Women’s rowing team looks to strengthen fan base

The women’s rowing team may be a new addition to the University of Oklahoma but they hope to be a force to be reckoned  during this new season.

When you think of OU, you immediately think of football, not necessarily rowing. The recently added rowing team is trying to change that and build their fan base from the ground up. The varsity team started off the season with a first place finish defeating Stanford, Iowa, and Tulsa in their first race in Oklahoma City.

One thing that concerns some of the team members is the lack of a fan base. Having their home races in the city is a little bit of a setback because Norman residents typically do not like to drive to the city. Another problem is that the rowing team is so new and a lot of people don’t know that it exists. They may be a good team but gaining support poses a bit of a challenge for them.

Ashley Middaugh says “I think if [the races] were in Norman, more people would come just because it’s closer, more convenient and just something to do. But I think we would eventually get more fans over time.” As far as being under represented, Taylor Stephenson says “We truly are [under represented] and I just believe it’s because rowing is a new sport at OU.”

Katherine Mason says that part of the reason rowing is so under represented at OU is because it is located in the south. "It'smuch more main stream and competitive in the north and northeast so I'm actually glad OU has brought it to the athletic program because it is a great sport."

Both Middaugh and Stephenson are freshman first year team members. Mason is a senior first year team member.  Their next race will be in Boston, Massachusetts on October 21. They hope to keep their momentum going and come back to Norman with another win.