University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Host Professor Appreciation Day
November 08, 2019 | Rowing
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee rowing team invited professors and faculty from UT out to the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse on Friday afternoon to teach them what it takes to compete in rowing.
For the first time in a few years, the event took place on the Tennessee River as the professors were taught from the rowers themselves on the mechanics of rowing and the best practices in the sport.
Head coach Lisa Glenn originally thought of this idea a while back when she went to go buy some sushi.
"I went to go pick some sushi up after practice one day and somebody that worked at UT mentioned they knew a rower of mine when I was at the restaurant," Glenn told the group before their maiden voyage on the river. "I thought how it would be cool to get to know the professors that the rowers interact with every day and for them to see what the rowers do outside the classroom."
The group took part in setting up the equipment and the boats before heading out on the water, along with learning different type of rowing techniques on the crisp fall afternoon.
"It was really cool to have everyone come out," senior Mikayla Dutton said. "I think for most people, rowing is just a foreign type of sport. It is different. I think it was cool for them to see what we go through at practice and how the dynamic of how rowing works. And also just because it is a cool sport, not a lot of people get to do it. So having that extra bonding with our professors is just a great way to have that athlete and professor connection."
Before setting out on the river, the professors got a brief glimpse of how the Lady Vols start their practice, by creating a circle on the boating dock with Glenn explaining to the group what they were about to do on the river. The group then observed how the boats are transported to the dock from the boathouse and what needs to be done before setting out on the river.
"It was very eye-opening to see a little preview of what they do," graduate assistant for student-athlete development Taylor Worrell said. "We were just out here for an hour and they do that out here for over 20-plus hours (a week). To see a little bit in their world was great. We see them for three hours a week for class and by the time they come to class, they have already done this for two hours. It definitely opens our eyes and appreciate what they do."
After setting up, the professors and student athletes got into boats with eight people together and a coxswain. The coaches rode on separate boats right next to all four of the boats to go through different activities with the crew.
The boats went from the boathouse to past Thompson-Boling Arena downstream and were taught on how to properly row. Eventually the crew made the journey back and had some competitions along the way, including which boat could travel the fastest in a minute.Â
"This was awesome," assistant director for career consultant Mary Mahoney said. "As I said out there, I have a very healthy appreciation for these women with their strength. I don't know people clearly know what it takes to be a rower."
After the professors learned from their rowers, the group went back inside the boathouse to get an exclusive tour and warm up with some hot chocolate and apple cider.
The Tennessee rowing team picks up spring competition on March 14-15 at the Oak Ridge Invite. To stay updated on the team, follow @Vol_Rowing on Twitter.
For the first time in a few years, the event took place on the Tennessee River as the professors were taught from the rowers themselves on the mechanics of rowing and the best practices in the sport.
Head coach Lisa Glenn originally thought of this idea a while back when she went to go buy some sushi.
"I went to go pick some sushi up after practice one day and somebody that worked at UT mentioned they knew a rower of mine when I was at the restaurant," Glenn told the group before their maiden voyage on the river. "I thought how it would be cool to get to know the professors that the rowers interact with every day and for them to see what the rowers do outside the classroom."
The group took part in setting up the equipment and the boats before heading out on the water, along with learning different type of rowing techniques on the crisp fall afternoon.
"It was really cool to have everyone come out," senior Mikayla Dutton said. "I think for most people, rowing is just a foreign type of sport. It is different. I think it was cool for them to see what we go through at practice and how the dynamic of how rowing works. And also just because it is a cool sport, not a lot of people get to do it. So having that extra bonding with our professors is just a great way to have that athlete and professor connection."
Before setting out on the river, the professors got a brief glimpse of how the Lady Vols start their practice, by creating a circle on the boating dock with Glenn explaining to the group what they were about to do on the river. The group then observed how the boats are transported to the dock from the boathouse and what needs to be done before setting out on the river.
"It was very eye-opening to see a little preview of what they do," graduate assistant for student-athlete development Taylor Worrell said. "We were just out here for an hour and they do that out here for over 20-plus hours (a week). To see a little bit in their world was great. We see them for three hours a week for class and by the time they come to class, they have already done this for two hours. It definitely opens our eyes and appreciate what they do."
After setting up, the professors and student athletes got into boats with eight people together and a coxswain. The coaches rode on separate boats right next to all four of the boats to go through different activities with the crew.
The boats went from the boathouse to past Thompson-Boling Arena downstream and were taught on how to properly row. Eventually the crew made the journey back and had some competitions along the way, including which boat could travel the fastest in a minute.Â
"This was awesome," assistant director for career consultant Mary Mahoney said. "As I said out there, I have a very healthy appreciation for these women with their strength. I don't know people clearly know what it takes to be a rower."
After the professors learned from their rowers, the group went back inside the boathouse to get an exclusive tour and warm up with some hot chocolate and apple cider.
The Tennessee rowing team picks up spring competition on March 14-15 at the Oak Ridge Invite. To stay updated on the team, follow @Vol_Rowing on Twitter.
Players Mentioned
/ Rowing
Everything Orange S2 | Alex Pidgeon (Rowing)
Thursday, May 22
ROW | Walk-On Promo
Thursday, August 15
Everything Orange | Kim Cupini (Rowing)
Thursday, February 01
Rowing | 2023 Senior Video
Monday, May 22
