March 25, 2014
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State rowing team has accepted an invitation to join the American Athletic Conference as associate members for the 2014-15 season. The Aztecs are one of two schools, the other being Sacramento State, who announced their acceptance Tuesday.
"The team is very excited to be joining The American," said San Diego State rowing head coach Bill Zack. "It is an honor to be asked to compete alongside the other schools that will be part of the conference championship for women's rowing. Our student-athletes are committed to being outstanding representatives of San Diego State and the American Athletic Conference and truly value the opportunity to be members of such an outstanding conference. On behalf of the team I would like to thank all of the conference and university administrators who worked to make this group come together."
"We are very pleased that the presidents and leadership of the American Athletic Conference invited our Aztec Rowing program to be an associate member," said Athletic Director Jim Sterk. "This new affiliation provides our student-athletes with the opportunity to compete at the highest level in their quest for winning championships, all the while giving our rowing program national exposure. Our associate membership with the American is an ideal fit. We are proud to be associated with such a well-respected athletic conference and look forward to a lasting partnership."
SDSU will compete amongst six other schools, including Central Florida, Connecticut, Southern Methodist, Temple, Tulsa and Sacramento State. Having only a seven-team conference grants automatic qualifier access to the NCAA women's rowing championship. The 2014 American Athletics Conference women's rowing championship for the opening season will be held on May 18 on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J.
The Aztecs will exit Conference USA at the conclusion of the school year, which they joined for the 2013-14 season. Conference USA is home to nine other institutions, including Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Kansas State, Alabama, Kansas, West Virginia, Old Dominion and Sacramento State.
San Diego State last competed against Sacramento State and Alabama on Saturday where it took first place in the first varsity eight race with a time of 6:52.3. The Aztecs will next compete against cross-town rivals UC San Diego on Friday, March 28, at 7 a.m.