Aug. 9, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. - The Colonial Athletic Association will add Boston University as an associate member in women's rowing beginning with the 2012 season, CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager announced Tuesday.
"This is a good move for BU rowing , providing a predictable route to the NCAA Championships, which is our goal," said Mike Lynch, Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics at Boston University. "We have a natural affiliation with the CAA, with our wrestling program already competing there, and long standing relations with many member institutions. We look forward to extending our relations through women's rowing."
The CAA has conducted a championship in women's rowing for the past three years. Joining its first-ever conference, Boston University will join fellow associate member Buffalo, Delaware, Drexel, George Mason, Northeastern and Old Dominion to give the CAA seven league members.
"I'm very excited for the team that we will be joining the CAA this season," said Boston University head coach Stacey Rippetoe. "Conference championships create special memories for student-athletes and coaches alike, and it's wonderful for the program that we will finally have the opportunity to compete for a title on an annual basis."
Boston University has a storied tradition in women's rowing. Winning its first national title in 1974, the Terriers captured back-to-back national titles in 1991 and 1992 before the NCAA began sponsorship of the sport in 1997. Since then, BU has competed in the NCAA Championship six times (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006). BU is also known for the DeWolfe Boathouse, which serves as the starting point for the two-day Head of the Charles Regatta. Held every October, the event features more than 8,000 athletes from around the world competing in 55 different race events.
"We are happy to welcome Boston University to the CAA as an associate member in women's rowing," CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager said. "The sport of women's rowing continues to grow both in the conference and nationally and the addition of Boston University will make the CAA even stronger."
Northeastern captured the CAA rowing championship in 2009 and 2011 and Buffalo took home the CAA title in 2010.
Boston University has been an associate member of the CAA in wrestling since 2001-02.
