Fall 2024 Tryouts and Information Schedule

Pre-Tryouts: Illini Frenzy, Quad Day and Ice Cream Social

Prior to tryouts, you’ll have many opportunities to get to learn more about the team and what we do! Illini Rowing will have booths at both Quad Day and Illini Frenzy so that you can come meet team members and coaches and learn about the sport and our club. There will also be recruitment questionnaires available at both events, similar to the one on our website, to ensure that you’re kept up to date by emails from our coaching staff.

In addition to Quad Day and Illini Frenzy, we are holding an ice cream social this year for you to come to and learn more about us! Stop by the Ikenberry Quad on Friday, August 30th between 5 PM and 7 PM to grab some ice cream, meet some varsity athletes, and ask any questions you might have.

Tryouts Week: Open Tryouts @ ARC Gym 1

Tryouts week will be held at the ARC Gym 1 from 7:00-8:00 AM. Tryouts week begins Tuesday, September 3rd and ends Friday, September 6th. During tryouts, the coaching staff will spend time with all trialists to help them develop their rowing technique. As tryouts progress, evaluation pieces will be integrated into the tryout sessions to help the coaching staff with selections. Candidates will be evaluated based on attitude, fitness, ability, and competitive drive. Prior rowing experience is NOT required. 

On your first day, you will need to fill out an eligibility waiver along with a club sports waiver. You will also need to fill out a recruitment questionnaire similar to the website form, if you have not already done so. The first two days of tryouts will feature introductory sessions to teach basic rowing technique to athletes new to rowing, and reinforce good technique for athletes who have previously rowed. This week will also feature a heavy dose of cross-training to allow the coaching staff to begin to evaluate your fitness level while you still learn the basics of rowing. On the last day of tryouts, coaching staff, dependent on attitude, fitness, ability, and competitive drive, may offer you a place on the team over email.

Novice Intro Week: Water Sessions @ Clinton Lake, Meet at UGL/ASCB

(Fall Tryouts only) The new novice class may be split for water sessions starting on Monday, September 9th. Some groups will work out at Clinton Lake on the water while others continue to work on campus. Outdoor sessions will convene at the Undergraduate Library (UGL), now the Archives and Special Collections Building, at 5:00am. Trialists will be driven to Clinton Lake and will be back on campus in time for 9am classes. These groups and times for the week will be announced on Friday, September 6th or over email during the weekend of September 7th. Please keep an eye on the schedule to see which days you will be on the water.