Eastern Michigan Athletics
Rowing Course at Ford Lake
Women's Rowing
Complete Ceremony | Photo Gallery.
The EMU Rowing Course at Ford Lake officially opened on April 26, 2024, marking a historic moment for Eastern Michigan University athletics and the Ypsilanti community. This state-of-the-art facility, funded through a unique partnership with Destination Ann Arbor, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Ypsilanti Township, represents years of planning, dedication, and collaboration. The course provides a world-class venue for collegiate rowing while creating opportunities for regional, national, and international competitions.
The concept for the rowing course began seven years prior, championed by EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee and supported by Coach Kemp Savage and staff member Andy Rowdon. Their vision emphasized providing student-athletes with a premier training environment while positioning Ypsilanti as a hub for competitive rowing. The $487,000 investment brought the submergible course to life, allowing it to remain at the bottom of Ford Lake except during competitions, preserving the lake for other recreational activities.
Designed by Tim Royalty, a distinguished course designer with experience on the 1984 and 1996 Olympic rowing courses, the facility spans 2,000 meters with eight buoyed competition lanes. The design incorporates floating launch and recovery platforms, removable aligner platforms, and starting docks. These features ensure precise and safe racing conditions while accommodating multiple events simultaneously. The course is capable of hosting regattas of all scales, from regional competitions to NCAA and IRA National Championships, and has already been earmarked to host the MAC Championships in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Community impact and economic benefits have been significant. RowFest 2025, the inaugural large-scale event, generated over $7 million in Washtenaw County, demonstrating the venue’s potential to drive tourism and support local businesses. Stakeholders such as Ypsilanti Township, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Destination Ann Arbor have emphasized the facility's transformative potential, highlighting its role in both economic growth and community engagement.
The EMU Rowing Course provides unparalleled training resources for student-athletes. Competitors have access to consistent, regulated racing conditions with a semi-permanent, buoyed course that mirrors international standards. Floating platforms enable rapid launches and efficient recovery, allowing multiple teams to train simultaneously. The course also supports elite-level events, enhancing EMU’s reputation within the rowing community.
Beyond competitive rowing, the course has become a community asset, supporting youth rowing programs, club teams, and recreational rowing. The facility enhances EMU’s commitment to student-athlete development, providing opportunities for both athletic and personal growth while fostering collaboration with regional partners.
The opening of the EMU Rowing Course at Ford Lake represents a milestone in the university’s athletic infrastructure. With its premier design, multi-purpose functionality, and economic and community impact, the course stands as a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. It provides a platform for student-athletes to train and compete at the highest levels, positions Ypsilanti as a competitive rowing destination, and ensures that EMU continues to leave a lasting legacy in collegiate athletics.
Key Features:
$487,000 investment, opened April 2024
Semi-permanent buoyed 2,000-meter course with 8 lanes
Submerged at the bottom of Ford Lake, emerges for competitions
Floating launch and recovery platforms with removable aligners
Capable of hosting regional, national, and international regattas
Inaugural event RowFest 2025 generated $7 million for Washtenaw County
MAC Championships scheduled for 2026, 2027, 2028
Targeted future events include Big Ten Championships, NCAA Nationals, IRA Nationals
Developed through partnership with Destination Ann Arbor, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Ypsilanti Township
Provides student-athletes with world-class training, competitive opportunities, and professional-grade racing infrastructure
The EMU Rowing Course at Ford Lake officially opened on April 26, 2024, marking a historic moment for Eastern Michigan University athletics and the Ypsilanti community. This state-of-the-art facility, funded through a unique partnership with Destination Ann Arbor, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Ypsilanti Township, represents years of planning, dedication, and collaboration. The course provides a world-class venue for collegiate rowing while creating opportunities for regional, national, and international competitions.
The concept for the rowing course began seven years prior, championed by EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee and supported by Coach Kemp Savage and staff member Andy Rowdon. Their vision emphasized providing student-athletes with a premier training environment while positioning Ypsilanti as a hub for competitive rowing. The $487,000 investment brought the submergible course to life, allowing it to remain at the bottom of Ford Lake except during competitions, preserving the lake for other recreational activities.
Designed by Tim Royalty, a distinguished course designer with experience on the 1984 and 1996 Olympic rowing courses, the facility spans 2,000 meters with eight buoyed competition lanes. The design incorporates floating launch and recovery platforms, removable aligner platforms, and starting docks. These features ensure precise and safe racing conditions while accommodating multiple events simultaneously. The course is capable of hosting regattas of all scales, from regional competitions to NCAA and IRA National Championships, and has already been earmarked to host the MAC Championships in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Community impact and economic benefits have been significant. RowFest 2025, the inaugural large-scale event, generated over $7 million in Washtenaw County, demonstrating the venue’s potential to drive tourism and support local businesses. Stakeholders such as Ypsilanti Township, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Destination Ann Arbor have emphasized the facility's transformative potential, highlighting its role in both economic growth and community engagement.
The EMU Rowing Course provides unparalleled training resources for student-athletes. Competitors have access to consistent, regulated racing conditions with a semi-permanent, buoyed course that mirrors international standards. Floating platforms enable rapid launches and efficient recovery, allowing multiple teams to train simultaneously. The course also supports elite-level events, enhancing EMU’s reputation within the rowing community.
Beyond competitive rowing, the course has become a community asset, supporting youth rowing programs, club teams, and recreational rowing. The facility enhances EMU’s commitment to student-athlete development, providing opportunities for both athletic and personal growth while fostering collaboration with regional partners.
The opening of the EMU Rowing Course at Ford Lake represents a milestone in the university’s athletic infrastructure. With its premier design, multi-purpose functionality, and economic and community impact, the course stands as a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. It provides a platform for student-athletes to train and compete at the highest levels, positions Ypsilanti as a competitive rowing destination, and ensures that EMU continues to leave a lasting legacy in collegiate athletics.
Key Features:
$487,000 investment, opened April 2024
Semi-permanent buoyed 2,000-meter course with 8 lanes
Submerged at the bottom of Ford Lake, emerges for competitions
Floating launch and recovery platforms with removable aligners
Capable of hosting regional, national, and international regattas
Inaugural event RowFest 2025 generated $7 million for Washtenaw County
MAC Championships scheduled for 2026, 2027, 2028
Targeted future events include Big Ten Championships, NCAA Nationals, IRA Nationals
Developed through partnership with Destination Ann Arbor, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Ypsilanti Township
Provides student-athletes with world-class training, competitive opportunities, and professional-grade racing infrastructure
RowFest 2025 Highlights
Thursday, December 04
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Rowing
Monday, December 01
Rowing Preview: 2025 CAA Championships
Wednesday, May 14
Cinematic Highlights: Rowing vs. Dayton
Tuesday, May 06
