President’s Letter

NCAA Changes & Our Game Plan for 2025

Hey Team—Syracuse Alumni Rowing Association, Parents, and Friends of SU Rowing,

For decades—some of you for 60 years—you’ve stood behind SU Rowing. Your passion,

commitment, and unwavering support has built a legacy that stands among the nation’s

best. Now, it’s time to take that commitment to the next level.

2025 & Beyond – The New Reality

College athletics is shifting fast. With NIL, the transfer portal, and the House vs. NCAA

settlement, the game is changing. If approved, starting July 1, 2025, D1 schools will be

required to share up to $20.5M in revenue with student-athletes. Let’s be real—those funds

will primarily flow to revenue-generating sports like football and basketball. Olympic

sports—including men’s rowing—face roster and budget cuts, while women’s rowing due to

Title IX will grow but remain financially constrained.

The SARA Board has recognized the urgent need for a unified and collective strategy. We’ve

engaged with SU Athletic Development, collaborated with coaches, and carefully assessed

the challenges ahead. What we haven’t done is communicated with you…

Now, it’s time to align our community and put this strategy into action—together. This is

our defining moment. If SU Rowing is to remain competitive and win the NCAA’s and IRA’s,

it will take all of us stepping up. We have the power, the resources, and the collective

strength to protect our competitive future—but we must act now.

Here’s What You Can Do Right Now:

  • Use Your Influence – Rally companies, die-hard alums, and supporters who believe

in SU Rowing.

  • Raise the Stakes – When SU Giving Day (March 27) comes, let’s show them we mean

business. Consider giving 20-50% more than you did last year into the Rowing Head

Coaches Funds.

  • Stay Connected – Show up. Attend races. Encourage the Coaches and Teams. Keep

the energy alive.

Key Dates to Know

March 8-13 – Spring Break Practice, Clemson, SC

March 15 – SU Women vs. UVA scrimmage, Charlottesville

March 27 – SU Giving Day – We’ll send details on how to maximize our impact.

April 12-13 - SU MROW & WROW at Redwood Shores, CA vs Cal, Stanford (MROW vs

Brown, too)

Your 2025 SARA Board – Ready for Action

We are at a critical crossroads. To keep this program strong, we need action—your power,

your influence, your commitment. Let’s strategize, plan, and execute.

If you're ready to act or discuss the next steps, reach out. We're here and ready to

strategize.

Go ’Cuse!

Pam Carey Schrock ’83

pam.schrock@yahoo.com

SARA President