Our History

The University of Dayton Men’s Rowing Team was born during the fall of 1991. Students at UD wanted to start a crew but lacked the funds, equipment, and most importantly, coaches. A notice was posted at the Dayton Canoe Club seeking a volunteer coach. Luckily, the team found two!

Mike and Trish Miles had extensive rowing experience before they began with UD Crew. Mike was a lightweight oarsman at Cornell University and Trish rowed for the College of St. Benedict and Minneapolis Rowing Club.

The first years of UD Men’s Crew were certainly humble ones. Ergs were donated, launches were non-existent, and the shells were thoroughly used. Subsequently, the team expanded due to the tireless efforts of team members and the Miles’. From the 13 founding members in 1991, the team grew to a membership of over 40 on the Men’s Team alone. Rickety fours have been replaced by sleek and top of the line eights. Incoming UD students, with rowing backgrounds, are well versed in the successes of the Men’s Team as they often continue their scholastic rowing careers.

Our team consists of driven and accomplished rowers whose walls are adorned with multiple medals from the Head of the Ohio, the Head of the Tennessee, the Speakmon Memorial Regatta, MACRA, SIRA, and Dad Vail. Several rowers have graduated from our program into the pre-elite and elite levels, training at camps in Princeton and Boston.