Let me add a comment on this subject. My freshman daughter currently rows for the University of Alabama, an NCAA Division I program. We advised the Bama coach of her interest in joining a sorority and participating in varsity crew. She currently rows, is an active DZ, and a Committee member with the UA Student Government. Her grades are excellent. Below are the exact words of the Alabama crew coach:
Regarding your mention of the Greek system, Kristen needs to be aware
that membership in most sororities is not compatible with being a
varsity athlete. While some of our club athletes have been and are
sorority members, it is the exception and not the rule. These same
athletes will need to adapt to more defined practice times/schedules, if
they choose to be part of the varsity squad. Most sororities are not
flexible when it comes to their meetings and activities. As coach, I
expect our varsity rowers to defer to the requirements of the team and
academics, not to voluntary pursuits. Kristen must be very selective if
she is intent on both sorority and varsity participation. She will need
to be adept at time management, something not usually the forte of most
freshmen. This is advice from the voice of experience encouraging
caution.
Note to 'speedsters': Kristen rowed stroke in Alabama's highest-placing novice eight at last week's Head of the Hootch. The Alabama novice team has 44 members. Since the Coach's original e-mail in August '06, he decided to keep all freshman on the novice team.
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