generally, I think coaches like their teams to be very large, within reason, because it gives them the most possibilities for lineups.</p>
<p>I’m going to try to help out here as well although I am the mom of a rower, not a rower myself. </p>
<p>The number of seniors on the team should have no bearing on the number of slots for recruits. There is no maximum number of rowers overall. My son’s college was able to have three freshmen boats last year because there were lots of strong walk-on’s (some of whom heard about rowing for the first time during freshman orientation) in addition to about 5-6 recruits. In past years they only had two freshman boats- it varies depending on how many interested freshmen show up. </p>
<p>Last year my son was one of three seniors on the first varsity boat. In the fall I expect that the coach will fill those three seats with juniors currently on the second or third varsity boats, and maybe a sophomore if there is a really outstanding one.</p>