BIRMINGHAM, Alabama. – The Southeastern Conference will sponsor rowing as the league’s 22nd sport.^and Sports and 13^th women’s sports, the league office announced Friday following a unanimous vote among SEC athletic directors.

Alabama will compete alongside Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas in the 2024-25 season. The site of the inaugural SEC Rowing Championship will be determined later. The championship is scheduled for May 2025.

Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas are currently the only SEC universities that sponsor rowing. SEC bylaws state that a conference championship can be held if at least 25 percent of conference members sponsor a sport and it is approved by the conference’s athletic directors.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said

“By adding Oklahoma and Texas, we have the opportunity to add another conference sport and provide a championship experience to a new group of SEC student-athletes. We look forward to growing the sport of rowing in the SEC.”

Head coach Glenn Putyrae said

“This is something every rower in Alabama has dreamed of since the beginning of our program. I am very happy for our student-athletes. Every athlete in Alabama trains to compete and win an SEC championship. Our rowers now have that opportunity and I know they are excited about it.”

About Alabama Rowing

• Alabama participated as a member of the Big 12 from 2014 to 2024.

  • Before joining the Big 12, the Crimson Tide competed in Conference USA.

• Last season, UA won medals in four of five races at the Big 12 Championships, finishing third in the team standings for the second year in a row.
• Alabama finished the season with 19^th in the last CRCA coaches poll of the 2023-24 season