The ground-level boat bay in the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse holds 26 shells, ranging from singles to eights.
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Wayne G. Basler Boathouse Information
- Address:
900 Neyland Drive
Knoxville, TN, 37996
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Home of Tennessee Rowing
The Wayne G. Basler Boathouse is a three-story, 18,000 square-foot facility that serves as the permanent home of the University of Tennessee rowing program. Located directly south of historic Neyland Stadium, the boathouse anchors the west end of Knoxville's Volunteer Landing waterfront development and jettisons 40-feet out over the water with balconies overlooking the Tennessee River. The structure stands beside the "Vol Navy" docks.
The ground-level boat bay holds 26 boats ranging from singles to pairs to quads and fours and eights. Between rows of neatly arranged equipment, the Tennessee River can be viewed through windows spanning the entire south wall. When the team is ready to get on the water, telescoping arms extend from the boat racks, and a racing shell is removed from its holding place.
Because of its proximity to the water, rowers are able to carry their boats down a short ramp from the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse to the Tennessee River below.
Tennessee unveiled renovations to the second and third floors of Basler Boathouse in September of 2018. The renovations included a new locker room, an expanded kitchen area and a third-floor training facility.
"The transformation of the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse is extraordinary," former Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said following the dedication ceremony. "These facility enhancements are going to impact not only our rowing team's chemistry and camaraderie but also its performance on the water. Our ability to recruit outstanding student-athletes also has been enhanced as a result of this renovation and our new world-class, top-floor training space. We're thankful to everyone who contributed to make this transformation a reality."
The second floor of the boathouse holds the Janet McKinley Locker Room, which features 65 custom lockers as well as restroom and shower facilities. The floor also has administrative offices and a kitchen and dining area complete with a nutrition bar for post-practice snacks.
The third floor, which was at one point a restaurant, was completely gutted in order to create a state-of-the-art indoor training facility. At 6,000 square feet, the room boasts 40 ergometers (ergs), 30 stationary bicycles and a two 75-inch video boards that can be used for messaging and video review.
The Tennessee crew routinely carries its boats out of the bay and proceeds down a concrete ramp to the floating wooden dock. An east deck platform just outside the bay door serves as a place to wash shells after each row. Balconies on the second and third floors of the facility overlook this platform. The 160-foot floating dock has enough space to launch three eights at once.
Coaches use Still Water 25 XL low-wake launches, which are stored on a motorized lift, which keeps them out of the water when not in use.
The second level of the boathouse begins with a hallway lined with plaques honoring Tennessee rowing student-athletes for their achievements in the classroom. The hall leads to the workout room, which contains rowing machines wall-to-wall, arranged in front of a mirror that spans the entire side of the room. Windows overlooking the river provide motivation to the team as it trains. The walls feature large murals of previous NCAA Championship boats as well as team awards won throughout the years. Six oar blades, each signifying an exemplary erg-score standard, are signed by All-Americans and other high-achieving rowers.
Arranged around the perimeter of the workout room are the coaches' offices, equipment room (complete with training and competition apparel and washers and dryers), athletic trainers' consultation room and team locker room, which includes showers and restrooms.
After working out, student-athletes can head to the shower to prepare for the rest of the day. Many rowers scurry down the stairs and head to class, while others grab a snack and head to the team room to study before classes.
The team room is used for meetings, video review, team breakfasts/dinners, and more. With tables and chairs for everyone, team meals are a common occurrence in the meeting room. For a more relaxed setting, the athletes settle into one of several oscillating rocking chairs that are arranged in front of a large flat screen television. Display cases document the team's six consecutive NCAA Rowing Championship appearances, Head of the Charles Regatta accolades, conference championship trophies and medals as well as pictures of rowers and coxswains who have helped establish a tradition of success in the program.
The 2018 renovations to the second and third floors of the Basler Boathouse were the second phase of upgrades made possible by the donations of Wayne G. Basler, Janet McKinley, Bill and Mary Ramsbey, and Kevin and Carole Bay.Video tour of Basler Boathouse, headquarters of Tennessee rowing
