Forge Your Legacy
Knute Rockne rowed for Notre Dame before he ever coached football. Nearly a century later, that same pursuit of excellence continues to define Notre Dame Men's Rowing.
Every practice is a test of discipline. Every race is built on trust. Every stroke is shared with teammates who push you to be stronger than you thought possible.
More than a team, Notre Dame Men's Rowing is a community united by Pride. Precision. Tradition. Here, you'll compete with the nation's best, build friendships that last a lifetime, and become part of a network that extends far beyond graduation.
Think you have what it takes? Whether you're an experienced rower or new to the sport, all Notre Dame students are welcome to try out. Start your journey by visiting our Recruiting Page.
From Walk-On to World Stage | Meet Ensign Joe Kiely ’24, U.S. Navy
If you step onto campus and have never touched an oar in your life, Joe Kiely ’24 proves that your starting point doesn't define your ceiling.
A native of Hebron, Kentucky, Joe walked onto the Notre Dame rowing team with zero prior experience. Through pure grit and relentless consistency, he transformed from a complete novice into the captain of the Varsity Eight that captured the 2024 ACRA National Championship.
Along the way, he shattered team history by becoming the first Notre Dame rower to break six minutes on the erg, helped his crew claim victory at the 2022 Head of the Charles Regatta, and earned a silver medal representing Team USA in the U.S. U23 Eight at the 2023 World Championships.
That same work ethic carried him straight into the U.S. Navy. Commissioned as an officer after graduation, Joe earned the Lieutenant Thomas Eadie USN Award at Officer Commissioning School and the Commanding Officer’s Personal Excellence Award at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.
For any new walk-on wondering what is possible in this sport, Joe’s journey is the ultimate blueprint: with the right mindset, the water will take you as far as you are willing to pull.
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