Each morning of freshman year began on the water, soon before the sun crept over the ocean’s tide and long before many opened their eyes to see the sunlight. Maddie Scherr, a former member of the San Diego State women’s rowing team, worked her muscles to fatigue as water splashed from every direction.
Right when it seemed as though her efforts were finally starting to pay off, the sun decided to set on her dream instead of the bay around her.
“We’re sorry, we’re going to have to cut the women’s rowing team.”
These were the appalling words of the university’s athletic directors who decided to cut women’s rowing because of gender equity compliance in 2021, Scherr’s first year of college.