University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Bjorn Franke
Gophers Announce 2025-26 Rowing Schedule
9/4/2025 2:00:00 PM | Rowing
Season starts along the Mississippi River Oct. 4
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gophers rowing program and head coach Alicea Strodel announced the team's 2025-26 schedule Thursday, highlighted by the first home regatta in more than a decade.
"We have two home contests this year; the Head of the Mississippi and then a home race at Lake Phalen. I'm excited that our student-athletes will be able to showcase their efforts in front of Gopher fans, family, and friends here in the Twin Cities," Strodel said. "While being home is great, Mother Nature usually forces us on the road. I continue to be grateful for our administration's support for us traveling to compete at the highest level. We'll cap off our fall schedule at the Rivanna Romp in Virginia, which extends our fall season while seeing great competition."
Minnesota begins the campaign at its own Irene Claudia Kroll Boathouse along the campus' riverfront Oct. 4 during the 45th Annual Head of the Mississippi Regatta. Hosted by the Minneapolis Rowing Club, the unique event covers a nearly three-mile race course starting by the Lake Street Bridge.
The action continues with a trip to rival Wisconsin at Lake Mendota for a scrimmage Nov. 1 before competing at Virginia's Rivanna Romp for the third-consecutive year. The fall finale on the East Coast is set for Nov. 9 in Charlottesville, Va.
"Looking ahead, the rhythm of the spring schedule is something I've been striving for since being here and I'm happy it's come to fruition," Strodel added.
Following an extended break that includes a team training trip to San Diego, Calif., in January, the Maroon and Gold return to the water Mar. 11. The Gophers will scrimmage Gonzaga at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., for the first competition of the spring season.
The schedule ramps up Apr. 3-4 as Minnesota makes another trip out east as they race in the Rocky Top Invitational at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. After traveling to Sarasota, Fla., in each of the last four years for the Big Ten Invitational, the regatta moves to the West Coast this year. The 2026 edition of the Big Ten Invitational will take place in Sacramento, Calif., from Apr. 18-19.
The excitement builds for the Gophers as they prepare to host a regatta for the first time in more than a decade when they welcome Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin to Lake Phalen in St. Paul, Minn., on May 2. That will be the final tune-up for the rowers before taking part in the 2026 Big Ten Conference Rowing Championships. A conference title will be on the line when all 11 of the league's teams battle May 16-17 from the Indianapolis Rowing Center in Indianapolis, Ind.
"We have two home contests this year; the Head of the Mississippi and then a home race at Lake Phalen. I'm excited that our student-athletes will be able to showcase their efforts in front of Gopher fans, family, and friends here in the Twin Cities," Strodel said. "While being home is great, Mother Nature usually forces us on the road. I continue to be grateful for our administration's support for us traveling to compete at the highest level. We'll cap off our fall schedule at the Rivanna Romp in Virginia, which extends our fall season while seeing great competition."
Minnesota begins the campaign at its own Irene Claudia Kroll Boathouse along the campus' riverfront Oct. 4 during the 45th Annual Head of the Mississippi Regatta. Hosted by the Minneapolis Rowing Club, the unique event covers a nearly three-mile race course starting by the Lake Street Bridge.
The action continues with a trip to rival Wisconsin at Lake Mendota for a scrimmage Nov. 1 before competing at Virginia's Rivanna Romp for the third-consecutive year. The fall finale on the East Coast is set for Nov. 9 in Charlottesville, Va.
"Looking ahead, the rhythm of the spring schedule is something I've been striving for since being here and I'm happy it's come to fruition," Strodel added.
Following an extended break that includes a team training trip to San Diego, Calif., in January, the Maroon and Gold return to the water Mar. 11. The Gophers will scrimmage Gonzaga at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., for the first competition of the spring season.
The schedule ramps up Apr. 3-4 as Minnesota makes another trip out east as they race in the Rocky Top Invitational at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. After traveling to Sarasota, Fla., in each of the last four years for the Big Ten Invitational, the regatta moves to the West Coast this year. The 2026 edition of the Big Ten Invitational will take place in Sacramento, Calif., from Apr. 18-19.
The excitement builds for the Gophers as they prepare to host a regatta for the first time in more than a decade when they welcome Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin to Lake Phalen in St. Paul, Minn., on May 2. That will be the final tune-up for the rowers before taking part in the 2026 Big Ten Conference Rowing Championships. A conference title will be on the line when all 11 of the league's teams battle May 16-17 from the Indianapolis Rowing Center in Indianapolis, Ind.
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