Virginia men’s rowing: The club team that sacrifices more than D1 squads

On the weekend of the University of Virginia’s 2023 spring graduation, the Virginia Cavaliers Men’s Club Rowing team was in Oak Ridge, Tennessee competing in the American College Rowing Association (ACRA) National Championships. Rather than being in Charlottesville walking the prestigious Lawn in caps and gowns, the team’s fourth years graduated on the water.

As fourth year Robbie Taylor and his three teammates edged their quad boat away from the competition in the 2,000 meter championship race that weekend, he shouted out one line:

“Boys, let’s graduate!”

That night, the team buses rolled back into the driveway of the Virginia Rowing Association boathouse.