West Coast Men’s Collegiate Varsity Programs to Race in New Conference Championship
Eight of the top West Coast men’s varsity rowing programs will race an annual championship under a new affiliation, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
California, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego, Santa Clara, Stanford, UC San Diego, and Washington will race in the inaugural MPSF Men’s Rowing Championship next May on Lake Natoma in Gold River, Calif.
Most of the programs come to the MPSF, which added men’s rowing as its 15th sport, from the Pac-12, as conference realignments scattered traditional rivals to new leagues. Santa Clara, Gonzaga, and UC San Diego rowed in the Western Sprints.
“Keeping our traditional race schedule allows us to stay true to the history of West Coast rowing and the unique rivalries that make collegiate rowing special,” said Michael Callahan coach of reigning IRA national champion Washington.
“We are excited to have our conference championship under the MPSF banner and to grow the regatta potentially to include all of the West Coast programs,” said Cal head coach Scott Frandsen, whose Golden Bears won the 2022 and 2023 IRA national championship.
“This will create a very competitive regatta, pitting all the strongest teams in the West together on one stage to cap off the regular season in May,” said Oregon State head coach Gabe Winkler.
“We hold a profound appreciation for the importance of adding one of the original collegiate sports, boasting a rich history of over 130 years of national-championship competition,” said MPSF Executive Director Foti Mellis. “We acknowledge that the governing body of the sport, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association, predates the NCAA and has promoted rowing in the United States since 1894.”
“We’re excited for the inaugural Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regatta,” said IRA Commissioner Laura Kunkenmueller. “All eight IRA West Coast crews will compete. This is a great opportunity for men’s collegiate rowing on the West Coast.”
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