Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eastern Michigan To Add Women’s Lightweight Rowing In 2026-27
7/8/2025 4:07:00 PM | Women's Rowing, General
25 Years After Launching Rowing, EMU Expands Its Commitment to the Sport and Community
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University announced today, July 8, that it will add women's lightweight rowing as its newest varsity sport, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. This expansion commemorates the 25th anniversary of EMU rowing and reinforces the University's long-standing commitment to the sport and its surrounding community.
The new program will build upon the foundation established when EMU launched women's rowing in 2001-02 and will bring Eastern's total number of varsity sports to 20, including 13 women's programs. It also represents EMU's first addition of a women's sport since lacrosse began competition in 2022-23.
"Adding women's lightweight rowing reflects our continued investment in student-athletes and in providing new pathways for competitive excellence and personal development," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "This is also a natural next step given our outstanding rowing venue and growing presence within the national rowing community."
Lightweight rowing is governed by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA), which oversees national championships for women's lightweight, men's lightweight, and men's heavyweight rowing. Unlike NCAA openweight rowing, the IRA lightweight category requires female rowers to meet a maximum weight of 130 pounds, excluding the coxswain. Events at the IRA Championships include the lightweight eight, four, and double, with national titles awarded to the winning team in the eight.
Eastern's decision to elevate its rowing offerings aligns with regional and national trends. Prominent institutions sponsoring women's lightweight rowing include Boston University, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, the University of Wisconsin, and Gordon College.
"It's a privilege to be at a university that truly values rowing and is actively expanding opportunities for the sport and for women," added Head Rowing Coach Kemp Savage. "The leadership at EMU has shown bold, visionary commitment in the post-settlement era setting a groundbreaking example for institutions nationwide. We are thrilled to welcome the inaugural class of Lightweight Women's Rowers to EMU."
The announcement also follows the Mid-American Conference's decision that women's rowing will become a sponsored MAC championship beginning in 2025-26. EMU will be joined by fellow MAC institutions Toledo and UMass, along with affiliate members Delaware, High Point, and Temple. The first MAC Championship is scheduled for spring 2026.
Eastern Michigan will serve as host of the MAC Championships at the EMU Rowing Course on Ford Lake for at least the first three years. Opened in April 2024, the championship-caliber venue is the result of a groundbreaking partnership between Eastern Michigan, Destination Ann Arbor, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Ypsilanti Charter Township. Designed by Olympic course architect Tim Royalty, the $487,000 submergible course features eight competition lanes, floating launch and recovery platforms, and the capacity to host regional, national, and international events. National competitions have the potential to generate $1.5–$3 million in local economic impact.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and stands as one of the league's most successful programs. EMU has captured 159 MAC team championships, the most of any current member during that span. A representative from Eastern Michigan has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1960. Since 1932, EMU has claimed 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles. For more, visit EMUEagles.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. EMU serves more than 14,000 students across over 300 academic programs through its Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its Graduate School. The University is regularly recognized for excellence, diversity, and its commitment to applied learning. For more information, visit emich.edu.
The new program will build upon the foundation established when EMU launched women's rowing in 2001-02 and will bring Eastern's total number of varsity sports to 20, including 13 women's programs. It also represents EMU's first addition of a women's sport since lacrosse began competition in 2022-23.
"Adding women's lightweight rowing reflects our continued investment in student-athletes and in providing new pathways for competitive excellence and personal development," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "This is also a natural next step given our outstanding rowing venue and growing presence within the national rowing community."
Lightweight rowing is governed by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA), which oversees national championships for women's lightweight, men's lightweight, and men's heavyweight rowing. Unlike NCAA openweight rowing, the IRA lightweight category requires female rowers to meet a maximum weight of 130 pounds, excluding the coxswain. Events at the IRA Championships include the lightweight eight, four, and double, with national titles awarded to the winning team in the eight.
Eastern's decision to elevate its rowing offerings aligns with regional and national trends. Prominent institutions sponsoring women's lightweight rowing include Boston University, Georgetown, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, the University of Wisconsin, and Gordon College.
"It's a privilege to be at a university that truly values rowing and is actively expanding opportunities for the sport and for women," added Head Rowing Coach Kemp Savage. "The leadership at EMU has shown bold, visionary commitment in the post-settlement era setting a groundbreaking example for institutions nationwide. We are thrilled to welcome the inaugural class of Lightweight Women's Rowers to EMU."
The announcement also follows the Mid-American Conference's decision that women's rowing will become a sponsored MAC championship beginning in 2025-26. EMU will be joined by fellow MAC institutions Toledo and UMass, along with affiliate members Delaware, High Point, and Temple. The first MAC Championship is scheduled for spring 2026.
Eastern Michigan will serve as host of the MAC Championships at the EMU Rowing Course on Ford Lake for at least the first three years. Opened in April 2024, the championship-caliber venue is the result of a groundbreaking partnership between Eastern Michigan, Destination Ann Arbor, Marriott Eagle Crest, and Ypsilanti Charter Township. Designed by Olympic course architect Tim Royalty, the $487,000 submergible course features eight competition lanes, floating launch and recovery platforms, and the capacity to host regional, national, and international events. National competitions have the potential to generate $1.5–$3 million in local economic impact.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and stands as one of the league's most successful programs. EMU has captured 159 MAC team championships, the most of any current member during that span. A representative from Eastern Michigan has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1960. Since 1932, EMU has claimed 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles. For more, visit EMUEagles.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. EMU serves more than 14,000 students across over 300 academic programs through its Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its Graduate School. The University is regularly recognized for excellence, diversity, and its commitment to applied learning. For more information, visit emich.edu.
EMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 8 at Miami
Monday, October 13
Elite bench squad😤
Monday, October 13
Northern Illinois: Cinematic Recap
Sunday, October 12
Stout Defense Pushes EMU Past NIU, 16-10
Sunday, October 12